Learning from Others’ Failures
Someone once defined “experience” as “the thing you have right after you need it.” I would add, “unless you have mastered learning from the experience of others.”
This is the very thing the Apostle Paul encourages us to do as we read the Old Covenant (Testament) Scriptures: “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come” (1Corinthians 10:11). King Saul’s failure is one from which we can learn much.
Israel’s King Saul had everything he needed and still failed. His struggle challenges us to see our own failures more accurately.
The people of Israel wanted a king just like the kings of other nations. They wanted a warrior to lead them in victory against their enemies, especially the Philistines. So, God gave them a king, Saul. He was the tall, handsome son of an influential Benjamite.
Saul, however, was flawed just like all deliverers chosen by God. The hunt for his father’s donkeys and the subsequent search for the “man of God” revealed a young man more concerned for his father’s feelings than valuable property, one who depended on others for basic insight into his environment, and who saw himself as “little.” Saul even tried to hide from assuming his God-ordained role.
However, these flaws were not the cause of Saul’s failure. God gave Saul everything he needed to succeed as Israel’s king. According to 1 Samuel, God…
chose and anointed Saul (9:16–17; 10:1)
provided Samuel, God’s seer/prophet to guide him (10:1ff)
demonstrated His ability to protect him in enemy-controlled territory (10:5)
gave him His spirit to empower and transform him (10:6, 9)
affirmed His choice of Saul before the people (10:17–23)
provided a citizenry that welcomed him as their king (10:24), and a capable leadership team, “men of valor” (10:26)
furnished him with written instructions (10:25)
confirmed His empowerment with a military victory (11:1–14, note especially verses 6–7)
staged an inauguration ceremony affirming Saul’s reign as a legitimate component of God’s kingdom rule (11:12–15)
So, if Saul had everything he needed to succeed, why did he fail? The simple answer is that Saul disobeyed God’s command by not waiting for Samuel as instructed 1 Samuel 13:13–14. We see the same dynamic in 1 Samuel 15 where Saul disobeyed the Lord by not completely destroying the Amalekites and all their belongings. Why did Saul disobey? He refused to trust God.
We see the root of Saul’s failure in contrast with the characteristic Samuel highlights in the man chosen to replace Saul, “a man after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). The one God chose was sold out to trusting God’s leadership and provision.
Samuel also gives the spiritual pathology of Saul’s disobedience as “rebellion,” which is likened to two related sins. First, “the sin of divination” attempts to control the future and the spiritual realm apart from trusting God. Second, “insubordination” is likened to “iniquity and idolatry,” trusting something other than God for protection and provision (1 Samuel 15:22–23).
Saul himself affirmed this pathology when he confessed, “I have indeed transgressed the command of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice” (1 Samuel 15:24[WT1] ). His reign failed because he feared people rather than revering God’s ability.
Saul had the potential to be a great king because God called and equipped him with everything he needed. However, he was undone by unbelief. He refused to embrace his God-given identity and sufficiency for success.
Perhaps our own spiritual failures find their roots in the same dynamic. We too have been called by God and set apart for service to Him. In Messiah we have been created for good works (Ephesians 2:10), we are new creatures, created in the likeness of God (Ephesians 4:24), and God has given us everything for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
By carefully observing Saul’s example, we gain valuable experience. May we learn to recognize that our struggle with obedience is an unwillingness to trust all that God provides in Messiah. We are in fact new creations and have God’s power in us to fulfill our calling and to do what we cannot do for ourselves.
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Messiah, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:18–23)
Written by Dan, Life in Messiah Board member
Recall a time when you experienced failure. In hindsight, what did you learn?
Sometimes we forget that, in Messiah, God has provided what we need to accomplish all He sets before us. What are some ways God has equipped you to live out your calling?
Remembering and embracing our identity in Messiah can be a “wake-up call” when we are struggling with obedience. Is there a Scripture passage on our God-given identity that you can commit to memory?