Please read the whole chapter and feel free to post a reply even before you read my thoughts.
Hannah's song reminds me both of the Psalms and of Mary's song in Luke 1. What is interesting in both Hannah and Mary's songs is that God's mercy toward them is connected with his justice against the wicked and mighty. What I often forget is that good news for some can be bad news for others. It also reminds me that I am often quick to distance God from His acts of justice. I only want to talk about the nice things He does and fail to communicate that He gives and takes away. Everything is under His control. This of course also makes Jesus work even more amazing, because God carries out His justice against His own Son, so that we might receive mercy.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
1 Samuel Chapter 1
Please read the whole chapter and feel free to post a reply even before you read my thoughts.
Verse 16: "Do not take your servant for a wicked woman." This makes me wonder how often I mistake people's motives, or assume wickedness when there is anguish and grief. In the Old Testament there is a common theme of women who cannot bear children, and Yahweh promises them a child and gives life. In our day what causes people to feel like outcasts and how can we approach them with God's promises?
The dedication of Samuel must have been a huge sacrifice for Hannah. She is almost like Abraham who is given Isaac and then told to kill him. My mother was sad to see me leave for college, so I can't imagine how Hannah felt letting go of her only son. Of course, God also gave up His only begotten, so He understands even more sharply than Hannah and Abraham.
What other thoughts do you have?
Verse 16: "Do not take your servant for a wicked woman." This makes me wonder how often I mistake people's motives, or assume wickedness when there is anguish and grief. In the Old Testament there is a common theme of women who cannot bear children, and Yahweh promises them a child and gives life. In our day what causes people to feel like outcasts and how can we approach them with God's promises?
The dedication of Samuel must have been a huge sacrifice for Hannah. She is almost like Abraham who is given Isaac and then told to kill him. My mother was sad to see me leave for college, so I can't imagine how Hannah felt letting go of her only son. Of course, God also gave up His only begotten, so He understands even more sharply than Hannah and Abraham.
What other thoughts do you have?
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Peace Reading Begins
This blog is devoted to reading through the Bible. It has been my experience that though I would like to spend more time in the Word, I need some accountability in order for me to stay consistent. I hope this blog will assist you in this as well. This will be a small group in a sense, and I will focus on disciples who attend Peace Lutheran in Sacramento, but all are welcome to read along and join in discussion. Each post will consist of a Bible reference and some thoughts that occurred to me while reading. I do not consider this instruction time, but simply want to get a discussion going. I hope you enjoy!
Peace
Ryan
Peace
Ryan
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