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 Samue 20
It's interesting that Jonathan is so devoted to David. Saul even makes the point that David's existence means that Jonathan will not inherit the kingdom. But Jonathan is more concerned with the covenant he has made, which really sets him apart from his father. Jonathan is a great example of selflessness and devotion, but he doesn't make our decisions any easier. He is, after all, disobeying his father in order to help David. He lies regularly to his dad. In fact Jonathan breaks any number of commandments in this section of Scripture. With that in mind it's hard to see this story as an example for us. Rather we see that God works his salvation despite and through human sinfulness. Through the day-time drama that is David's story, the Messiah will come, and through greed, evil, and corruption, the Son of God will die. This is what is so mind blowing about God's work in Jesus Christ. Certainly we can get some good rules for living and some nice principles for friendship in this story, but if that's all we get, we've missed out on the greater story of Christ.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
1 Samuel 19
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 Samue 19
The last part of this chapter is by far the most strange to me. Saul sends messengers to take David, but when they come to Samuel and David they begin to prophesy instead. When I hear the word prophecy I think of a person shouting loudly about the future, but in fact it can mean simply speaking God's word, past, present and future. It's interesting that these "messengers" sent by Saul's words are changed in the presence of God's chosen one. And even Saul begins to prophesy as he comes to Samuel and David. Of course, we know this is not the end of Saul and David's conflict but the imagery is beautiful for we who have been brought into the presence of Jesus through Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
The last part of this chapter is by far the most strange to me. Saul sends messengers to take David, but when they come to Samuel and David they begin to prophesy instead. When I hear the word prophecy I think of a person shouting loudly about the future, but in fact it can mean simply speaking God's word, past, present and future. It's interesting that these "messengers" sent by Saul's words are changed in the presence of God's chosen one. And even Saul begins to prophesy as he comes to Samuel and David. Of course, we know this is not the end of Saul and David's conflict but the imagery is beautiful for we who have been brought into the presence of Jesus through Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
1 Samuel 18
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 Samue 18
With the plot thickening it's easy to lose sight of God's activity in this passage. I think the best story in here is the relationship between Jonathan and David. "Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt." This is an awesome picture for us. Jonathan is not simply being dramatic, he's handing his own identity as the King's son over to David. He gives him his robe and his armor, because of his love for him. Sound familiar. This is what happens for you and me. Because of Jesus' love for us we are clothed with his robe of righteousness and are given the armor of faith. It is amazing how often in the Old Testament we get pictures of and preparation for God's work in Jesus Christ.
With the plot thickening it's easy to lose sight of God's activity in this passage. I think the best story in here is the relationship between Jonathan and David. "Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt." This is an awesome picture for us. Jonathan is not simply being dramatic, he's handing his own identity as the King's son over to David. He gives him his robe and his armor, because of his love for him. Sound familiar. This is what happens for you and me. Because of Jesus' love for us we are clothed with his robe of righteousness and are given the armor of faith. It is amazing how often in the Old Testament we get pictures of and preparation for God's work in Jesus Christ.
Monday, January 19, 2009
1 Samuel 17
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 Samue 17
What can I say about one of the most memorable stories from the Old Testament? All the drama that Hollywood would require is here. But perhaps the most striking thing is David's understanding of God's power. He says, "You (Goliath) come with sword and spear, but I come in the name of the Lord." The lesson, so to speak, is not that we can overcome our Goliaths, or that David practiced with stones for many years. Instead we see that despite appearances, God is in control and often uses the weak to shame the strong.
What can I say about one of the most memorable stories from the Old Testament? All the drama that Hollywood would require is here. But perhaps the most striking thing is David's understanding of God's power. He says, "You (Goliath) come with sword and spear, but I come in the name of the Lord." The lesson, so to speak, is not that we can overcome our Goliaths, or that David practiced with stones for many years. Instead we see that despite appearances, God is in control and often uses the weak to shame the strong.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
1 Saumel 16
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 Samue 16
I'm not sure what the timing is on this passage, but it has always intrigued me that the newly anointed one, David, is brought into Saul's service to help him. You would expect that the next king would simply gather some troops and take over, but for whatever reason David and Saul are drawn closely together. This certainly complicates the situation for them. Yet it is not surprising that David as God's chosen one would be able to alleviate Saul's suffering. It makes me wonder how Saul would have fared if he had just repented and followed God's man.
There are of course many other difficult issues in this chapter. Feel free to ask away and give your thoughts. We may have a livelier discussion in this one.
I'm not sure what the timing is on this passage, but it has always intrigued me that the newly anointed one, David, is brought into Saul's service to help him. You would expect that the next king would simply gather some troops and take over, but for whatever reason David and Saul are drawn closely together. This certainly complicates the situation for them. Yet it is not surprising that David as God's chosen one would be able to alleviate Saul's suffering. It makes me wonder how Saul would have fared if he had just repented and followed God's man.
There are of course many other difficult issues in this chapter. Feel free to ask away and give your thoughts. We may have a livelier discussion in this one.
Monday, January 12, 2009
1 Samuel 15
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 Samue 15
This chapter is kind of depressing isn't it? First we have this huge slaughter, followed by Saul disobeying God, followed then by God taking the kingdom away from him and concluding in Samuel's killing of Agag. Where's the silver lining? There may not be a lot of good news in this reading, but there are some phrases of note.
The first is Samuel's words: "To obey is better than sacrifice." On one level what is being stated here is that it is far better to obey God's will than to sacrifice thank offerings, or worse sin offerings. In other words, God prefers obedience over the need for repentance. For we who are in Christ, this statement has a fuller meaning, because Jesus was obedient, and also served as the necessary sacrifice. It is far better to obey, which is exactly what Jesus did in our place, and yet he also served as the sacrifice who atoned for our sins.
This chapter is kind of depressing isn't it? First we have this huge slaughter, followed by Saul disobeying God, followed then by God taking the kingdom away from him and concluding in Samuel's killing of Agag. Where's the silver lining? There may not be a lot of good news in this reading, but there are some phrases of note.
The first is Samuel's words: "To obey is better than sacrifice." On one level what is being stated here is that it is far better to obey God's will than to sacrifice thank offerings, or worse sin offerings. In other words, God prefers obedience over the need for repentance. For we who are in Christ, this statement has a fuller meaning, because Jesus was obedient, and also served as the necessary sacrifice. It is far better to obey, which is exactly what Jesus did in our place, and yet he also served as the sacrifice who atoned for our sins.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
1 Samuel 14
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 14
There is a lot going on in this chapter. Jonathon defeats the Philistines, Saul makes a terrible decision about the people eating food, and the chapter ends by summarizing Saul's family and kingship. In the midst of all this action it's easy to forget that God is active in all things. I didn't see God speak to anyone, not even His prophet is in this section. Jonathon attributes his victory to God and Saul builds an altar, but nowhere do we get a clear word on whether God approves of these actions.
This is often how I feel about our lives. That we are busy with much and missing how God wants us to see it all. Notice I'm not just talking about stopping to smell the roses, or taking on some sort of monasticism. Rather, I believe God is inviting us to see His action in our lives, to see that His Word speaks to us. That our time with God in prayer, reading, work and life is a time to hear Him speak, to have relationship with Him.
In our reading today it would be easy for us to miss God's activity, but Jonathon's words are helpful for us here: "Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few." It seems like a small thing but it speaks of God's activity. It is a comfort to us when we feel overwhelmed by our task or our numbers. It is a comfort, teaching us to recognize that God is working through the extraordinary and the mundane.
There is a lot going on in this chapter. Jonathon defeats the Philistines, Saul makes a terrible decision about the people eating food, and the chapter ends by summarizing Saul's family and kingship. In the midst of all this action it's easy to forget that God is active in all things. I didn't see God speak to anyone, not even His prophet is in this section. Jonathon attributes his victory to God and Saul builds an altar, but nowhere do we get a clear word on whether God approves of these actions.
This is often how I feel about our lives. That we are busy with much and missing how God wants us to see it all. Notice I'm not just talking about stopping to smell the roses, or taking on some sort of monasticism. Rather, I believe God is inviting us to see His action in our lives, to see that His Word speaks to us. That our time with God in prayer, reading, work and life is a time to hear Him speak, to have relationship with Him.
In our reading today it would be easy for us to miss God's activity, but Jonathon's words are helpful for us here: "Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few." It seems like a small thing but it speaks of God's activity. It is a comfort to us when we feel overwhelmed by our task or our numbers. It is a comfort, teaching us to recognize that God is working through the extraordinary and the mundane.
Monday, January 5, 2009
1 Samuel 13
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 13
I have always been troubled by this passage. The reason is simple, I don't understand what Saul did that was so wrong. As you read through the Old Testament its like a who's who of sinners carrying out wickedness. Cain kills his brother, Jacob steals the inheritance, the judges do unspeakable acts of violence, and here's Saul, who offers a sacrifice to God. It's the kind of thing you could easily miss. From my perspective I almost have to go back and find the problem that caused God to call David in place of Saul.
Was Saul's action really that bad?! And here lies the trouble for me. You see, in my supposed wisdom I categorize sin and consider some things worse than others. Saul's act might have been mistrusting, but certainly God's chosen ones have done much worse. This passage is trouble for me because it unmasks my wrong assumptions about God; that He and I naturally see eye to eye. That I know as well as He does what is good and evil. This is what the world around us tempts us toward regularly. To make God in our own image and to separate ourselves from the "truly evil". And so God speaks to me and to you in this passage, reminding us that no rebellion on our part is too small to require judgment. This is a hard word and it drives us to God's other Word. The Word that is necessary because no rebellion on our part is too small to require forgiveness.
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