Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.”
(1 Samuel 8:4-9 ESV)
Samuel had served God well. Not perfectly, but well. He was then told: "get out of the way!" Having broken the downward cycle of sin that had taken Israel further down, and establishing peace in the land, it was not enough. God told him to not take it personally. It was not so much that they wanted a king, as it was that they did not want God to choose their leader. They wanted Samuel to choose who they wanted - not who he wanted or who God wanted. The hardest thing for Samuel was to keep on doing his job - being a prophet, priest and judge, while the transition took place. But he was willing to listen to God, and learn to not take it personally.
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Monday, May 30, 2016
Veering off course...
When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.
(1 Samuel 8:1-3 ESV)
Israel had finally begun heading in the right direction. They were seeking God, listening to Samuel as he spoke for God, turning from idols to serve only God. Samuel himself was a content man-willing to stay within a confined area within the heartland of Israel, talking with God and sharing what he learned with his people. He experienced peace and truth. The first red flag here is when "he made his sons judges..." That is not how he got to be judge. His action, combined with their actions; not being content, took them, and the nation off course. A lot of evil, in our lives, homes, and nation, will be avoided, when we keep seeking God in all things, and stop being discontent with what God has given.
(1 Samuel 8:1-3 ESV)
Israel had finally begun heading in the right direction. They were seeking God, listening to Samuel as he spoke for God, turning from idols to serve only God. Samuel himself was a content man-willing to stay within a confined area within the heartland of Israel, talking with God and sharing what he learned with his people. He experienced peace and truth. The first red flag here is when "he made his sons judges..." That is not how he got to be judge. His action, combined with their actions; not being content, took them, and the nation off course. A lot of evil, in our lives, homes, and nation, will be avoided, when we keep seeking God in all things, and stop being discontent with what God has given.
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Not a boring routine...
Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. And he went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah. And he judged Israel in all these places. Then he would return to Ramah, for his home was there, and there also he judged Israel. And he built there an altar to the LORD.
(1 Samuel 7:15-17 ESV)
Samuel developed an annual circuit - going the same places year after year.If you look at the map, these three cities were all on the same road, not all that far apart from one another. He hung out in little Ramah his whole life, building an altar to faithfully worship the LORD. Consistent. Repetitive. Boring? I think not. From his vantage point, he was able to see annually the transformation that was taking place in the heartland of Israel. She was growing stronger. People were praying, returning to the Lord. His words and his prayers were being heard. There was peace throughout the land - a peace that allowed him to stay home. That's not boring; that's blessed. May we experience such peace.
(1 Samuel 7:15-17 ESV)
Samuel developed an annual circuit - going the same places year after year.If you look at the map, these three cities were all on the same road, not all that far apart from one another. He hung out in little Ramah his whole life, building an altar to faithfully worship the LORD. Consistent. Repetitive. Boring? I think not. From his vantage point, he was able to see annually the transformation that was taking place in the heartland of Israel. She was growing stronger. People were praying, returning to the Lord. His words and his prayers were being heard. There was peace throughout the land - a peace that allowed him to stay home. That's not boring; that's blessed. May we experience such peace.
Saturday, May 28, 2016
What a change!!!
Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for you.” So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the LORD and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah. Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. And Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the LORD thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car.
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the LORD has helped us.” So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites.
(1 Samuel 7:5-14 ESV)
For years the people of Israel had been going down, down, down - further from God, shrinking borders, constantly being pestered by pagan peoples around them.. But now they have chosen to follow the LORD, and him alone. They pray and fast and confess, and ask Samuel to pray for them. This time, the God gives them a decisive victory and changes the momentum, so that the Philistines invaded no more. It also had an affect on others who had been pestering them. They had peace that they had not had for a long, long time. When was the last time we had such a sense of peace? He has shown us the way. May we follow.
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the LORD has helped us.” So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites.
(1 Samuel 7:5-14 ESV)
For years the people of Israel had been going down, down, down - further from God, shrinking borders, constantly being pestered by pagan peoples around them.. But now they have chosen to follow the LORD, and him alone. They pray and fast and confess, and ask Samuel to pray for them. This time, the God gives them a decisive victory and changes the momentum, so that the Philistines invaded no more. It also had an affect on others who had been pestering them. They had peace that they had not had for a long, long time. When was the last time we had such a sense of peace? He has shown us the way. May we follow.
Friday, May 27, 2016
From Lament to Love...
And the men of Kiriath-jearim came and took up the ark of the LORD and brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to have charge of the ark of the LORD. From the day that the ark was lodged at Kiriath-jearim, a long time passed, some twenty years, and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.
And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the LORD only.
(1 Samuel 7:1-4 ESV)
The people of Israel had the ark back. But it was still only like having the shell of faith. Something was missing. They Lamented after the LORD - they were grieving His loss, because they were far from Him. God used Samuel to bring them back. The first order of business was to get rid of all rivals for their affection - to Love the LORD only. What a return to the foremost commandment! That is what God calls us to from the void in which we find ourselves - to Love Him not only first, but only among all the choices we have. What idols do we need to cast down to love and serve Him?
And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the LORD only.
(1 Samuel 7:1-4 ESV)
The people of Israel had the ark back. But it was still only like having the shell of faith. Something was missing. They Lamented after the LORD - they were grieving His loss, because they were far from Him. God used Samuel to bring them back. The first order of business was to get rid of all rivals for their affection - to Love the LORD only. What a return to the foremost commandment! That is what God calls us to from the void in which we find ourselves - to Love Him not only first, but only among all the choices we have. What idols do we need to cast down to love and serve Him?
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Who is able???
And he struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they looked upon the ark of the LORD. He struck seventy men of them, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck the people with a great blow. Then the men of Beth-shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before the LORD, this holy God? And to whom shall he go up away from us?” So they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim, saying, “The Philistines have returned the ark of the LORD. Come down and take it up to you.” (1 Samuel 6:19-21 ESV)
What a question!?!?! Who is able to stand before the LORD? Implied answer: "No One!"He is Holy. This was a lesson the people needed to be reminded of - we need to be reminded of, as much as those Philistines who had pushed to get rid of the ark. What will it take for me to appreciate how holy He is?
What a question!?!?! Who is able to stand before the LORD? Implied answer: "No One!"He is Holy. This was a lesson the people needed to be reminded of - we need to be reminded of, as much as those Philistines who had pushed to get rid of the ark. What will it take for me to appreciate how holy He is?
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Set in Stone...
These are the golden tumors that the Philistines returned as a guilt offering to the LORD: one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, one for Ekron, and the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both fortified cities and unwalled villages. The great stone beside which they set down the ark of the LORD is a witness to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh.
(1 Samuel 6:17-18 ESV)
Solid as a Rock. That is our God. When Israel witnessed God do something great - obviously beyond human comprehension or collaboration, they used rocks as memorials. They were markers they could use to go back to as reminders of God's greatness, dependability, and hand in history. How is your rock collection? Have you made memorials to what He is done? Markers you can go back to as reminders of His presence and power? Lifetime memories that serve as guide stones when you get off track, feel uncertain, struggle in your faith? Set them up along the way - for yourself, and to use to tell others some day.
(1 Samuel 6:17-18 ESV)
Solid as a Rock. That is our God. When Israel witnessed God do something great - obviously beyond human comprehension or collaboration, they used rocks as memorials. They were markers they could use to go back to as reminders of God's greatness, dependability, and hand in history. How is your rock collection? Have you made memorials to what He is done? Markers you can go back to as reminders of His presence and power? Lifetime memories that serve as guide stones when you get off track, feel uncertain, struggle in your faith? Set them up along the way - for yourself, and to use to tell others some day.
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Beeline to Beth-shemesh...
The men did so, and took two milk cows and yoked them to the cart and shut up their calves at home. And they put the ark of the LORD on the cart and the box with the golden mice and the images of their tumors. And the cows went straight in the direction of Beth-shemesh along one highway, lowing as they went. They turned neither to the right nor to the left, and the lords of the Philistines went after them as far as the border of Beth-shemesh. Now the people of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley. And when they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark, they rejoiced to see it. The cart came into the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh and stopped there. A great stone was there. And they split up the wood of the cart and offered the cows as a burnt offering to the LORD. And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD and the box that was beside it, in which were the golden figures, and set them upon the great stone. And the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices on that day to the LORD. And when the five lords of the Philistines saw it, they returned that day to Ekron.
(1 Samuel 6:10-16 ESV)
The odds were stacked against this journey. Two cows that had never pulled a load before... leaving behind their calves??? I don't think so. But as strong as the pull was to go to their calves, they went right toward the closest Israeli town, a town of the Levites, who would know what to do with the ark. Everyone was happy - the people of the town who received it, and the Philistines who got rid of it! A clear message was sent: God is God wherever we are, whoever we are. He blesses those who follow Him; He judges those who oppose Him. May we learn the lesson well, and go straight to the truth.
(1 Samuel 6:10-16 ESV)
The odds were stacked against this journey. Two cows that had never pulled a load before... leaving behind their calves??? I don't think so. But as strong as the pull was to go to their calves, they went right toward the closest Israeli town, a town of the Levites, who would know what to do with the ark. Everyone was happy - the people of the town who received it, and the Philistines who got rid of it! A clear message was sent: God is God wherever we are, whoever we are. He blesses those who follow Him; He judges those who oppose Him. May we learn the lesson well, and go straight to the truth.
Monday, May 23, 2016
Not your typical Sunday School Lesson...
The ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven months. And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us with what we shall send it to its place.” They said, “If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty, but by all means return him a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why his hand does not turn away from you.” And they said, “What is the guilt offering that we shall return to him?” They answered, “Five golden tumors and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines, for the same plague was on all of you and on your lords. So you must make images of your tumors and images of your mice that ravage the land, and give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will lighten his hand from off you and your gods and your land. Why should you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? After he had dealt severely with them, did they not send the people away, and they departed? Now then, take and prepare a new cart and two milk cows on which there has never come a yoke, and yoke the cows to the cart, but take their calves home, away from them. And take the ark of the LORD and place it on the cart and put in a box at its side the figures of gold, which you are returning to him as a guilt offering. Then send it off and let it go its way and watch. If it goes up on the way to its own land, to Beth-shemesh, then it is he who has done us this great harm, but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it happened to us by coincidence.”
(1 Samuel 6:1-9 ESV)
This lesser-known historical account is not one many kids know from growing up in Sunday School. And there is a reason for that. It involves not those who claimed to be God's people; it is an outside look into what happened when the Ark of the LORD was "away on vacation." The offering which was recommended was fitting, as many scholars believe the plague God sent on them was much like the bubonic plague - spread by mice or rats. The key phrase in it all is found in the core of the paragraph: "give glory to the God of Israel." God will be glorified one way or another. If His own people turn from Him and His glory departs (chapter 4), He will still be glorified, even if by his opponents. These advisers err on the side of caution when they suggest the Philistine leaders learn from Pharaoh and the Egyptians: "Don't harden your heart against God. Surrender to Him." Thus the lesson we as professing believers are to learn from an event not involving us. Of all people, we should not harden our hearts, but surrender to Him.
(1 Samuel 6:1-9 ESV)
This lesser-known historical account is not one many kids know from growing up in Sunday School. And there is a reason for that. It involves not those who claimed to be God's people; it is an outside look into what happened when the Ark of the LORD was "away on vacation." The offering which was recommended was fitting, as many scholars believe the plague God sent on them was much like the bubonic plague - spread by mice or rats. The key phrase in it all is found in the core of the paragraph: "give glory to the God of Israel." God will be glorified one way or another. If His own people turn from Him and His glory departs (chapter 4), He will still be glorified, even if by his opponents. These advisers err on the side of caution when they suggest the Philistine leaders learn from Pharaoh and the Egyptians: "Don't harden your heart against God. Surrender to Him." Thus the lesson we as professing believers are to learn from an event not involving us. Of all people, we should not harden our hearts, but surrender to Him.
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Who is calling out to heaven???
So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. But as soon as the ark of God came to Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, “They have brought around to us the ark of the God of Israel to kill us and our people.” They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, that it may not kill us and our people.” For there was a deathly panic throughout the whole city. The hand of God was very heavy there. The men who did not die were struck with tumors, and the cry of the city went up to heaven.
(1 Samuel 5:10-12 ESV)
The people of Israel have lost the battle, lost their leader, and lost their ark. They are standing around hopeless and helpless. Meanwhile, the ark is being "held captive" by the Philistines, who are being assaulted by a plaque and ruled by sheer panic. Which one calls out to heaven? Why is it that often it takes more for those of us claiming to be God's people to call out for help than those who do not know Him? The lowest points at which we find ourselves are not when things are at their worst - we can always find someone else who has it worse. The lowest times are when things are bad, or good, and we forget to call out to God.
(1 Samuel 5:10-12 ESV)
The people of Israel have lost the battle, lost their leader, and lost their ark. They are standing around hopeless and helpless. Meanwhile, the ark is being "held captive" by the Philistines, who are being assaulted by a plaque and ruled by sheer panic. Which one calls out to heaven? Why is it that often it takes more for those of us claiming to be God's people to call out for help than those who do not know Him? The lowest points at which we find ourselves are not when things are at their worst - we can always find someone else who has it worse. The lowest times are when things are bad, or good, and we forget to call out to God.
Saturday, May 21, 2016
The Heavy Hand of the LORD...
The hand of the LORD was heavy against the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory. And when the men of Ashdod saw how things were, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, for his hand is hard against us and against Dagon our god.” So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” They answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be brought around to Gath.” So they brought the ark of the God of Israel there. But after they had brought it around, the hand of the LORD was against the city, causing a very great panic, and he afflicted the men of the city, both young and old, so that tumors broke out on them.
(1 Samuel 5:6-9 ESV)
The Philistines were beginning to see a pattern... wherever the ark went, judgment went. Even worse than the plague it brought was the panic that filled the people. Reminiscent of the plagues on Egypt, God was showing Himself strong and true wherever "He" went. He was making His presence felt. As we step back and watch this from afar, we cheer that God is giving them what they deserve, as those who had no reverential fear for the true and living God. But meanwhile, back among those who called God their own, there was fear and defeat and doubt. He was trying to send them more of a message than the Philistines. They heavy hand of God does not just fall on them. We find that David, after his series of sins, felt it heavy upon him, convicting him. God does not want us to sit back and cheer when we see God's judgment on others; He wants us to see and feel and respond when we feel it ourselves for our sin, our rejection of His leading, our ingratitude for His supply, our rebellion against His laws. His heavy hand is also the hand that will take us, lead us, provide for us, protect us.
(1 Samuel 5:6-9 ESV)
The Philistines were beginning to see a pattern... wherever the ark went, judgment went. Even worse than the plague it brought was the panic that filled the people. Reminiscent of the plagues on Egypt, God was showing Himself strong and true wherever "He" went. He was making His presence felt. As we step back and watch this from afar, we cheer that God is giving them what they deserve, as those who had no reverential fear for the true and living God. But meanwhile, back among those who called God their own, there was fear and defeat and doubt. He was trying to send them more of a message than the Philistines. They heavy hand of God does not just fall on them. We find that David, after his series of sins, felt it heavy upon him, convicting him. God does not want us to sit back and cheer when we see God's judgment on others; He wants us to see and feel and respond when we feel it ourselves for our sin, our rejection of His leading, our ingratitude for His supply, our rebellion against His laws. His heavy hand is also the hand that will take us, lead us, provide for us, protect us.
Friday, May 20, 2016
Battle of the Gods...
When the Philistines captured the ark of God, they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it up beside Dagon. And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and put him back in his place. But when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the LORD, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. This is why the priests of Dagon and all who enter the house of Dagon do not tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.
(1 Samuel 5:1-5 ESV)
I really struggled with the title above... One GOD should be capitalized... and obviously, one should not. The people of Israel were concerned about themselves - what would happen to them now! But they did also wonder how God would fare in enemy hands. They had been so accustomed to pagan thinking that in their minds they had put God in a box. They had no need to worry about Him. His glory would be shown, one way or the other. The picture the Philistines were trying to create was that God had come to worship their god, Dagon. But the real GOD would have none of that. The idol kept falling before Him in worship. These pagan people were superstitious, as we see in their response. But Israel had also become very superstitious, with spiritually twisted thinking about idols, icons and the sovereignty of God. Do we believe and act like we do not need to defend God - that He can defend Himself? Do we trust Him to take care of us, instead of thinking we have to do it ourselves? Israel had done battle twice and lost. God did it twice and came out on top. Who do you trust?
(1 Samuel 5:1-5 ESV)
I really struggled with the title above... One GOD should be capitalized... and obviously, one should not. The people of Israel were concerned about themselves - what would happen to them now! But they did also wonder how God would fare in enemy hands. They had been so accustomed to pagan thinking that in their minds they had put God in a box. They had no need to worry about Him. His glory would be shown, one way or the other. The picture the Philistines were trying to create was that God had come to worship their god, Dagon. But the real GOD would have none of that. The idol kept falling before Him in worship. These pagan people were superstitious, as we see in their response. But Israel had also become very superstitious, with spiritually twisted thinking about idols, icons and the sovereignty of God. Do we believe and act like we do not need to defend God - that He can defend Himself? Do we trust Him to take care of us, instead of thinking we have to do it ourselves? Israel had done battle twice and lost. God did it twice and came out on top. Who do you trust?
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Where is the glory???
Now his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant, about to give birth. And when she heard the news that the ark of God was captured, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed and gave birth, for her pains came upon her. And about the time of her death the women attending her said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you have borne a son.” But she did not answer or pay attention. And she named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. And she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”
(1 Samuel 4:19-22 ESV)
What a name to have: "Where is the Glory?" But it represents well the atmosphere of that time. When the people of Israel were defeated and the ark taken captive, they had almost lost all hope. The ark was their last shot at defeating those trying to take over their country. They put too much hope in the box, but their thoughts had elements of truth. The ark did represent the Glory of God: His presence on the throne, His commandments, His provision of Manna, and His direction through the rod of Aaron - all of these contents of the ark represented the glory of God's plan, power and presence, which for all intents and purposes had been removed. Not because the Philistines had stolen them, but because they themselves had turned their backs on them. God is still in His glory; HE still has it. Have we turned away from it, from Him?
(1 Samuel 4:19-22 ESV)
What a name to have: "Where is the Glory?" But it represents well the atmosphere of that time. When the people of Israel were defeated and the ark taken captive, they had almost lost all hope. The ark was their last shot at defeating those trying to take over their country. They put too much hope in the box, but their thoughts had elements of truth. The ark did represent the Glory of God: His presence on the throne, His commandments, His provision of Manna, and His direction through the rod of Aaron - all of these contents of the ark represented the glory of God's plan, power and presence, which for all intents and purposes had been removed. Not because the Philistines had stolen them, but because they themselves had turned their backs on them. God is still in His glory; HE still has it. Have we turned away from it, from Him?
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Hitting bottom...
A man of Benjamin ran from the battle line and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head. When he arrived, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city and told the news, all the city cried out. When Eli heard the sound of the outcry, he said, “What is this uproar?” Then the man hurried and came and told Eli. Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes were set so that he could not see. And the man said to Eli, “I am he who has come from the battle; I fled from the battle today.” And he said, “How did it go, my son?” He who brought the news answered and said, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has also been a great defeat among the people. Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” As soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.
(1 Samuel 4:12-18 ESV)
When Eli hit his head, broke his neck and died, it represented an all-time low for Israel. The messenger spared the worst news for last. It was what Eli had feared the most. Not only did his nation lose the battle; not only did many friends and fellow citizens die; not only did his two sons die; most of all, the ark was taken captive. That was the straw that broke the camel's back - in this case, Eli's neck. The thought of such a thing happening was overwhelming. Israel had hit bottom. It was not the physical ark itself, but everything it represented: the presence of God, the power of God, the provision of God, the commandments of God. And with the death of Eli, the nation lost its leader - both priest and judge for forty years. It was like Israel was all alone, with no ally. How do we know when we have hit bottom? Are we truly all alone? Can things get any worse? What will be our first step?
(1 Samuel 4:12-18 ESV)
When Eli hit his head, broke his neck and died, it represented an all-time low for Israel. The messenger spared the worst news for last. It was what Eli had feared the most. Not only did his nation lose the battle; not only did many friends and fellow citizens die; not only did his two sons die; most of all, the ark was taken captive. That was the straw that broke the camel's back - in this case, Eli's neck. The thought of such a thing happening was overwhelming. Israel had hit bottom. It was not the physical ark itself, but everything it represented: the presence of God, the power of God, the provision of God, the commandments of God. And with the death of Eli, the nation lost its leader - both priest and judge for forty years. It was like Israel was all alone, with no ally. How do we know when we have hit bottom? Are we truly all alone? Can things get any worse? What will be our first step?
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
What happened to the Ark???
As soon as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel gave a mighty shout, so that the earth resounded. And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shouting, they said, “What does this great shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” And when they learned that the ark of the LORD had come to the camp, the Philistines were afraid, for they said, “A god has come into the camp.” And they said, “Woe to us! For nothing like this has happened before. Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness. Take courage, and be men, O Philistines, lest you become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been to you; be men and fight.”
So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and they fled, every man to his home. And there was a very great slaughter, for thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell. And the ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
(1 Samuel 4:5-11 ESV)
When I was younger, I was talking to a man about Biblical faith, and he had a hang-up on the ark. He wanted to know what ever happened to the ark of the covenant so prominent in Old Testament history. Here the people of Israel must have been asking the same thing: "What happened? This time we remembered to bring the ark with us to the battle, and not only did we lose the battle, we lost the ark." This was indeed a very low point for Israel. They were losing battles, losing territory, and even more importantly, losing their faith. But their faith was misplaced. The ark was not to be the place of their faith, but everything about it that represented God: His commandments, His presence, His rule and reign from His throne, His provision, and His guidance. They thought they could be victorious without all of these - without Him. So the real question is not "What happened to the ark?" The real question is "What has happened to our obedience to, our dependence on, and our trust in Him?" He is the only way to victorious living.
So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and they fled, every man to his home. And there was a very great slaughter, for thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell. And the ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
(1 Samuel 4:5-11 ESV)
When I was younger, I was talking to a man about Biblical faith, and he had a hang-up on the ark. He wanted to know what ever happened to the ark of the covenant so prominent in Old Testament history. Here the people of Israel must have been asking the same thing: "What happened? This time we remembered to bring the ark with us to the battle, and not only did we lose the battle, we lost the ark." This was indeed a very low point for Israel. They were losing battles, losing territory, and even more importantly, losing their faith. But their faith was misplaced. The ark was not to be the place of their faith, but everything about it that represented God: His commandments, His presence, His rule and reign from His throne, His provision, and His guidance. They thought they could be victorious without all of these - without Him. So the real question is not "What happened to the ark?" The real question is "What has happened to our obedience to, our dependence on, and our trust in Him?" He is the only way to victorious living.
Monday, May 16, 2016
Spiritual? or Superstitious?
Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines. They encamped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped at Aphek. The Philistines drew up in line against Israel, and when the battle spread, Israel was defeated before the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of battle. And when the people came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.” So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
(1 Samuel 4:1-4 ESV)
Things were starting to improve in Israel. God had heard Hannah's cry and sent her a son, Samuel. Samuel began to listen, and heard from God. But a lot of things needed to be turned around. One of them was bringing the people out of the spiritual dark ages they had fallen into, thinking of their God as being in a box - that if the box was not there, He was not there. Again, they were taking their cue from the pagan culture around them, who all believed in local deities who needed to be appeased and taken care of. Their thinking was half right. The LORD was the one who defeated them, not the Philistines. Their mistake was in thinking they could use God like a vending machine to get the victory. This is not going to end well. Yet, how many things do we enter into superstitiously, and not spiritually? How many ways do we think our actions, or words, can get God to do what we want, instead of seeking Him and pursuing what He wants? Are we willing to submit to the sovereign Creator and Ruler of the universe, not just our little turf?
(1 Samuel 4:1-4 ESV)
Things were starting to improve in Israel. God had heard Hannah's cry and sent her a son, Samuel. Samuel began to listen, and heard from God. But a lot of things needed to be turned around. One of them was bringing the people out of the spiritual dark ages they had fallen into, thinking of their God as being in a box - that if the box was not there, He was not there. Again, they were taking their cue from the pagan culture around them, who all believed in local deities who needed to be appeased and taken care of. Their thinking was half right. The LORD was the one who defeated them, not the Philistines. Their mistake was in thinking they could use God like a vending machine to get the victory. This is not going to end well. Yet, how many things do we enter into superstitiously, and not spiritually? How many ways do we think our actions, or words, can get God to do what we want, instead of seeking Him and pursuing what He wants? Are we willing to submit to the sovereign Creator and Ruler of the universe, not just our little turf?
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Someone worth hearing...
And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD. And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
(1 Samuel 3:19-21 ESV)
I was with a group of men the other day who were discussing when you knew a boy had become a man. We discovered a lot. Here is one thing we could add to the list. Samuel grew up, and when he did, everyone knew he said things worth hearing. To be sure, as a prophet called by God, this was a special sign for them, but I believer this is also true for men in general. Real men make their words matter. They don't just talk the talk. Like Samuel they serve when and where they are. They listen. Then they speak up at the right times with the right words, because they have been listening to God. Have we grown up?
(1 Samuel 3:19-21 ESV)
I was with a group of men the other day who were discussing when you knew a boy had become a man. We discovered a lot. Here is one thing we could add to the list. Samuel grew up, and when he did, everyone knew he said things worth hearing. To be sure, as a prophet called by God, this was a special sign for them, but I believer this is also true for men in general. Real men make their words matter. They don't just talk the talk. Like Samuel they serve when and where they are. They listen. Then they speak up at the right times with the right words, because they have been listening to God. Have we grown up?
Saturday, May 14, 2016
The other half of hearing...
Then the LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”
Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him.”
(1 Samuel 3:11-18 ESV)
Samuel had prepared himself and tuned himself to hear from God. And he did. Though it was a learning process, it was in a sense easier than the second half: telling others what he had heard. Young Samuel had to tell Eli the bad news. Of course, Eli had already been told, and this was just a confirmation of the news, and of the fact that Samuel was now the recipient of God's revelations. But Samuel was understandably afraid to do the other half of his job: reporting the news to those who needed to hear it. May we listen, hear, and willingly tell what God has to say to us.
Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him.”
(1 Samuel 3:11-18 ESV)
Samuel had prepared himself and tuned himself to hear from God. And he did. Though it was a learning process, it was in a sense easier than the second half: telling others what he had heard. Young Samuel had to tell Eli the bad news. Of course, Eli had already been told, and this was just a confirmation of the news, and of the fact that Samuel was now the recipient of God's revelations. But Samuel was understandably afraid to do the other half of his job: reporting the news to those who needed to hear it. May we listen, hear, and willingly tell what God has to say to us.
Friday, May 13, 2016
Learning to Listen...
Then the LORD called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.
And the LORD called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”
(1 Samuel 3:4-10 ESV)
This was a learning process. Revelation was rare. There were no classes. Eli could hardly remember what it was like to hear from God. Rule one: be ready to hear. Not just the words, but the message, and the challenge they bring. The verb here implies "hearing with the willingness to obey." What Samuel is about to hear will impact him for the rest of his life. If we really want to hear from God (and we should!), it needs to be for far more than knowledge. It is for something life-changing. Are we ready?
And the LORD called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”
(1 Samuel 3:4-10 ESV)
This was a learning process. Revelation was rare. There were no classes. Eli could hardly remember what it was like to hear from God. Rule one: be ready to hear. Not just the words, but the message, and the challenge they bring. The verb here implies "hearing with the willingness to obey." What Samuel is about to hear will impact him for the rest of his life. If we really want to hear from God (and we should!), it needs to be for far more than knowledge. It is for something life-changing. Are we ready?
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Positioned to Listen...
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.
At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was.
(1 Samuel 3:1-3 ESV)
People were not hearing from God. It's not like God had nothing to say; they were not ready to hear. With the prevailing culture of radical individualism, and the corruption of most things spiritually, it was if everyone was ignoring God. Eli even stopped hanging out near the Ark, preferring his comfy bed to rest his wear bones. Then there was Samuel, with the night light on. He was waiting in the right place, in the quiet of the night, to hear the voice of God. As we will see, even he did not know what he was listening for, but he was there, at the right place, faithfully serving God in small ways, close to the heart of God. Have we heard from Him lately? Are we positioning ourselves to hear?
At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was.
(1 Samuel 3:1-3 ESV)
People were not hearing from God. It's not like God had nothing to say; they were not ready to hear. With the prevailing culture of radical individualism, and the corruption of most things spiritually, it was if everyone was ignoring God. Eli even stopped hanging out near the Ark, preferring his comfy bed to rest his wear bones. Then there was Samuel, with the night light on. He was waiting in the right place, in the quiet of the night, to hear the voice of God. As we will see, even he did not know what he was listening for, but he was there, at the right place, faithfully serving God in small ways, close to the heart of God. Have we heard from Him lately? Are we positioning ourselves to hear?
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Presumptive Leaders...
And there came a man of God to Eli and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Did I indeed reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt subject to the house of Pharaoh? Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel. Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded for my dwelling, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?’ Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. Then in distress you will look with envious eye on all the prosperity that shall be bestowed on Israel, and there shall not be an old man in your house forever. The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep his eyes out to grieve his heart, and all the descendants of your house shall die by the sword of men. And this that shall come upon your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you: both of them shall die on the same day. And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever. And everyone who is left in your house shall come to implore him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread and shall say, “Please put me in one of the priests' places, that I may eat a morsel of bread.”’”
(1 Samuel 2:27-36 ESV)
An entitlement mentality. That is one of the criticisms of our current culture: everyone believes he or she deserves whatever is wanted. It does not just apply to immature children or people dependent upon government; it can apply to leaders - political and religious - as well. Such was the case with the sons of Eli. They were "in". God had promised Aaron, since that time way back in Egypt, that his line would be the priests. Talk about job security! But such presumptive "security" is not what God meant at all. There were many qualified descendants of Aaron. God was about to shake things up. These men who were stuffing themselves with God's offerings were going to be severed from office and the face of the earth, and their sons would be scrambling for bread. We ought not presume. We cannot take forgiveness or the blessings or the calling we have from God lightly. It's a privilege. What job, what opportunity, what people, what ministry, do you presume to deserve? Not so. All is from the grace of God alone.
(1 Samuel 2:27-36 ESV)
An entitlement mentality. That is one of the criticisms of our current culture: everyone believes he or she deserves whatever is wanted. It does not just apply to immature children or people dependent upon government; it can apply to leaders - political and religious - as well. Such was the case with the sons of Eli. They were "in". God had promised Aaron, since that time way back in Egypt, that his line would be the priests. Talk about job security! But such presumptive "security" is not what God meant at all. There were many qualified descendants of Aaron. God was about to shake things up. These men who were stuffing themselves with God's offerings were going to be severed from office and the face of the earth, and their sons would be scrambling for bread. We ought not presume. We cannot take forgiveness or the blessings or the calling we have from God lightly. It's a privilege. What job, what opportunity, what people, what ministry, do you presume to deserve? Not so. All is from the grace of God alone.
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Something different...
Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy clothed with a linen ephod. And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the LORD give you children by this woman for the petition she asked of the LORD.” So then they would return to their home.
Indeed the LORD visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the LORD.
Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death.
Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man.
(1 Samuel 2:18-26 ESV)
After the same old, same old, Samuel is a breath of fresh air. He is ministering, serving the LORD, continuing to grow closer to God and truly serving others. He is distinctly contrasted with Eli's sons, who were in a sense "the status quo", doing what everyone else was doing, even though they were supposed to be the best Israel had to offer. It tells us something not only about where our hope comes from in looking for people to lead us, but also about the change we need as individuals. Seeking God and serving others is more than a catch phrase. It is the only way a leader will be worth the time of day, and it's the only way our lives will be heading where they ought. Let's not use a harder standard on our leaders than we do ourselves. Let's do something different.
Indeed the LORD visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the LORD.
Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death.
Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man.
(1 Samuel 2:18-26 ESV)
After the same old, same old, Samuel is a breath of fresh air. He is ministering, serving the LORD, continuing to grow closer to God and truly serving others. He is distinctly contrasted with Eli's sons, who were in a sense "the status quo", doing what everyone else was doing, even though they were supposed to be the best Israel had to offer. It tells us something not only about where our hope comes from in looking for people to lead us, but also about the change we need as individuals. Seeking God and serving others is more than a catch phrase. It is the only way a leader will be worth the time of day, and it's the only way our lives will be heading where they ought. Let's not use a harder standard on our leaders than we do ourselves. Let's do something different.
Monday, May 9, 2016
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