“The Slap” was a 2015 mini-series on American TV that told the story of a family falling apart after one character lost his temper and slapped a child. While the child, who was misbehaving and kicked the adult, needed to be disciplined, slapping any kid in the face (your own or someone else’s) is recognized as unacceptable. Even our open-minded, anything goes, culture has some moral sensibilities. Because it wasn’t his son, the parents brought charges and had him arrested. The rest of the plot was typical soap opera stuff and nonsense that exposed everyone’s dirty little secrets and tore apart their false world. Everyone's hidden corruption was brought to light because of the slap.

The Slap should remind us of the story of Saul after Samuel confronted him for sin and rebellion against God in 1 Samuel 15. Even after being charged with rebellion against God Saul knew he needed the appearance of fellowship with Yahweh and begged Samuel to at least lead in worship in front of Israel. In other words he wanted Samuel to join him in the façade, to put on a show and perpetuate Saul’s false world.

He even claimed to repent and ask for God's forgiveness. “I have sinned; I have indeed transgressed the command of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice. Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me, that I may worship the LORD.” 1 Sam 15:24-25. Notice how even the repentance repeated the excuse.

But the depth of his corruption was revealed by his version of The Slap. Samuel refused to participate in the phony worship and reminded Saul that God had rejected him as King of Israel. When he turned to leave Saul grabbed his robe and tore it. Samuel responded by telling Saul that God had torn the kingdom from Saul that day (1 Samuel 15:26-28).

What does that tell us about the power of sin and rebellion against God? Once it gets in our heart it is extremely difficult to root out. In the fictional world of “The Slap” the whole group of adults was engaged in despicable acts that were hidden from others. But the slap was out in the open. It exposed an evil heart, and ended up exposing everyone’s sin.

Saul claimed to repent but the lie was exposed by his use of force against Samuel. Saul was determined to do it his way not God's way and reacted in violence to Samuel's refusal to go along with him. His core of corruption was exposed when he was called out for his refusal to obey God. This was a direct threat of violence against God's servant. “You will do what I say” was Saul's clear message.

What about us? Do we react angrily when someone questions our religious beliefs and practices? Oh, we may not reach out and tear their robes, but if we tear into them verbally, to their face or behind their back, that's when our core of corruption is exposed. That's when we show the world our disobedience to God isn't an innocent mistake, but comes from a corrupt soul. Ladies and gentlemen we can’t hide what’s in our heart from God, and eventually it’ll come out in public with a slap.