I Samuel 16
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I Samuel 16:7, But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
In this chapter, we see Samuel anoint David to be king. Young David was God’s choice for the next king of Israel. What’s interesting here is that all the obvious choices are rejected by God. God sought the youngest son of Jesse, the shepherd boy, the lyre player. I love the language in today’s focus verse, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” As humans, we judge others by their appearance, their speech, their abilities, their job, even where they’re from. Without really knowing a person, we judge and criticize them (I see this happen all the time inside the church.)
But God could care less about any of these attributes! God cares about the heart. Are we loving? Are we kind? Are we obedient? How could we be different as a body of believers if we ONLY looked at the heart?
If you didn’t read through the whole chapter, I encourage you to do so. It’s fascinating to see how God orchestrates events to bring Saul and the newly anointed David together. Be sure to check it out.
Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, We are judgmental people. Help us look at people through your eyes. In Your Name, Amen.
I Samuel 15
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I Samuel 15:34-35, Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.
What a sad chapter. Saul has come completely unhinged. He gives lip service to serving God but really does what he wants.
God had tasked Saul and his army to destroy the Amalekites for their violent treatment of the Israelites as they made their way into the promised land. God’s instructions were very clear: kill all of them. But Saul decides to save the best of the livestock and keep the Amalekite king as a prisoner. When confronted by Samuel the prophet, Saul actually lies about the situation. When caught, he begins to back-pedal, saying he took the best of the animals to sacrifice to the Lord. He is almost flippant, totally not acknowledging the severity of disobedience. It’s obvious, the power of kingship has gone to his head. Saul wants to do what he wants to do when he wants to do it. He has forgotten where he came from and who got him there. He has forgotten his place in the world. Saul is not above God.
As a result of Saul’s arrogance, his disobedience, and his lack of repentance, Samuel knows he must separate from Saul. He can no longer be connected with this man. This grieved Samuel, as he had served with Saul for years. And Saul’s behavior grieved God.
I’ve been reflecting about this – are there times when we think we are above God? Are there times when we think we know better? I’m not saying I have a good answer or even an example, but it’s worth spending some time in prayer about this.
Lord, Help us remember our place in this world. You are God and we are not. May we remember that we belong to you. Help us grow in trust of the one true King. In Your Name, Amen.
I Samuel 14
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I Samuel 14:24-27, Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food. The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground. When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out; yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.
Without giving it much thought or asking the Lord for wisdom, Saul decides to make a rash oath requiring that all the men in his army fast from food until the Philistines were avenged. So now his men are scared, tired, and hungry! Saul’s son, Jonathan, eats some honey, not knowing about the oath. When he is told about his father’s oath, he is not frightened but rather exasperated with his father’s poor decision-making.
The Israelites go on to defeat some of the Philistines but there is still more fighting ahead of them. Saul is convinced that their inability to secure total victory must be due to a sin that has occurred and he asks for some confirmation of this. Whoever is at fault, Saul will put to death. When the lot falls upon Jonathan, Saul is willing to kill his own son in order to gain God’s favor and that of the people. But the army revolts. They see Jonathan as the reason they were able to have any victory at all. Jonathan is seen as a trusted leader who cares for his troops. Saul gets a vote of no-confidence. We begin to see Saul’s poor leadership, rash decision-making, and selfish desperation get the best of him.
Let’s pray…God, We need your wisdom. On our own, we will mess up over and over again. Lord, help us not get too busy or too full of ourselves to seek your wisdom in all we do. We need you. More of you and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
I Samuel 13
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I Samuel 13:11-14, “What have you done?” asked Samuel.
Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”
“You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”
One of Saul’s first acts as king was to establish a standing army. Both he and his son, Jonathan, commanded different divisions of the Hebrew army. In today’s chapter, we see Jonathan and his soldiers attacking the Philistine army at the town of Geba, greatly aggravating the Philistine leaders. They decide to retaliate by attacking Saul’s troops and the Israelites are greatly outnumbered. In fact, Saul and Jonathan’s men respond by running away and hiding in caves, rocks, thickets, cisterns, or wherever else they can find safety.
Saul waits for Samuel to come to offer the necessary burnt offerings that are supposed to happen before a battle occurs to receive the Lord’s favor. But Saul gets impatient. In fact, Saul is so impatient that he goes ahead and just offers the burnt offerings himself, a big no-no. Samuel, as the prophet, is still the spiritual authority, not King Saul. We don’t really know why Saul took matters into his own hands; maybe he was anxious about the battle and not thinking straight or possibly he thought himself invincible as king. Regardless, when Samuel arrives and realizes what has happened, he admonishes Saul and prophesies that because Saul did not obey God’s commands, his kingdom will not endure. God has another king in mind, someone who will be man after God’s own heart.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get a bit impatient. If I’m honest, I get impatient with God. Why hasn’t this happened yet, God? When are you going to act in this area? But impatience never ends well, not for Saul and not for us. I was thinking about how the opposite of impatience is not patience but trust. God calls us to trust him to do his will in his timing.
Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, Where we are impatient, help us trust you more. We belong to you. More of you and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
I Samuel 12
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I Samuel 12:20-25, “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.”
In this chapter, we see Samuel pass the leadership baton to Saul for the final time. But first, Samuel finds the need to set some things straight. Samuel stresses that he led both effectively and with integrity. Israel, on the other hand, sinned again and again. It was especially a sin to ask for a human king, as God always intended that he would be their king. Samuel, to emphasize the point of this particular sin, asks God to send thunder and rain to demonstrate both the severity of their sin and the power of God. The people immediately respond with fear.
In today's focus verses, we see Samuel reassuring the people. He doesn’t sugarcoat it. Yes, they have sinned. Yes, they probably should not have asked for a human king. But it’s done. Now, they need to repent and move forward. Fear God, trust God, and serve God. Move on.
How many people need to hear that today? Yes, maybe you have messed up royally in your past. Maybe you even messed up this week! It’s time to repent. You can think of repentance as turning away from sin and back toward God. It’s not simply being sorry for wrongdoing but intentionally moving back toward a relationship with God. What do you need to do to move back toward God?
Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, I am so sorry for the many ways I have messed up this week. I’m sorry for putting things before you. I am sorry for being distracted. I am sorry for being unkind at times. Please forgive me. I want to be in right relationship with you. I belong to you. More of you and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
I Samuel 11
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I Samuel 11:6-8, When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. 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. When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.
In this chapter, Saul is given the opportunity to prove to Israel that he has what it takes to be their king. The Ammonites were known to be very aggressive and violent and they were taking aim at the people of Jabesh, even threatening to put out eyes so that the men would not be able to aim in future battles. Very ugly stuff. To make matters worse, the people of Jabesh don't seem to think the rest of the tribes will come to their aid. They are basically resigned to their fate, although they do ask for seven days to think about what to do.
During that seven day period, messengers come to tell the new king about what was transpiring in another area of Israel. The messengers themselves were so upset, so very distraught, by the situation that they begin to weep, just as Saul is returning. When Saul inquires of the situation and is told of what is going on in Jabesh, Scripture says that the Spirit of God came over him and he burned with anger, righteous anger in this case. Then, he does something very unorthodox. He cuts up a pair of oxen and sends pieces of the animals to all the tribes of Israel, stating that the oxen of those who don't follow him will face the same fate. Interesting leadership strategy for sure. The people are scared but they come together to fight the Ammonites and Jabesh is saved.
Saul has made it clear - he is king, he is to be followed, and Israel is to be unified. And the story will be continued tomorrow.
Let's pray...Almighty God, You are a God of justice and righteousness. How often we forget this! Give us wisdom to know when to burn with righteous anger and give us courage to stand up for those who are being oppressed. We love you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
I Samuel 10
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I Samuel 10:24-27, Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.”
Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!” Samuel explained to the people the rights and duties of kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the Lord. Then Samuel dismissed the people to go to their own homes.
Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. But some scoundrels said, “How can this fellow save us?” They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.
In this chapter, we see Samuel anoint Saul as king of Israel. Possibly in order to reassure Saul that this was indeed his calling, Samuel goes through a long list of things that would occur before Saul reaches home. Everything Samuel said would happen does come to pass almost immediately. What’s interesting to me is that God changes Saul’s heart; God’s Spirit comes over him and Saul begins to prophecy, something that must have been very uncharacteristic of the young man. Clearly, God was making a point to Saul – God had chosen him.
Samuel gathers all of Israel at Mizpah, where Saul will be instituted as king. He explains the rights and duties of kingship. This seems to indicate that this monarchy would be different. Saul was not to be an oppressive autocrat, as the kings around him. Israel’s monarchy would fall under its covenant with God. There would obviously be privileges as king but the people also had rights. The ultimate law of the land was still God’s law.
It doesn’t take long for some people to dislike Saul. They don’t know him, they haven’t seen him govern, and they already hate him. It doesn’t matter to them that Saul is God’s choice. They want what they want and it wasn’t Saul. But I love how Saul handles it – he remains silent!
Friends, there will always be detractors. There will always be people that dislike you before they know you, especially if you are in a leadership position. I think something to remember is that it isn’t about you, your abilities, your calling, or your character. It’s about them. For those who hated Saul at this point in our story, it wasn’t about Saul at all. It was about something within them – insecurity, anger, bitterness, separation from God, sin.
Maybe someone simply needs to hear that today. Trust what God has called you to do. Stay faithful. There will always be objectors. And sometimes, the best way to respond is simply to stay silent.
Let’s pray…Lord, Help us keep a laser focus on you and what you have called us to do for your Kingdom. I pray for the ability to hear your voice above all others. In Your Name, Amen.
I Samuel 9
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I Samuel 9:14-17, They went up to the town, and as they were entering it, there was Samuel, coming toward them on his way up to the high place. Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel: 16 “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me.” When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”
God has chosen a king for the people and his name is Saul. At this point, we don't know much about Saul, except that his father was wealthy, he was from the tribe of Benjamin, he was quite tall, and he had lost his donkeys. Thus, he goes on a journey to find them and almost gives up. His servant suggested they go see a man of God he had heard about, for this "seer" might be able to lead them in the right direction.
As we know from the reading, the man of God was Samuel. God had just revealed to Samuel who the king would be and we get this beautiful interaction between God and Samuel in our focus verses. We can surmise that the lost donkeys were simply a way to get Saul to Samuel. God had orchestrated the whole thing.
There are times in our lives when we can certainly see God leading us in a certain direction. It may even be that specific events are woven together in such a way that we know God had his hand in it. Now, I don't believe that every little thing we do is orchestrated by God. After all, we have free will and God allows us to make our own choices. But there are times, as we see in today's Scripture, that God has a specific purpose to achieve and he makes sure it gets done. That was true for Samuel and Saul and it is certainly true for us as well.
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, Help us be aware of when you are guiding us in a specific direction. Give us ears to hear and eyes to see you at work in our lives. We love you and we trust you. More of you and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
I Samuel 8
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I Samuel 8:19-21, But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord.
Samuel is coming to the end of his life. We read that he wants to appoint his sons to lead Israel but the people are opposed. His sons, like Eli's sons before him, are more interested in getting rich than caring for the people. It is a strange thing that we see throughout Scripture, some of the most faithful, strong leaders raise children who have no integrity. Are they too busy leading the people to lead their own families? That may need to be a discussion for another day.
In this situation, the people recognize the weaknesses of Samuel's sons and don't want to be led by them. They request a king. Samuel is distressed by this and goes to God. God tells Samuel to warn the people what having a king will mean. The king will force their sons to fight in wars and their daughters to work as domestic servants. The king will tax them and take a portion of their crops and livestock. But the people insisted.
From the earliest of days, God had been the one to direct Israel and choose its leaders. But now the people are demanding something else. They think a human king will bring stability and safety, as well as a certain status among the nations around them. And while God knew this was not what was best for Israel (the ideal way was for God to remain the one providing direct guidance and instruction to the people), he granted their request anyway. God would now achieve his purposes in a new way, through a human king and all his frailties.
God will achieve his purposes.
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, we thank you for the way you listen to us and have patience with us, even when what we do and request is so far off from what is ideal. Guide us, Lord, direct us, and help us listen to you. In Your Name, Amen.
I Samuel 7
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I Samuel 7:10-13, While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar. Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer,] saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” So the Philistines were subdued and they stopped invading Israel’s territory. Throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines.
In this chapter, we see the Ark of the Covenant being taken to its proper place and the whole of Israel repenting before the Lord. Under Samuel's leadership, the Hebrew people put away their false gods and turned back to the one true God. As a sign of repentance, Samuel called the people to gather at a place called Mizpah, where he sacrificed a lamb as an offering to the Lord. The Philistines heard about this, all of Israel gathering together, and they decide this would be a good time to attack. In response, Samuel pleads to God on behalf of the Israelites. God takes care of things and the Philistines are easily defeated. Samuel places a stone, called an Ebenezer, to mark the significant event when God interceded on behalf of the Israelites.
In Hebrew, the word Ebenezer actually means stone of help. The purpose of an Ebenezer, as we see in I Samuel, is to remember what God has done for his people. When I read this passage, I was reminded of one of my favorite hymns, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, which was written by Robert Robinson in 1758. In one of the verses, we sing, "Here I raise my Ebenezer, Here by Thy great help I've come, And I hope by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home." Robinson grew up in a difficult home. After his father's death, his mother sent him to London to learn a trade but he fell in with a bad crowd. But God's hand was at work. Robinson is led one night to a gathering in which George Whitefield preached and Robert Robinson gave his life to Jesus Christ. At age 23, Robinson begins to pastor a Methodist Chapel and writes the hymn. To him, raising an Ebenezer meant very intentionally remembering the good work God had done in him, pulling him out of a terrible situation and demonstrating his power and grace.
Think of the good works that God has done in your life. How has God demonstrated his power and grace? I'm wondering if we all might go get a large stone and raise an Ebenezer as a way to remember what God has done.
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, We thank you for how you intervene in such powerful ways in our lives. You truly are a miracle worker. Help us see and remember your amazing works. In Your Name, Amen.
I Samuel 6
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I Samuel 6:19-20, But God struck down some of the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy[a] of them to death because they looked into the ark of the Lord. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the Lord had dealt them. And the people of Beth Shemesh asked, “Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God? To whom will the ark go up from here?”
The Ark of the Covenant had become a liability to the Philistines and they knew it had to be returned. They return it to Israel, sending a guilt offering of golden tumors and golden rats along with it, to "appease" the God of Israel. The Ark is met with much joy by the people of Beth Shemesh, the town to which the Philistines sent the Ark. They make offerings to the Lord and the Levites set the Ark on a large rock for all to see.
But there were problems here too. Some of the inhabitants were bold enough to look into the Ark and God struck them down. To us, this seems kind of harsh but God had given his people strict rules about handling the Ark of the Covenant. This is where the presence of God dwelt among his people. It wasn't to be taken lightly. It wasn't simply a curiosity; it was the presence of the living God and thus, there should be reverence and even fear. The people seem a bit shocked. They ask, "Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God?"
I am quite relieved that we live on the other side of the cross. Because of Jesus' death on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn. We no longer have to be fearful about being in the presence of a holy God as the Israelites once did. As Hebrews 4:16 states, we can go boldly to the throne of grace and receive his mercy. Jesus has made a way for us to be reconciled to God; no more barriers and no more fear.
At the same time, I think there is still a place for reverence. We don't need to be hesitant or fearful of God but we should still have a deep respect that God is God and we are not.
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, Almighty God, Thank you for making a way for us to be in relationship with a holy God. Help us remember who you are and who we are and not get that confused. In Your Name, Amen.
I Samuel 5
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I Samuel 5:10-12, So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. As the ark of God was entering Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, “They have brought the ark of the god of Israel around to us to kill us and our people.” So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and said, “Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it[c] will kill us and our people.” For death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy on it. Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.
Well, it looks like the Philistines are sorry they took the Ark of the Covenant.
After defeating the Israelites in battle, the Philistines are more than happy to take the Ark and simply add another god to the mix of deities they worshipped. At first, they put the Ark next to one of their pagan gods, Dagon, in the town of Ashdod. The next day, Dagon was found on the ground, prostrate. After putting this idol back upright, they then find it back on the ground, decapitated and with its hands cut off. But God wasn't done, as he inflicted the people of the town with a plague of horrible tumors. In response, the Ark is moved, first to Gath and then to Ekron. In each place, people begin dying or being inflicted with tumors. Eventually, they decide that the Ark of the Covenant needs to go back to where it belongs.
What's interesting to me is that the Philistine people knew that the incident with Dagan, the tumors, and the deaths were all related to the presence of the God of Israel. They recognized the power of God but they didn't turn to God. They saw what God could do but they still didn't turn away from their idols and worship him.
How often do people see the power of God in their lives and yet not respond in any meaningful way? Yes, I think this happens today as well. I'm thinking of people I know who get terribly ill or are in a horrific accident, ask for prayers, and then are miraculously healed. They see the power of God at work in their life! While there may be some initial thankfulness and turning toward God, it eventually fades and they go on with life as normal.
May we recognize the power of the one and only God in our midst and turn toward him. God help us.
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, You are all powerful. You can do all things. Help us see you at work and recognize your power. Help us be totally and completely devoted to you in all we do. More of you and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
I Samuel 4
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I Samuel 4:3-4, When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that he may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.” So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim. And Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
After a certain period of time passes, the Israelites find themselves in a vicious battle with the Philistines. It is through this warfare that the House of Eli is obliterated. So what happened? The Israelites were losing badly, which they understood to mean that the Lord was not with them. In response, they decide to bring the Ark of the Covenant, where the very presence of God dwelt, right onto the battlefield. Either they thought this would scare the Philistines (which is did to a certain extent) or they thought it would strongarm God into allowing Israel the victory. But the plan failed. Many Israelites lost their lives, Eli’s sons were killed, the Philistines won and they stole the Ark of the Covenant. God had his own agenda and far be it from the Israelites to think they could manipulate that.
How often have we thought we might be able to manipulate God into doing what we want? We bargain, we beg, and we even connive. And yet God calls us to submit, to trust him with our whole life. Is there something in your life right now that you need to simply lay down before God?
Let’s pray…Holy God, Forgive us for always wanting what we want. Your ways are higher and better than ours. Where we doubt, help us trust. We belong to you. In Your Name, Amen.
I Samuel 3
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I Samuel 3:15-18, Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.” Samuel answered, “Here I am.”
“What was it he said to you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.” So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.”
In this chapter, we see the transition between Samuel as boy to Samuel as prophet. God calls Samuel multiple times but Samuel doesn’t know where the voice is coming from. It doesn’t immediately dawn on Eli, the priest, either that the voice belongs to God. We can kind of see how far Eli has drifted from God by his lack of insight. By the third time God calls Samuel, Eli realizes that it is the voice of the Lord. He tells Samuel to go back to bed and answer God, telling God that his servant is listening.
Samuel heads back to bed and this time when God calls him, Samuel responds that he is listening. God reveals to young Samuel how he plans to basically eliminate the house of Eli. Eli and his descendants will face severe consequences for the sins of Eli’s sons and for Eli’s lack of discipline, as he failed to hold his sons accountable for their deplorable actions against God. Essentially Eli put his boys before God, breaking the first commandment.
In the morning, Eli asks Samuel about the vision. You can only imagine Samuel’s hesitation at sharing this information with the priest who raised him. I’m sure that Samuel loved Eli. How very difficult it is to be brutally honest with those we love, especially if we know it will hurt them and cause pain. And yet, Eli insisted and Samuel told him everything that would occur. There seems to be a kind of resignation about Eli; Eli knows that he has sinned, that his children sinned, and he accepts the consequence. What’s interesting is that he doesn’t fight it or defend himself. He says “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.” In the end, Eli’s faith is strong. If God has made this decision, then it must be just.
Have you ever been in a position in which you were forced to share a hard truth with someone you love? What was that experience like? I’ve had a lot of hard conversations with people I care about. I think it’s something that requires practice but more than anything, it requires prayer. At times, I’ve begged God for just the right words, His words and not mine, and that the other person would have eyes to see and ears to hear. On the flip side, I’ve also had people speak hard truth to me. Maybe you’ve been there too. That also requires a lot of prayer and a lot of humility. Being willing to share truth also means being open to hearing it. Hard stuff, friends.
Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, More of you and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
I Samuel 2
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I Samuel 2:22-26, Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. No, my sons; the report I hear spreading among the Lord’s people is not good. If one person sins against another, God may mediate for the offender; but if anyone sins against the Lord, who will intercede for them?” His sons, however, did not listen to their father’s rebuke, for it was the Lord’s will to put them to death. And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.
In this chapter, we see the stark contrast between Eli the priest’s sons and young Samuel. Eli’s sons show contempt and disregard to the sacred offerings. They are sleeping with women outside the tabernacle, in a manner similar to the pagan temple prostitutes. They are in flagrant disobedience to God’s Law. This is extremely serious.
The first recorded reprimand from Eli toward his sons comes when Eli is very old. This might be part of the issue. Eli is a man of God but did he raise his children knowing the one true God? While Eli doesn’t bear responsibility for the specific actions of his sons, he does bear responsibility for putting his sons before God, a breach of the first commandment. For that reason, God’s judgment is an end to the priestly house of Eli. Eli did not fulfill his end of the bargain, so God no longer needed to hold onto his. And Eli’s descendants would experience the consequences of this sin for generations.
What’s interesting is that while Eli and his sons were being condemned, Samuel was being commended. The bigger and more severe the sins of Eli’s sons, the more Samuel grew in faith and favor. It’s through Samuel that God is preserving a remnant of faithfulness. More on this tomorrow.
Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, Help us raise our children to know you. Help us never put anything before you, including our family. More of you, Jesus, and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
I Samuel 1
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I Samuel 1:9-11, Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
Today, we begin a new book of the Bible and we will continue through all 31 chapters rather than breaking it into sections. I think that will provide a deeper and more meaningful experience for all of us. The book of I Samuel covers a period of about 110 years, from the end of the period of the judges to just after King Saul dies. On our journey through this book, we will see the birth of Samuel, his call from God and prophetic ministry, the rise and fall of King Saul, and the anointing of David. We will get a first hand look at the establishment of a central monarchy in Israel, and how kingship both benefits and causes issues for the Hebrew people. This book is set in the land of Israel, where the Hebrews have now fully settled. Numerous other people groups continue to live alongside the Israelites, often disrupting peace and tempting Israel to stray from the faith.
In today’s chapter, we meet Hannah, one of two wives married to a Jewish man named Elkanah. Hannah could not have children but Elkanah’s other wife could and this created a toxic situation, involving much hurt and jealousy. But despite her sad circumstances, Hannah was faithful to God. She prays for God to reverse her fortune and allow her to have children. She even promises to dedicate her first-born to God’s work in the world. Hannah does end up having a son, named Samuel, and she makes good on her promise. Once he was weaned, she takes him to the temple and turns him over to the priest. I can only imagine what that must have been like for her.
As I read today’s chapter, I found it very powerful that the one with the strongest faith and the closest connection to God is Hannah, a sorrowful and barren woman, with no political or social clout in her community. Eli, the priest, the one with all the power and clout, immediately assumed that Hannah had been drinking rather than recognizing her humble posture before God. It is telling that it is often the powerless, the disenfranchised, the poor, and even the outcast, that God holds up an example of faithfulness. We see that here but also throughout Scripture.
Let’s pray…Lord, We thank you the example of Hannah. Help us have pure and humble faith as she did. Give us wisdom and insight as we embark on the book of I Samuel. May you speak to each of us through your Word. In Your Name, Amen.
Titus 3
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Titus 3:1-2, Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
Paul didn't want the Cretans to cause a scene and stir up political discontent. What was most important was the spread of the Gospel. Creating political conflict would not help the cause of the young church and Paul wanted to be sure they understood that. Again, they were not to get involved in quarrels and arguments that simply weren't that important. They needed to show the world that there was something different about them: humility, gentleness, and kindness. Rather than get involved in political messes, they should get involved in doing good in their community. It simply wasn't about them and their personal preferences, it was about reaching people for Jesus.
How much more could we all do for the Kingdom if we worried less about personal preferences and politics and focused more on spreading the Good News of Jesus? Again, don't major in the minors. Keep laser focus on what truly matters.
Let's pray...Jesus, We are a mess. How we need you. Help us stop it with the things that just don't matter and focus on what truly does: you. In Your Name, Amen.
Titus 2
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Titus 2:11-14, For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
In this chapter, Paul gives very specific instructions to young and old as to how to behave and conduct themselves as followers of Christ. As opposed to the false teachers in chapter one, Paul wants Titus to teach sound doctrine, which includes that behavior should be consistent with belief; there are certain virtues that Christians should live up to. Doing otherwise damages their witness in the community. Titus himself, as the leader, must also be an example of living a blameless, virtuous life.
Today's focus verses speak to why the Christian lives ethically and blamelessly. There should be a direct link between theology and ethics. If we truly believe that God has been revealed and salvation has come, that those who believe are freed and cleansed from sin because of the blood of Christ, and that receiving Christ makes us new creations, THEN we should act accordingly. We are no longer slaves to the mess of the world. We have the ability to change, to act differently, to behave in a way that demonstrates the Spirit within us.
Our behavior, our ethics, our speech should all testify to who and whose we are. How are you doing in this right now?
Let's pray...Lord, Oh, how we need you. Cleanse my heart, cleanse my speech, cleanse my actions. I want the world to see that I belong to you and you alone. More of you, Jesus, and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
Titus 1
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Titus 1:10-11, For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.
This is a letter from Paul to his dear friend, Titus. Paul had left Titus on the island of Crete to organize the church there and carry on the work that was started. One of his main tasks was to appoint elders or overseers for the local churches; this means basically choose some pastors. There were specific characteristics for the pastors that Paul outlines in this chapter, including being blameless, being faithful to a single wife, and not being prone to anger or drunkenness. These are consistent with the lists for elders in Paul's other letters as well.
Today's focus verses highlight that the false teachers have made it to Crete as well. The circumcision group refers to Jewish Christians who are vehemently promoting the idea that to be a Christian, one must be a Jew first, which includes becoming circumcised. Paul wants this group silenced. They are teaching against the Gospel, which clearly states that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. All that is required for salvation is faith; anyone who adds to this is a false teacher.
Think about the world we live in. False teachers are everywhere. They may not be promoting circumcision as a prerequisite for salvation but other ideas that are equally damaging. How important it is for us to grow our roots down deep into God's Word so that we won't be swayed by the many ideas out there, the many voices that are vying for our attention. One voice matters - Jesus.
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, I want to be fully and completely devoted to you and nothing else. The world is loud and demanding. Help me drown out the other voices, the false teachers, and the distractions all around me and have laser focus on your voice. You are the only voice who truly matters. More of you, Jesus, and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
Ruth 4
Ruth Chapter 4: 1-6; 11-12, 21-22 (NKJV)
1 Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, “Come aside, [a]friend, sit down here.” So he came aside and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. 3 Then he said to the close relative, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. 4 And I thought to [b]inform you, saying, ‘Buy it back in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if [c]you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.’ ”And he said, “I will redeem it.”5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to [d]perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance.” 6 And the close relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it.” 11 And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the LORD will give you from this young woman. 21 Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; 22 Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.”
In chapter three, Boaz reveals he must consult with another relative of Elimelech who has a closer tie than himself. Chapter four opens with Boaz waiting at the city gate where men conducted all business matters, met to settle disputes, and debated politics. Boaz is there in hopes of meeting the unnamed relative. In other words, this was the
place to “see and be seen”. Boaz hailed the unnamed relative as he entered the gate. He then wisely engaged ten city elders to function as witnesses to the discussion. (Ten men or a minyan later became the legal number of men needed to hold a synagogue service. This number also has significance in the New Testament related to one of Paul’s journeys. While that discussion is for another time, it shows another link from the Old Testament to the New Testament.
Boaz states his case to the relative, informing him of the plight of Naomi and Ruth and the need to sell the land belonging to Elimelech. He uses the term “ach” in verse three to reference Elimelech. However, this is another Hebrew word that can mean men of common parents or common ancestors. The unnamed relative is not a brother of Elimelech’s. Boaz explains to this relative that he is the nearest “qualifying relative” or go’el and has the right of first refusal to redeem the land. The conversation between Boaz and the more senior go’el in verses four and five is confusing. We do not know who actually owns the land. He makes it truly clear that he (Boaz) will assume the go’el’s duty should the relative not wish to do so.
Additionally, Boaz informs the other relative he must marry Ruth. The heir (the assumption is a son) the union produces would inherit the land and be the son of Mahlon. The senior go’el declined and deferred the responsibility to Boaz.
Boaz and Ruth’s marriage produced a son who the town’s women named. The name given to the boy was Oved, translated as Obed and whose name means “worshipper” or “the serving one.”
The following Old Testament connection to one who redeems Israel is Obed’s grandchild, King David. Matthew chapter one continues with the genealogy of Jesus to Joseph and lists Boaz, not Mahlon as the father of Obed. Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba are gentile women in the genealogy of Jesus. Obed was born in Bethlehem, as were King David and Jesus. We study the Old Testament to understand God and his
Master Plan better. We could spend a month learning all the intricacies of this short book. These four days have merely scratched the surface. We cannot truly comprehend the New Testament without having a firm foundation in the Old Testament. With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the Whole Story comes alive, the story of the Redeemer and those He has redeemed.
Prayer: O GOD the Father Almighty, who didst love the world with so great a love, that Thou willedst Thine Only-begotten son to be crucified for its redemption; make us who are redeemed with His precious Blood, to be so fruitful in works of love, that we may have our part in the first Resurrection, and not fear the power of the second death.
(Ancient Collects. William Bright)