Interpretations of Leadership

Thursday, June 28, 2007 -- Week of Proper 7
(Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, c.202)

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html

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Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 972)
Psalms 105:1-22 (morning) 105:23-45 (evening)
1 Samuel 8:1-22
Acts 6:15 - 7:16
Luke 22:24-30


There are three accounts of Saul's being chosen the first king of Israel. They were redacted together sometime after 539 BCE into the form that we have inherited. Some scholars like to distinguish between at least two sources, often called the Saul Source and the Samuel Source. Today's passage is from the Samuel Source and bears the marks of editing by the Deuteronomic school of the seventh century and later.

According to the Samuel Source, the people's demand for a king displeased God and displeased the judge Samuel. We read of his oracle from God's voice: "They have rejected me (God) from being king over them." Samuel then describes the excesses of monarchy in a description that sounds rather like the later reign of Solomon. Later we'll read from the Saul Source which sees the call of Saul as an anointing by God which Samuel the seer approves.

In many strains of our scripture we have contrasting and conflicting traditions of interpretation. More than one opinion or interpretation is preserved in the tradition.

Was the monarchy a good thing approved of God? Depends on which interpretation you read -- the Saul or the Samuel source. The Hebrew tradition of respecting the fullness of their tradition and the value of debate and conversation is preserved in the final editing of the Bible. The Biblical perspective is that saving all of the sacred heritage is more important than being consistent and losing some of the experience of our rich history with God.

In the Acts of the Apostles we see Stephen making a defense of is faith in Jesus by reinterpreting the Biblical narrative with particular emphasis upon God's taking initiative to act in Israel's history. Among the stories of the patriarchs, he focuses upon that of Joseph, who because of jealousy was sold into slavery by his brothers. Yet God took special care of Joseph and was with him. Stephen is setting up his contention that God has taken the initiative again to act in the history of Israel by sending Jesus as the Messiah. Once again because of jealousy the leaders were divided and sought to kill God's chosen. But God was with Jesus to care for him by raising him from the dead. This is an interpretation of the ancient story that will not be well received by the authorities whom Stephen is addressing.

In a way, the gospel reading from Luke picks up on a theme from the Samuel Source. As Samuel discouraged the people from choosing a king because of the excessive exercise of royal power, Jesus tell his followers it is "not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. ...I am among you as one who serves."

The Servant as Leader; the Leader as Servant -- it is a central theme in the message from Jesus.

Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

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