Please read the whole chapter and feel free to post a reply even before you read my thoughts. If you don't have a Bible with you, you can follow this link to the passage: 1 Samuel 8
At first the Israelite's request for a king seems like a practical concern. But then comes their real reason for wanting one, verse 20 "We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and go out before us and fight our battles." This is why God tells Samuel that the people are rejecting Him and not Samuel. It was Yahweh who had delivered them from Egypt, who had given them victory over their enemies, but they want a new national symbol.
Again this section is about the issue of trust. The people did not trust God enough to rely solely on Him and they wanted someone else they could rely on, a king. Of course, Samuel was right about what would happen when the people allowed themselves to be ruled by anyone other than God. And even when God came to them in Jesus Christ they were confused about what sort of king the Messiah would be. As we wait to celebrate Christ's birth it is helpful to reflect on what things we allow to rule us in this life, and give thanks that we have a king who has freed us from such unnecessary bondage.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
1 Samuel Chapter 7
Please read the whole chapter and feel free to post a reply even before you read my thoughts. If you don't have a Bible with you, you can follow this link to the passage: 1 Samuel 7
It's pretty easy to pick on the Israelites because I don't have altars to other gods in my house. Or do I? A god is whatever you put your trust in. What have I placed my trust in besides God? My talents? My bank account? It would be easy to compile a long list. Like the Israelites I am in need of daily repentance and forgiveness. But God isn't just demanding an absence of other things. He is asking us to trust in Him. This means recognizing where our help comes from.
Notice the Israelites give up their idols, but not their weapons. God gives us our talents and every good gift. This is what we ask for when we pray for "daily bread". And this prayer recognizes the source of all good gifts. The Israelites are told to fight, but they know that their victory does not come from them. This is a difficult thing for us to remember, but it is comforting especially when the other "gods" fail us.
It's pretty easy to pick on the Israelites because I don't have altars to other gods in my house. Or do I? A god is whatever you put your trust in. What have I placed my trust in besides God? My talents? My bank account? It would be easy to compile a long list. Like the Israelites I am in need of daily repentance and forgiveness. But God isn't just demanding an absence of other things. He is asking us to trust in Him. This means recognizing where our help comes from.
Notice the Israelites give up their idols, but not their weapons. God gives us our talents and every good gift. This is what we ask for when we pray for "daily bread". And this prayer recognizes the source of all good gifts. The Israelites are told to fight, but they know that their victory does not come from them. This is a difficult thing for us to remember, but it is comforting especially when the other "gods" fail us.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
How to Post Comments
My apologies to anyone who has attempted to post a comment. The settings were only allowing members of Blogspot to post. Now you can click on the word "comment" at the bottom of each post and type in a reply as Anonymous if you do not have a google account. If you have any other problems contact me via e-mail or phone. Thanks
Monday, November 17, 2008
1 Samuel Chapter 6
Please read the whole chapter and feel free to post a reply even before you read my thoughts.
Whenever I read a passage like, "God struck down some of the men of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy to death because they had looked into the ark of the Lord" my first reaction is to think "what was so bad about that?" From our perspective it is easy to see some of God's judgments as arbitrary. Of course we cheer Him on when we agree with His justice. In either case we are placing ourselves in positions of judgment over God, never a good idea. God has no need to answer to us and we deserve no explanation for His actions. Knowing this will undoubtedly cause us to fear Him. And like the men in our passage we will ask, "Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God?" What they lacked in their curiosity they were given in God's judgment, a healthy fear of God.
Their question can lead us to two answers: the first is that no one can stand in God's presence because no one is worthy; the second is that we can stand in God's presence because we have been made worthy by the blood of Jesus. This is why Luther begins each explanation of the Ten Commandments with the words, "we should fear and love God." It is in short a recognition of God's mightiness and our smallness, coupled with the knowledge that we are dearly loved on account of Christ.
Whenever I read a passage like, "God struck down some of the men of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy to death because they had looked into the ark of the Lord" my first reaction is to think "what was so bad about that?" From our perspective it is easy to see some of God's judgments as arbitrary. Of course we cheer Him on when we agree with His justice. In either case we are placing ourselves in positions of judgment over God, never a good idea. God has no need to answer to us and we deserve no explanation for His actions. Knowing this will undoubtedly cause us to fear Him. And like the men in our passage we will ask, "Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God?" What they lacked in their curiosity they were given in God's judgment, a healthy fear of God.
Their question can lead us to two answers: the first is that no one can stand in God's presence because no one is worthy; the second is that we can stand in God's presence because we have been made worthy by the blood of Jesus. This is why Luther begins each explanation of the Ten Commandments with the words, "we should fear and love God." It is in short a recognition of God's mightiness and our smallness, coupled with the knowledge that we are dearly loved on account of Christ.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
1 Samuel Chapter 5
Please read the whole chapter and feel free to post a reply even before you read my thoughts.
The story of Dagon is one of the most amusing stories to me. It is of course comical that this statue falls on his face before the ark of God. (For those unaware, the ark of the covenant was a container that had the ten commandments in it. It contained the word of God and clearly God's presence was with it in a special way.) The story of Dagon reminds me of something that I don't often recognize. There are other powers in this world. God says that there is no other god besides Him, but in our culture we often take it further to ignore Satan and his demons. We sterilize our understanding of the spiritual. Whether Dagon was only a statue, or a demon was present with it is immaterial. God does not simply ignore it. Instead He forces it to bow to him and ultimately breaks it of it's strength. In our lives it is tempting to ignore Satan, but acting like he isn't there only helps his purpose. Instead, as God's children we recognize his limited power, and when he tempts us or tries to drive us away from God, we put him in his place.
The story of Dagon is one of the most amusing stories to me. It is of course comical that this statue falls on his face before the ark of God. (For those unaware, the ark of the covenant was a container that had the ten commandments in it. It contained the word of God and clearly God's presence was with it in a special way.) The story of Dagon reminds me of something that I don't often recognize. There are other powers in this world. God says that there is no other god besides Him, but in our culture we often take it further to ignore Satan and his demons. We sterilize our understanding of the spiritual. Whether Dagon was only a statue, or a demon was present with it is immaterial. God does not simply ignore it. Instead He forces it to bow to him and ultimately breaks it of it's strength. In our lives it is tempting to ignore Satan, but acting like he isn't there only helps his purpose. Instead, as God's children we recognize his limited power, and when he tempts us or tries to drive us away from God, we put him in his place.
Monday, November 10, 2008
1 Samuel Chapter 4
Please read the whole chapter and feel free to post a reply even before you read my thoughts.
As I was reading the first part of this chapter I was sure that God's presence would assist the Israelites. It is a theme that runs throughout the Old Testament: When Yahweh fights for you, you cannot lose. But in this instance I was surprised to see Israel defeated horribly. Of course, in this instance it was Israel and not Yahweh who decided on the course of action. In this sense, the people decided what they thought the Lord should bless rather than following His lead. This realization should not scare me toward inaction, but should give me caution in thinking that whatever I try to do will undoubtedly be blessed by God. It reminds me to take the path of the cross and not of glory, to seek God's will in humble service and prayer.
As I was reading the first part of this chapter I was sure that God's presence would assist the Israelites. It is a theme that runs throughout the Old Testament: When Yahweh fights for you, you cannot lose. But in this instance I was surprised to see Israel defeated horribly. Of course, in this instance it was Israel and not Yahweh who decided on the course of action. In this sense, the people decided what they thought the Lord should bless rather than following His lead. This realization should not scare me toward inaction, but should give me caution in thinking that whatever I try to do will undoubtedly be blessed by God. It reminds me to take the path of the cross and not of glory, to seek God's will in humble service and prayer.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
1 Samuel Chapter 3
Please read the whole chapter and feel free to post a reply even before you read my thoughts.
Verse 11 "I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle." Though I could do a more thorough study of "tingle" in Hebrew, the point that translators seem to be making is an experience of exhilaration. In other words God's action will create a mixture of fear and delight among His people. I would not expect anything less.
Verse 18 "He is the Lord (Yahweh); let him do what is good in his eyes." Eli is God's faithful servant even though he has fallen short, and he shows this by not seeking to fight against God's will. I am generally ready to take the good news from God, but I am not so ready to accept His authority when it means negative consequences for me. Knowing this informs how I speak of God's authority with non-Christians. It may not be as easy as giving Law then Gospel.
Verse 11 "I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle." Though I could do a more thorough study of "tingle" in Hebrew, the point that translators seem to be making is an experience of exhilaration. In other words God's action will create a mixture of fear and delight among His people. I would not expect anything less.
Verse 18 "He is the Lord (Yahweh); let him do what is good in his eyes." Eli is God's faithful servant even though he has fallen short, and he shows this by not seeking to fight against God's will. I am generally ready to take the good news from God, but I am not so ready to accept His authority when it means negative consequences for me. Knowing this informs how I speak of God's authority with non-Christians. It may not be as easy as giving Law then Gospel.
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