May 8, 2005 Summit PM

The Destruction Of The Amalekites

Introduction

A. Text – 1 Samuel 15:1-3

B. God’s love & graciousness seem limitless

            1. Jn.3:16,17 – so loved world gave Son – not come to judge, came to save

            2. 1 Tim.2:3 – wants all men to saved & come to a knowledge of the truth

            3. 2 Pet.3:9 – not wanting anyone to perish – all come to eternal life

            4. Regardless of the sin – blood of Jesus can cleanse

C. Text seems strange – how blend this with God’s love?

            1. Utterly destroy the Amalekites (annihilate, exterminate)

            2. Are seeing the reality of the wrath of God

                        a. Heb.10:26,27 – deliberately keep on sinning

                        b. Rev.6:16 – hide us from the wrath of the Lamb

            3. Is a God that if fully loving, but also executes wrath

D. Pray

 

I. Background Of The Text

            A. The people

                        1. Descendents of Esau – Gen.36:10-16 (some say not – mentioned ch.14)

                        2. Nomadic people who constantly attacked & oppressed Israel

                        3. Ex.17:8-16 – attacked them as traveled to Promised Land

            B. God is extremely angry with them

                        1. Destroy every man, woman, child, infant & animal

                        2. Ex.17 – made an unprovoked attack – no reason but to destroy

                        3. Israel had just escaped from Egypt & struggling in the wilderness

                        4. All nations in land extremely wicked

                                    Lev.18:1-5 – Israel told not to be like them

                                    Deut.9:4-6 – reason got land = they were extremely wicked

                        5. Brutality & wickedness so embedded = beyond repentance

                                    Had to be removed – like a cancer

            C. God had been patient with them over the centuries

                        1. Gen.15:16 – 4th generation inherit land – iniquity of Amorite not yet full

                        2. Should have heeded warning – when Egypt fell

                        3. Rahab understood this – Josh.2:8-11

                        4. Now it’s time for justice to prevail – punishment be inflicted

            D. Israel has been chosen – Saul chosen to lead them

                        1. God uses nations to inflict His wrath

                                    a. Isa.13:19 – Babylon be overthrown by God

                                                (vs.17 – will stir up Medes against them)

                                    b. Lk.21:5,6 – destruction of Temple

                                                (vs.20 – armies surround)

                        2. Amalekites had been devoted to God – to be slaughtered

                                    a. God would be with His people – would be victorious

                                    b. Enemy never had a chance

 

II. Some Of The Lessons We Can Learn

            A. Sinfulness brings consequences

                        1. Num.32:23 – be sure sin will find you out

                        2. Gen.4:7 – sin wants to rule you – when does brings death = Rom.6:23

                        3. God will hold us accountable – 2 Cor.5:10

                        4. Any time allow sin to rule = a price to pay – Gal.6:7,8

                        5. Only hope – Jesus

            B. God is just as well as gracious & merciful

                        1. Many see Him as a grandfather – boys will be boys (permissive)

                        2. A loving God could never do this (cruel & unusual punishment)

                        3. See the extent of God’s hatred of sin

                                    a. Lev.18:24-28 – their sin even defiled the land

                                    b. Lev.20:1-16 – deserving of death

                                    c. Jer.16:16-21 – make them pay double

                        4. One day – all evil will be eradicated – paid for in full

                                    a. 2 Pet.3:10-12 – day coming everything destroyed

                                    b. 2 Thess.1:5-10 – punish all who not know God or obey gospel

            C. We’ve not been called to destroy evil, but to preach salvation

                        1. Israel chosen to destroy a nation

                        2. We chosen to save all nations – Mt.28:19,20

                                    a. God is patient with us – 2 Pet.3:8,9

                                    b. Wants to work through us – join Him in sharing message

                        3. When we do – God will destroy all that would oppose us

                                    a. We are more than conquerors

                                    b. Even death’s sting is nothing in Jesus

                                    c. 1 Pet.3:8-14 – who harm you if you eager to do right

 

Conclusion

A. A wicked people were to be destroyed

            1. God had had enough

            2. Let’s learn

                        a. All sin has consequences

                        b. God is a just God & punishes all sin

                        c. Accept the call & carry the message of hope to all

B. Pray