He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out together as one. – 1 Samuel 11:7

Today’s Scripture Reading (January 20, 2016): 1 Samuel 11

“When you make a death threat to someone, you don't write it down on paper and send it to them by mail. You say it to their face and you make sure they never forget the look in your eyes. Make sure they remember that look, until the day you kill them.” The quote is attributed to Luigi Giuliano, the boss of the Giuliano Clan in Naples. But, maybe more importantly, the quote just seems to sound so Mafia-like, and exactly what we would expect from the leader of a crime family.

Unfortunately, so do the words of Saul in this passage. He may not have looked into the eyes of those that he threatened, but the act of killing an animal and sending out the animal’s body parts to the various people that he was communicating with provided a very clear message. You are either with me, or you are against me. And now the choice is in your hands. You can support me in the conflict that is at hand, and reap the benefits of being on my side, or you can stay at home while others fight the battle for you, and be numbered among my enemies. The animal body parts screamed the question – what exactly is it that you are going to do?

But while it might be a move of intimidation worthy of the modern day Mafia, it probably had a very real and important purpose. Up until this point, Israel had existed as nothing more than a loosely connected group of tribes. But now it was time for the tribe to become a nation. And that meant that the time had come for an all for one, and one for all moment. It was time for the nation to stand up for each other.

Jabesh-Gilead was a town within the area of the half-tribe of Manasseh. When the Ammonites attacked, it was very clear exactly what they expected to happen. They expected to have to go up against the Tribe of Manasseh. But Saul had a different idea. The Ammonites had disrespected not just Manasseh, but Israel. And if Saul had his way, it was Israel that was going to respond.

And the invitation to the tribes asking for their response was sent out in a letter written with the body parts of a dead ox.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 12