Saul, the newly anointed and recognized king of Israel, faced the first test of his leadership when King Nahash and the Ammonite army surrounded the Israelite territory of Jabesh-gilead. When he had heard about this from his ranch home in Gibeah, “the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul” (11:6). Using threats, Saul raised up an army of 330,000 men who would demolish the Ammonites. The overwhelming victory solidified Saul’s position as king in the eyes of the people. In chapter 11 we find Saul at his best; but things would not stay this way very long.
Samuel saw the military victory as an opportunity to call for spiritual renewal at Gilgal. It may have been the people’s impulse to think that their military success came because of their righteousness; but in his final speech as Israel’s Judge, the prophet Samuel makes it abundantly clear that their sin remained. In her passion for a king, Israel sinned against and rejected Yahweh, and up to this point they had not repented. Despite Samuel’s faithfulness as their leader (12:1-5) and more importantly, Yahweh’s faithfulness to His covenant people for generations (12:6-11), in their present crisis Israel had forgotten their God. Instead of crying out to Yahweh for help, they cried out for a human king to deliver them. No appeal was made to the One True King who always delivered them in the past. Is it not the tendency of frail flesh to trust God only until the next crisis comes along?
Despite their unbelief, God demonstrated His severity and kindness to Israel in a powerful unseasonable storm. The storm would be used to open their eyes to the gravity of their sin (12:17). Fear of Yahweh’s righteous wrath (12:18) seemed to be the pathway to Israel’s repentance (12:19). What does Yahweh do with His people when they commit spiritual high treason? He tells them, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself” (12:20-22). Here is a grace that is greater than all of our sin!
Such is what renewal looks like in twilight – a tension between seeing your personal sin as great wickedness and at the same time seeing the magnificent grace and steadfast love of God. Only the latter can keep you from despairing of the former. Look to God’s kindness and severity to work together to help you maintain your faith in Christ.