Unstable Flesh

Narrator: Ivona Gentwo

• 2 min. read • grade level: 8

As the lot proceeded, first the tribe of Benjamin was taken, then the family of Matri, and finally Saul the son of Kish. And then the man could not be found! Diligent search having failed to discover him, the Lord was inquired of, who told them, “Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff [baggage].” This was scarcely kingly dignity, neither was it true modesty. It was rather hypocrisy. Flesh is ever insincere. It hides itself when it should stand forth, and it makes itself very evident when it should be entirely out of sight. We see this sadly illustrated in two of the choicest saints in Bible history: Moses in the Old Testament and Peter in the New. Moses was hasty enough when he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand, but painfully slow and unwilling when called of God to go into Pharaoh's presence and demand the release of His people: (Ex. 2:12¹²And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. (Exodus 2:12); Ex. 4:10¹⁰And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. (Exodus 4:10)). Peter was bold enough in the garden using his sword, but he was cowardice itself when among the servant-maids in the High Priest’s palace (John 18.). Never under any circumstances can flesh be trusted to do the right thing for God. It is one of the characteristics of the Christian that he has “no confidence in the flesh” (Phil. 3:3³For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:3)). At last Saul was found, and “when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.” To the carnal mind of the people this was admirable, and the earth rang with their shout, “God save the king.” We are reminded of another Benjamite, remarkably bearing the same name as Israel's first king, who was strikingly conspicuous amongst his fellows. Hearken to his words. “If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more; circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless” (Phil. 3:4-6⁴Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: ⁵Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; ⁶Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (Philippians 3:4‑6)). Yet more—I “profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers” (Gal. 1:14¹⁴And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. (Galatians 1:14)). But one sight of Christ showed him the worthlessness of it all, and he was content to lay all his honor in the dust. Having learned that with God nothing counts but Christ, henceforward nothing but Christ counted with him. Happy man!

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