“that we also may be like all the nations,” 1 Samuel 8:20a
Samuel’s sons have begun judging Israel, but, without his integrity. The People begin to clamor for a change; they want a King! They do have a legitimate reason with their Judges taking bribes, but that is not at the heart of their request. They want to “be like all the nations”. Ultimately, they are rejecting God from being their King (see vs. 7) and using this as an excuse!
Jeremiah says our “hearts are deceitful above all else, who can know it?”. Sometimes we champion a cause, quote a Scripture for support, but if we are honest, we often have another agenda; often a sinful one! At heart, the Jews wanted to be “like the world” and cloaked their desire with a warranted reason. Let us beware and not do the same!!!