Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

The Lord Warns Israel of Their Mistake
The Lord said to Samuel: "Heed the voice of the people in all
that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have
rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the
works which they have done since the day that I brought them up
out of Egypt, even to this day--with which they have forsaken Me
and served other gods--so they are doing to you also."
Israel had prospered the most when they acknowledged
Jehovah as their King, when they believed that the laws and the
government that He had established were superior to those of other
nations. But by straying from God's law the Hebrews had failed to
become the people that God wanted to make them--then they
blamed God's government for all the evils that resulted from their
own sin and foolish actions.
The Lord permitted the people to follow their own choice,
because they refused to be guided by His counsel. When people
choose to have their own way, He often grants their desires so that
they may come to realize their foolishness. Whatever the heart
desires contrary to the will of God will end up to be a curse rather
than a blessing.
God instructed Samuel to grant the request of the people, but to
warn them of the Lord's disapproval and to let them know what
would be the result of their choice. He faithfully explained to them
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