1 Samuel 8:4-9; 19 Finally the leaders of Israel met in Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. They told him that since his retirement things hadn't been the same, for his sons were not good men. "Give us a king like all the other nations have," they pleaded. Samuel was terribly upset and went to the Lord for advice. "Do as they say," the Lord replied, "for I am the one they are rejecting, not you---they don't want me to be their king any longer. Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually forsaken me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment. Do as they ask, but warn them about what it will be like to have a king!". . . . But the people refused to listen to Samuel's warning. "Even so, we still want a king," they said, "for we want to be like the nations around us. He will govern us and lead us to battle."
[Living Bible translation]
Summary
Samuel was God's prophet---God's messenger to the people. But the people did not want a messenger from God or GOD's leadership. They wanted a king. At first Samuel was upset. Samuel had spent his entire "career" as a prophet trying to help the Israelites serve GOD and now it seemed that all of his work trying to steer the Israelites in the right direction was for nothing! Despite all that GOD had done, the Israelites wanted a king to lead them instead of GOD.
From a logical standpoint the Israelite's decision was totally irrational: Here were a people that had the opportunity to be governed by GOD---- WHO IS ALL POWERFUL, ALL KNOWING, EVERYWHERE and DIVINELY GOOD and FAIR by GOD's very nature, yet the Israelites said "NO." HE was not what they wanted!
From a physical and emotional point of view the Israelite's decision was also detrimental to their health and emotional well-being. GOD (WHO IS ALL KNOWING) actually warned the Israelites what life would be like if they were governed by a king. He warned them if they were given what they wanted, it would lead to disastrous consequences. GOD warned them that the king could cause them to "shed bitter tears" (See verse 18.). GOD told them that the king would not be fair, that he would conscript them into military service, treat them like slaves and even force their daughters to serve him. Despite being forewarned, the Israelites would not be dissuaded. They wanted what they wanted.
From a spiritual point of view, the decision to choose a human king over GOD was going in the exact opposite direction the people needed to go. Instead of getting closer to GOD they moved further away. They insulted HIM. They ignored GOD. They rejected HIM. Their sole focus was on what they wanted.
1 Samuel 8:1-19 is a classic example of a people making a decision detrimental to their own physical, emotional and spiritual health----choosing what they wanted instead of choosing what they needed.
FOOD NEEDS
Although eating is one of the most common of human experiences in the world, people may give little thought to what their nutritional needs are. Most people just eat what they want. When addressing what a person's nutritional needs are, a number of variables may be considered. Some of those variables include the person's: age, level of physical activity, physical health (e.g., whether a doctor has diagnosed a disease or condition) and emotional health.
Age Matters
Most people have to change their diets as they age. According to Diane Rodriguez in "Meeting Your Nutritional Needs As You Age," some of the factors that require that one make a nutritional adjustment include the following:
Your metabolism slows down. This happens naturally, but it becomes more pronounced if you don't get as much exercise as you should. When your metabolism slows, your body doesn't burn as many calories, which means you need to eat less to stay at a healthy weight. As a result, the foods you eat should be as nutrient-rich as possible. Most women with average activity levels need about 1,800 calories per day. Men with an average activity level need about 2,300 calories each day. You'll need fewer calories if you're sedentary, more if you are very active.
Your digestive system changes. Your body produces less of the fluids that it needs to process food in your digestive system when you get older. These changes can make it harder for your body to absorb important nutrients like folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12.
Your emotional health may be affected. .... [E]motional issues may cause some people to eat more and gain unwanted pounds.
Emphasis added. See, Diane Rodriguez, "Meeting Your Nutritional Needs As You Age," reviewed by Cynthia Haines, MD at www.everydayhealth.com. One of the "tips" Dr. Rodriguez gives for boosting nutritional health is to:
"Rough up" your diet. Include a variety of high-fiber foods every day, such as raw fruits and vegetables and whole grains. These foods help cut down on constipation; provide the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and nutrients that you need for healthy aging; help maintain your weight; and reduce your risk of heart problems. If you're not sure you're getting enough fiber, talk to your doctor
Emphasis added. Id.
Men vs. Women
The nutrition needs of males and females usually start to change around the time of puberty. According to John Casey in "Women's Nutrition Needs Special Attention," The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy recommends a daily allowance of 18 milligrams of iron for women age 19 to 50. Pregnant women may require higher dosages. Men of the same age require about 8 milligrams daily. See, John Casey's "Women's Nutrition Needs Special Attention," reviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson Mathis, MD, www.webmd.com . Foods that are naturally high in iron include: spinach, chard, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, black-eye peas, nuts, squash, pumpkin seeds, raw kale and lentils.
When women enter menopause their estrogen levels decrease and their need for calcium increases. According to Casey, the daily calcium recommendations are 1,000 milligrams a day for women under 50, and 1,500 for women 51 and older. Casey notes that "oddly enough, these are the same requirements for men." But because the recommendation takes into account the fact that women are generally smaller than men, the amount of daily calcium is greater for women on a proportional basis. Id. Foods that are naturally high in calcium include: sesame seeds, almonds, flax seeds, broccoli, dark leafy greens (e.g. spinach and kale), and oranges.
Both men and women also need folic acid, which has been linked to heart health, prevention of cervical and colon cancer and with other health benefits. Foods high in folic acid include some of the above-referenced nuts and vegetables, Brussels sprouts, avocado, asparagus, bananas, and nuts and seeds.
If you don't know what your nutritional needs are for your age, weight, level of activity and physical and emotional health, consult your physician.
SHOPPING FOR FOOD
When shopping for food, try to shop for foods you need rather than for foods you just want. Make a list of what you need before you go shopping. If you find your cart (or your cabinets at home) filled with high sodium, high sugar content foods, sugary drinks, fast food, (or things you KNOW you don't need but just want) get rid of the things harmful to your health or that undermine good nutrition. Before entering a food checkout line or a fast food store, ask yourself this questions: "Am I buying what I NEED or am I just buying what I WANT." If the answer is "WANT," then say a prayer and ask for help and strength to put harmful items back or step away.
CONSULT YOUR OTHER PHYSICIAN
The Israelites are confronted with the same choices that we are confronted with today:
- Will we do what is best for our physical and emotional health, even though we have been forewarned of the consequences or will we ignore what we need and just do what we want?
- Will we get closer to GOD--believing that HE IS ALL POWERFUL, GOOD and EVERYWHERE (even the places where we shop or eat) and HE is able do wondrous things in our lives---even in our times of weakness--- when we turn to HIM or will we just give in to our wants and ignore GOD.
Let this Wednesday (or every day) be a day of reflection---- WANTS or NEEDS?
Let's make the right choice and BE BLESSED!
