"Be Careful . . . " *sermon for the 4th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 5B*

           I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying, “Be careful what you wish for.”  That is very wise advice.  Sometimes what we hope and long for is not all we thought it might be.  Often there’s a difference between the dream and the reality.

            Many years ago, there was a show, “Fantasy Island.”  You can still watch it.  Mr. Roarke and his assistant, Tattoo, welcomed new guests each week.   Each guest had a dream, a fantasy he or she wanted to live out.  Things never ended as hoped, however.

            The same could be said for God’s people in our Hebrew Scripture lesson.  Samuel warns the people to be careful what they wish for.  Samuel bridges the period of the Judges to the early Monarchy. 

Notice why the people desire a king:

·         They want someone who can go before them in war. 

·         The people want someone to tell them what to do. 

·         They want to be just like the other nations with a king. 

·         Also, Samuel’s sons are corrupt and unfit to succeed Samuel.

            Samuel tries very hard to convince the people.  A king is not all its cracked up to be, the prophet warns them.  Samuel goes on to describe in full detail the kind of king they can expect to have:  No words are minced:

 

“This is the way the kind of king you’re talking about operates.  He’ll take your sons and make soldiers of them—chariotry, cavalry, infantry, regimented in battalions and squadrons.  He’ll put some to forced labor on his farms, plowing and harvesting, and others to making either weapons of war or chariots in which he can ride in luxury.  He’ll put your daughters to work as beauticians and waitresses and cooks.  He’ll conscript your best fields, vineyards, and orchards and hand them over to his special friends.  He’ll tax your harvests and vintage to support his extensive bureaucracy.  Your prize workers and best animals he’ll take for his own use.  He’ll lay a tax on your flocks and you’ll end up no better than slaves.  The day will come when you will cry in desperation because of this king you so much want for yourselves.

I Samuel 8:  (MSG)

            Samuel paints a harsh picture.  A picture full of hardship, suffering, and oppression.  That is the kind of king the people will get.  The people don’t take Samuel’s words to heart.  They cry out even more for a king.

            Here we see God’s people clinging to the need to have a king.  Despite being told that it is not in their own best interests.  Despite the first commandment.  They won’t let go of their desire for a human leader.

            God advises Samuel to give in.  To give the people what they think they want.  After all, God points out, it is not Samuel the people are rejecting.  They are, in fact, rejecting God.  So first Saul and then David are anointed as kings. 

“What does this all mean for us?” I hear you ask.  We have done away with kings and monarchy.  Here in the United States, we have the opportunity to elect our leaders.  We do, however, have a great responsibility as we elect our leadership.

You and I have our homework to do before November.  Now, I am not political.  I do not believe that it is my place, as pastor and priest, to tell you how to vote.  I do encourage you to be an informed voter.

Get to know the candidates.  Fact check them.  Have they done what they've said they do?  Do their actions match their words.  Do their beliefs reflect yours?  And, please, do not be a one issue voter.  Find out where the candidates stand on all the issues.

I'm going to suggest that you and I also do something bold, radical even.  If you get your news from, say, Fox and Friends, for every 30 minutes you watch or listen, turn over to NPR or the PBS News Hour to get a balanced perspective.

The Reformer Martin Luther said, "what your heart trust in, what your heart clings to is your god- your king."  Dear friends, who or what is our god and king?  Is it the God of grace, mercy, and love?