Our Sunday sermons this summer have focused on the Old Testament and how it applies to us today.  I have enjoyed them and have learned a great deal.  Today was no exception.

We have been studying the book of 1 Samuel for the past few weeks.  Today’s focus was      1 Samuel 8.  In this chapter we learn that the people of Israel wanted an earth King.  This displeased God, but because God gives us free will, he let’s us make our own decisions, even if they are bad ones.

God spoke to the Israelites through Samuel about what the King, or the government, will do.  I couldn’t help but to think that this lesson still rings true to this day.  Here is what the bible says about having an earthly King:

“This is what the king who will reign over you will do:  He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots.  Some he will assign to be commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.  He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers.  He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants.  He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants.  Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use.  He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves”.

Doesn’t look like things have change much over the years.