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Patriarchs and Prophets
had separated the Israelites from every other people, to make them His
own peculiar treasure. But they, disregarding this high honor, eagerly
desired to imitate the example of the heathen! And still the longing to
conform to worldly practices and customs exists among the professed
people of God. As they depart from the Lord they become ambitious
for the gains and honors of the world. Christians are constantly seeking
to imitate the practices of those who worship the god of this world.
Many urge that by uniting with worldlings and conforming to their
customs they might exert a stronger influence over the ungodly. But
all who pursue this course thereby separate from the Source of their
strength. Becoming the friends of the world, they are the enemies of
God. For the sake of earthly distinction they sacrifice the unspeakable
honor to which God has called them, of showing forth the praises of
Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
1
Peter 2:9
.
With deep sadness Samuel listened to the words of the people; but
the Lord said unto him, “Hearken unto their voice, and make them a
king.” The prophet had done his duty. He had faithfully presented the
warning, and it had been rejected. With a heavy heart he dismissed
the people, and himself departed to prepare for the great change in the
government.
Samuel’s life of purity and unselfish devotion was a perpetual
rebuke both to self-serving priests and elders and to the proud, sensual
congregation of Israel. Although he assumed no pomp and made no
display, his labors bore the signet of Heaven. He was honored by
the world’s Redeemer, under whose guidance he ruled the Hebrew
nation. But the people had become weary of his piety and devotion;
they despised his humble authority and rejected him for a man who
should rule them as a king.
In the character of Samuel we see reflected the likeness of Christ.
It was the purity of our Saviour’s life that provoked the wrath of
Satan. That life was the light of the world, and revealed the hidden
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depravity in the hearts of men. It was the holiness of Christ that
stirred up against Him the fiercest passions of falsehearted professors
of godliness. Christ came not with the wealth and honors of earth, yet
the works which He wrought showed Him to possess power greater
than that of any human prince. The Jews looked for the Messiah to
break the oppressor’s yoke, yet they cherished the sins that had bound