Bible in a Year Blog

2 Samuel 1:1-2:11 + John 12:20-50 + Psalm 118:19-29 + Proverbs 15:27-28
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Old Testament – Today we begin the book of Second Samuel!  Below is an image of David being anointed king of Judah from chapter 2 verse 4 in today’s readings:

Second Samuel
Author: Unknown
Date: Probably tenth century B.C.
Content: Second Samuel covers approximately forty years, which is the bulk of David’s reign as king. It begins with David’s being proclaimed king and consolidating his position against others who claimed the throne. David moved the capital to Jerusalem, brought the sacred Ark of the Covenant there, and ultimately defeated the Philistines for all time. David’s troubled career is described in some detail, including his family problems (his son Absalom) and his personal problems (adultery with Bathsheba). A summary of David’s later years concludes the book.
Theme: The life of David is given as an example of good and of evil. The sins of David are exposed – so that too much trust will not be put in men. The victories of David are recorded – so that it may be seen what God can do with someone who wholly trusts in him. God used David in spite of his faults because he found in David a willingness to repent and start again, no matter how far he had fallen. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 5-6)  More commentary on Second Samuel is at this link:
https://bible.org/seriespage/introduction-2-samuel

A note on the Amalekite that comes to David with news of Saul’s death in Second Samuel chapter 1 today.  Many Bible commentaries suggest that this Amalekite was a war “scavenger” that was looking for treasures on the battle field from the dead.  Based on 1 Samuel chapter 31, it is thought that this Amalekite found Saul dead, grabbed Saul’s crown before the Philistines arrived, and made up the story of killing Saul to David because he thought David would reward him for killing who he thought was David’s “enemy.”  David’s reaction was quite the opposite than what the Amalekite thought it would be…  Bible.org’s commentary on our Second Samuel readings today titled “What an Amalekite is Dying to Tell David” is at this link.  Below is an image of David tearing his garments and lamenting the death of Saul:

Today in 2 Samuel chapter 1 we read about David’s lament for Saul & Jonathan. This year in going through the One Year Bible, I have really been intrigued by Jonathan and David’s relationship. They became incredible “brothers” it seems – much like we now have “brothers” and “sisters” in Christ today. And there seems to have been an amazing love between Jonathan and David – not sexual in any way, but a pure brotherly love. In verse 26 we will read – “I grieve for you Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful.” Personally, I have been thinking about this word “love” quite a bit in recent months. I don’t know if this is going to sound strange – I hope it’s a good sign 🙂 – but I find myself using the word “love” more and more often when referring to and thinking of others in my life. I have found myself saying recently, for example, “there are so many people in my church that I love and I believe love me.” I guess I’m getting to this stage in my life that may seem at first glance sentimental – but I think it is something more. I believe God is love. And yes, God is judge and many other things. But I do believe that love is a very godly thing. And I guess I’m getting to the point in life where I realize that I truly do love so many people in my life – with a brotherly or sisterly love – and maybe perhaps a few love me too. I pray this is the case in some way in your life? Are there people in your life that you love with a brotherly or sisterly love? Are there people in your life that were like Jonathan was to David? Are there people in your life where you are like Jonathan was to David? How familiar are you with love as expressed in 1 Corinthians 13? Did Jonathan have this type of love? Do you?  Below is a portrait of David & Jonathan by artist Guy Rowe:

Bible Project: Here is a terrific video overview of 2nd Samuel!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvoWDXNDJgs

New Testament – Great words from Jesus in our John readings today!  I honestly don’t think I can add anything to what Jesus said in these readings today!  Please re-read this section again from John if you can and meditate upon what Jesus teaches us.  Bible.org’s commentary on today’s John readings titled “The Greeks Seek Jesus” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 118 is the last half of the psalm possibly sung by Jesus and the disciples after the Last Supper – see yesterday’s posting below for details.   What an amazing Psalm…  Verse 22 was quoted by Jesus in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10 and Luke 20:17 and he used this verse to refer to himself – “The stone rejected by the builders has now become the cornerstone.”  Do you believe this verse applies to Jesus?  Is Jesus the cornerstone in your life?

Verse 26 was the chant of the crowds as Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday – “Bless the one who comes in the name of the LORD.”   And verse 29 I’m pretty sure is a Michael W. Smith song – “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”   🙂

Proverbs – Proverbs 15 verse 27 teaches us today: “Dishonest money brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live.”  Think there is truth in this Proverb?

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Psalm 118 remind me of the song “In Christ Alone.” Here’s a great live version sung by Kristian Stanfill:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNRFumI2ch0

Who alone do you trust? Click here for Christ alone!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” John 12:28 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that your life is bringing glory to God the Father. Pray that you will obey the teachings of God the Son through the power of God the Holy Spirit dwelling within you. Pray that you would not sin, which brings glory only to the evil one. Pray that you would not worship the evil one by sinning. Sin is worship – of the evil one. Pray for your worship to be to God alone through your faith in Jesus and living a life of righteousness.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

I’m going to expose my thoughts about “Love” based on today’s Old Testament readings, David and Jonathan’s love for each other and Anka’s comments/thoughts.

Love, as mentioned by Jesus and as written about by Paul in I Corinthians chapter 13, cannot be an emotion that we so readily ascribe to it. Love, as per God’s definition and usage cannot be what we think it is a feeling of warm fuzzes.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 KJVR)

The reason I wrestle with our understanding of what “Love” is as God sees it is because we equate the evidence of “Love” with the absence of hate; bad feelings; dislike. Yet, in God’s Word we are told to hate/despise/reject sin (depending on the translation, our mother/father/sisters etc. Yes, yes I know that Jesus said He brought a new Law,

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44 KJVR)

All of these directives require us to do something, not to have or work up an emotion or feelings before doing it. I believe, as a book title so readily proclaims, “Love is a Verb,” it is a doing and NOT A being. For God so Loved …That He Gave. (John 3:16) He gave of himself, He offered up Himself to pay the cost of committed sin and for committing sin, to people who hated Him. I have heard it said that we need to send our feelings and emotions to school to teach them, to keep them under control, to not let them take us down the path of good intentions done the road to hell.

In the 14th chapter of Jeremiah in the Amplified Bible, there is a rendering of a text that I have to admit I don’t contemplate enough,

And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and sword; and they shall have none to bury them–them, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. For I will pour out their wickedness upon them [and not on their false teachers only, for the people could not have been deceived except by their own consent]. (Jeremiah 14:16 AMP)

Our emotions get us into trouble because we allow them to override biblical principles because we have a “feeling” about someone, be it love or hate, thus we become a party to our own deception. This may all be just a rant going nowhere but I believe I need to; we all need to examine our understanding of Love. Is it a Verb, Noun, Adjective or Adverb? Our we letting our emotions tell us, lie to us on whether we love someone or not. People leave the spouses because they don’t “feel” in love; we deny aid or help to people who we don’t care about and “feel” they are trying to trick us—all of this is based on emotions. And we should know that our emotions can “lie” to us. After all we know that we have brains but when is the last time you “felt” them. Feeling or not feeling something, by use of our senses, does not mean something does or doesn’t exist. We are a people of faith walking be faith, talking by faith and operating by faith not by emotions. To operate by faith we must now what the Holy Spirit is speaking to us; we must, like Jesus, only do what we see the Father do. Then and only then can we move away from sentimentality and emotional “love” into the God kind of Love. For God so loved the World that He Gave …”

Grace and peace
Ramona

====== Anka:

Sucking up…the Amalekite told a lie.Saul specifically didn’t want to be killed by an uncircumsised man…and he told his armour bearer to kill him not this Amalekite who probably thought David would reward him for killing Saul.David in spite of everything Saul did,loved God and this love extended to Saul.True God is love and unfortunately this is one area where sadly I fail.I had grown to distrust people so much that while I could go out of my way to help,sometimes even sacrificially….I couldn’t love.Jesus in his love for us came to dwell among us..gave us his time,gave up his comfort.I pondered in my heart the love between Jonathan and David.As Jim and John said…the bond between soldiers.I still love my life because I try my best to protect myself from being taken for granted or hurt by others,compared to David,Jonathan,Paul…I lack love and love my life.I pray God helps me let go completely so He can fully use me.I pray the church sees the need for unity in this spiritual battle…and most importantly…love like God meant it to be…not something that costs little but something that gives it all.
God bless you all.
Anka

====== Kristie:

Hearing of the death of Saul and the tribute he gives, shows David’s humility. He could have said, “Saul deserved this!”” But David looked to the Lord as the judge, and the honor he shows for Saul demonstrates this. What a great example for us all to honor those in authority over us, as well as to see the evidences of God’s grace in the lives of others rather than focusing on what is wrong.

Kristie

====== Sue:

Saul (means: asked) had four sons:
1. Jonathan (means: Jehovah has given)
2. Malki-Shua (means: my king is salvation)
3. Abinadab (means: father of liberality)
4. Esh-Baal (means: man of Baal) aka: Ishbosheth (means: man of shame)

In I Chronicles 8:33 and 9:39 he is referenced as Esh Baal.

Saul’s nephew,
Abner (means: my father is a lamp),
Ner whose name means “light” was Abner’s father and Saul’s brother), decides to make Ish-bosheth king, in defiance of what should have been common knowledge: Samuel had annointed David King at God’s direction. What was he thinking? And, why was Ish-Bosheth not killed in the heat of the battle when Saul and Jonathan died? What of Malki-Shua and Abinadab?

In John MacArthur’s Study Bible I was impressed with this explanation of the tribute David made to Jonathan and Saul; it helped to solidify the intent of the lamentation, and would like to share it with you all, but first a preface:

1:18 The Song of the Bow

This was the title of the poem in which the word “bow” may have been chosen with reference to Jonathan, whose bow is mentioned in verse 22.

okay, now the lamentation:

The Beauty of Israel

Literally, the gazelle or antelope of Israel, the chosen symbol of youthful elegance and symmetery, most likely referring to Jonathan. Thus, the song began and ended with Saul’s noble son.

High places

These were open-air worship sites generally established at high elevations. In this case the high place was Mt. Gilboa, where Saul had died.

How the mighty have fallen!

They were not only Israel’s slain “beauty,” but Saul and Jonathan were mighty men who had fallen in battle. This phrase is repeated as a refrain in verses 25 and 27.

1:20 Gath…Ashkelon

Two chief cities which together could represent all of the Philistine territory. Gath was situated in the eastern part of the Philistine territory, while Ashkelon was in the west by the sea. David did not want the Philistines to rejoice at the calamities of Israel as Israel had rejoiced at the defeat of the Philistines (I Sam. 18:7).

1:21 no dew or rain

David spoke a curse, seeking the absence of dew or rain upon the mountain where Saul and Jonathan died.

not anointed with oil

It was necessary in those times to anoint a shield with oil (see 21:5) to prevent the leather from being hard and cracked. But there on Mt. Gilboa lay the shield of Saul dried out, a symbol of defeat and death.

1:22 bow…sword

These two weapons were used by Saul and Jonathan with much power, accuracy, and effectiveness. It was also with the bow that Jonathan helped David escape Saul’s wrath (I Sam 20:35-42).

1:23 beloved

This generous commendation, including Saul who was seeking to kill David, showed David’s gracious, forgiving attitude — a model of gracious love (see Matthew 5:43-48).

1:26 Surpassing the love of women

This bond between David and Jonathan was strong. However, this does not mean that their friendship was necessarily superior to the bond of love between a man and a woman. The commitment shared between the two of them was a noble, loyal, and selfless devotion (see I Samuel 18:3), which neither of them had ever felt for a woman. Unlike love between a man and a woman in which a sexual element is part of the strong attraction, this love between these two men had no such sexual feature, yet was compellingly strong.

1:27 weapons of war

A figurative expression referring to Saul and Jonathan.

Sue

====== Romayne:

Sorry – did I miss something somewhere in this story – I keep looking for someone to point out the fact that NOBODY killed Saul – he fell on his own sword by his own hand, as did his armourbearer or was that my imagination:

1Sam 31:4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

1Sam 31:5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.

So when I read this portion today, I was sort of going What? Yet nobody so far has pointed this bit out about how the Amalekite was a liar, and David obviously was never provided the real truth either about it, although I doubt it would have made much difference in respect of him taking this guy’s life for his greed and errant attitude.

Just another reminder – was a time long ago when a bad attitude could get you killed – today it seems to be what drives our nations sadly, and we see much more spiritual death as a result.

Romayne

======= Romana:

>>Sorry – did I miss something somewhere in this story – I keep looking for someone to point out the fact that NOBODY killed Saul – he fell on his own sword by his own hand, as did his armourbearer or was that my imagination:>>

Romayne—The intent of this Blog is for us to focus on/write about the things that peak our interest, it is not to come to a consensus and do a group think, mental assenting on what any one person thinks we should focus on. Sometimes there is a common theme or thread that each person picks up, today there wasn’t.

The following is taken from Mike’s Welcome page, the first paragraph:

The purpose of this website is to encourage you to read through the entire Bible in a year! This encouragement to you is offered in two simple free ways – 1. This daily blog with reflections, commentary and questions. 2. Weekly free e-mails filled with encouragement, commentary, and questions.

Each of us comes from a different background, a different longitude and latatud on the earth and have experienced and are experiencing different things–each is at a different level. I personally have read though the entire Bible over thirty times so I was always uncovering, discovering things that I didn’t see the last time I read a particular passage.

Maybe no one spoke of Saul killing himself because you were suppose to bring it up : )

Ramona

====== Pat:

I can easily understand the relationship between Jonathan and David because God has blessed me with a best friend of 56 years. We are as opposite as day and night and often laugh and say if we weren’t best friends then we probably wouldn’t be friends at all. We have been there for each other during times of celebration, times of sadness, times of illnesses, even during times when we lived miles apart. We have been there for each other’s kids as they grew up and we are there now for each other’s grandkids. I like jeans and tees, hiking in the woods, volunteering on community projects, belonging to service organizations and having many friends. She likes fancy clothes, eating in glitzy restaurants, having a few close friends, and shopping, shopping and more shopping. I am positive and tolerant, and love sitting by the bridge and talking with the homeless people. She is more negative and impatient with others who don’t measure up to her standards. She loves singing solos in choir and I love being on the committee that scrubs down the kitchen. We both love the Lord with all our hearts and we love each other with that special love that God extends to best friends. God created us differently in personality but He gave us the bond of lasting friendship. They say that God gives you your family but you pick your own friends. I believe that God gives us our family but He also gives us special friends apart from sexual relationships and such was the bond of friendship between Jonathan and David. I pray that each of you has or will such have a friendship blessed and bonded by the Lord.

What is love? Love is a bond put between people who take joy in being in each other’s company without having to modify their actions. Love is knowing that other people are special and worthy just as they are. Love is a gift that God gives you, which allows you to appreciate those that you share this earthly life with. Love is the way God made us so that we not only enjoy other people but are there to assist them however possible. Love is the spirit of God!

God Bless!
Pat

======= Dottie:

God has blessed me so much with many brothers and sisters in Christ that I truly love and know they love me. When I first moved back to the US after living in Denmark for 3 years, I didn’t know anyone and I asked God to give me friends, Godly friends and He has fullfilled that 1000 times over. I would never change anything if I had to do it all over again, my experiences and relationships I have been blessed with in these friendships is prceless. I have learned from these friends an abundance of wisdom and knowledge and been inspired when I could not feel an inspiration in me. I am thankful that God knw what we need and always provides for us. Praise God.

Dottie

====== Katie:

I have been blessed abundantly with love from family and friends (that are like family). I love them so for sticking with me through so much. My testimony is CRAZY, but certain people have carried me through so much. Really, there are no words to describe how wonderful they have been to me, all I can say is that their love has changed my life.

And now, I’ve found a couple new friends here on OneYearBible that I feel love for and it seems like when David and Jonathan first met each other. We don’t really know each other all that well, yet, but there seems to be a special blessing to the friendships as they grow.

God is so very good to me, and I am blessed.
God’s love is wonderful and amazing.
Amen

Katie

====== Mary:

I have been thinking these past few days about love. My idea of love is a little skewed I think….and I have been questioning if it is sincere. After some time of reading and prayer, and being still I have realized that if I am seeking God frist in all things, the love I have for others is genuine. Not controlling, not self-serving, not empty. I can see the difference in the effect is has on others and on my heart. Pretty cool. He is Holy and gracious. Thank you for being deligent in these daily studies my friend. In Him.

Mary

====== Jit:

“The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life”( John 12:25) Jesus seemed to suggest that our present existence is not important and for some fanatics they would blow themselves up for this eternal life. The difference between Jesus and these fanatics is Jesus did not blow others up in the process.

Jit

======= Peter:

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your insights–very helpful! I really like Proverbs 15:28: “The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.” I pray that the Lord will help me to think before I speak this day!

Peter

====== Raeann:

The book of 1 Samuel shows how GOD places ordinary people in extraordinary positions in this world in order to fulfill the will of GOD for humanity. As a new born baby Samuels mother gave Samuel to the priests to raise in the house of GOD to thank GOD for giving her a son when she had been barren her entire life. As Samuel grew GOD gave him the ability to discern good from evil and to make wise decisions for his people. Israel wants a king to be like all of the other nations around them. Samuel tells the people that this will only lead to the people turning away from GOD and turning to paganism. Samuel selects Saul to rule over the people and to be Israel’s first king. Saul leads Israel in several victorious battles against the surrounding kings. Saul is rejected as king when he refuses to do what GOD commands him regarding the spoil of war. David a sheep herder kills Goliath and is anointed the new king of Israel by Samuel. Saul hates David who he tries to kill on several occasions. Jonathan Sauls son loves David and he tries to protect him and keep him safe from harm. When David catches up to Saul in the mountains David in his compassion for Saul spares his life. Saul eventually dies in battle against the Philistines. The book of 1 Samuel shows how GOD places ordinary people in extraordinary positions in this world in order to fulfill the will of GOD for humanity.

Raeann

======= Frederick:

Psalm 118:26

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
From the house of the LORD we bless you.

When Jesus was about to be crucified, he told his disciples and the surrounding people that unless the Jews said that, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.” Then He will return for a second time. This is so important that the Jews, his people to know God and acknowledge Jesus in this end time.

Frederick

====== Bob:

John 12:20- 26 I have a few points to bring up about this Gospel Message and I am not sure where the source comes from (Chuck Swindoll ?) In our circle of friends, it is good to get to know those who know Jesus. Our desire at any church event is to see Jesus. Notice how two are better than one as Philip and Andrew go see Jesus. (Math 18:19). This is encouragement and direction for the Greeks (us), when we desire acquaintance with Him. “The harvest of the Gentiles, the multiplying of the redeemed was the magnifying glory of the redeemer.”

Bob

====

The Making of a Man of God by Allen Redpath, is a wonderful book on the relationship between David and Jonathan. It’s an old book, but a real treasure if you can find i
“It takes more grace than I can tell, to play the second fiddle well”

William

====== Imja:

Jonathan loved David…but, he also loved his father and knew him as God’s anointed King Saul. Jonathan filled his duty as son and a commanding officer by going with King Saul into battle. God knew this, and that’s why Samuel gave that message to Saul at the witch at endor. It’s sad but, like Charles Stanley says…there are consequences to sin. God will forgive, however, we still are responsible for our actions. But, God is good! If Saul had only fully obeyed the Lord…

If we…

Imja

======= Ramona:

2 Samuel 1:1-2:11

In the story of the Talents, each man was given according to his ability and the “Master” expected a return on what He had given them based on their ability (Matthew 25:14-30). I will ask a question and it is a rhetorical question but it is something that has bothered me for many a year, or at least it has peaked my interest for a long time.

What happened to Jonathan? I know that he died along side his father, but what happened to him, why did he end up dead along side his father? What happened to his commitment to David?
Then Saul told his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Saul’s son Jonathan liked David very much. So Jonathan told David, “My father Saul is trying to kill you. So be careful tomorrow morning. Find a hiding place and stay in seclusion. (1 Samuel 19:1-2 NET.)
Then Jonathan son of Saul left and went to David at Horesh. He encouraged him through God. He said to him, “Don’t be afraid! For the hand of my father Saul cannot find you. You will rule over Israel, and I will be your second in command. Even my father Saul realizes this.” When the two of them had made a covenant before the LORD, David stayed on at Horesh, but Jonathan went to his house. (1 Samuel 23:16-18 NET.)

I could be totally off base but how does someone make a statement that he would be second in command knowing that the first in command is being hunted down like a dog then go back to his house? How often do we know that something is supposed to be yet we continue hanging out in the wrong place? Was Jonathan supposed to die that day, along with his father because he was never suppose to be second in command?
Was he looking back towards his old life instead of looking forward to a life with David as his leader? Do we set out to “plow the field” while looking back toward our house?

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62 KJVR)

Just something that makes you go, Hmmm!

Grace and Peace,
Ramona

======= Anka:

Greeks seeking Jesus caught my eye,His reply to them even more so.From my little knowledge of history,at that time,the jews were under the romans…they were separate,sometimes viewed as proud because of their practices.They wouldn’t eat certain foods,worshipped only one God who’s commands may have not been too popular among pagan nations.Yet some gentiles were drawn to them,these greeks came to partake of their passover and worship at their feast.Very much like Ruth who chose to worship the God of Israel and left behind her idols,her ways…everything to be joined to the Lord’s people.
Jesus’ reply to them was simple”He who loves his life loses it, and he who (J)hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal”
“If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and (K)where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will (L)honor him”…..
Sometimes we think we can have it both ways..say we’re following Jesus but refuse to die to self,refuse to accept His ways…not wanting to be unpopular,seeking to be part of the world as well as part of the body of Christ…These Greeks came to worship the God of Israel among His people,in His temple…not caring what people said or thought,leaving behind what they were taught and coming to listen to what Jesus said….I pray we like Ruth choose to follow Jesus all the way,leave our own idols and practices behind…letting the Comforter and Teacher lead us as we follow.
God bless you all
Anka

======= Dee:

Wow good analogy! Because usually when a statement is recorded in the Bible it usually comes to pass..however Jonathan’s words were on deaf ears.

2nd Sam 13:1-2:11
What I thought was sad was the Amelekite was trying to get approval and lied to David today saying he killed Saul. In turn his lie was the death of him.

John-12:20-50
Something interesting I never heard is Lord talking to the Father and the thundering noise the people heard about God saying it will be glorified- He did before and it will be done again!!

Psalm 118 : 19-29
Last part of Psalm 118, an urgency, a pleading –25 verse: OH Lord, save us
–Oh God give us success
–28–verse: You are my God, and I will give you thanks
You are my God, I will exalt You..
Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever.

Then in Proverbs: 15:27-28
Especially 28: fave verse and feel like it relates to what I am going through with coming to the conclusion that one chapter of my life is over and God is plotting a new course at a new school and I have been torn twice and finding the right words to let go..

The heart of the righteous weighs its answers.

Amen!

Dee

======= Jim:

The break between the two books of Samuel is purely artificial. IMHO, the Amalekite was likely just one of those that came after the battle with Saul to strip the slain and had the good luck to come upon Saul and get his crown and bracelet and then the poor luck to come to Ziklag to see what he could likewise find in that burnt city only to find David had returned and only made up the story of killing Saul to bring David his crown to win favor. If his story was true, then again, it would be a good example of how being told to do something wrong by a civic or moral authority is no excuse. I personally know of a governmental contract manager that didn’t believe a subcontractor could afford a very low bid and hired a security consultant to break into their financial systems. The guy was probably sloppy enough to break into the administrative account from a lesser one assigned to him because he foolishly thought being hired by the US government would protect him – it did not. The story of being commanded to kill Saul likewise did not save this Amalekite. Again I ask: if this is the kind of punishment handed out to an unbeliever, imagine how much worse waits for believers committing similar crimes. For example, Christian statistician George Barna found that among American Christian adults who said they had given ten percent or more of their income to churches and related ministries in the past year, an examination of their finances showed that two-thirds of those people were lying about their generosity (such as Ananias and Sapphira in Act 5 that were slain by the Lord for only deceitfully keeping a portion of their own property for themselves). BTW, only 2-3% of Christians tithe as compared with 4-5% of Atheists that give a tenth to non-profit organizations.
Both Saul and David were both built and equipped to be great leaders. The difference was that Saul fashioned his functions from this form while David did it completely from God. Read 2 Samuel 2:1 -> David, “Hey God, should I go to one of the towns of Judah?” God, “Yep!” David, “Which one?” God, “Go up to Hebron.” Are your conversations with God this clear? Saul’s weren’t. When a church fails to focus on God, the hearing of churchgoers is suppressed. God speaks, but they can no more hear Him than can a man lying in the gutter in a drunken stupor. To quote Francois Fenelon, “How rare it is to find a soul quiet enough to hear God speak.”
David was anointed three times: 1) by Samuel in secret to indicate God’s purpose, 2) by Judea for the partial accomplishment of that purpose, 3) 7.5 years later by Israel when Saul’s son died and the Jews were reunited for the completion of God’s purpose (2 Sam 5:3). Ish-bosheth would have been 35 at Saul’s death while 2 Samuel 2:10 says that he began as king of Israel suggesting a five year period of turmoil before his short reign began although the long war in 2 Sam 3-4 and Abner’s conspiracy would imply a period of two years. Abner’s expedition to Gideon may have been for the purpose of shifting resources to the tribe of Benjamin to prepare for the war (or “to go out” in 2 Sam 2:12-13) with Judah.
Only John mentions the Greek friends of Philip in v 12:20. They had undoubtedly heard of Christ’s miracles and were perhaps of prophetic significance that Jesus by His death on the cross will provide eternal life to both Jew and Gentile. Christ died for me, paying the price of my sin, and there is no more price to be paid. I am free. I am no longer under the condemnation of God. “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL men to myself” (v 12:32). While ALL are natural-born sinners (Rom. 3:23; 5:12; 1 Tim. 2:4; Psa. 51:5), God commands ALL people to repent and receive Christ (Acts 17:30-31; I John 3:23; Luke 13:3), Christ as “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42) gave Himself a ransom for ALL (I Timothy 2:6), and He saves “as many as” receive Him (John 1:12). 1 John 2:2 states that Christ “is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for THE WHOLE WORLD,” and 1 Timothy 4:10 describes God as “the Savior of ALL men.” This concept was, in fact, Jacob Arminius’ strongest objection to TULIP Calvinism. Even as there is no way to the Father except through the Son, though, the only way to the Son is by the Father (v 6:44). But God allows the hearts of those who have repeatedly reject God to harden to the truth (Isaiah 6:10). Come freely with the sacrificial victim; make it ready; bind it to the altar (Psalm 118:27).
Jim

======= John:

Good Analogy
“Suppose someone came [to your house] at three o’clock in the morning and put a ladder up to the second-floor window and began to climb in, what would you do? ‘Well,’ said the man, ‘I suppose I’d shoot him.’ I said, ‘What right have you to shoot a man? After all, can’t a man come into your house in any way he wants to come?’ He said, ‘No.’ Then I said, ‘You are saying that you can get into God’s heaven any way, any time – by any back window that you choose. God Almighty has made definite, positive and absolute rules for entering His heaven – rules as definite as our civilization makes – if you go to somebody’s house you ring, you knock. … Make a noise and come up in the way that house owner decides…. God has done the same thing. He says that anyone may come in, but they must come [by his way: by the cross of Jesus Christ embraced by a faith that is willing to bear any earthly loss to have him and his salvation].’”
We do not get to make the rules. Too often in reading the Old Testament and regarding Salvation mankind wants to decide what is “RIGHT” or “Just” or “what makes sense”. People make these decisions based on their perceptions of right and wrong (flawed as they are), their intellect (small as it is compared to God), or their “feelings” (see Ramona’s post).
It just doesn’t work that way, nor should it. I could never have made the decision for Salvation unless I put aside my human foibles and just read the Bible to see what IT says regarding everlasting life. Once I acknowledged what the Bible says in John and Romans (I only read those two chapters, but did it several times) – it was decision time.
Did I (Do you) want to do it your way and take a chance on getting it wrong for an eternity, or did I (Do you) agree to do it God’s way?
It may be “WHOMSOEVER WILL”, but it is by God’s rules and conditions – not by our just wanting to feel good about our faith or getting “fire insurance”.
Once saved – it does not get any easier.
“People say to the Lord, “I will believe in you, I will follow you, I will serve you, if you do this or that for me.” But the Lord says, “No, you give up your life, your hopes, your plans – you surrender them to me – and I will give you your life back far better than you had it before. But you must make that surrender. And you must make it blind, by faith in other words, without the help of first being able to hold in your hand the blessings that I promise to give you. YOU CANNOT BARGAIN WITH THE LIVING GOD AND WITH THE REDEEMER OF YOUR SOUL. You must trust him. That is faith and that is why comparatively few people live by faith. It is a daring business. It is absolutely the right thing to do and the sensible thing to do – for Christ has risen and God has spoken – but it is in no case the natural thing to do!” – ibid. [Caps mine for emphasis]
John

1 Samuel 29:1-31:13 + John 11:55-12:19 + Psalm 118:1-18 + Proverbs 15:24-26
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – We finish the book of First Samuel today!  Second Samuel is up tomorrow!  First Samuel chapter 29 verse 8 read a bit strange to me: “”What have I done to deserve this treatment?” David demanded. “Why can’t I fight the enemies of my lord, the king?””  It seemed odd, at first read, that David would say this to King Achish of the Philistines.  Commentaries suggest that David may have purposefully made an ambiguous statement here, such that Achish (and maybe us) would think he was referring to Achish – when perhaps he was referring to God or Saul as David’s “lord, the king.”  With David’s madman acting and wisdom, this ambiguous type statement with another meaning would not be surprising…

In First Samuel 31 today we read about the death of Saul.  At the very end Saul did what he always did – took things into his own hands.  Relied on himself.  Fell on his own sword.   Perhaps sometimes in our lives today we are not so different from Saul.  Maybe we try to take things into our own hands.  Rely on ourselves.  But hopefully never fall on our own swords…   We should instead be leaving things in God’s hands and relying fully on God.

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s First Samuel readings titled “From “Playing Both Ends Against the Middle” to “Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place”” is at this link and “From Tragedy to Triumph” is at this link and “Saul’s Death Wish” is at this link.

New Testament – John 12 verse 10 stood out to me today – somehow I hadn’t really noticed this verse before – “Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.”   Lazarus was raised from the dead and they wanted him dead again…  sad…  The miracle had caused many to believe in Jesus as the Messiah.  Not surprising that those in that day who were against Jesus would also be against those close to Jesus.  Think there might be some correlation in this regard in our world today?  Is it possible that the closer we get to Jesus, the more the Enemy might come up against us in various ways?  It cannot defeat us with God on our side.  But it may come after us.  I’m a day late in our readings on this painting below from the year 1630 of “The Raising of Lazarus” by Rembrandt:

I like verse 19 today!   “Then the Pharisees said to each other, “We’ve lost. Look, the whole world has gone after Jesus!””  Unfortunately it was a bit of an exaggeration at that time and the 2,000 years following.  But maybe in the future?  How are you part of the Great Commission today?  An image is below for verse 15 (originally from Zechariah 9:9) – “”Don’t be afraid, people of Israel. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.”

Bible.org’s commentary on our John readings today titled “The Sweet Smell of Love and the Stench of Greed” is at this link and “The Un-Triumphal Entry” is at this link.

Psalms – I came across a wonderful speculation on Psalm 118!  Zondervan’s commentary suggested that Jesus and the disciples sung this psalm/hymn at the end of the Last Supper.  Matthew chapter 26 verse 30 tells us – “When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”   Adds a bit of a new dimension to this Psalm, no?  The reason for this speculation is because this is the final Psalm in the Egyptian Hallel of Psalms 113 through 118.  These Psalms were used in Jewish liturgy at the great religious festivals of Passover, Tabernacles, Dedication, Weeks, New Moon.  At Passover Psalm 113 & 114 were sung before the meal and Psalms 115 – 118 were sung after the meal.  Perhaps, even after the Last Supper by Jesus and the disciples?  Below is Russian artist Simon Ushakov’s “The Last Supper” from the year 1685 –

Verse 8 in this Psalm stands out to me big time: “It is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in people.” Kind of strong words I know…  but what do you think?   Might people, on occasion, let you down?  Obviously, we know the answer to this one.  People will let us down.  Even our closest friends and family at some point will let us down.  However – I don’t think this means we give up on investing and loving friends and family!  It just means we should not be surprised when someone lets us down.  That’s human nature.  None of us is perfect this side of heaven – you will obviously let people down too.  Realizing this, I think all of us should be prepared to forgive others and to ask for forgiveness of others.  However, what do you think on this question:  Will God ever let you down?  Will Jesus ever let you down?  Please know He won’t!  In fact, I believe that He’s holding you up right this very moment…

Proverbs – Proverbs 15 verse 24 is a beautiful meditation – “The path of the wise leads to life above; they leave the grave behind.”  Are you on the path of the wise?

Worship Video: Today’s readings in John about Jesus remind me of the Passion/Christy Nockels song “Let it be Jesus:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2h9Hm9JZho

Have you Let it be Jesus? Click here and Let it Be!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me (Jesus).” John 12:8 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you love Jesus above all else. Pray that you will indeed love and serve the poor in our world, but won’t love this service to the poor or anything else in this world above your love for Jesus. Pray that you will always have Jesus in eternity. And pray that the poor will too, through their saving faith in Jesus. Pray that you realize we are all truly poor if we are not in a saving relationship with Jesus.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

1 Samuel 29:1-31:13

Even when we have made alliances with the “enemy” for what we think is self-preservation; even when our actions cause pain and grief to others as well as ourselves—the city of Ziklag being taken, burned to the ground and everything that was in it carried off, God stills fights our “other” enemies and restores everything that has been stolen. Interestingly enough the town/city of Ziklag was not a town that should have been possessed by the Philistines, that city was part of Judah’s inheritance that had been taken from them during the time of the Judges. (See Joshua 15:21-31 for Judah’s inheritance) Therefore, God will restore all things lost by previous generations.

There is something here that I always considered just part of the narrative, the finding of the Egyptian in the desert as David and his men chased after the Amalekites. Now I see that it points to Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan. They army, like the Samaritan, was on a mission. In the King James Translations the use of the words, “by chance” describes how the priest and the Levite happened upon the man left half-dead; however, the Samaritan was on a “journey.” When we are on a journey, we will meet up with the people we are called to minister to; however, when we are traveling “by chance” we will pass folk by. Meeting up with those people and ministering to them will send us down the correct road that leads to complete restoration.

Some of the men of David’s army showed mercy to this Egyptian they found in the desert. They brought him back to David, they fed him and gave him something to drink, and they restored him. That act of kindness led them to the men they were seeking. Usually armies, especially back then, were ruthless in their pursuit. If you happened to be in there way while they were on the move, their feet, horses and chariots would crush you. What happened to the Egyptian is a clear “type” of Christ’s mercy, or the Mercy of God.

The second thing I observed, and am rethinking in a different way is Saul’s suicide. I had come to think that Saul was a coward and didn’t want to suffer the pain of a lingering death, but now I’m wondering if what he did was a continuation of his rebellion to the Word of God. Samuel had told him, the night before:

Since you did not obey the LORD and did not carry out his fierce anger against the Amalekites, the LORD has done this thing to you today. The LORD will hand you and Israel over to the Philistines! Tomorrow both you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also hand the army of Israel over to the Philistines!” (1 Samuel 28:18-19 NET.)

My thinking is this: Did Saul fall on his sword thinking that in so doing he would place his dying, and how he died, in his own hands and defy the words spoken by the prophet Samuel. Hmmm.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Marilyn:

======= Jim:

God used the suspicious nature of the Philistines to deliver David from his impossible choice to either fight Israel or being killed by Achish. The Philistines had good reason to fear David’s defection since Hebrew mercenaries had turned on them before (in v 14:21) and from Israel’s popular taunt song of Saul’s thousands and David’s ten thousands. This gave them chance to chase the Amalekites who took their wives and children to make into slaves (although David’s troops considered stoning him for the “bad luck”). Unlike Saul, however, David always knew where to turn and was confident of God’s eventual deliverance. David desire to share the spoils with those that did not fight and Judah could have been political but more likely was a result of his understanding that his victory did not belong to him or his army but to God and all His children. The men of Jabesh Gilead risked their lives to recover the bodies of Saul and his sons out of gratitude for Saul previously delivering their city. Cremation was not the normal Jewish practice except for criminals (as in Josh 7:25), but perhaps it was done to Saul’s body due to the severe mutilation done to the corpses by the Philistines. David will later move the buried bones to Benjamin (2 Sam 21:11-14).
Yesterday’s Samuel’s spirit’s prophecy was fulfilled today with the death of Saul and his sons (including Jonathan), except for Saul’s son Ish-bosheth who was later made king by Abner (2 Sam 2:8-9). Saul faced death the same way he face life – with his own hands without asking God for guidance. The Bible lists only the above seven suicides, but Jews have the lowest suicide rate of any religion even today (the group with by far the most suicides is 50-54, white collar, protestant Caucasians). Besides Saul (feeling hopeless), other biblically recorded suicides are Ahithophel (feared losing to David and hung himself in 2 Sam 17:23), Abimelech (shamed by a woman in battle and choose to die by the sword in Jud 9:54), Samson (died in revenge plan in Jud 16:30), Saul’s armor-bearer (impulsively – as is 40% of teenage suicides today – fell on his sword), Zimri (about to lose a battle and so burned down the palace while inside in 1 Kings 16:18), and Judas (realized how great his sin and hung himself out of guilt but the rope broke and he fell down a cliff in Matt 27:5). They all felt trapped, believed that life was not worthy of living or that they were not worthy to live, were spiritually ailing, and depressed. Each would have done better to have accepted life as a gift from God (John 1:21), turned to faith rather than emotions (James 1:2, Phil 4:1), bowed to the sovereign will of God (Romans 8:28), with the help of the Holy Spirit (Gal 2:20, 5:16-23), sought help from others (1 John 1:9), and treated their depression as sin (Ps 77:2-9). I have heard that of the few that survived jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, all regretted their decision on the way down. Some have suggested that someone who kills themselves cannot end up in heaven. The Bible actually says very little on the subject but Samson is listed in Hebrew 11:32 with the faithful, so at least one was a true believer.
Over one million Americans will attempt to immediately kill themselves this year and 1 in 15 will succeed (for about 25,000) which makes suicide the 10th highest killer (greater than murder – which is saying something when you consider we lead the world in that as well). But, all the other top nine killers are really suicide as well. Then again, the “natural” outcome of freewill is always death. For example, put any animal in a cage with the freedom to push a lever for hereon and 100% will kill themselves. Humans are the only animal that can survive free choice, but we don’t do it often. Why worry about air pollution when cigarettes cause a quarter of all deaths? Why recycle when a thousand Americans die every day from poor nutritional choices? Why work for justice when the rampant problems with suicide, drugs, alcohol, and casual sex take so many more (with 60% of the children in the Caribbean dying from AIDS)? With the improvements in law enforcement, home safety, and health care, all of the top ten ways Americans die today is basically from self-destructive means. There is no greater health problem, and all of these are simply symptoms of being spiritually lost. Research funded by the Nurses Christian Fellowship has identified four areas of spiritual needs: “relief from fear of death, knowledge of God’s presence, expression of caring and support from another person, and receiving the sacraments” and have found that “spiritual matters gave [patients] a sense of increased power and control in coping with life’s challenges” (Martin, Burrows, and Pomilio, 1976; Stevenson, 1980). The North American Nursing Diagnosis Association identifies spiritual distress, spiritual concerns, and spiritual despair as official medical diagnoses (Monahan, Drake, and Neighbors, 1994).
As Passover week approaches, Jesus stays with Simon the leper (Mark 14:3) in Bethany (coming there on Sunday, six days before) – it will be from here that on the morrow Jesus makes the triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Perhaps why only John tells the story of Lazarus (about 2 months earlier than today’s reading) was because Lazarus was still alive (despite the desire of the Sanhedrin to kill this powerful witness for Christ) during the earlier Gospels and that John was writing to Christians outside of Palestine (while the other Gospels were written more to those in Judea) who had a greater need to hear the story. Last summer the manager of a Canadian ice cream parlor in Niagara Falls complained to me while on vacation that she felt that the Bible did not relate directly to her life. I agreed that the NT was a testament of God’s love to the Jews of 2,000 years ago (with the OT as a reminder to them) and that knowledge of Jewish culture was thusly required to fully understand what He says through the 66 different authors, but I asked her how she could let that stop her from reading God’s most complete love letter for everything that we need (not want) to know. We must realize that we are indeed secondary audiences to these books and consider the motivations and hopes for their primary audiences in order to better understand their format and content. In the same way, the disciples often understood the old covenant only in the light of the new one (v 12:16).
Simon the leper had invited Jesus (and all of His disciples) to dinner after being cured when Lazarus’s sister Mary pours a very expensive (likely costing her life’s savings) perfume normally reserved for kings on Christ’s feet and wipes them with her hair (only a prostitute normally untied her hair in public) – how much better it is to show love to someone before they die. Mary lovingly gave her best despite criticism and Christ honored her and defended her from evil attacks. We should similarly devote ourselves to the honor and mission of Christ. Martha’s question to Christ yesterday (Where were you when we needed you?) was the result of not really understanding His resurrection and life message until after He brought her brother back to life. Christ’s betrayer Judas, however, never understands and tries to sound spiritual by expressing concern for the poor that he surely did not feel (piety often cloaks hidden motives). John makes it fairly clear here that Judas was stealing from the disciples and may have been particularly interested in making as much as he could before Jesus died (remember that Jesus picked Judas fully knowing his character and demonic influence). While Jesus had given his disciples plenty of warning of the pending events, perhaps only Mary and Judas perceived that Christ’s death was imminent and thusly we have their two reactions to compare. Mary’s devotion angered Judas just as the success of Lazarus was angering the Sanhedrin.
Jerusalem was not a safe place for Jesus at night and so He did not lodge there, but instead stayed with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (Matt 21:17). The Pharisees, however, were too cowardly to arrest Christ in the presence of the daylight’s welcoming masses of commoners who were now ready to acclaim Jesus as their Savior and king (Hosanna is the Hebrew word for “save now,” but they were still convinced that He would save them from the Romans). As they shouted from tomorrow’s Psalms 118:25 and 26 they probably never thought that the very same Psalm in verse 22 ironically foretold that they would reject the cornerstone.
Jim

1 Samuel 26:1-28:25 + John 11:1-54 + Psalm 117:1-2 + Proverbs 15:22-23
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link, or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – In First Samuel 26 David completes the 3 “tests” of obedience, as discussed in yesterday’s post, by once again not killing Saul when he had the opportunity.  Verses 9 through 11 again show David’s character when he and Abishai had snuck into Saul’s camp and Abishai offered to kill Saul – “”No!” David said. “Don’t kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the LORD’s anointed one? Surely the LORD will strike Saul down someday, or he will die in battle or of old age. But the LORD forbid that I should kill the one he has anointed! But I’ll tell you what–we’ll take his spear and his jug of water and then get out of here!””

Interesting… in First Samuel 28 Saul bans mediums – wise – and then becomes desperate for one – unwise…  The medium seems to get quite freaked out that she has called up Samuel.  Commentaries suggest that she is used to calling up satanic / demonic forces.  She (possibly) connected to Samuel somehow here and was freaked out by it.  And Samuel tells Saul exactly what he probably knows in his heart.  God has left him – a long time ago – because of his disobedience.  Consulting a medium is just one more disobedient act in a string of them.  I pray that no one reading this consults mediums or does tarot cards or gets into palm readings or any of that garbage.  It is spiritually dangerous and risky to get into any of that.  Unfortunately, I know that things like “tarot card reading parties” are somewhat popular today.  I have been invited to them and have not gone – and told the hosts why I was not attending.  Please avoid this spiritually risky stuff.  It is no joke dangerous.  Below is a painting by Benjamin West from the year 1777 titled “Saul and the Witch of Endor”:

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s First Samuel readings titled “The Second Time Around” is at this link.  Commentary titled “One Step Forward, and Two Backward” is at this link and commentary titled “Finding God’s Will, Any “Witch” Way You Can” is at this link.

New Testament – Today in John chapter 11 verse 35 we read the shortest verse in the Bible – “Jesus wept.” Though this may be the shortest verse, I do not believe it is small in meaning. What does it say to you that Jesus wept? What does it mean to you that Jesus wept? I love this verse because to me it shows Jesus’ humanity (while at the same time he is divine). During his time living as a man on earth, Jesus experienced the full range of emotions that you and I experience today. Jesus was tempted. (though, unlike us, he did not give into temptation and sin ever) Jesus was joyful. Jesus was angry. Jesus loved. Jesus wept. Knowing this about Jesus, does this help you to realize that you can approach Jesus with absolutely any situation in your life that you might be struggling with? Do you believe that Jesus will understand you if you are weeping? Do you believe that Jesus will rejoice with you when you are rejoicing? I do. “Jesus wept” says so much to me about who Jesus was, is, and forever will be. Jesus wept.

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s John chapter 11 readings titled “Dealing with Death” is at this link and “The Raising of Lazarus” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 117 is the shortest of all the Psalms – and the shortest chapter in the entire Bible.  This Psalm is said to basically be one long Alleluia.  🙂  Actually verse 1 has a very important message – “Praise the LORD, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth.”  This demonstrates that God was very interested in the salvation of the Gentiles and all the nations in the Old Testament.  And not just in the New Testament as we get to the book of Acts.  This was part of the plan all along…

Proverbs – Today in Proverbs chapter 15 verse 22 we read – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Wow. . . this verse really is convicting for me on a couple of levels. The first thought for me is God – and how often (or not often) do I pray to God for counsel on my plans for my life? Truthfully, not enough. I pray to God daily – but it’s usually pretty brief. I believe God wants us to come to him often in prayer asking for guidance and counsel on our plans. Imagine that – with God as an adviser on our plans, do you think they might succeed?? 🙂 Secondly, I think about community – other people. And I think about, first of all, am I in community? Am I in a community of people that I know well and that know me? And if so, am I consulting this community on my life plans? Am I allowing people I know and love to advise me on my life? Think this would be wise? How about you – do you pray often to God for counsel and leading in your life plans? Are you in community with others that you know well and that know you? And do you consult this community with your plans and ask for their advice?

Worship Video: Psalm 117 reminds me of Michael W. Smith’s “A New Hallelujah!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBxOkruKpqI

Do you sing Alleluia? Click here and sing!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Jesus wept.” John 11:35 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving that Jesus wept like we weep. Pray in thanksgiving that Jesus knows pain and joy, as we do. Pray in thanksgiving that Jesus is our High Priest who like us was tempted in every way, but never sinned, and intercedes on our behalf before the Father.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  I read an interesting commentary today related to Jesus weeping in John.  The commentary basically said that while we have recorded in Scriptures that Jesus wept, we don’t have anywhere recorded in Scriptures that Jesus laughed.  I had never thought about that before!  The commentary went on to say that they are sure Jesus laughed and had a great sense of humor.  But I find that fascinating to think about – that it’s not recorded that Jesus laughed.  Why do you suppose this is?  Do you think Jesus laughed?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

1 Samuel 26:1-28:25

Two men, on the outside they don’t seem to be different; however, on the inside one has a heart after God, the other’ heart is focused on himself and covered in pride. Both of these men have sin in their lives, both of these men have “missed” it; yet one repents and turns back to God the other doesn’t. One is at war with God the other is at peace. If one were to look at the entire life of both of these men, I think Saul would come up smelling like a rose, while David would be severely condemned. However, the difference can be found in the heart. David wanted to please God Saul wanted to fight Him. Saul fought to keep his name in the limelight by any means necessary; David lifted up God’s name.

Death, necromancers (the witch at Endor), familiar spirits and mediums.

I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and go back and read Jesus’ reply to the Sadducees (Sad-to-sees) who gave Jesus that crazy scenario about the woman who married and outlived seven brothers (Matthew 22:23-29; Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-40). The bottom line is this, those that die a physical death, in Christ even before Christ physically came upon the earth (Samuel et all) are not dead in God’s sight.

But Jesus replied to them, You are wrong because you know neither the Scriptures nor God’s power. For in the resurrected state neither do [men] marry nor are [women] given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven. But as to the resurrection of the dead–have you never read what was said to you by God, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead but of the living! [Exod. 3:6.] (Matthew 22:29-32 AMP)

As far as man is concerned now, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are long dead but Jesus reminds us that God spoke of them as being in the hear and now. God said I am the God of … Not I was the God …. We, I believe, in my humble opinion have the wrong understanding of what death is. Cessation of life is not death; being removed from the presence of God is death. We are made in the image of God and God is Spirit not flesh. Who we are, is not who and what we are in “flesh” but in spirit. Our spirits our born again, not our flesh. Our flesh will be redeemed and put back together again in a form that will be incorruptible, like Jesus’, when Jesus comes again.

The witch/medium of Endor had no plans or inclination of bring up Samuel that is why she screamed. She wasn’t expecting the real Samuel. Remember Jesus’ story of Lazarus and the rich man? (Luke 16:19-31). Each of them recognized each other, Abraham, Lazarus and the rich man AFTER DEATH but they were not dead; however, the Rich Man had a location problem, he was in the wrong location removed from the Presence of God. .

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna). (Matthew 10:28 AMP)

When the Lamb broke open the fifth seal, I saw at the foot of the altar the souls of those whose lives had been sacrificed for [adhering to] the Word of God and for the testimony they had borne. They cried in a loud voice, O [Sovereign] Lord, holy and true, how long now before You will sit in judgment and avenge our blood upon those who dwell on the earth? [Gen. 4:10; Ps. 79:5; Zech. 1:12.] Then they were each given a long and flowing and festive white robe and told to rest and wait patiently a little while longer, until the number should be complete of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed as they themselves had been. (Revelation 6:9-11 AMP)

Also something to think about, if death, physical death is so atrocious for the believer, why would Samuel be upset to be called back into the land of the physical living. He said that they had disturbed him.

This is not what I had initially decided to focus on, but reading the posts led me down this path.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

P.S. Someone, I’m sorry I can’t remember who, asked about Jesus being the first raised from the dead when others, like Lazarus in the John reading had been brought back to life. Well again, we need to be clear on what “death” Jesus is talking about. Yes, Jesus brought back people from the dead, and by the way so did the prophets Elijah and Elisha; however, all those folks died a physical death, again. Jesus was the only one who came back to physical life but will NEVER die a physical death again. Those who are His will also be clothed with a body that will be eternal and incorruptible when He returns.

Oops! I forgot about the witches; familiar spirits and mediums.

Each of these things deal with death, something that well, scares us to death. We don’t know what is on the other side; however, God has told us what He has prepared for us but He left no solid proof. That is why we operate by faith. Witches, familiar spirits and mediums allege to tell us what God won’t. This is the same thing that happened in the Garden, “Did God say …?” We are enticed into this realm of demonic activity because deep down inside we believe God is keeping us in the dark, He’s pulling a fast one. It’s not demonic because it’s spooky and eerie; it is demonic because it is in the realm of Satan. I think I stated this before, There are only two Kingdoms; The Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Satan. Everything in the Kingdom of Satan is demonic. In the Kingdom of God, Jesus is Lord; In the kingdom of Satan, Satan isn’t Lord—self is Lord.

Here is something to think about, what is a medium. It is someone who alleges to stand between the living and the dead. The problem is that anyone who operates in these modes are DEAD, spiritually dead. If Believers, God’s folk—His people, go to one of these to find out “stuff,” they are talking to dead folk (spiritually dead) about well dead folk (physically dead and possibly spiritually dead also). There is someone who stands between the living and the dead and it ain’t no medium it is Jesus Christ.

Familiar spirits are those demonic spirits that have hung around your family, region, country through the ages and know everything about you. That’s why they are familiar and you are comfortable with them being around. If someone or something gives you a “word” you best know how that “word” lines up with the Word. We are suppose to walk by faith not by our senses, feelings and emotions.

Witches are just necromancers; folks hanging around dead stuff and dead folk. Why if Jesus is the Truth and the Life, why would we want to rub shoulders and elbows with death when we have Life?

And when the people [instead of putting their trust in God] shall say to you, Consult for direction mediums and wizards who chirp and mutter, should not a people seek and consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? (Isaiah 8:19 AMP)

What we are really concerned about our loved ones who we may or may not see in heaven, bottom line. But guess what, when you get to heaven, if those folks are saved you will see them; if not, you won’t remember. There will be no tears shed in heaven.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Ann:

======= Jeff:

This is my first comment to your blog. Below is what I posted today on the One Year Bible site my church is using this year as we read through the Bible together(as you are doing). Would appreciate any replies.
Fellow Seekers,
The story today of Jesus’ resurrecting Lazarus from the dead (John 11) has triggered many thoughts regarding miracles:
1. Did Jesus really resurrect Lazarus after he was dead for 4 days (see verse 39)?
– If so, this event is definitely the most amazing miracle that Jesus ever performed (aside from His own resurrection of course).
As such, then why is Lazarus’s resurrection excluded from the other 3 gospels?
– John states in verse 54 that this was Jesus’ last event in His public ministry before His own betrayal, death, and resurrection. This appears to contradict the other 3 gospels which make Jesus’ throwing the money-changers from the temple the final catalyst before He is arrested.
2. Did Jesus really heal the man that was blind since birth (John 9)?
– If so, this healing miracle is the most amazing healing miracle that Jesus ever performed. As such, then why is it only told in John and not the other 3 gospels?
3. Why is it that 2 of the most amazing miracles attributed to Jesus are told only in John? If they are true, they are so fantastic that they certainly would have been widely known and would have been more
than worthy for inclusion in the gospels of Matthew and Mark and Luke. Is it possible that John is stretching the truth in these 2
stories?
4. The other aspect of John’s gospel that I am having trouble reconciling with the other 3 gospels is his concept of Jesus and God being the same (see John 1:1-2 and John 10:30 for example). In the other 3 gospels isn’t Jesus seen more as having been created by God
(e.g. the “Son of God”). Question: Excluding the gospel of John, does the rest of the Bible primarily support the trinitarian concept of Jesus as God incarnate or was Jesus created by God?
P.S. I’m not asking you for definitive answers to these questions because I realize they are very involved. But I would appreciate any thoughts you might have on these topics.
Thanks folks.
Jeff

======= Ramona:

Jeff, The writer of Hebrews states, Now faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. If we were able to explain everything that Jesus and God did, there would be no reason the have, worship or need God.
The witness of one event by several people, even a crowd, will not elicit the same explanation or descriptive narratives by every one who saw the event, just ask any policeman or detective, People write what they think is important. Each one of the writers of the Gospels wrote for very different reasons and it is from their motivating factors that gave birth to what they focused on with the help of the Holy Spirit.
From my own experiences there are two kinds of knowledge. There is knowledge that comes by way of empirical science and the five senses, that kind of knowledge needs no faith. Then there is “revelation” knowledge and that is what I believe and know for myself, it takes to understand the Bible. When we get further into the book of John, Jesus addresses this kind of knowledge.
Hope this was helpful. I am not a theologian and my own experience in The Faith has come through “revelation” knowledge.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Jeff:

Thanks. Yes, that was helpful. Nevertheless, I’m still an inquisitive human that seeks to understand the Bible as completely as possible so that what I believe (i.e. my faith) is as true as it can possibly be.
If I had to depend solely on revelation to receive answers to my questions, I fear my knowledge would be very limited and the truthfulness of that knowledge very, very questionable.
Anyones thoughts or insights on the following would be sincerely appreciated:
The other aspect of John’s gospel that I am having trouble reconciling with the other 3 gospels is his concept of Jesus and God being the same (see John 1:1-2 and John 10:30 for example). In the other 3 gospels isn’t Jesus seen more as having been created by God
(e.g. the “Son of God”). Question: Excluding the gospel of John, does the rest of the Bible primarily support the trinitarian concept of Jesus as God incarnate or was Jesus created by God?
Jeff

======= Mike:

Jeff – Good questions!
Bible.org has a great overview of the Trinity – and even opens this commentary with this first sentence, which gets at your question – “Because the word trinity is never found in the Bible some wonder about whether this is a biblical doctrine or not, but the absence of a term used to describe a doctrine does not necessarily mean the term is not biblical.” Check it out here –
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=215
Bible.org also has a great discussion called “Major Differences Between John and the Synoptic Gospels”. This will dive into some of your questions of why some things are just in John or vice versa. Check it out here –
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=1151
Hope these help. Glad to see you asking these questions. God will lead you to answers.
Grace,
Mike

======= Jim:

Some believe that it is too unlikely for the incident involving the opportunity to kill Saul in 1 Samuel 24 to be repeated so closely in 1 Samuel 26:1 and conclude the two narratives are only differing perspectives of the same event. The incidents are similar, but the differences are sufficient to establish that the events are in fact separate. But the much bigger questions are 1) how Saul could turn to black magic when he had already exiled all of the witches and wizards by God’s command (Ex 22:18 and Deut 18:10-11), and, 2) does this suggest that the existence of fortune tellers is biblically supported and that the Spirit of Samuel that was with God actually returned to talk with Saul? What is the difference between a fortune teller (bad) and a prophet (good)? First is the source of the knowledge and second is the purpose (one is to allow you to control the future and the other is to b you change to prepare for it). Clearly the Lord “stirred” (1 Sam 26:19) things up by sending an evil spirit to trouble Saul as punishment for his sin (1 Sam 16: 1, 14). Saul is so consumed by anxiety and fear (specifically opposite to how “real” believers are “free” from sin) that he purposely sins with only confirmation of what he already knows (the spirit of Samuel only tells Saul what he told him while alive). Samuel asks Saul what can anyone do for a person God has left as a consequence of wrong actions. This is similar to Jesus’ parable when Abraham tells a rich man that it would be futile to send the dead Lazarus to warn his bothers (Luke 16:27-31). Anyone not willing to believe Moses will likewise not believe a voice from beyond the grave.
David tells Saul that by seeking God’s pardon and offering a sacrifice that he could ask for removal of the evil spirit. Similarly, David says he could offer an atoning sacrifice to God if there was any offense on his part (but if evil men making false accusations were the cause of Saul’s hostility, they would be judged). David, however, placed no value in Saul’s blessing in v 26:25 (as addictions to alcohol, drugs, sex, violence, or food are not just examples of poor choices but of choice and fidelity having been surrendered) and sought refuge with the king of Gath (who no doubt hoped to encourage the split between David and Saul and welcome hiring David’s 600 skilled fighting men as mercenaries). It is important to remember in our darkest moments that there is always a way back to a relationship with God. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, God explains that when His children are tempted, He always provides a means of escape in order to replace wrong behavior with right behavior. We are reminded that the faith of even the greatest saints can falter and that we may need to prove steadfast to the right things while waiting on God timing. We must stay close to the Lord so that when we need His help most, it will be available.
David is successful not by his own efforts and skills but by his faith in God. David trusted that God was in control so that even when he faced his greatest challenges, he always had the greatest confidence, “the battle is the Lord’s.” God’s sovereignty is not only to be believed but to shape our behavior. David’s killing of every person of the old enemy nations does help to ensure that his lying about raiding Judah is not discovered, but it is also continued fulfilling of God’s holy war to drive these doomed people (whose religious practices have been shown by archeologists to include cult prostitution and child sacrifice) from the land (see Ex 23:24 and Josh 13:2-3) to protect Israel from temptation. The OT national covenant provided the payoff for obedience of health and long life (Ex 23:25-26) as the NT individual covenant provides for spiritual health and survival. Even if wise to shun pubic notice, it is never wise to be idle. David doesn’t outright agree to join Achish in war among the Israelites, but he also dares not to outright refuse.
Saul, on the other hand, living under the Zadok rival priesthood to Abiathar, unable to get guidance from God, was in a panic (terrified to despair, he is still not humbled) with the Philistines posed at Shunem with superior weapons (Israel without the technology of iron as it had be banned for so long). Why should God answer a king who had shown he will not obey? Saul calls for a retired medium of necromancy (consulting the dead to determine the future), an art specifically forbidden by the law (Lev 19:31). The medium shrieks with surprise and fear when Samuel actually appears from Sheol or “the place of departed spirits” hints that the woman truly believed God had permitted the spirit of Samuel to speak and announce Saul’s imminent death (Saul faints – the wicked always fear death) and that she understood the potential personal consequences for being involved. Saul’s recognition, the accurate prediction, and revelation for the woman of Saul’s identity all suggest that validity of the apparition (this is one OT example of many supporting conscious life after death that makes it difficult for me to understand why all my Jewish friends, like the Sadducees, fail to believe in an immortal soul). Sheol (the place for both the righteous and the wicked – Samuel tell Saul that he and his children will soon be with him) is said to have gates which prohibit the normal escape of a spirit and this is the only instance recorded in the OT of someone making it out (even if only temporarily) – the NT describes total escape in the first and second resurrections of Revelation.
Mike is very correct in stating that mediums, fortune tellers, and their tools are no joke. We often think of spiritual games as being very old, but these are actually only measurements of our recent moral decline. For example, Weegee (Ouija or talking) boards is the second most popular board game in America that even those knowledgeable in “The Craft” often consider too dangerous to use, and never play with themselves, only goes back about 150 years. Tarot cards are less than 500 years old but only picked up a dark association again in the mid 1800’s (when there were more free-sex communes than in the 1960’s as the basis for many American companies, like Hershey and Oneida). Wiccans similarly like to think of their religion as very old, but it is a potpourri of elements from as many ancient religions as possible only in the past 50 years (there are very few witches whose parents were Wiccan) and should not be confused with biblical witchcraft. Popular films and television programs, such as The Craft (where spells were intentionally done with mistakes to keep viewers from real powers), Practical Magic, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Harry Potter, Blair Witch Project, Free Spirit, The Worst Witch, Teen Witch, Sorceress, Witchcraft 1-8, The Witch’s Daughter, Sleepy Hollow, Teen Sorcery, Simply Irresistible, and Charmed, are aimed at attracting children (especially girls, as most characters are very pretty young females) to this growing religion. In these portrayals, being a witch is akin to being a superhero (or “naturally born” witch with gifts everyday, ordinary “Muggles” lack) as expressed in the Wiccan story, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: “There is no good and evil, there is only power and those too weak to seek it.”
I did a search (in 2002) and found 2,904 different Wiccan Yahoo newsgroups to share spells to control and more spells to free one from the first spells. Control seems to be a very big draw for Wiccan believers. Countless sites even outright state that evil can be transmuted into good in a similar fashion to medieval alchemy (clearly making the religion about using “dark” power for “good”). Most of the newsgroups contain online stores where you can buy books about every religion, except, of course, Judo-Christianity because Judo-Christianity (besides Satanism) is the only major world religion that formally recognizes witches (in both in the Old and New Testaments). Popular Wicca book titles in the first few of those newsgroups included, “Nice Girl’s Book of Naughty Spells,” with spells that teaches women how to have it all: sex and money while dumping the useless boyfriend and “Power Spells” on how to get the upper hand in any situation. Other highly marketable items include candles, incense, herbs, staffs, rattles, wands, drums, crystals, pentagrams, and a lot of porn (because forced ritual sex is very important to the religion – “a gift from the Goddess”). And since lying, forced control over others, casual sex, drugs, and disobedience are encouraged by the religion, its hard to imagine what Wicca followers might consider an evil deed to be (there seems to be a lot of support for the idea of victimless crimes – a concept I find most objectionable). One of the major differences, however, with pagan concepts of morality is that they are based on Don’ts. For example, many sites posted the Wicca golden rule as stating the negative, “don’t do to others what you don’t want them to do to you” rather than the more positive and proactive Christian version of, “do to others what you would hope them to do to you.” Most sites suggested that there’s no difference between the two. “Real” morality, however, can only be found exactly in the empathetic responsibility for others that comes from that difference. Being “good” is not about not harming, but about proactively providing assistance for other’s needs. It is also the key difference between selfish and selfless individuals and cultures. Practicing witchcraft or playing such games actually makes one a Christian except with the associated value system turned upside down (just as Darth Vader is a Jedi knight except for an opposite set of values). Wiccans “do not seek any repentance” (Wicca, I guess, means never having to say you’re sorry – it’s certainly about never asking for forgiveness or accepting grace). The core belief is one of a low differentiation pantheism where there is little difference from person to person, person to god, or good to bad. Low differentiation, however, is specifically referenced by psychiatrists to identify poor mental health.
A key part of New Age and Wiccan beliefs is that we are leaving the Age of Pisces that began about the time of Christ and are now entering a new world order of one government, one language, and one religion where everyone will be recognized as gods as we enter the Age of Aquarius during this century – which is very similar to Christian end-time predictions. The Key of Solomon is one of the most famous of all magical Wicca textbooks. It is supposedly written by the Biblical son of David – again noting the close tie between Biblical and Wiccan identities. The Key of Solomon provides lessons to students of the craft in using the positions of Jupiter for acquiring all that one can desire, Mars to cause “ruin, slaughter, cruelty, discord, to wound, and to give death” and summoning souls from Hades (especially those of violent deaths), Sun for wealth, favor of princesses and (with Jupiter and Venus) for invisibility, Venus for joyous undertakings, poisons and provocation of madness, Mercury for fortune telling, thefts, deceit, and merchandise, Moon for envoys and nocturnal visions, Saturn (with Mars and the Moon) for summoning Spirits and stealing back what has been stolen by others and experiments of hatred, enmity, quarrel, and discord, and Mercury for experiments in raillery and jests. Such use of the stars is not uncommon in the Bible as the three Magi wise men bearing gifts for Christ were likely members of a priestly class of Persians who had occult knowledge and power, adept at astrology, dream interpretation, fortune-telling, and mediation with the spirit world.
John 11:35 is my favorite biblical verse (for one thing, it’s short enough even for my feeble brain to remember – although 1 Thess 5:16 is shorter in the Greek). A doctor who sees death and pain day in and out eventually becomes immune to the effects. Christ, on the other hand, knew that Lazarus would die and had seen death a trillion times before and knew that his soul and body would be reunited as personal evidence to His great claim, “I am the Resurrection and the Life,” a lesson of the result of sin, and so dangerous (v 10:31) to eventually end in His own death (v 11:50-53) but was overwhelmed by the sadness of the family and moved to tears (imagine, a God that cries). Every pain we feel, God feels right along with us, as if it was the very first feeling. Every sunrise is seen by the Lord as if it was likewise the very first. In Michelangelo’s rendition of creation for the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, God should be depicted as the hoping child and man as old and weary. What kind of person would force a young child to watch someone else sin, but this is exactly what every Christian does to God when we choose to sin. It is Jewish custom (called “shivah” for seven days) to morn for the death of a family member with friends at home for a week, abstain from adornments for three weeks, and common pleasures for a year. Preparation of the dead was done the very day of death and by women, and thusly done here by Lazarus’ sisters. Luke (v 10:38-42) adds some information on the two sisters, Mary (the placid woman who later pours perfume with her hair on the Lord’s feet) and Martha (the active one, of course, it the one to greet Jesus). These sisters had assumed that Jesus would immediately respond to their message about Lazarus’ illness (as if He didn’t already know), but he had instead waited on his Father’s time. Jesus spoke about the danger of going to Bethany but that one who lives by the will of God will always be safe. It is living in the realm of evil that is truly dangerous. John marks the growth of the hostility step by step (5:16; 7:1, 32, 45; 8:59; 9:22; 10:39) – it is ironic that these men believed they could put to death permanently One who could raise the dead. Compare Jesus’ compassion with Caiphus’s statement that the death of one person meant nothing for the safety of the nation (suggesting concern over the Roman fear of rivalry when it was really the Sanhedrin’s fear of rivalry that was the problem). “For he loves us with unfailing love; the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!”
Dear Jeff, Here is a man dead and buried, bound tightly, and Jesus “wakes” him four days later. Is one miracle greater than any other (except when He took God’s wrath for our sins on His shoulders and overcame death through His resurrection) when no sin is greater than any other (ALL warrants death)? Each of the Gospels are from four very different people, Matthew the evil tax collector, Mark who knew Jesus as a nine-year old child, John the most-beloved, and Luke who never met Him but was the first Christian historian speaking from first-hand witnesses. Each also had a different purpose and so it is reasonable that they each tell the good news in different ways, but in all four Gospel Jesus has the power to forgive sin, miracles from God, power over evil, know our thoughts, to calm nature, and the authority to teach us how to pray (and so forth and so on). Remember His baptism in Luke when the word of God identified Jesus as His Son. Jesus claimed in many places outside of the Gospel of John to be the Son of God (such as Luke 22:70), but OT scripture confirms it as well (some of which I’ve listed previously). I cannot understand your problem “reconciling” the other three Gospels as I don’t see where they are in conflict. I would suggest that you take this in earnest prayer to Jesus directly. You are right to assume that answers must come from more than one just revelation and that faith comes first from reason – “Let us reason together, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 1:18), “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14), and “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5). God has no need for yes-men and yes-woman (that’s Satan, duh). Scripture demands, in fact, that anyone claiming to have spiritual gifts or messages from God must submit to public and objective rational testing before employing by multiple accepted authorities (“let two or three prophets speak, and let others pass judgment.” – 1 Cor 12:29). Nothing disgusts God more than lukewarm blind-faith Christians that he vomits, in Revelation, out of His mouth.
But faith (a spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit so it is not something anyone can build but only develop) is more than critical thinking based on the facts (although salvation isn’t). Do parallel lines meet at infinity? If you say no, you get a valid mathematics, and if you say yes, you get a valid mathematics. The only situation in which you do not get a valid mathematics is if you refuse to answer because of being angry over how could anyone know for sure. What kind of stubborn person (the agnostic), though, would live without mathematics simply to be “right?” You have to choose. In addition, however, how can you claim to love another without seeing more in that person than you have experienced already (can’t you love a completely useless infant without any justification) – how can you have love without faith (you can’t have math). Have you never known another’s faith (not just trust) in you? Truth, love, and God all require faith and any verse of the Bible can exchange any of these three words and mean the same thing. People in failing relationships usually complain that the other person is controlling, condemning and judgmental, always angry, untrustworthy, and unable to listen. God has had similar complaints about us by complaining that His people are “far away” (Isaiah 29:13), “unfaithful” (Joshua 22:16), “proud and perfectionistic” (Deuteronomy 8:14; Palms 36:2), “unloving” (1 John 4:20), and “judgmental” (Romans 2:1). God reaches out to us for relationships as the object of His love and is clear on who He is. He is for honest relationships based on truth and love and against oppression, injustice, sin, and evil. While all religions involve mankind reaching up to God, only Jesus was really about how God reaches down to us. Jesus demonstrated relationship needs when he asked the disciples to stay and keep watch while he prayed and by his great pain when they failed him. People with relationship barriers usually don’t recognize internal problems, leaving those who do care (such as Jesus) feeling discouraged and distant (usually, in fact, with far greater pain and discomfort than the person with the problem). One of the most surprising facts about the bible didn’t require me to read the book but I only got after doing so. The Moslems take Jesus (as well as all the leaders from every religion) as one of their 250,000 to 2.5 million Islamic “prophets.” Jesus is the only one I know of, though, that didn’t feel he needed to dictate or write anything directly to us (Mohammed and Buddha, for example, were prolific authors) – there is no book in the Bible entitled, “Jesus.” He seems to be the only one of history’s religious leaders who believed enough in a personal relationship with God that he didn’t think we would get it wrong on our own (no being “good enough” required, thank God). The Bible is good, but IMHO the relationship comes first.
How would you like to be going to the moon and have the navigation system shut down for 20 minutes, because the first astronauts had to normally suffer through exactly that more than a half dozen times during each flight. This was because the 4k of memory in the computer was not big enough for all of the navigation requirements and it took 20 minute to boot the next code segment (yes, computer hardware back then was so slow it took 20 minutes to load 4,000 characters!). NASA could have spent their money (and capsule space) on more memory but instead installed three computers so that when any one system disagreed with the other two it could be shut down or rebooted. This was because the wrong answer scared them more than no answer! The Church’s biggest problem has always been a lack of fear about wrong answers while exhibiting an unhealthy indiscriminate fear of debate (causing them to be anti-science). God provides three sources of truth (or computers) through His Word, the experiences from a direct relationship along with our own intelligence, and community within the body. Many people have heard silly things from God, misinterpreted the Bible, or gotten bad advice from a friend, but most could have gotten quickly straighten out if they had only looked harder at the other two for confirmation. Isaiah 30:21 says, “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” Thus, God will speak, and you can hear His voice, but you must be careful (especially when you are a young Christian) that you objectively confirm that you are following the Holy Spirit and not another voice. “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14) and “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed” (Matthew 18:16). I want you to know that your experience and input is certainly valuable to this group and our learning experience and I look forward to your continued involvement after this first posting. While you don’t want to rely “solely on revelation,” however, it would seem that at this time you may be missing some. In other words, what has God told you when you went to Him directly with these questions? For your question on how we know The Son is the Father is the Holy Spirit (that three separate beings are also one), I would ask that you first start with some simple research, say, with a Google search on the question on “how one God can be three persons” and report back on what you learn.
Jim

======= John:

Dora,
#2 They do come in the form of men. I am just not sure they identify themselves as such. And how do we know which is which if they did? Sylvia “whatshername” claims she deals with angels and spirits all the time. I know the difference she says – “good angels (spirits) give off a bright light” and are beautiful. Really???? And Lucifer is called what?
The supposed miracles of Satan. Well, my understanding is that if a Demon causes something he can undo it. Or when a healing or miracle occurs it does not necessarily last or it is an imperfect cure. Satan is the Great imitator and in all his imitations of God he comes up short or it is flawed. (Just my belief).
Perhaps that is true of Samuel if he was an evil imitation – I just don’t think that was the case – as I posted. But there a good many godly people who go along with you on your premise.
“Don’t Satan and his angels know exactly what has happened and can relay that to the witches?”
Exactly.
#3 Rapture. Best discussed at a later date when we get to the appropriate text in the New Testament.
Dora,
#1)Eccl 9:5
“The living know that they shall die, but the dead know not anything.”
Agree with Ramona and had an excerpt from commentary below. Context and message are important. My understanding of this is that the dead know nothing of the earthly life anymore. The life they have lived “under the sun” is over. Their earthly rewards are all they got, and they are done. Dead and done.
Vs. 4 has the idea I was looking for:
“Anyone who is among the living has hope..”
======================================================
The living at least know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything about what’s going on in the world.
This verse is constantly used by false teachers to prove that the soul sleeps in death, that consciousness ceases when the last breath is taken. But it is senseless to build a doctrine of the hereafter on this verse, or on this book, for that matter. As has been repeatedly emphasized, Ecclesiastes represents man’s best conclusions as he searches for answers “under the sun.” It sets forth deductions based on observations and on logic but not on divine revelation. It is what a wise man might think if he did not have a Bible.
What would you think if you saw a person die and watched his body as it was lowered into the grave, knowing that it would eventually return to dust? You might think, That’s the end. My friend knows nothing now; he can’t enjoy any activities that are going on; he has forgotten and will soon be forgotten.
MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. 1997, c1995. Believer’s Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments . Thomas Nelson: Nashville
John

1 Samuel 24:1-25:44 + John 10:22-42 + Psalm 116:1-19 + Proverbs 15:20-21
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Interesting chapters today!  David is essentially put to the test by God over the next 3 chapters – 2 tests today and 1 tomorrow.  And the test is this – obedience.  You’ll recall that Saul fails the test of obedience early in his kingship.  David passes the tests – he does not kill Saul and he does not kill Nabal.  He could have killed both.  First Samuel 24 verses 5 through 7 are a great look at David’s character when Saul was in the cave – “But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. “The LORD knows I shouldn’t have done it,” he said to his men. “It is a serious thing to attack the LORD’s anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him.” So David sharply rebuked his men and did not let them kill Saul.”

How impressive is Abigail in First Samuel chapter 25!  Her speech to David in verses 24 through 30 is awesome.  She takes all the blame.  Calls out Nabal.  Gives David gifts.  And smartly lets him know he doesn’t need this blood on his hands.  David is clearly impressed.   Below is Dutch artist Jacob Willemsz de Wet’s painting from the 17th century titled “The Meeting of David and Abigail”:

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s First Samuel readings titled “A Time to Kill, or Not” is at this link and “Dear Abby” is at this link.

New Testament – John chapter 10 verse 30 is a powerful teaching from Jesus! “The Father and I are one.”  Many churches celebrate Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles in the Upper Room after Jesus’ ascension into heaven.  Thus, rounding out the Trinity. (Bible.org has a great overview of the Trinity at this link.)  The Father.  The Son.  And the Holy Spirit.  Do you believe Jesus when he says, “”The Father and I are one” ?  Jesus smartly quotes from Psalm 82 verse 6 in verses 34-36 today: “Jesus replied, “It is written in your own law that God said to certain leaders of the people, `I say, you are gods!’ And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. So if those people, who received God’s message, were called `gods,’ why do you call it blasphemy when the Holy One who was sent into the world by the Father says, `I am the Son of God’?”

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in John titled “The Sovereign Shepherd” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 116 verses 1 & 2 are amazing- “I love the LORD because he hears and answers my prayers.  Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!” How is your prayer life these days?  Do you believe God bends down and listens to your prayers?  And answers them?   Will you pray as long as you have breath?

Proverbs – Wow.  Proverbs 15 verse 21 is convicting to me – “Foolishness brings joy to those who have no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.”  Sometimes in the past I got joy from foolishness… not a good sign!  And yes, I noticed sometimes that when I was getting joy from foolishness I was no longer on the right path…  I’d strayed off a bit…   God brought me back and welcomed me back on the right path once I got my senses.  I pray we can avoid foolishness and the fake joy that comes with it.  There is a difference I believe between healthy rest & play – and foolishness.  We should know better.

Worship Video: Today’s Proverb reminds me of the wisdom in Rebecca St. James’ beautiful song “You are Loved:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq0gtxumSrU

Do you know that you are loved? Click here for LOVE!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you fully know and realize that Jesus is God. Pray and worship Jesus as God. Pray to the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in thanksgiving for their blessed Trinitarian nature.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  How are you doing with discerning the difference between healthy rest & play and foolishness in your life today?  Do you ever veer toward foolishness?  Why do you suppose this happens?   Is this healthy?  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

1 Samuel 24:1-25:44
When we are in sin we become illogical, irrational and unreasonable. Here we see a picture of a man who marshals all the resources available too him and channels all his energy to pursue a personal grudge. The pursuit of David in reality is a fight against God. Saul’s response to David after David shows him that he had the ability to take his life, lets us know that Saul knew just like God had anointed him king, God had removed the kingship from him and given it to David.

Saul had a “beef” with God. I believe no matter what our excuse or justification we put forth when we rebel against rightful leadership, spiritual or political, we are fighting against God. The lawlessness and crime committed against people, family friends or foe, is are puny attempt to fight against God.

There are clear contrasts between David’s response to Saul’s physical pursuit against him to take his life, and Nabal’s insult: one wanted to harm his body, the other harmed his feelings. Saul pursued David for years; Nabal’s insult came by way of messenger and probably took a couple of minutes to convey. How do we respond to a “slight?” Do we muster up a greater desire to carry out revenge and retaliate when we are insulted then when confronted with the possibility of direct physical harm? Thank God for the people who are placed in our paths to speak reason into our lives. If David had been allowed to continue on his path to destroy Nabal and all of his servants, he would have become as corrupted as Saul. That thought gives me great pause to think as well as give me a greater understand of, “There but for the grace of God go I.”

John 10:22-42
It annoys me to no end when people ask me a question, pretending to want information, then turn and challenge the answer given. I’m not talking about a test situation but people pretending that they don’t know something but in reality they are setting you up. Jesus went thought this experience daily, religious leaders asking only to try and trick Him but never could. I don’t know about you but I think I would give up doing that after the first year, and surly after the second, or would I?

Jesus had already told them previously that they were like their father, the Devil and he never gives up. The trickery didn’t work and not only could they not trap Him, they couldn’t even arrest Him because it wasn’t His time.

I love the last two verses of this reading because it shows that there is a “remnant” that adhered to and clung to Jesus because they honestly took the words of the Prophets, the words of John the Baptist and measured Jesus by them and found He measured up.

Psalm 116:1-19
1 I love the LORD because he hears
and answers my prayers.

In the book of First John the writer pens this statement, 19 We love Him, because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) For me that is a true statement not based on theology but based on my own experience. When I first came to faith it wasn’t because someone had dragged me to church. Like Saul I was in deep rebellion of God. I hated anything and everything that smacked of Church, Jesus, God and any and every religion. Church folk had so scarred me that by the time I was sixteen I had pronounced God dead. It is a good thing that God didn’t take orders from me.

Almost twenty years latter I found myself in total despair but that didn’t change my mind it only opened it to a challenge I received, “You can spend all day debating whether or not there is a God. The only way you are going to really find out is to try some of His commands and see if they work. If they don’t throw everything out in the trash, if they do then keep it.” I tried and I kept. I love God because I know deep down in the very fiber of my being that He loves Me.

Psalm 34
3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
4I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
Proverbs 15:20-21
We try to justify, quantify and rationalize unacceptable behavior, but the writer of Proverbs lays all that raunchy disrespectful rebellious behavior on “sin” and the “i” that is in the middle of it all.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Anka:

There seems to be so many sides to David,it’s amazing.He called Saul father and the words he spoke seem filled with pain.David didn’t seem angry at Saul,just deeply hurt.He didn’t act in anger even when Saul was close by…anger would have led him Kill Saul.
Yet in the case of Nabal,David doesn’t seem so humble any more.I would presume a godly man would protect others not so they’d pay him back,rather would look to God for his needs.True,hospitality was expected in those days,it may have even been a custom to invite people during a time of feasting.Nabal should have been filled with gratitude that David who had fought so many battles for the Lord had protected his sheep yet David should have let God avenge the wrong doing but he set out furious to kill him.Then women become a problem.David doesn’t ever mention his wife Michal,when Abigail becomes a widow he marries her as well as Ahinoam so David now lives with 2 women and has a third wife somewhere.Ramona mentioned not forsaking the gathering of believers in an email and here I see the consequences of running with the wrong crowd.His men urged him to kill Saul,maybe(just guessing)they also incited him against Nabal.David God had said was a man after his own heart yet here I see a man who is really far from perfect and honestly,no woman’s dream husband.
Prayer life:personally I have heard of being in the Lord’s presence,fullness of Joy,great experiences.For me,sometimes it takes a lot of faith to keep on keeping on in prayer.There are times that I wonder if there’s something I’m doing wrong.I’ve heard about prayer time being a time when you talk to god and God talks back.Well faith is the evidence of things not seen…prayer for me is just talking,hoping against hope that I’m not just speaking to myself and that someday I too can be part of that fullness of joy that comes from being alone in God’s presence and not emotional joy that comes from a good worship song during service.
God bless you all
Anka

====== Sue:

======= John:

Six words that validate the Old Testament
Verification of Old Testament
Part of John 10:35
“-and the Scripture cannot be broken-”
Words spoken by Jesus that authenticate the Old Testament.
The Dead Sea Scrolls were from the time shortly before Christ. They authenticated the Old Testament copies of 1000 A.D. Almost an exact match.
So Jesus saying the content of the Old Testament is valid, authenticates the Old Testament we read today.
Of course the interpretation is up debated from time to time, but the content (text) is the “WORD” of God.
John

======= John:

John 10
The Good Shepherd
Literal translation:
“I am the shepherd, the good one…”
good (gk.kalos) means excellent, preeminent, lovely, beautiful.
“I am the shepherd, the excellent preeminent, lovely, beautiful one.”
In John 6 Jesus is greater than Moses, In John 8 Jesus is greater than Abraham, Here in John 10 Jesus says he is the preeminent shepherd. Thus Jesus is greater than David.
In addition there is a claim to deity. Psalm 80 calls God the Shepherd of Israel. The Jew knew that the true excellent Shepherd was God.
vs. 11
…The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Foreshadowing crucifixion, but the word of note here is “life”. Greek has two words for life:
bios – just the breathing part of life
zoe – the circumstances of life
But John uses “psuche” for life it means a man’s soul,the total man inside.
The Good shepherd poured out his soul for his sheep, and Matthew uses the same word for life in Matt 20:28. Jesus did not just die on the cross, he gave his comlpete being, everything he had for us.
“The good shepherd lays down his life FOR the sheep.”
“For” is Gk.huper. Means in behalf of, for the sake of. For their sake, for our sake he died on the cross.
Vs. 14
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ”
Every “know” in this chapter is Gk. ginosko. It is the same know as Matt 7:23. It is the intimate, personal knowledge of one antoher, symbolized by the coupling of man and wife, two as one. That is how Jesus knows his sheep, how the Father and He know each other, and if we are saved how we are to know Christ and He us.
======================================================
John 10:26-28
“but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”
John 10:16
“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”
These passages are really the first I can recall that emphasize my belief in election and the security of salvation.
His sheep will hear his voice and follow. Other sheep (Gentiles) will also hear and follow forming one flock. Other sheep will not follow because they are not His sheep. You must be His sheep to hear and follow Jesus. No one can snatch one of His sheep out of His hand.
“and they shall never perish….of my hand.” gives me assurance in my salvation. Not having to worry about that, I can concentrate on my growth as a Christian.
If one does not believe in “election” that is ok by me. I just say to people: “Fine, WHOMSOEVER WILL.”
John

1 Samuel 22:1-23:29 + John 10:1-21 + Psalm 115:1-18 + Proverbs 15:18-19
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Very sad readings today in First Samuel 22 as we read about the slaughter of the priests.  Sadly fitting that Doeg betrayed the priests to Saul and then Saul commanded Doeg to kill the priests, because no one else would.  This whole incident shows how far Saul has strayed away from God.  He has lost his moral compass completely. It’s interesting to recall earlier in our First Samuel readings how Saul looked like he might be a decent king initially.  But, then he was disobedient to God.  And then his sin continued and continued to where he is in today’s readings.  This should be a warning to each of us to not stray from God like this.  If we are allowing ourselves to be disobedient to God or if we are continuing in a sin, we are slaves to that sin.  And this slavery to sin can grow and grow until we lose all moral control, as Saul has.  This image below by Gerard Hoet from a 1728 Bible is courtesy of Bizzell Bible Collection, University of Oklahoma Libraries:

I love the mini-reunion of Jonathan and David in First Samuel 23 verses 16 & 17 – “Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. “Don’t be afraid,” Jonathan reassured him. “My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father is well aware.”  What great words of encouragement from Jonathan!  Who is the last person you encouraged?  Do you make it a habit to encourage people around you regularly?  Who is someone you can encourage big-time today or tomorrow?

 

Bible.org’s commentary on our First Samuel readings today titled “Saul Loses His Grip” is at this link and commentary titled “A Friend Indeed” is at this link.

New Testament – I love Jesus’ teachings today in John 10 verses 9 & 10 – “Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.”   What a great analogy – Jesus is the gateway to salvation.  Life in relationship with Jesus will be full of green pastures – this reminds me of Psalm 23 verse 2!   And then Jesus tells us that his purpose is to give us life in all its fullness.  I think all too often we look for fullness of life in all the wrong places…  when all we have to do is walk through the gate.  Have you walked through the gate?

Jesus calling himself the Good Shepherd is so very beautiful and fitting in verses 14 &15 – “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.”   After we walk through the gate of faith to fullness of life with Jesus, he will be our Good Shepherd forever.  He is a shepherd that knows us – and we know him.  He will protect us with his rod and staff – again, a little Psalm 23 verse 4.  🙂  And more than anything else, this Good Shepherd has laid down his life for us.   Do you consider Jesus to be your Good Shepherd?

Bible.org’s commentary on our John 10 readings today titled “The Good Shepherd” is at this link.

Psalms – Today in Psalm 115 verse 1 we will read – “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory.” (Chris Tomlin fans out there will recognize this as one of his many awesome worship tunes. . .) I don’t know how this verse strikes you, but it strikes me hard. Which is good. I think sometimes I do things for my own glory. And this verse, and really the entire Bible, is clear that the glory is God’s and not ours. Yeah, sure, we will live our lives full of “glorious” moments when we are loving God and loving people. But, we should not be living our lives to build up our own fame or our own glory. As Rick Warren states so well in the 1st sentence of the 1st chapter of his book “Purpose Driven Life”- “It is not about you.” And this is true. It is about God. And this is good news! Really. I have tried to live my life in the past where it was all about me. And this was a miserable way to live life. I pray that you see the incredible wisdom in this verse – “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory.” How are you living your life? Are you living your life to advance the fame and glory of God? Are you doing this by loving God and loving other people with all that you are? Or, are you by chance living your life to advance the fame and glory of yourself? And if so. . . how’s this going for you?

Proverbs – Proverbs 15 verse 19 today teaches us: “A lazy person has trouble all through life; the path of the upright is easy!” This is a great reminder that we should live our lives upright, intentionally, and not be afraid of a little hard work!

Worship Video: Per Psalm 115:1 reflections above, here’s Chris Tomlin’s beautiful song “Sovereign” live at Red Rocks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVpk-QmISRo

Do you know our sovereign God? Click here for Sovereignty!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “I (Jesus) am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving to Jesus for laying down his life for you, if you have given your life over in faith to Him. Thank him for being your Good Shepherd! Pray for the lost “sheep” that you know, that they would come to know Jesus as their Good Shepherd.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

1 Samuel 22-23:29

Wow, David had to have been some leader. If I saw these guys coming toward me, I would be running for the “Border.” I know that I’m quick to check out the “character” of those hanging around me and I usually inch away from folks who are the type of people that flocked to David. Rebellious people will usually rebel against you so it would take intense mentoring to guide a group like this.

2 And everyone in distress or in debt or discontented gathered to him, and he became a commander over them. And there were with him about 400 men.

I find it quit interesting that David uses his father’s connection to the Moabites to protect his mother and father. David’s father, Jessie, was the grandson of Ruth (Ruth 4:17). Because David sends his parents to stay in Moab before the Saul has the priest’s killed, David undeniably had a keen understanding of the lengths Saul would go to kill him and his family.

Saul’s promises of special privileges, implied or direct, had been used with his army as a motivational “tool” to get someone to kill Goliath, but Saul seemed to be someone who didn’t or wouldn’t keep his word. In the twenty-second chapter, he uses the carrot again to get people to pursue and fight an ungodly fight, the pursuit of David at all cost,

7 “Listen here, you men of Benjamin!” Saul shouted when he heard the news. “Has David promised you fields and vineyards? Has he promised to make you commanders in his army? 8 Is that why you have conspired against me? For not one of you has ever told me that my own son is on David’s side. You’re not even sorry for me. Think of it! My own son–encouraging David to try and kill me!”

Saul doesn’t appeal to his men’s sense of “righteousness” but he appeals to their emotions by throwing a pity party, a poor me gripe session. If we take this scenario and place it in today’s churches, we can use it as a guide to evaluate appeals by unscrupulous “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” I believe a call to spiritual arms should never be based on emotion and sentiment so an appeal to consider, “Poor me as I suffer for the Lord,” should cause the ringing of bells and blowing of whistles to go off in one’s head. If Israel represented a type of the church then, our churches hold the capacity and potential to be just as ruthless and deadly as Saul. But for God and the fact that David had not served the purpose God had created him for, we would never be reading this wonderful story about David.

“For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. (Acts 13:36). Our obedience to the will of God is what keeps us alive and if we are not severing our purpose, God’s mercy holds us back from the grave.

John 10:1-21

This chapter is jammed pack with stuff. Jesus is the gate, the gatekeeper, the shepherd, the Good Shepherd. He is the go to guy for all of our needs.

This verse is powerful, “10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness,” and sets every other belief system at odds with Jesus. Jesus emphatically states that anyone other than He is a crook and a murderer and He is ”intolerant” to anything else. I guess Jesus is a Politically Incorrect man and God.

This passage contains the words that should stop everyone and anyone looking to blame Jesus’ crucifixion on a specific group of people.

17 “The Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may have it back again. 18 No one can take my life from me. I lay down my life voluntarily. For I have the right to lay it down when I want to and also the power to take it again. For my Father has given me this command.”

The writer of Hebrews even states, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (12:2)” What was the joy set before Jesus? Our redemption from sin, death, hell and the grave.
Psalm 115:1-18

Idols are dead things which cannot move, who cannot do anything for us. We have to carry our idols around; well most of the things we worship we must carry around. I find the most damning thing in this particular division of Psalm is verse 8 (my paraphrase) “We become what we worship, we take on the characteristics of the thing we give our adoration too. That is a sobering thought. Flip that thought or statement over and one could say, “I can tell who or what your God is by observing who you are!”

8 And those who make them are just like them,
as are all who trust in them.

Who am I, what are the fruit of my worship?

Proverbs 15:18-19

19 A lazy person has trouble all through life; the path of the upright is easy!

This is the first time I’m seeing this in this particular verse, but I know people who have bad things happen to their bad things. And I just realize the ones that I know really well, are lazy. They might not be lazy physically, but they refuse to use common sense in living their lives. They want someone else to tell them what to do because they don’t want to be held accountable for their decisions, “It not my fault I so and so told me to do it this way. They refuse to expend the time and energy to search for wisdom. Wow and boy oh boy or boy. Do I see me in all of this?

Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Anka:

Saul had totally lost all form of respect for God.He knew Ahimelech heard from the Lord therefore the Lord was still with him yet he had him killed using a gentile.I can’t help but wonder how this really happened…did 85 priests just sit and wait for one Edomite to slay them all or did Saul’s officials finally decide to join in the slaughter…
I guess this may be a bit controversial…I couldn’t help wondering if what happened to the priests came as judgement on the house of Eli and his sons(I couldn’t find any scripture to clear me on that one)…The priests seemed godly men and their slaughter by ungodly men does raise the usual questions”why did God let that happen”.
We can see David getting encouragement when he’s at his lowest;the people he fought to save from the philistines are willing to give him up,each time he looks at Abiathar he remembers that priests got killed because of him,Saul’s hot on his heels….then his beloved friend Jonathan comes to remind him that God is still on his side.It’s also amazing that Saul stops at nothing to kill David yet when the philistines attack Israel,he turns back even though he’s so close to capturing David.God made him do that!Saul was capable of throwing his spear at Jonathan in public because of David,killed innocent priests because of David,surely he couldn’t have cared less if all Israel burned down if only he could get David….yet he turned back!
The question still rises up in my mind…what about the priests and their families…slaughtered like sheep.Reading Bob’s commentary,I guess when Jesus promises abundant life surely he meant eternal life.Daily we hear of christians killed during missions and it really doesn’t go with the prosperity gospel that we hear so much about.True nobody likes to preach about poverty but Jesus became poor so we could be rich…we are called to share in his sufferings.I pray for grace and understanding to be able to God will inspite of the costs.
God bless you all

Anka

====== Jim:

The friendship between David and Jonathan reminds me of the bonds developed by men who have served together on the field of battle. God seems to use this fraternal bond to encourage David in his most desperate time and it causes a son to turn on his father. Just a thought.
Jim

====== Sue:

What is with this ungrateful city of Keilah? David saves them from the Philistines and they show their gratitude by being willing to turn him over to Saul?

Is there some virus floating in the air? Saul is so focused on killing David. Has anyone read A Tale of Three kings? by Gene Edwards? (Good read.)

Anyway, who would have known God would have the Philistines attack at just the right time and to turn Saul’s head to that situation? Oftentimes I pray and have it all mapped out about how God should answer my prayers so that the outcome is to my liking, but I need to remember these types of passages, because God always has an “Ace in the hole” or a “trump card” that He can use to bring about His desires. Praise God~

Alrighty then, this good Shepherd story reminds me of when Jesus was talking just the other day about the slave having no rights but family being in solid.
It also reminds me of a story I heard about there being three kinds of people: Sheepdogs, wolves, and sheep. Wolves don’t become sheep; sheep cannot be wolves, and the job of the sheepdog is to protect the sheep from the wolves. I am sure you all can draw from the analogy here.

Idols. umm. umm. I guess sheep don’t recognize idols. We are not the sharpest pencils on the desk, are we?

Patience. We all know the axiom there, don’t we? We all want it but we don’t want to go through what it takes to get it.

Sue

====== John:

Jim

Amen. I spent six years in the peace time Navy. Most of it on one ship (an aircraft carrier). We worked long hours, fought fires, repaired machinery that couldn’t be repaired and formed bonds that I have only seen on some sports teams – (and that does not compare). I can only imagine how more intense the friendships and bonding are during war and when the men are in combat.

Sue: Keilah

Nothing is 100%. take a look at any poll today and no matter the question there will be a split amongst the respondants.

I am sure the city was grateful to David. The Philistines had attacked when the harvest was in, so this was a critical victory. However, no matter how grateful, I am sure Saul had some segment of the city in his camp (corner).

In addition, there is the fear factor. Since a priest had escaped they knew of the slaughter of priests and probably the annihilation of Nob.

“Why would the people of Keliah betray the man who just saved their city? No doubt, they heard of Saul’s brutal massacre of the priests (1 Samuel 22:16-19), so they knew Saul would stop at nothing to kill David.” (from enduring word.com)

They did not turn David over to Saul, we only know that if David had stayed God said they would have given David over to Saul. In the end they were spared from Philistines and Saul.

Note: The Ziphites were Judeans, and their sole reason for helping Saul appears to be to get in the good graces of Saul. For benefits or just to avoid his wrath?????

John

====== Johnnie:

====

I Samuel 22:1-23:29

There is sooooo much meat in today’s reading, so many things to hone in on yet, I can’t get away from a verse in Proverbs that keeps coming to me over and over again every time I read today’s Old Testament passage,

THE WICKED flee when no man pursues them, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous are bold as a lion. [Lev. 26:17, 36; Ps. 53:5.] When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue. (Proverbs 28:1-2 AMP)

I became stuck with this passage and didn’t know why. “God, what does this have to do with the passage? David is the one who is running from Saul; is David “wicked” because he is running; but Saul IS after Him,” what am I missing? “God what are you trying to tell me?”

And then I heard in the middle of the day after “seeking,” knocking,” “asking” about the meaning, “The wicked flee from the face of truth, that is what they are running from!” Never have I looked at those verses in Proverbs as speaking about anything other than one human who is paranoid because of evil deeds fleeing from another. Saul’s pursuit of David was not really about David although David was the object of Saul’s desire. Saul’s pursuit was all about fleeing from the truth that he had been removed from his spiritual authority over Israel and as the spirt goes, there goes the man.

What are we pursuing and are we pursuing it out of our fleeing from the Truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NET.)

I think I was given some insight into why those in Truth are persecuted. It’s really not about us, its all about Jesus.

He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” So he said, “Who are you, Lord?” He replied, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting! (Acts 9:4-5 NET.)

Saul hadn’t touched Jesus physically; however, because Jesus was and is the Truth, any assault against those who speak the Truth, love the Truth, live by the Truth is an assault against Jesus.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====

====== Jim:

David gathered his family and followers near a cave near the city of Adullam (which was where David wrote Psalm 142 and possibly 57). David then runs to Moab (establishing a strong hold at what is now known at Masada – 1 Sam 22:4) since his great-grandmother was from there and the Moabite king was probably interested in supporting a rebel king of Israel. Saul’s pursuit, however, keeps David on the move (including through Keliah, En Gedi, and finally Ziklag, David’s camp until he moved to Hebron and became king). David continued to attract men discontent with Saul’s uneven rule while Saul further appeals to tribal jealousies in suggesting that only he would likely favor his fellow poor Benjamites (rather than the son of Jesse) and claimed David was a revolutionary and not merely a fugitive. The priest Doeg turned in Ahimelech for helping David. During his own defense, Ahimelech in declaring the innocence of ignorant and faithful, defends David by asking Saul who is more faithful to him than David. Saul orders the death of all priest and their families, but only Doeg complies seeing further opportunity to win the king’s favor (only one priest of the 85 slain survives, Ahimelech’s son Abiathar – mentioned in Mark 2:26 with the incident of David eating the temple bread). This was partial fulfillment of the prophesized judgment against Eli’s house (2:27-36) and probably required the movement of the tabernacle from Nod to Gibeon, where it next appears (1 Chr 16:39 and 1 Kings 3:4). Abiathar had brought the ephod and is protected by David. He becomes David’s faithful priest (to eventually divide the country with Abiatha descendant of Mosses as the 10-tribes Northern priest and Zadok of Judah and descendant of Aaron as the 2-tribes Southern priest, who probably should have had the job alone – I think instead of bringing the two sides together, having two priests brought greater attention on the divergence), so “faithful” that he is not the one to bring David’s sin with Bathsheba to his attention (done by the prophet Nathan) and later joins David’s eldest son Absalom into sinful revolt against God’s chosen next king of Solomon (who later, of course banishes him). Close friendships and working relationships don’t always mix. Even though Saul could not find David, Jonathan locates him, affirms his kingship, and reconfirms the bond between them. With his military command, Jonathan could have been a serious rival to David. Instead he abdicates all authority.
The nation turned to David and not their king for deliverance from the Philistines (as Saul had not fought them for some time), but having a match between skills and needs does not by themselves make a ministry of God and David took the time to seek the will of God on whether he was supposed to deliver Keliah. Today’s popular church strategy to identify gifts in order to know the will of God (sort of a function that follows our form) seems backwards (we all know what happens when we assume). Not only did Sullivan teach us that “form follows function” (and not the other way around), but in the book “How Buildings Learn, What Happens After They’re Built,” Stewart Brand captures the history and evolution of numerous buildings to demonstrate even for the non-architect how buildings must adapt and constantly be refined and reshaped by their occupants. This is likewise true for our bodies as temples for the Spirit. Just because he had memorized the Bible, was committed to people in need (even building a job placement center and homes for the elderly and retarded), and was a charismatic speaker didn’t mean David Keresh (or Vernon Howell) was qualified to be a spiritual leader. Compare David’s faith with Saul who, like a bull in a china shop, was willing to destroy an entire Jewish town for any chance to capture David. David tests his assumptions by asking God whether Saul would come to Keilah and if the people would betray him and he received a “yes” answer to both questions. David’s narrow escape provides the historical background for Psalm 54, “for He had delivered me from all my troubles.”
The Pharisees also professed to the best guides and shepherds of the people even though Jesus had charged them in the last chapter of choosing not to see and thusly being unqualified to lead the people. Jesus proceeds in John 10 to describe the character of a true shepherd (and uses Himself as an example). He tells them that one cannot enter the “sheepfold” on just the duties of teaching and guarding the flock but only by the influences of the Spirit of Jesus. Jesus calls those who claim to be pastors only by ambition and not under His appointment to be thieves and robbers. We have become a people much like those in the days of Christ, so lame and trained to follow any keeper with the utmost docility (and political correctness). How great is our need for a true Shepherd who will gather the strays from the unfenced tempting fields to every side. Many adventures in our spiritual lives are not unlike the wild beast recounted by David that boldly attacked his flock even in his presence (when he often put his life on the line to protect his flock). Compare with Jeremiah 23:1 and Ezekiel 34:2-3.
David fought both a lion and a bear in order to protect the sheep entrusted into his care. If sheep were ever killed, the shepherd was required to produce evidence that the loss had not been his fault (Exodus 22:13). The One Year Bible Companion asks the question today, “What is the difference between the good shepherd in John 10:11, the great shepherd in Hebrews 13:20, and the chief shepherd in 1 Peter 5:4?” It answers, “The good shepherd died for his sheep, the great shepherd conforms the sheep to his image, and the chief shepherd is coming again with his reward for the sheep. The good shepherd’s work is finished, the great shepherd’s work is in the present, and the great shepherd’s work is in the future.” In being our good shepherd, Jesus’ sacrifice was voluntary (“no one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord”), total (He put aside his glory as God the son to enter our world as a vulnerable baby as per Philippians 2:1-11, experienced being forsakened as per Matthew 27:46, and shouldered the entire wrath of God’s hate for our sin), and beneficial (1 Peter 3:18). The word shepherd is also used with reference to congregational leaders metaphorically (and not as a title) to feed (1 Peter 5:2, Acts 20:28, John 21:16) and to care (1 Peter 5:1, Acts 20:17) for the flock. In addition, in John 21:15-17, the entire church seems to be the context when Jesus tells Peter three times to shepherd his sheep. The terms of elder (or pastor) and bishop (or overseer) is linked with the divine being and action of caring for souls of their sheep, but these sheep are not their own as they belong to the Chief Shepherd. It is important for elders to be committed to unanimous agreement on His will before acting (like David does in Keliah) – God has only one will.
The Pharisees and scribes sought wealth, office, and ease at the expense of the people and so well deserved being called thieves and robbers. This is also true for most of our religious leaders today. Although it is federal law that all non-profit corporations must release to the public their five top salaries, few religious organizations comply. Jesus’ words in Mark 10:21 seem clear enough: “One thing you lack: go and sell all you posses, and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven, and come, follow Me.” Kenneth Copeland asserts, however, that God personally revealed to him that this verse actually promises earthly, monetary dividends and says, “This was the biggest financial deal that young man had ever been offered, but he walked away from it because he didn’t know God’s system of finance.” Benny Hinn, Morris Cerullo, etc. likewise all live in million dollar estates with gold plated transports. Joyce Meyers is the most popular woman evangelist today (and brags about her poor education), but she personally keeps 90% of the $100 million per year her ministry draws and her 10,000 square-foot home and $2 million car are but a few of her prized possessions. “But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.” 1 Timothy 6:9-12, “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang. But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.”
David supposedly composed Psalm 113-118 on his death bed (at about the age of 70). Psalm 113-114 is sung before the Passover meal and Psalms 115-118, and 136 are sung after. Psalm 115 provides a glorification of the Lord, a comparison with the utter impotence of idols and false gods, and a litany of trust and blessing in the Lord. While the people of the OT were given little revelation concerning death, passages like verse 17 were not talking about the cessation of existence but only that the dead have left the sphere of early activities (compared with the spheres of heaven and silence), the highest of which is to praise the Lord. Hallelujah is Hebrew for “praise the Lord.”
Jim

======= Vance:

I Samuel 23 (NKJV)
9
When David knew that Saul plotted evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.”
10
Then David said, “O LORD God of Israel, Your servant has certainly heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah to destroy the city for my sake.
11
Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O LORD God of Israel, I pray, tell Your servant.” And the LORD said, “He will come down.”
12
Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the LORD said, “They will deliver you.”
John 10 (NKJV)
10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
13
The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.
14
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
15
As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
16
And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
17
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
18
No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
Psalm 115 (NKJV)
16
The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.
~~~
NOTE:
Of course all of the heaven and the earth are the Lord’s – which is self-evident by the fact that He is Creator and Sustainer of all things.
Yet, the Spirit says that “…the earth He has given to the children of men.” Obviously, Adam and Eve (humanity) were created to be under God’s authority because—obviously—He is Creator. Yet, while being under God’s authority, man was given authority over the earth.
This helps explain one reason why the devil tempted man. The main reason, I am sure, was because the devil hated God. But he also wanted to steal man’s authority over the earth as a way of expressing his hatred and opposition to God.
We are talking spiritual warfare. When Adam chose to follow foolish feelings and sin against by God by giving into temptation to be “a god”, the devil (though not created to be so) became “the god of this world”. Though Satan obtained it illegally (against God’s will), he did obtain this through the deception of sin.
This is why Jesus, being fully and Perfectly Man and fully God, had to be born of a virgin. This is why He had to undergo every temptation of Adam, Israel, and all humanity and overcome every sin and temptation. When He did that, then He was able to re-install redeemed humanity as having spiritual authority over the earth through His own victory.
Matthew 28 (NKJV)
18
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
~~~
We are either agents of light and truth (Father, Son, and Spirit) or darkness and deception (the devil). In reality, no man is a “free moral” agent in the sense of being totally isolated, a being unto himself.
Note Saul, by giving himself over to sin, was more and more controlled. Contrast this with David who sought the Lord’s counsel.
David had intimacy with the Lord. If David had this wonderful privilege in the OT, surely we can and must have the experience of intimacy with the Lord Jesus who came to give us eternal and abundant life because we are His sheep and we know His voice.
How we do know His voice? Because we are His sheep, and He has a very distinctive voice. How do we distinguish His voice from all others? By spending much time with Him, His Written Word, and in His Presence.
Vance

======= John:

Jim
Amen. I spent six years in the peace time Navy. Most of it on one ship (an aircraft carrier). We worked long hours, fought fires, repaired machinery that couldn’t be repaired and formed bonds that I have only seen on some sports teams – (and that does not compare). I can only imagine how more intense the friendships and bonding are during war and when the men are in combat.
Sue: Keilah
Nothing is 100%. take a look at any poll today and no matter the question there will be a split amongst the respondants.
I am sure the city was grateful to David. The Philistines had attacked when the harvest was in, so this was a critical victory. However, no matter how grateful, I am sure Saul had some segment of the city in his camp (corner).
In addition, there is the fear factor. Since a priest had escaped they knew of the slaughter of priests and probably the annihilation of Nob.
“Why would the people of Keliah betray the man who just saved their city? No doubt, they heard of Saul’s brutal massacre of the priests (1 Samuel 22:16-19), so they knew Saul would stop at nothing to kill David.”
They did not turn David over to Saul, we only know that if David had stayed God said they would have given David over to Saul. In the end they were spared from Philistines and Saul.
Note: The Ziphites were Judeans, and their sole reason for helping Saul appears to be to get in the good graces of Saul. For benefits or just to avoid his wrath?????
John

======= John:

Anka,
Great catch on the House of Eli.
None would live to see the prime of life, and those not cut off would be heartbroken – as Ahimelech will be when Zadok is given the High priesthood. (1 Sam 2:30-36)
God uses all to accomplish his ends – even if that all includes someone like Saul.
List of (high) priests of Israel is at this link:
Eli, descendant of Itamar, son of Aaron
Ahitub, son of Phinehas, grandson of Eli
Ahijah, son of Ahitub
Ahimelech, son of Ahijah, High Priest during the reign of King Saul
Abiathar, son of Ahimelech, High Priest during the reign of King David
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_High_Priests_of_Israel
In Bob’s conclusion remarks:
“Because of Eli’s sin of failing to deal with his sons, Eli’s priesthood was to be taken away. The sign that this would happen was the death of his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas (2:34). The next phase of the fulfillment of this prophecy comes in our text, brought about by the insane jealousy of Saul when he orders Doeg, the Edomite, to kill all the priests and their families. One survivor is left, just as God indicated (2:33). The next phase of fulfillment will come in the days of Solomon when the priesthood is taken from Abiathar, the descendant of Aaron’s son, Ithamar, and given to Zadok, the descendant of Aaron through his son, Eleazar (1 Kings 2:27, 35). The full and final fulfillment seems to be the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the faithful priest (see Psalm 110; Hebrews 5:6; Revelation 19:16).100
Who would have ever thought that the prophecy of chapters 2 and 3 would be fulfilled as described in chapter 22 by a virtual madman? Even in his disobedience and insanity; even in his rebellion against God by the slaughter of the priests, Saul is being used of God to fulfill His promise, yet in a way that does not impugn the character of God.
Notice the similarity between the prophecies God made concerning Eli’s priesthood in chapters 2 and 3 and the prophecies God gives concerning Saul’s kingship in chapters 13 and 15. Because of his sin in failing to deal with his sons’ abuse of their priesthood, Eli’s priesthood was taken away. A significant part of this we now see described in chapter 22. Is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Eli here not given to us at this point in the story to buttress the prophecy God made concerning Saul’s kingship? Just as surely as Eli’s priesthood was taken away a few years and a few chapters later, so Saul’s kingship is taken away a few years and a few chapters later. God always keeps His promises, and He sometimes does so by employing the most unlikely instruments.”
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=368
John

======= John:

Jan,
I would propose that Saul lost the holy Spirit, so there was a vacuum. God allowed an evil spirit from Satan to occupy Saul.
[Note: this is similar to idea that a sealed believer can not be possessed by Satan. the two spirits can not occupy the same body.]
Even allowing the evil spirit in Saul, God is still in control. (just like with Job). Even though Satan rebelled against God to be his Adversary, it is ironic that in his adversarial role he still is part of the work of God’s plan. So his rebellion has gained him nothing, he is actually a “slave” to the Lord’s plan (probably unwittingly).
I say all this, because I propose that it is not Saul being tested, but David. Through an “evil” Saul, David is the one being put through the wringer. God uses Satan, the evil spirit and Saul to fulfill the curse on House of Eli, and put David through the fire. Note: David always seems to seek the Lord.
Just like with Job, David was not to be killed (that was not in God’s plan), but he certainly was harassed and tested.
John

======== Ramona:

I Samuel 22:1-23:29
There is sooooo much meat in today’s reading, so many things to hone in on yet, I can’t get away from a verse in Proverbs that keeps coming to me over and over again every time I read today’s Old Testament passage,
THE WICKED flee when no man pursues them, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous are bold as a lion. [Lev. 26:17, 36; Ps. 53:5.] When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue. (Proverbs 28:1-2 AMP)
I became stuck with this passage and didn’t know why. “God, what does this have to do with the passage? David is the one who is running from Saul; is David “wicked” because he is running; but Saul IS after Him,” what am I missing? “God what are you trying to tell me?”
And then I heard in the middle of the day after “seeking,” knocking,” “asking” about the meaning, “The wicked flee from the face of truth, that is what they are running from!” Never have I looked at those verses in Proverbs as speaking about anything other than one human who is paranoid because of evil deeds fleeing from another. Saul’s pursuit of David was not really about David although David was the object of Saul’s desire. Saul’s pursuit was all about fleeing from the truth that he had been removed from his spiritual authority over Israel and as the spirt goes, there goes the man.
What are we pursuing and are we pursuing it out of our fleeing from the Truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NET.)
I think I was given some insight into why those in Truth are persecuted. It’s really not about us, its all about Jesus.
He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” So he said, “Who are you, Lord?” He replied, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting! (Acts 9:4-5 NET.)
Saul hadn’t touched Jesus physically; however, because Jesus was and is the Truth, any assault against those who speak the Truth, love the Truth, live by the Truth is an assault against Jesus.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======== John:

John 10:9
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.” NIV
Someone once told me a shepherd could lay down at the gate of his pen, and the sheep would walk over him (not hurting him) and exit the pen. If a stranger lays in the gate – the sheep will not go near the gate. Have no verification on this anecdote.
However, Jesus is that gate and when we go through Him we are saved. We will have the benefits of security by being in him (in the pen), and the ability (and mandate) to go outside the pen into the world. Throughout it all we will be taken care of and find pasture (nourishment) for our life in Christ.
John

===== Laura:

Very Thankful for the Word and the worship!
Laura

1 Samuel 20:1-21:15 + John 9:1-41 + Psalm 113:1-114:8 + Proverbs 15:15-17
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Old Testament – Great readings about Jonathan & David today!  1 Samuel 20 verse 13 today seems to indicate that Jonathan realizes that David will be the king after his father Saul: “May the LORD be with you as he used to be with my father.”  Verse 17 is beautiful – “For Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself.”  Who are people in your life that you love as much as you love yourself?  Do you think that there should be people in your life that you love as much as you love yourself?  Do you love Jesus as much as you love yourself?  Do you think that God loves you as much as He loves Himself?

Below is the artist Rembrandt’s take on Jonathan & David from possibly verse 41:  “Both of them were in tears as they embraced each other and said good-bye, especially David.”

In First Samuel 21 as David is fleeing from Saul, we read verse 6 which Jesus refers to in the New Testament – “So, since there was no other food available, the priest gave David the holy bread–the Bread of the Presence that was placed before the LORD in the Tabernacle. It had just been replaced that day with fresh bread.”  Jesus uses this incident to illustrate the principle that the ceremonial law was not to be viewed in a legalistic manner in Matthew chapter 12 verses 3 & 4 – “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.”  I love verse 13!  David is definitely a good actor – “So he pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard.”

Bible.org’s commentary on our First Samuel readings today titled “When Saul Slings His Spear, Jonathan Gets the Point” is at this link and “A Man Without a Country” is at this link.

New Testament – Jesus’ teaching in John chapter 9 verse 3 is powerful – “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him.”  Wow.  He was born blind so that God’s power could be seen in him.  I wonder about this in our lives today.  When we have challenges or struggles, is it possible that they are happening so that the power of God can been seen?  I know this can be tough to fathom when you are in the midst of a challenge or struggle – or, if you are blind for example, like this man in John 9.  But…  no matter what life throws our way, do you think that God’s power can be seen in any circumstance?  Below is Cretan-born painter El Greco’s “Christ Healing the Blind Man” from the year 1567:

Verse 27 is great when the healed man says – “”Look!” the man exclaimed. “I told you once. Didn’t you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?””   Hmmm…. Verses 39 through 40 are a dialogue that each one of us should reflect upon – “Then Jesus told him, “I have come to judge the world. I have come to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.”  The Pharisees who were standing there heard him and asked, “Are you saying we are blind?” “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.”  How are we behaving today?  Are we allowing Jesus to give us spiritual sight?  Or do we think we can see well enough spiritually without Jesus?  Without Jesus, can we see or are we blind…?  Will we allow Jesus to heal us of our spiritual blindness right now?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s John readings titled “The Light of the World” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 113 & 114 today are very interesting and important Psalms!  These are 2 of 6 Psalms, 113 to 118, that form the “Egyptian Hallel.”  These Psalms were used in Jewish liturgy at the great religious festivals of Passover, Tabernacles, Dedication, Weeks, New Moon.  At Passover Psalm 113 & 114 were sung before the meal and Psalms 115 – 118 were sung after the meal.  As you read these two Psalms today, do you sense joy in the Lord’s work?  Justice?  Glory?  Power?  Does reading these two Psalms make you want to celebrate and give thanks for the Lord and all he has done throughout history and in your life?

Proverbs – Proverbs 15 verses 16 & 17 today are so powerfully true – “It is better to have little with fear for the LORD than to have great treasure with turmoil. A bowl of soup with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.”  However, what then do we do about a steak soup combo??  (sorry, couldn’t resist a bad attempt at humor…  thanks to this image below… 🙂 

Worship Video: Today’s reading in John about Jesus healing a man born blind reminded me of Phil Wickham’s song “Safe:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzhuirT74VU

Are you safe in His arms? Click here for Safety!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.” Proverbs 15:16-17 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will be content with little in your life, as long as you have the wealth of a relationship with the LORD. Pray that your meals are filled with more love than with fancy foods.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Do you agree with today’s Proverb that it is better to have just a little and fear the Lord versus having much and much turmoil?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

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======= Anka:

This is a pretty long post..

David,a man after God’s own heart was painfully human.He lied and is about to get the priest into trouble(I’m sure Saul’s shepherd wasn’t eavedropping just out of curiosity)then David acts like a lunatic to save his life.I couldn’t help wondering,was this idea of acting inspired by God?David his annointed was really not behaving like a king.At the same time,I can’t help wondering how Jesus’s disciples felt seeing their master beaten,spat on then hung naked to die on a cross.Where was all the power that Jesus displayed and spoke about?It may be easy for us to believe without having seen Jesus humiliated.Even though there’s a controversy surrounding the movie The passion of Christ,I think every Christian should see it because it shows a vivid picture of how Christ truly suffered and was humiliated.The amazing thing is God was watching and even through this suffering and rejction,He still was working.David may have been discouraged yet when his life was saved,he attributed it all to God(psalms 34,56).I pray for the strength to look up to God when in trouble.David ran from Samuel in Ramath to Jonathan who was near Saul.In times of pain and confusion we sometimes even loose our ability to think clearly.Running to our enemy(negative thoughts,alcohol,drugs…the enemies arms)rather than remain on our knees in prayer.

The Jews seemed to want the blind man to doubt his testimony.He didn’t know Jesus but believed the devil couldn’t have set him free.The blind man didn’t think Jesus used his own powers,he replied to them “he is a prophet”and when they tried to get him to think Jesus was a sinner,he hung to his miracle…he may have thought”well I don’t know how Jesus stands before God,but I know God worked through him to give me a miracle and I know God doesn’t answer sinners”.

This man couldn’t care less if he was thrown out of the synagoge,there was an element of defiance in his reply”I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?”He wasn’t going to change his testiomny nor was he going to accept to smear the character of the man he received his miracle from.When asked by Jesus if he knew the son of man,this former begger didn’t say no,he wanted to know who Jesus really was then worshipped Him when Jesus revealed himself.

We may falter in our faith due to discouragement but we should never let go of our convictions.At the end of the day what satan tries to do is attack our knowledge of who God really is.When we go through humilitaion,doubt,despair,satan comes to attack our relationship with a “well if God is love,how can he let this happen to you,if God takes care of your needs then why do you have to count pennies,if God is a father then how could he let your child die,if you’re created in God’s image,then why do you have a disability?”etc.The trick is I guess keep walking,crawl if you have to but never let go of your convictions…if you feel those convictions slip away,then stick to God’s word.I humbly believe it is for times like these that God had put the desire in Mike’s heart to start this blog so you can see wounded soliers cling to their swords(the word) and you can see that God is still present in our days.He still is in the business of getting us out of the enemies arms if we cry out.

God bless you all!
Anka

======== Ramona:

1 Samuel 20-21:15

Anka—Thank you for your wonderful words. Words that not only cause us to think but words that inspire and encourage.

In thinking about what you wrote, Anka, the question comes up, “What and whom did David fear? We lie and operate out of deception because we fear for our lives, our reputation or falling out of favor with man, and maybe God. We fear that our true selves with be revealed if we tell the truth. Truth is confrontational, especially the truth about ourselves. The question what information and from whom are we believing. Back in the Garden Adam and Eve hid after they sinned because their eyes were opened. When God asked them, “Where are you,” He wasn’t asking them logistical information He knew where they were. He was asking them because He knew where they where but did they truly know their standing and how far they had fallen God’s response to them when they said they were naked so they hid was, “Who told you?” What and whose information was David believing about himself, about Saul and about His God?

David thought Saul would kill him despite the Word of the Lord he had heard from Samuel, despite the acknowledgement and confirmation of the Word from his friend Jonathan. Was there something going on in David’s life that made him forget that Promise or did he, like many of us, negate the promise because of a feeling of inferiority, of some false guilt, of a sense that God is not able to bring what He has promised to pass?

When “running for our lives,” do we run to our enemies, as Anka has noted, or do we run to the Rock that is higher than ourselves.

Thank God for his mercy and grace when we miss it by more than a mile or kilometer.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Shelley:

Really enjoying reading this blog and all the food for thought. I haven’t much new to add to what already has been said. I also enjoyed Ps 113:6 where is says that God humbleth Himself to behold the things in heaven! I have no idea of the greatness of God. WOW! or should I say “Selah” Thanks for sharing your thoughts with the rest of us.

Shelley

====== Jan:

======= Jim:

On the run, David asks a priest for a weapon and temple food and then act as if mad (which was assumed at the time to signify demonic possession) to escape after foolishly taking Goliath’s sword with him to hide in Goliath’s home town. Jesus will later commend the priest’s actions as an illustration of the principle underlying His own healing on the Sabbath (Matt 12:3-4, Mark 2:23-28) that the moral obligation to preserve and enrich human life supersedes ceremonial obligations. David lied to Ahimelech about being on a secret mission for the king (and perhaps about his men not having been with women for 3 days) – this lie (and the foolishness in thinking that Deog would not tell the king) will precipitate a great tragedy for all the priest of Nob (22:6-19). The Talmud explains away the apparent breach of the law of eating the holy bread, however, on the basis that the preservation of life takes precedent over nearly all other commandments in the Law (see Leviticus 24:9). We have seen many negative consequences of Saul’s poor behavior. Today he tries to get his own son to help in killing David and ends up being violent towards Jonathan himself.
We can always see spiritual truth if we are strong enough to accept it. Jesus heals a blind man that the Pharisees badger while refusing Christ as a messenger of God. The ex-blind man asks them directly what the Pharisees are trying to hide, how could Jesus do such miracles if He were not from God? Jesus summarizes that only the blind are innocent – but the Pharisees are not blind. The miracle and attitude is replicated in every spiritual birth: “though I was blind, now I see.” The Pharisees’ sin was not ignorance of what Christ was saying or of whom He was, but that of seeing and knowing Christ and still hating Him. Their rejection of Jesus was deliberate, so they were guilty of the most terrible of all sins.
Sodom and Gomorrah were not even Jewish towns and Christ said in Matthew 10:15, “it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.” Not only does this suggest that the punishment for unbelievers (such as those who didn’t believe Noah that Christ visited in death) might be tolerable but that there is a worse sin with a less tolerable punishment than theirs. “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” And since the only people that can know the Holy Spirit to speak blasphemy against Him are Judo-Christians, are they the only ones who can fail to be forgiven with a guaranteed trip to Hell (and not simple God-blasphemying atheists or Jesus-blasphemying cultists)? The greatest punishment “in this world and the next” is for the greatest sin of having eyes but refusing to see. As Spiderman’s dad tells him, with greater power comes greater responsibility (and greater consequences).
Popular wisdom of the time was that sickness was always a punishment for sin, perhaps for those one will commit or even ancestral sins, but Jesus says that the blind man’s disability was so that the works of God could be known (see Romans 8:28). This is something to remember the next time we’re asking, “Why is this happening to me?” Christ’s disciples, though, seemed more moved by theological curiosity that by concern over the man’s condition. Christ answers that we should use every opportunity to help others. We should not just come to Christ to see reality but to experience it as well (just as the “happy mother of children” in Psalm 113:9 knows both the value of fruitfulness as well as the simple joy of having children). Schnarch (the most respected marriage counselor of the past few decades) has shown that failed communications, missing empathy, and even sexual perversions are not the causes of relationship gridlocks. Everyone most certainly knows what everyone else wants (for one thing, because we all essentially want the same things). The problem is that we simply refuse to accommodate win-win outcomes because of a fear of being powerless and the need to use others as validation. The root of failing spiritual maturity is never about seeing better but in unhealthy behavior and insufficient remorse.
Celebrants of the Passover today normally read or sing Psalms 113-114 before the meal as part of the retelling of the story of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Psalm 113 focuses the worshiper on the grace of the merciful redeemer who bends down from heaven to meet the needs of his people and Psalm 114 recalls the reason for the Passover celebration – Israel’s deliverance from Egypt in specific and the earth trembling before the almighty Lord in general. They are a wonderful companion to the songs of Moses and Miriam in Exodus 15. After the Passover meal, Psalms 115-118, and 136 are sung.
Jim

======= Vance:

I Samuel 20 (The Message)
13
And GOD be with you as he’s been with my father!
14
If I make it through this alive, continue to be my covenant friend. And if I die,
15-16
keep the covenant friendship with my family–forever. And when GOD finally rids the earth of David’s enemies, stay loyal to Jonathan!”
17
Jonathan repeated his pledge of love and friendship for David. He loved David more than his own soul!
42
Jonathan said, “Go in peace! The two of us have vowed friendship in GOD’s name, saying, “GOD will be the bond between me and you, and between my children and your children forever!’”
NOTE:
Covenant is such wonderful and permanently binding, partly because in today’s society. It is such an amazing thing today it is so rare. It is easy to “cut and run” when the going gets tough.
But remember: “Tough times never last, but tough people do”. I am not talking about “positive thinking” or merely what was called “intestinal fortitude” when I was in basic training for the U.S. Army.
Yes… those are important attitudes and qualities to have. May we be “strong in the covenant of the Lord and in the power of His might.” And His power is made perfect in the very weakness that my humanity despises so much. (See 2 Corinthians 4:7-11 and 12:9)
~~~
Jesus has likened spiritual life and the Kingdom of God to like being a seed. One of my most favorite verses is John 12 (NKJV)
24
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
25
He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26
If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
~~~
As Christians, we are in the process of dying to the residue of the sinful man and sinful humanity in order to completely put on Christ—the fullness of righteousness, life and peace.
Our spirits are made righteous by God’s grace. Our souls and bodies are redeemed, and in the process of being completely saved.
Yet, to understand this takes wisdom. It is ironic that modern society is so caught up in the current craze of the “Gnostic Jesus” and the “Gnostic gospels”.
Why?
For today’s society builds up the flesh, the body—and worships the flesh and the body—at the expense of the spiritual because of “science” and “existentialism”.
Yet, the Gnostics taught that the body was evil. That is why in the so-called “gospel of Judas”, the so-called “Gnostic Jesus” needed Judas’ help to get to the cross—after all that Jesus supposedly saw his body as evil and as a barrier to purity.
No… our bodies are not evil, and neither is matter. Rather, all aspects of our personalities are tainted by sin as is all of creation.
THE REAL QUESTION REGARDING EVIL IS… where is it? It is not localized in our bodies. Rather, it is in our hearts.
In this regard, I really like what the Lord Jesus said in the following verse in John chapter 9 in the Message:
39
Jesus then said, “I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all the distinctions clear, so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind.”
The true, historical, living Lord Jesus was sinless, and was able to die for our sins in our place because of that.
The true, historical, living Lord Jesus offered Himself in our place so all of us—spirit, soul, and body—could be fully redeemed as we allow Him to remove from us the impurity and uncleanness of sin and its effects.
I Thessalonians 5 (NKJV)
23
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
Vance

======= John:

New Moon Festival
We first hear about the New Moon Festival in the book of Shemot (Exodus) 40:1-2: “And the L-rd spake unto Moshe, saying, On the first day of the first month thou shalt set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.” In the Hebrew calendar the new moon begins a new month. It was on this particular day that the L-rd wanted Moshe to erect the Tabernacle.
After the Tabernacle was erected, on that very same day, the Glory of G-d filled it. Shemot 40:33-34: “And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moshe finished the work. Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the L-rd filled the tabernacle.” It was on the new moon that the glory of the L-rd filled the Tabernacle. The New Moon Festival was also a day of sacrifice. Bamidbar (Numbers) 28:11: “And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the L-rd; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot;” Not only that, it was also to be a day of the blowing of the shofar. Bamidbar 10:10: “Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your G-d: I Am the L-rd your G-d.”
Besides many other Biblical events which occurred on the new moon, it was also the day when Moshe spoke to the children of Israel giving them the L-rd’s commandments.
Re-reading it seems the Festival was only on the First month of the year. Besides the biblical commands, something akin to our New Year’s Day celebration.
Bowing three times
A custom in the ancient world to bow three times to royalty. No mention of why three (3)?. Jonathan was a prince. David at this time – still a servant of the king. Everything after the bowing was as “good friends”
Doeg the Edomite
“doeg” means fearing, anxious.
Who knows? Saul did what he wanted. Perhaps Doeg had some physical traits that Saul desired in his chief herdsmen. (Stature, strength, etc.) Perhaps he had proven his loyalty over time being promoted from a regular shepherd. Remember shepherds were the lowliest form of occupation in Israel, so being the head shepherd was not a place of great distinction. Perhaps doeg had converted to Judaism (doubtful).
In the end he was an extension of Saul’s evil wishes (and perhaps Saul himself)and slays the priests when no other of Saul’s servants will do the deed.
Saul was evil at this point and had no hesitation of hurting people of Israel (priests), Edomites hated Israel and coveted their land. Seems like a match made by “satan”?????
John

========= John:

Greater Miracle than the Last
This man the Lord chose (nowhere does it say the man came to the Lord for healing)
No one had ever been healed of Blindness from birth.
The opening of eyes to the light: to me Jesus first covered the eyes with spittle and earth (the world) and then told man to wash the mixture off in the Pool of Siloam. Water ingested represents the Holy Spirit, Water used in exteranl cleansing represents the Word. By belief and the use of the Word, the filth and blocking of vision by the world will be taken away. You will see the light.
This man stood up for Jesus in front of scrutiny. He was banned from synagouge.
He was not only given physical sight, but spiritual sight.
He chose a man who was blind from birth, just as man is spiritually blind from birth, and he healed him.
John

======= John:

John 9
Pool of Siloam
Scoffers of the Bible used to point to this “pool” named in the Bible, and claim it did not exist. Just another error in the Bible.
OOPS!
In 2004, the pool was discovered in an archaeological dig.
======================================================
John 9:25b
“…One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” NIV
My favorite line in John – it applies exactly as to how I was before Salvation, and how I became after Salvation.
======================================================
Greater Miracle than the Last
This man the Lord chose (nowhere does it say the man came to the Lord for healing)
No one had ever been healed of Blindness from birth.
The opening of eyes to the light: to me Jesus first covered the eyes with spittle and earth (the world) and then told man to wash the mixture off in the Pool of Siloam. Water ingested represents the Holy Spirit, Water used in exteranl cleansing represents the Word. By belief and the use of the Word, the filth and blocking of vision by the world will be taken away. You will see the light.
This man stood up for Jesus in front of scrutiny. He was banned from synagouge.
He was not only given physical sight, but spiritual sight.
He chose a man who was blind from birth, just as man is spiritually blind from birth, and he healed him.
John

======= John:

Telling lies
1Sam20:29
“He said, ‘Let me go, because our family is observing a sacrifice in the town and my brother has ordered me to be there. If I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away to see my brothers.’ That is why he has not come to the king’s table.” NIV
There was a discussion last year on the blog about whether it is ever right to lie.
Study note from faithtacoma church:
Here is another case of a godly man telling a manifest untruth in a context in which it is not clear at all that the Bible condemns him for doing so (cf. the Hebrew midwives; Rahab; etc.). There are circumstances in which telling an untruth does not amount to “bearing false witness against one’s neighbor.” Interestingly, in the biblical examples, the untruth is told virtually always on behalf of someone else, not oneself. Here David. So, by and large, count on it. The lies you feel tempted to tell will very rarely be justified by such examples as these.
More on telling lies
David fabricates a story and tells it to Ahimelech the priest at Nob.
More from faithtacoma:
Fact is, we don’t get anywhere in this material the sense that the narrator necessarily disproves of these deceits. The ethics of war are not the same as the ethics of peace. No one disproves of an army concealing its intentions, even attempting to convince its enemy that its intentions are otherwise than they are (Joshua sending the spies ahead of his army into Canaan; the allies regarding the invasion landing sites in Normandy). What we have here, of course, is the early stages of the war between the house of Saul and the house of David.
John

======= John:

Regarding Jesus’ Deity
John 9:37-38
“Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.”
AND HE WORSHIPPED HIM.
Another verse to show those who do not believe in the Deity of Christ. In the Scripture only God is to be worshipped. If something or someone ever contradicts scripture – Jesus, in the past, has always corrected the situation.
Jesus does not object to the worship – so even though not verbally declaring His deity – the lack of objection by Jesus confirms His Deity.
John

======= Jill:

God allows pain and struggles in this world which is a result of Adam and Eves sin.
But he draws us close to him through our afflictions!
And we can let others know where our hope comes From!
Having been diagnosed with a medical condition has made me look at life differently. I need to be intentional about every day! It’s not easy but I give God glory anyway!
Thanks Mike for this blog!
Jill

1 Samuel 18:5-19:24 + John 8:31-59 + Psalm 112:1-10 + Proverbs 15:12-14
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – This is a powerful verse in First Samuel 18:14 today: “David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the LORD was with him.” I think that is so important to know – David succeeded in all he did because God was with him.  And I believe this applies to us today as well.  We will succeed in all we do if God is with us.  Now – don’t get me wrong – when I say succeed, I do not mean “succeed” as the world might define this word.  I mean we will succeed spiritually in all we do if we are in a loving and growing and obedient relationship with God the Father through Jesus the Son (who is God).  This success might mean that we actually become “poor” in the world’s eyes and serve overseas or in our own town in a ministry that won’t make us a million.  But – if we are living in right relationship with God than we have truly succeeded in life.  Nothing else matters.  Below’s an image of a young David succeeding in saving a lamb from the jaws of a lion and offering up praise to God for the success!

It is great to see Jonathan asking his father Saul to not murder David in First Samuel chapter 19.  I read a commentary that said Jonathan had really been won over by David after David killed Goliath.  It is thought that perhaps David shared with Saul and Jonathan his faith in God and why he was fearless of Goliath early in chapter 18 or late in chapter 17 (in yesterday’s readings), and that Jonathan believed David’s faith was true.  In any case, we do see in chapter 18 verses 3 & 4 these words: “And Jonathan made a special vow to be David’s friend, and he sealed the pact by giving him his robe, tunic, sword, bow, and belt.”  Jonathan is obviously living up to this pact here in chapter 19. (the images above and below are really from yesterday’s readings, but I thought they were both quite good pictures of David – and Jonathan below. Oh, and Goliath too… 🙂

An image by Gustave Dore is below for First Samuel 18 verses 10 & 11: “The very next day, in fact, a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave like a madman. David began to play the harp, as he did whenever this happened. But Saul, who had a spear in his hand, suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David jumped aside and escaped.”

Bible.org’s commentary on our First Samuel readings today titled “David Joins Saul’s Family” is at this link and commentary titled “David’s Divine Deliverance” is at this link.

New Testament – John chapter 8 verses 34 through 36 are such powerful teachings for each of us to recognize – “Jesus replied, “I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.”  Do you believe it is possible to be a slave of sin?  Do you believe Jesus can set us free from the slavery of sin?  Are you free?

I believe verse 58 is one of the most powerful statements Jesus makes in the Gospels – “Jesus answered, “The truth is, I existed before Abraham was even born!””  Or the NIV of this verse is –  “”I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”  Jesus is quoting Exodus 3:14 here when Moses asks God who he should say sent him to free the Israelites from Egypt and God says – “I AM.  Tell them I AM sent you.”  Jesus here knows what he is doing when he says that even before Abraham was born, I AM.  Jesus is saying he is God.  And He is.  But, to the religious leaders at this time, this was blasphemy to their ears.  And hence, they attempted to stone Jesus in the very next verse.  Do you believe Jesus when he says, “before Abraham was born, I AM”?

Bible.org’s commentary on our John chapter 8 readings today titled “Like Father, Like Son” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 112 is a great look at a godly person’s life.   Today in verse 1 we read: “Blessed is the person who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands.” Is fear of the Lord healthy? Why or why not? Is fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom? Are you blessed if you fear the Lord? Do you find great delight in God’s commands? What are God’s commands?

Verse 4 stands out – “When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in.” This is encouraging.  When darkness overtakes us, if we stay true to God and Christ and faith, light will come “bursting in”!  I like that…  Know that the light is coming…  Below is a fresco from 1517 by Raphael of God separating the light from the darkness –

And verse 9 is a great reminder – “They give generously to those in need.”  Are you doing something in your life to serve the poorest of the poor?   There are 1.2 billion people living in our world today on less than $1 per day.  Is there something you can do to give generously to those in need?  Below is an oil on canvas painting from 1611 by Bartolomeo Schedoni titled “The Charity” –

Proverbs – Proverbs 15 verse 14 is so powerful – “A wise person is hungry for truth, while the fool feeds on trash.” I will humbly submit that since YOU are going through the One Year Bible, you are a wise person who is hungry for truth!  🙂  Well, really, I mean it.  The Bible is the best place to find Truth.  And trash?  Well, interestingly I was having a conversation with 3 friends recently – 2 of whom participated in this One Year Bible with us last year – and we were discussing how each of us don’t watch TV.  We didn’t quite use the word “trash” when discussing TV, but I think the term can fit… 

Worship Video: Today’s Psalm & Proverb reminded me of Casting Crowns’ song “American Dream:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DumlIIHSrsQ

Are you chasing the American Dream? Click here and surrender to Jesus!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” John 8:34 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are not a slave to sin. Pray that Jesus has set you free from slavery to sin, and that you are free indeed! Pray for your friends and family that are enslaved to sin that they will be freed through faith in Jesus and repentance of their sins.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Can you imagine living your life feeding only on TV?  Yikes…   So, really, when you look at how you invest your time are you hungry and feeding on truth or perhaps are you feeding on some trash?  Will you throw that trash away?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
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======= Ramona:

1 Samuel 18:5-19:24
We have already been given the clues and keys to success when we read the Book of Joshua [This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (1:8)] So it should not be a surprise to anyone when the young man David, who will come to be know as the Sweet Psalmist of Israel, is a success everywhere he goes.

Sin has crouched at the door of Saul’s heart and Saul has let him in just like Cain before him (Genesis 4:7). If Saul had done what was right, even with sin hanging around outside, God would have accepted him. Knowing that God had taken the Kingdome away from him (1 Sam 13:14), Saul makes no effort to “clean” up the condition of his heart, but spends time and energy trying to “take-out” a person of more noble character than he. This futile exercise is done daily all around us and some of it is committed by Christians. We slander and assassinate the character of others so we will look good, or so we think.

As we pursue what we falsely perceive as the enemy we sink deeper into a life of madness just like Saul. Declaring that the “other” is really our problem when the true culprit is that man or woman in the mirror.

I am intrigued by Saul’s run in with the Spirit of God that causes him to prophesy, even take off his clothes while he is doing what may appear on the outside to be some religious acts. I’m intrigued because Saul has no relationship with God, yet God’s Spirit comes upon him to keep him from killing David. This same thing happened to the troops he had sent previously to take David out. So a “religious” experience may not be a sign of a changed heart, in reality we are told to look for spiritual fruit not religious fervor, because it may just be a means of stopping a killer from pursuing his or her intended victim. This is a possibility I must give further thought too.
John 8:31-59

Verse thirty-two, 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” is quoted and misquoted by believers and non-believers alike. The truth that sets one free, according to Jesus, is the truth that comes when one obeys Jesus’ teachings. Since Jesus is Truth, our freedom can only come in conjunction with our relationship with Him.

Jesus’ exchange with the religious leaders in this passage proves the above point. Although confronted with the truth about themselves, they failed to hear it because their alliance was not with Jesus but with their father the Devil, the father of all lies.

It is in this eighth chapter that Jesus begins to frequently use the words, truth, truly and true however those He speaks to cannot handle the truth.

In the Book of Job there is a passage that quotes Job as saying, “Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?” Job 12:11). This says to me we know truth when we hear it, but sadly we reject it because it does not fit our agendas. Yet, the sin we so love to chase after, binds us with cords entangling us so that we drown in our own sin. The sin we so love doesn’t love us back; in truth it mocks and then kills us.

Psalm 112:1-10

9 They give generously to those in need.
Their good deeds will never be forgotten.
They will have influence and honor.

10 The wicked will be infuriated when they see this.
They will grind their teeth in anger;
they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

These two verses seem to describe Saul. No matter what he tried to do to get David killed, he was “thwarted.”

The continuity of God’s message to us seamlessly threads its way through time and writers from different backgrounds and education never losing the gravity of its Words or significance. Wow, Only God can do that.

Proverbs 15:12-14

If a wise person is hungry for truth, and Jesus is
Truth then the wise person can only be satisfied by Jesus.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Anka:

Jonathan is a good example of one who put the kingdom of God before any earthly kingdom.He should have been next in line to Saul yet he knew David would be the next king.He saw David as a brother in faith and loved him,nothing else mattered…he supported David to his own hurt.
A messianic Jew once told me that the word “I am”is not used at all in hebrew out of respect for God.For example if one had to say “I am going somewhere”they’d say “I going somewhere”just so they wouldn’t pronounce the same words God used to introduce himself.Jesus must have really made some jews mad when he didn’t hesitate to use I am…here he makes it so clear that he really meant “I AM”.Even today few people acknowledge Jesus as deity.I pray we who know can always be a light that beckons to those who don’t know Jesus as “I AM”.

Household gods….I just couldn’t help noticing the issue of household gods.When Michal was Saul’s house maybe Saul wasn’t a godly enough man(nor a good father)to make sure there was no other god except God in his home…Wonder if David ever knew there was a household god..or if he cared what his wife was doing.It does say Michal was in love with David,never says David returned her affection…Anyway,it seems Israel would sing praises to God for victory in battles but still kept their household gods…and to them that was ok.I pray God reveals our own security blankets(household gods)to us and gives us faith to look only to Him.

God bless you all
Anka

====== Sue:

======= Jim:

Don’t be surprised when insecure people are fearful and jealous of your successes, if not downright hostile. David’s successes brought popular approval when many must have already begun to lose confidence in the erratic rule of Saul. Twice Saul hurls scepters at David in fits of anger after hearing the songs of praise for David, and then he gives David a dangerous military command and further asks for a hundred tokens of dead Philistines (with David bringing twice that many) that only makes things worse. Saul finally starts to openly try to kill David even though Jonathan affects a brief reconciliation until David’s next victory in battle and God has to twice intervene. In David’s times of troubles, it was vital to have a real and tested friend in Jonathon. Likewise after three years in ministry and even after his resurrection, Christ speaks to only 500 during his sermon from the mount – during which He tells them to wait for the Holy Spirit. Then only a few weeks later at Pentecost, only 120 remained. In friendship it is better to go for quality rather than quantity.
Note: do not think that a dowry suggested that women were sold as property. The dowry was part of an elaborate pre-nuptial agreement where the husband generally agreed to continue support in the case of divorce (besides the woman keeping the dowry). Thus, the exchange of gifts showed that both the parents and groom valued the woman and that marriage was not to be taken lightly. Saul’s daughter loved David (and lied to help him escape), but her sinful father violated her trust and never considered her feelings in giving her to David. Years later, David will demand the return of his wife, but only for political reasons (2 Sam 3:13-16) and so will likewise violate her trust. She will show her bitterness at such repeated unfair treatment when she sees David praising God ecstatically (2 Sam 6), demonstrating that she had likewise failed to seek comfort in God. Let me repeat that if you ever read a biblical story and consider anyone other than God to be the hero, you should immediately reread the story.
The true test of Christian character is if you continue to obey Christ’s commandments (see John 14:21 and 2 John 1:6). A new Christian just converted by a single sermon should not have too much confidence in their feelings. Do not repress your love and joy for the Lord, but your faith has not been tried yet. I find the two biggest hurdles for Christians are at 2 months (where 50% are lost – for a total of 10 million Americans who have made a commitment to Christ but were without a relationship with any church within 2 months) and at two years when we our early overly high expectations in fellow Christians meets head on with reality (in much the same way a child must face deficiencies in parents). But, the service of God (not Christians) will free you from the slavery of evil passions, corrupt propensities, degrading vices, and groveling views.
“We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man!” This is a most obvious lie – the descendants of Abraham, or their fathers, had been slaves in Egypt. In addition, their nation had been enslaved in Babylon, repeatedly been subject to the Assyrians, was enslaved by Herod the Great, and was at that very moment under the grievous bondage of the Romans. The condition of a sinner, however, being captive to sin, is to avoid and oppose the truth, be subject to irrational passions, and have little regard for what is said. Jesus was right when he said in John 8:44, “You are of your father the devil; he is a liar, and the father of it.
Jesus emphasizes earlier that He did not mean political bondage but slavery to evil desires and rebellion, but every slave knows that a disobedient slave is quickly sold or discarded. A harsh reminder that they could lose the special privileges and status of being the people of God – that they could be cast off like an unfaithful slave without accepting the Gospel (and a warning for every Christian: Hebrews 6:4-8 – “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame”). Pretending as if not to understand Him, they boasted again that Abraham was their father and made into an offense his suggestion they were the offspring of anyone else.
They sought to kill the Messiah because there was no room for Him, being so filled with pride, prejudice, and false notions. He tells them such was not an act of Abraham and repeats the charge that their deeds are of their father (at this time had still not yet named Satan, preferring that they should infer whom He meant). They still profess to not understand Him and suggest that He was calling them of mixed blood and thusly outside the covenant (“we are not born of fornication”). And He tells them again, “If God was your father, you would love me hear God’s words.” Sinners cannot tolerate (as back in v 6:60) true biblical doctrines and form an obstinate purpose that it shall not be applied to them. The Samaritans were deemed as schismatic (and they had long debated which worshiped God correctly) and so why they call Christ one and then they say He had a devil since He called them of Satan (sort of like, “we know you are, but what are we”).
If we have examined ourselves and are left in good conscience, we should not consider it dishonorable to be under reproach, believing that God will in due time avenge us and bring forth “our righteousness as the light and our judgment as the noonday” (Psalm 37:6). Where ever the disciples went, people spoke against them. Christ says, however, “If I honor myself, my honor is nothing.” They had enough, though, when He claimed that He had come before Abraham and picked up stones to kill Him, but he was able to quickly hide himself (was he miraculously invisible and just so common looking that He could get lost in the multitude?). Today’s Psalm provides a vivid contrast of a good man in verse 5 in strong black and white terms against the wicked described in Psalm 109. The desire of the righteous will prevail while the desire of the wicked will perish. The horn is a symbol of power that speaks of prominence and a lasting sense of worth. This is again one of the nine acrostic (where each subsequent line begins with successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet) verses: 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, and 145.
Jim

======= Vance:

I like the verses that Mike quoted from yesterday’s reading:
I Samuel 18 (NKJV)
3
Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
4
And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.
COVENANT is a very powerful thing. If we give up God and lose the idea of the sacrifice of Jesus for us, we will lose the idea of covenant. If there is no God, there is no absolute truth—simply one person’s opinion and the power to enforce that opinion.
God is a God of covenant, and He always keeps His covenant.
Note how Jonathan made covenant with David: When he gave David his robe, armor, sword, bow, and belt. In effect, Jonathan was saying, “I will always honor you and—if necessary—I will give my life to protect yours.” David also made a reciprocal covenant with Jonathan.
Similarly, if there is no covenant, there is nothing binding a person to keep his or her word. Again, if there is no God, there is no binding agreements—only fickle human emotions.
John 8 (NKJV)
31
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Again, Jesus’ Word is His covenant. Jesus’ very life, death, and resurrection were part of a living covenant with God and man. When Jesus died on the Cross, He died as our substitute—in our place—taking our punishment for sins in our place.
However, there is something more to this: When Jesus died on the Cross, He died as our REPRESENTATIVE. Thus, when Jesus died to sin—WE DIED TO SIN. When Jesus rose from the dead—WE ROSE VICTORIOUS OVER SIN. When Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father—JESUS TOOK US WITH HIM, and IN CHRIST WE ALSO ASCENDED NEXT TO THE FATHER.
May I—may we—truly abide in the Living Word—the Lord Jesus—by abiding in the Written Word in order that the Spirit of God may manifest through us the Life of the Word of God in and through us.
This is where meditation comes in. Meditation on the word—continually thinking, praying, pondering, speaking, believing, receiving—is very important.
Psalm 111 (NKJV)
1
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
3
He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 86 (NKJV)
11
Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.
12
I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore.
Vance

======= Ramona:

1 Samuel 18:5-19:24
The relationship Saul had with David can be seen in thousands and thousands of homes, workplaces, and sadly families and churches. Insecure people trying to “puff” themselves up in mainly their own eyes; insecure people who are afraid that the façade they have placed around themselves is showing, which it either will eventually and will give them away. There is always a love/hate relationship at the core, but that love is based on the desire to benefit themselves as the expense of others, which is a lust.
Either thinking that God is ineffective and senile or either God is bypassing them because of their shortcomings, they need the people they despise to make them look good, but hate them because they fear they will be shown up by success that is not theirs to call their own. .
I think that tormenting spirit from God is because of the absence of a godly spirit within Saul. If a space is empty, in this case Saul’s heart, then what is “no good” will fill it. There is a law in Physics that states, two things cannot occupy the same space, it has to be one or the other. For me reading this brings back that Proverb I have mentioned that has spoken so powerfully to me and continues to speak.
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. (Proverbs 25:28 KJVR)
Self-discipline is a fruit of the Sprit and without that Spirit, any and all controls are external not internal. Once the external controls fall or fail, which they will, then anything can come in and everything is going out.
But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. (Galatians 5:22-23 AMP)
The question is begged again, What is in control me? Is it the Holy Spirit or is it some external rules and regulations, is it peer pressure to behave? The Ten Commandments are great but if they are only external restraints’ and not written upon my heart, my controls will be lost.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= John:

John 8:31-59
Random notes:
In Chapter 6 Jesus in the “Bread of Life discourse showed himself to be greater than Moses. Now here in Chapter 8 Jesus shows himself greater than Abraham.
vs 31-32 (Young’s Literal Translation) “Jesus, therefore, said unto the Jews who believed in him, `If ye may remain in my word, truly my disciples ye are, and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’”
There are disciples and there are “true” disciples. Seems these Jews believed, but they had not yet received Christ into their lives. If you stay in his word (logos), you are in Him and He is in you – that is the mark of a true disciple – ‘believing AND receiving’. When you do both you will know the truth (Jesus) and you will be free from the bondage of sin and the sting of death.
THE SAD THING: There are a lot of people who believe in Christ, but have never received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They acnowledge Jesus is who He says He is in the Bible. They believe in what he says regarding salvation. But in the end they do not know Jesus (Matt 7:23), and that lack of the extra step – trusting Jesus to abide in you and run your life – well, it is an eternal mistake.
======================================================
vs 33. Two views
1)Never been slaves of anyone? Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, not to mention slaves of sin. The disagreement is getting heated and words are being thrown out without thought of their veracity.
2)Jews knew exactly what Jesus was talking about and as far as religion went they felt they had never not practiced Judaism. Although it is conveniant to forget that as a nation they often practiced idolatry along with worshipping the True God.
v. 44 Here personal pronouns are used, a time frame is given, a personal attribute (liar) is applied to the devil (Gk. Diablos) – seems apparent to me the Devil is a real entity.
Vs.56 Whether Abraham actually saw the day, or saw it in a dream, or metaphorically saw it when through his faith he was justified – I don’t believe is as important as ‘Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing this day’. These physical descendants of Abraham did not rejoice when it was actually happening before their eyes.
v. 58 Once again even if one does not want to admit what the declaration of “I AM” means (see Anka’s comment) just LOOK at the reaction it causes amongst the people.
John

====== John:

Sauls’ Insecurity
I now wonder about Saul’s supposed humility and hiding behind the baggage before his anointing as king. Perhaps this was not humility as much as Saul did not really want or think he should be king. He was so insecure and had no relationship with God – he probably thought he was in over his head.
======================================================
God’s spirit came upon Saul at different times to accomplish tasks – but he never had or has a relationship with God. We never see him throw himself down and trust in, depend on, rely on God. God, on the other hand, will use Saul as a vehicle in His Divine Plan, but God will not force a relationship with Saul.
Nor will God force a relationship with us today – we must come to Him. God will not force us to love and adore Him – that is not love (when it is co-erced).
======================================================
Fits of anger, lying, using others (even third parties – Philistines) to try and rid himself of David, jealousy over David’s relationship and favor with God —–
All point to his insecurity. Saul is not secure because he is not whole. Saul is not whole because he never believed in and trusted in the Lord. When you are in that condition you have no roots, no backbone, no ultimate moral authority to conduct your life – and it is easy pickings for Satan to lead you down the path of anger, jealousy, lying, doubt, etc.
John

====== Edward:

This is my second go with OYB, and I really enjoy it. Today you talk about Truth and Trash. Very appropriate in today’s political climate where politicians lie like a rug. You mention that you do not watch TV, and that may be good so as to not waste time; however, one still needs to be aware of what is going on around us. While some of the media is totally TRASH, a couple do make an attempt to have some semblance of TRUTH and to provide some semblance of clarity to issues that affect all of us daily. Knowing that helps me direct my prayer to a specific target vs throw prayer at the wall to see what sticks. Don’t waste time on the daytime talk shows. Those are all babbling heads talking over each other. Cheers.
Edward

1 Samuel 17:1-18:4 + John 8:21-30 + Psalm 111:1-10 + Proverbs 15:11
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – We are beginning the story of David, which is always a blessing to read. As you know, David wrote many of the Psalms, so we’ve been reading some of David’s writings already this year. Now we begin his story! Hang on! This is a wonderful part of the Bible – reading about David and reading the Gospel of John at the same time. . . great stuff!  Bob Deffinbaugh with Bible.org has a terrific overview of David becoming Israel’s King at this link.

Today in 1 Samuel chapter 17 read about David & Goliath. In verse 45 we read – “David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty.” How often in our lives today are we like Goliath, where we try to make things work or do things with our own strength or our latest technology? Goliath relied on his strength and sword and spear and javelin – and perhaps we today rely on our intellectual pride and Blackberry and career and money. David simply relied on God. David moved in the name of God. How often do you move in the name of God today? How often do you completely rely on only God today? Can you move beyond relying solely on your “strengths” and “technologies” and instead move and breathe and rely on God in every circumstance in your life?  Below is “David Slaying Goliath” by Peter Paul Rubens from the year 1620:

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings titled “David and Goliath” is at this link.

Recommendation: I highly recommend the TV series “House of David” on Amazon Prime!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrGfIHBIVL4

New Testament – I love John 8 verse 29 where Jesus says – “And the one who sent me is with me–he has not deserted me. For I always do those things that are pleasing to him.”  If Jesus always did those things that are pleasing to God, do you think that you and I should do those things that are pleasing to Jesus and to God?   Meaning, it seems to me that Jesus was clearly very intentional with how he spent his time.  He only did those things that are pleasing to God.  How intentional are you and I in how we spend our time?  Do we make sure we are only doing those things that are pleasing to Jesus (who is God) and God the Father?  I know I don’t.  I wish I did.  I pray that I will spend more and more of my time doing those things that are pleasing to God.  Let us pray that Jesus’ personality permeates our personality and all that we do!

Psalms – Psalm 111 is a wonderful Psalm of praise!  I love the way it ends in verse 10: “Reverence for the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom.  The rewards of wisdom come to all who obey him. Praise his name forever!” Do you believe that reverence for God is the foundation of true wisdom?  Do you believe that there are rewards of wisdom if you obey God?  Will you praise his name forever?

Proverbs – Proverbs 15:11 today teaches us: “Even the depths of Death and Destruction are known by the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart!”

Worship God: Today’s readings remind me of Phil Wickham’s fantastic song “This is our God:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNts1BTMhJQ

Do you believe God can defeat “Goliaths” in your life? Click here for Victory!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “David said to the Philistine (Goliath), “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied… All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”” 1 Samuel 17:45,47 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will not attempt battles against “Goliaths” in your life on your own, but that you will realize the battle is always the LORD’s. Pray that you will never trust your technologies over the LORD.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Today’s Proverb is a wonderful reminder that God not only knows us, he knows our very hearts!  How is the state of your heart today?  Does your heart belong to God?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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======= Ramona:

1 Samuel 17:1-18:4
Goliath was one big guy and a very boisterous one. But because God was no longer with Saul, this one man’s braggadocio sent the entire Israeli army to flight. They had forgotten the Words of God given to Moses, which Moses then placed in a song (Deut 31:30-32:43),

30 How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?

The Lord had “given them up” because they failed to follow Him.

I love the story of David and Goliath because it takes an ordinary boy and pits him against an extraordinary man, Goliath. David knew Goliath could be defeated, and defeated by him because he had other experiences to draw from, the taking out of the lion and the bear. David knew how to rely on God because he gained practice while hanging out with the sheep, alone in the sheep fields. Today at church my pastor warned about substituting the joy and power of corporate worship for the intimacy that only private worship and devotion will bring. Corporate worship is needed; however, corporate worship with out private intimacy defeats the purpose of private prayer time. Our intimacy with God can only be built one on one and not inside the church with a crowd. It is only in that one on one relationship with God where we learn to recognize His voice when we hear it, and learn to trust Him as well as discerning His will for our lives.

David’s exchange with his brother, or should I say Eliab’s rebuke of David gives us another clue into David’s place in his family.

28 But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded. “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and dishonesty. You just want to see the battle!”

David’s response to his oldest brother, the one Samuel thought looked like a king before God told him, “No,” should resound in the hearts of all siblings who were picked on by the older brother or sister, “What have I done now?” God uses the scrawny ones, the ones people think, family members especially, have no future, or a limited one at best. That fact should set a lot of people who come to this site heart’s soaring.

David killed Goliath with what he was familiar with he didn’t use the weapons of the experts; in fact he couldn’t handle those weapons. Folks we need to use the “weapons” that God has equipped up to use and not the weapons of the world’s system. When Moses complained to God that he neither had the aptitude nor the speech to convince a nation that God would use him to deliver then from bondage, God asked, “What’s that in your hand?” Moses’ rod, a shepherd’s rod was the simple instrument God worked through to bring his people out of Egypt. What is that in your hands? Be it a slingshot, or shepherd’s rod God can use it to not only deliver you but also deliver your family. Hallelujah! But be forewarned, self-confident people in God will always intimidate those who don’t know their God. Daniel 11:32 “ …but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”

John 8:21-30

Jesus lays out two Kingdoms separated by the word “not.” Unbelievers will die in their sins, believers will “not.” The location of theses two Kingdoms are diametrically opposed, one is above and the other below, one is of this world the other is not.

For the unbelievers the “other” Kingdom where the “not” dying in “their sins” will occur in difficult and impossible to understand. Believers have access not only to a coded book, but a voice, the voice of the Father, and the only way to break that code is by way of the Father though Jesus Christ.

Psalm 111:1-10
This Psalm proclaims the wonderful and amazing ways of the Lord, and for me verses 7-8 hooks into one of the reasons why I love the Book of John and that is Jesus’ numerous use of the word true, truth, and truly, at least in the King James Version.

7 All he does is just and good,
and all his commandments are trustworthy.

8 They are forever true,
to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.

Jesus uses those three words over 90 times in the Book of John, and most he is using it about his own character, words and the essence of His being. Apart from Jesus there is no truth.

Proverbs 15:11
Death and Destruction are capitalized to indicate they are a person, place or thing, hmmm, something to think about.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Anka:

David’s brother’s had a grudge:he was annointed before them and they like Joseph’s brothers hated him for it.When David set out to get Goliath,his brothers must have hoped that would be the end of him,they didn’t try to talk him out of it.
Saul it seems has a bit of trouble with his memory.When he had a demon disturb him he was told about David and who’s son he was.David sang for him on his harp,could it be that Saul didn’t even care to look at the face of the one whom with the help of the Holy Spirit chased his demons away.He really was conceited if so.
Jonathan and David had the same beliefs:God was the one who gave victory to Israel…not the number of fighting men,not the sophisticated weapons.He saw in David,a brother who shared his faith and loved him like he loved himself.If all the church of Christ was drawn together by the common faith and love….the kingdom of darkness would never prevail..David kept the two most important commandments:He loved God so much that he was ready to lay all aside and do his will(inspite of “encouragement”from his brothers)and he did have love for others(he didn’t mind that Saul didn’t remember who he was or that his brothers hated him cos I’m sure they showed him their “appreciation”whenever they could yet even in the heat of battle,David went to the front lines to greet his brothers).
I have to admit that I’m really not that sure I love God with all my heart and my mind….I certainly don’t love my brothers and sisters in Christ like I do myself…I’m not sure I’d jump up with joy if I had to go preach in Iran,neither do I love my brethren when I see them try to put me down.
I’m asking God to show me my heart and put true repentance where all the dirt is…I pray we all truly learn to love God and each other.
God bless you all

Anka

======== Jenny:

I love young David’s faith: “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty”.
Found it kinda funny that David seemed to be walking around all day with Goliath’s head in his hand. haha.
I love the friendship between David n Jonathan, he “became as one spirit with him and he loved him as himself.”

In our John readings, v 29 “for I always do what pleases Him.” I wish I could say the same, but I dont. I strive to, but I will never be there until I put on incorruption and am finally completed in Him when i leave this earth.

I would love to say my heart is right with God, but we dont even know our own hearts. My pastor once said if God fully revealed our heart to us, we wouldnt be able to handle it! so He reveals things little by little if we ask Him to. The Bible doesnt teach us our heart is pure.
“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately wicked; who can understand it?”(Jer.17:9)
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” Mark 7:21-23

Here we see it is not things from outside sources that defiles us, but what is within us already! very sobering!
Thank God for His endless patience, mercy, compassion, and love!

Jenny

====== Mae:

Isn’t Davids faith wonderful? That’s what it’s all about: walk in faith! 17:45 “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied”. When Jaden had his first day of school I bought him a little book from David & Goliath … I thought of Jaden as my own brave David! He seemed so small and big at the same time …

John had some great verses, as usual.
verse 24 “That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I Am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”
verse 29 “And the One who sent Mis with me—He has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases Him.”

Psalm 111:5 “He gives food to those who fear him;
he always remembers his covenant”. ~ I think this sais it all: if we fear Him, if we love and obey Him, turn to Him, live how He wants it (through His Word). He’ll make sure we’ll be allright. I do believe that, I have faith … I walk in faith!

Mae

======= Anna:

From the reading: “And the one who sent me is with me–he has not deserted me. For I always do those things that are pleasing to him.”

We can also deduct the opposite. If we ALWAYS do those things that please the Father, he will ALWAYS be with us and not desert us”

I pray that Jesus/God shows us how to do the things that please him. Is funny the “Our Father” prayer says “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” 🙂

Anna

====== Art:

The Holy Spirit highlighted a great connection for me this morning in today’s readings between Psalm 111:7 – “…all his precepts are trustworthy” and John 8:26 – “…he who sent me is reliable”. Bottom line: God *always* keeps his promises. His truth is the truth that trumps all other things that masquerade as ‘truth’.

How humble was David! Once serving in the court of his king, he returned home to graciously tend his father’s sheep. Not many men who at one time have been exalted can return to a humble existance!

“Before honor is humility”. A lesson from David in this chapter of Holy Scripture.

Art

======= Jen:

Silly question.

Why did Saul not know who David’s father was after David killed Goliath? Hadn’t David been playing the harp for Saul? Didn’t Saul send to his father and request that David stay with him? I know this is an off the wall questions, but I remember the servant who went to fetch David telling Saul about David’s lineage. Why would they write that Saul did not know who David’s father was? Did David stop playing the harp for Saul and return to his sheep in the interim? The older brothers went to fight and so David had to go back to his family? Therefore Saul did not connect the boy who played the harp with this young man.

I don’t know.

Jen

====== Frederick:

Re: Jen

My guess is that the events described in 1 Samuel might not be in chronological order. This is not uncommon, e.g. in Judges 17 onward, the descriptions of the Israeli situation might not strictly after Samson. Another example, in 2 Samauel 21 and 22 might not strictly followed 2 Samuel 20. Also, in the New Testament, the Book of Matthew and Mark are also not chronological, but Luke is.

Frederick

====== Bob:

1Samuel 17:26-45. In line with Scazzero’s book “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality”, the Goliath story prompts us to examine our ability to be true to ourselves in the midst of great trials. This is called DIFFERENTIATION. It is related to our relationship to God. Augustine (500 AD) prayed, “Grant Lord that I may know myself that I may know thee.” John Calvin (1530) wrote, “Our wisdom…consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and ourselves. But as these are connected together by many ties, it is not easy to determine which of the two precedes and gives birth to the other.” J. I. Packer (today) says, “Knowing God is more than knowing about Him; it is a matter of dealing with Him as He opens up to you, and being dealt with by Him as He takes knowledge of you. Knowing about Him is a necessary precondition of trusting in Him, but the width of our knowledge about Him is no gauge of our knowledge of Him.” David knew God. As we read more of David’s stories, I like to put my perspective on watching his “lifestyle evangelism” and reflecting on my own life. After all he did spend a lot of time search for the heart of God.

Bob

====== Robert:

1Samuel 17:40
David and Goliath.

Why 5 smooth stones? If David was so sure of God being with him would he not have just needed one stone? Scholars have dug into the past and it looks like Goliath had 4 brothers who may have come after David as well, so it is only reasonable that David prepare for their attack. (2 Samuel 21: 22). I guess what this makes me ask myself is if I am about to go into a battle or a situation I should think about it a bit. Prepare my rocks so to speak. I know David trusted the Lord and I have to make that my first priority. David had confidence in God and I believe we receive that confidence with our relationship with God.
A book I liked by Eugene H. Peterson called, “Five Smooth stones for Pastoral Work”. (1980). It doesn’t speak directly to this story but relates 5 Biblical stories from Ruth to Ester to give us tools ready to do the job. Eugene quotes the Norwegian poet Gunnar Thorkildsson: (Discipleship)
Odd shaped pebbles roll
And tumble round the Rock which
Smooths them into five smooth
Stones
One of which will kill a giant.

Robert

====== Sue:

Don’t you just love David’s courage and humility? No. I don’t think those are opposite traits, but they certainly require a close walk with the Lord.

Saul dresses David up with all this armor, but David’s doesn’t even seem to realize what an honor it is to be wearing the “KING’s” very own protection!

Is that because David has on the whole armor of God described in Ephesians?

Are his loins gird about with TRUTH–

Does he have on the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS–

Are his feet shod with the GOSPEL OF PEACE–

The helmet of SALVATION–

And above all, has he taken the shield of FAITH–(wherewith he can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked?)

And is he wearing the helmet of SALVATION–

Armed with the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT (which is the word of God).

You know, we all are giant slayers! What a privilege to be part of the Army of God.

Sue

====== Ramona:

I Samuel 17:1-18:4

Interesting reading today indeed. It is fun and invigorating to see things in the text that I haven’t seen before. I had already observed in previous readings that David was not well liked by his family much less esteemed. After all, when Samuel came to his family’s home to anoint someone as king, David wasn’t even considered. He was only an afterthought after Samuel went through all the sons that were present only to discover that none were appointed by God. The rebuke to David by his older bother, Eliab, the one Samuel thought was the king because of his appearance, more than suggests that David was an embarrassment to them and bullied. “What have I done now?” is a response from someone who has been accused all of their life of doing something wrong. David was the butt of their “blame games.”

All of David’s time with his sheep shaped his character. His concern for the sheep would come to translate into concern for God’s people. His protection of those sheep would build him up to be a great warrior. No, there was not boot camp training in the building up of his body to handle the armor and all the weapons of war. He had no training in tactical warfare, no marching drills, no long hikes to build up stamina by carrying all his gear on his back. David had been trained by God and thus trusted God. David above all the men on that battlefield who were interestingly enough not in battle, though they carried the accoutrements of battle, had a relationship with God. God had his back.

Though Saul had David in his employ, he knew nothing about this young man. Yes, he may have known in his head David’s parentage and David by sight, but he didn’t know in his knowing who David was nor what David was about. I don’t think his family knew either. David’s defeat of Goliath shattered everyone’s perception of who David was. Like Jesus, David’s hometown reputation undercut his true value. Bad reputation, bad location etc, can cause us to be boxed into a role that everyone expects us to play; however, a relationship and fellowship with God will blow you out of that box. And let’s face it most will not like it. When our expectations of others are changed, we must do some things: change our perceptions and possibly apologize or keep trying to put that person back in the box we have created. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Can anything good come out of Brooklyn? Can anything good come out of Detroit, or South Central LA (California), or any place man has stated is useless, corrupted and defiled. Absolutely, YES! Our challenge is too see past our mental hang-ups and prejudgments and get to the true heart of the matter. Is God in the midst?

The story of David should empower everyone who was ever looked upon with contempt and called a failure. With God you can do anything, despised and rejected, yet Jesus was the light of the World. Will we close our eyes to that light either by rejecting to acknowledge there is light or look for another?

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Dee:

I love the story of David and Goliath! The redemption of the Lord on the spirit of David and the Israelites. Goliath was no match for the Lord.

Johns verses was short and sweet today..Jesus being an obedient son and whatever God the Father said He obeyed..David was a representation of that in 1 Samuel..

Psalm 111 Reverence to the Lord is true wisdom. That is the sweet spot..revering him and nothing else.

Proverbs 15..I often wonder..what does the Lord know of my heart? I often wonder if I dwell on things I need not..and need to just let it happen when it happens..no biggee to not get offended. Big deal. Things will come when it is time

Dee

======= Jim:

Goliath is over nine feet tall (with a brother Lahmi that’s just as big) with armor alone weights over 125 pounds. David bringing supplies (this is not normal – suggesting the army has been held at bay with fear for over a month) and is disgusted by the giant’s taunts. Saul was the logical man to face Goliah (not only as leader but also as the largest man in the Israelite forces) where David is young, untrained, and too small to even walk in Saul’s oversized armor. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who doe not need to be ashamed” (2 Tim 2:15). The real difference, however, was David’s total confidence in God as Lord of the armies an advanced fearlessly for the honor of God’s name. “Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands” (Psalm 119:73). Was David’s courage less than 100% by the fact that he took 5 rocks instead of only the one he carried? An archer or slinger normally carried 5 arrows or rocks and this is the number by Jewish tradition that represents God in that 10 represent a total and God is half of a godly Jew (this is why an aravah, or willow branch. is beaten 5 times against the floor on the holiday of Hosha’anah Raba, last day of the Sukkot). David didn’t start out a godly man, it took a lot of work and he made quite a few mistakes along the way. Since Goliah had cursed one of God’s people, God was bound by His covenant to curse Goliah. The returning David was met with singing and dancing – “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing” (Psalm 30: 11). How can Baptists be against dancing (many Baptist halls are built slanted with fixed pews to lessen the chance they would ever be used for dancing)? Saul likely asked about genealogy in order to help determine if David might be a contender for the throne. In identifying his father as “your servant,” David was likely trying to politically emphasize that Jesse was no threat to the king. David quickly forms one of greatest male friendships in the Bible with Jonathan, Saul’s oldest son. The gifting of treasured items by Jonathan was a symbolic transfer of royal power from Saul’s family to David.
There is no salvation except by Christ (see Acts 4:12 and 7:25), who came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). In Acts 26:22-23, Paul says that he taught nothing more that what was delivered by Moses and the prophets. He does not mean to suggest that God is not able to save but that the salvation of the human race was entrusted to the hands of Jesus the Messiah. Many must have thought or even wished Jesus mad, “Will he kill himself?” Christ replies that He is not of this world suggesting that their reference to self-destruction showed that they were governed by mad passions. They directly ask, “who art thou?” He said, “I have many things to say” to reprove (“to judge you”) and expose your pride and hypocrisy. Let it not be thought, therefore, that this judgment is rash or harsh as such is commanded by God. In the end, many still did not understand (while at the same time, many others believed – mostly only the commoners). But when you have crucified the Son of man, then they will have all the proof they need – that Jesus did nothing for himself but in those things that please God as the Messiah.
Each line of today’s psalm in Hebrew begins with a subsequent letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The “fear” in this psalm is not about a shrinking effort to flee but an awesome sense of God (including His power, truth, and justice) as viewed in the humbling context of man’s finiteness and moral degeneracy expressed through submission to His will. I’ve used this verse on one of my many “Know Fear” T-shirts. The beginning of wisdom is found in temper of reverence and awe.
Jim

======= John:

Two more “I AM” statements
From Young’s literal translation of the Bible.
24I said, therefore, to you, that ye shall die in your sins, for if ye may not believe that I am [he], ye shall die in your sins.’
28Jesus, therefore, said to them, `When ye may lift up the Son of Man then ye will know that I am [he]; and of myself I do nothing, but according as my Father did teach me, these things I speak;
Every time Jesus says “I AM” – I picture any of the priests and scribes around just wincing and contorting their facial expressions.
Verse 26
“I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.” NIV
I interpret this verse different than Bob. Jesus COULD say plenty more about them and judge them, but He does not? Why? Because the Father is faithful.
This trip (Jesus’ first coming)is not about judgment, it is about salvation. The Father is faithful to the purpose of that trip. Jesus only speaks what the Father allows – that is the message of Salvation. Personal comments and judgments of individuals are not on the agenda. In a way, it seems like Jesus is curbing His tongue in this instance in submission to the Will of the Father.
======================================================
Bob had some comments in his conclusion that are pertinent to my proverbs post yesterday about Worship and Prayer. On this, I am 100% in agreement.
(3) Jesus is the only way to know and to worship God. There is no salvation apart from Christ, and there is no true worship of the Father which rejects, denies, diminishes the Son.
Ignorance of Christ is the root of not knowing God. People today say, ‘Well, I believe in God, but I don’t believe in Christ.’ They’re talking in a riddle. You can’t know God without Christ. And when you come to know Christ, you come to know God. These are inseparable.102
A man can know the Father only as He knows Jesus. It is a key doctrine of this Gospel that it is in the Son and in the Son alone that the Father is revealed. No one has ever seen God. It is the Son who has ‘declared’ Him (18). This is fundamental. If a man really comes to know Jesus then he will know the Father also, and acknowledge the Father’s testimony to the Son. The two go together (cf. Weymouth: ‘You know my Father as little as you know me’). But to reject Jesus is to place oneself out of reach of the divine testimony.103
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=2366
John

======= John:

Scoffer talking about David
Scoffer: Some God. According to YOUR Bible, David took five stones out to fight Goliath.
Christian: So?
Scoffer: If Your God is so great and David beleived and was anointed – Why did he not take only one stone as a sign of his faith. Afterall, David only needed one stone, right?
Christian: Correct.
Scoffer: So?
Christian: Later on in the Bible it says Goliath had four brothers – all these men were also large warriors. (2 Sam 21:15-22)
David took five stones out to Goliath in case his Brothers wanted to avenge Goliath’s death. One stone for each brother : )
John

======= Vance:

I Samuel 17 (NKJV)
26
Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
36
Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”
John 8 (NKJV)
28
Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.
29
And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”
30
As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.
Psalm 111 (NKJV)
9
He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name.
10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever.
~~~
NOTE: Goliath was an uncircumcised Philistine. David was circumcised. In other words, David had yielded Himself to the Lord by blood covenant and was protected by God’s covenant. David’s obedience in love and worship—and David’s ability move in the Spirit of God—was a relationship born and developed out of covenant.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Do we, as Christians, really practice the Presence of God on a regular basis? Do we wait before the Lord and allow His Presence—and the fullness of His redemption and His covenant—to be fully manifest in our lives?
As much as I love the Holy Bible, I realize that studying the Word of God and early waiting in His Presence for the fulfillment of His Promises—His Anointing—are two entirely different things.
I am exciting we can quote Scripture—and we should know Scripture well. For, just like Jesus—God the Son—we use Scripture against the schemes of the devil (Matthew 4).
However, we then need to also be like to Jesus—God the Son—regarding the Holy Spirit. Jesus, though fully God, was completely and fully man. As a man, He was righteous man, in right relationship with His Father. Yet, He needed the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
It is the same for us. I praise God that we are made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21) because Jesus because Lord died, rose from the dead, and ascended as our sinless substitute and representative.
Yet, we need the anointing of the Holy Spirit. All of God’s Word says we are already blessed in the heavenly places with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1). We are called to be like Jesus and spend time surrendering and yielding to the Father in the Holy Spirit. We are called to be like Jesus: “The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”
May we walk in the fear and anointing of the Lord. May we not be “half-baked” Christians simply knowing the Scriptures. May we walk in the fullness of what God promises in His Word, as in Ephesians 1 (Amplified):
17
[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, THAT HE MAY GRANT YOU A SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION [OF INSIGHT INTO MYSTERIES AND SECRETS] IN THE [DEEP AND INTIMATE] KNOWLEDGE OF HIM,
18
BY HAVING THE EYES OF YOUR HEART FLOODED WITH LIGHT, SO THAT YOU CAN KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE HOPE TO WHICH HE HAS CALLED YOU, AND HOW RICH IS HIS GLORIOUS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS (HIS SET-APART ONES),
19
AND [SO THAT YOU CAN KNOW AND UNDERSTAND] WHAT IS THE IMMEASURABLE AND UNLIMITED AND SURPASSING GREATNESS OF HIS POWER IN AND FOR US WHO BELIEVE, AS DEMONSTRATED IN THE WORKING OF HIS MIGHTY STRENGTH,
20
Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places]
Vance

====== John:

Light of the World
[late post from yesterday]
On the evening of the first night of the Feast of Tabernacles, there was a ceremony called the “Illumination of the Temple,” which involved the ritual lighting of four golden candelabra in the Court of Women. For additional reflection, each person lit four candlesticks and set them in a floating bowl, producing such a spectacle of light that it is said that all Jerusalem basked in its glow. All night long the light shone. In celebration and anticipation, the greatest, wisest, and holiest of Israel’s men danced before the Lord and sang psalms of joy and praise, while the people watched and waited.
They watched and waited, hoped and prayed, because this festival reminded the citizens of Israel that God had promised to send a light, the Light, to a sin-darkened world. God promised to send a Redeemer, the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Son of God. God promised to send Someone Who would renew Israel’s glory, release them from bondage, and restore their joy.
Whether the light was to represent the Shekinah Glory once present in the Temple or the pillar of Fire that led the nation in the wilderness is not as important as that in the Old Testament “light” was promised (that it would be sent) to Israel .
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).
In John 1:1 Jesus is the Word so it is no surprise that He claims to be the light. In fact it is mentioned often in John 1.
Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me (Psalm 43:3).
Jesus is the light and the truth.
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. (Is 60:1)
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned. (Is 9:2)
With the backdrop of recent Feast of Tabernacles and the promises in Scripture, Jesus says:
John 8:12
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
“I AM” (ego eimi)
“the light of the world” – not just Israel. The light of the world , but there is responsibility on our part –
“Whoever follows me” – Greek present participle – means “continuos following” – which is the difference between a disciple and a true disciple. See John 15:8
“will never walk in darkness” – THE PROMISE: if you walk in the light and abide in me (follow me) you will know God and the things of God. They will be illuminated to you.
“but will have the light of life.” – see above – you will have the life-giving light – by knowing these things from receiving, believing, and following Christ you will walk in the light of God and be a reflection of His Glory.
John

======= Luch:

Thanks for the ‘love your neighbhour’ section today that highlighted the Navigators. I came to Christ through the Navigators’ campus ministry in Ontario, Canada, 34 years ago. They initially taught me how to read the Bible through in a year.
They developed a concept using the Word Hand illustration. It shows 5 ways to get the scriptures into our lives–hearing the word, reading the word, studying the word, memorizing the Word and meditating on the Word.
You can see this illustration on the section called “Tools” at http://www.navigators.org
Thanks for having love for the WHOLE body of Christ Mike.
Luch

======= Alice:

I read an article regarding weight loss. It was very appropriate for our study. It emphasized the faith in God as the basis for a 40lb loss. I was so encouraged by this because we rely on our own efforts so much of the time for living in this world. I would like to encourage everyone to put God 1st and then all things are possible. Thanks so much for your commitment to this study. I’m blessed every day with the knowledge that there are so many interested in doing God’s will.
Alice

======== Lily:

All the readings today point out to one truth that God loves us all, no matter who we are, the young, the poor, the lowly. If we trust in God, He will be with us and help us overcome obstacles. No wealth, technology advances will help us if God is not with us. A simple sheperd boy, David, defeated the giant Goliath with simple sling and river stone because He called & trusted God. Lord help us to be meek and faithful to your teachings.
Lily

1 Samuel 15:1-16:23 + John 8:1-20 + Psalm 110:1-7 + Proverbs 15:8-10
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Wow.  Big reading day today! David is anointed by Samuel. Saul meets David for the first time! The story of David begins!  I am excited!  In First Samuel 15 we read about Saul destroying most – but not all… – of the Amalekite nation.  God’s commands were clear to destroy all.  Saul, simply put, disobeyed.  Verses 22 and 23 sum up this chapter powerfully when Samuel says this to Saul: “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you from being king.””  Obedience is far better than sacrifice…  think this is still true today?  Are you more of an obedient person or a sacrificial person before God?  Do you believe that rebellion is as bad as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols?  Below is a powerful painting of Samuel reproving Saul from today’s readings by the Boston-born colonial artist John Singleton Copley from the year 1798:

The One Year Bible Companion has a great answer to this question about today’s readings, “Why did David not become king after he was anointed?” as follows:  “David was anointed king, but it was done in secret; he was not publicly anointed until much later in Second Samuel 2:4 and 5:3.  Saul was still legally the king, but God was preparing David for his future responsibilities.  The anointing oil poured on David’s head stood for holiness.  It was used to set people or objects apart for God’s service.  Each king and high priest in Israel was anointed with oil.  This commissioned him as God’s representative to the nation.”  First Samuel 16 verse 13 is the first mention of David’s name in the Bible, and it is a great verse to begin the story of David’s life in relationship with God: “So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the olive oil he had brought and poured it on David’s head. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him from that day on.”  Below “Samuel Anoints David” by the Renaissance artist Raphael from the early 16th century:

At the end of First Samuel chapter 16 today we read about David being summoned by Saul to play the harp to relieve Saul from the evil spirit that tormented him.  The current and future (and now anointed) Kings of Israel meet!  Below is “David Playing the Harp for Saul” by the French painter James Tissot from the year 1858:

Bible.org’s commentary on our First Samuel readings today titled “Saul and the Amalekites” is at this link and commentary titled “The Designation of David as King” is at this link.

New Testament – I love John chapter 8 verse 12 today: “Jesus said to the people, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.””  Do you believe that Jesus is the light of the world?  Why would we want or need a light in this world?  Do you believe there is darkness in this world?  Do you need the light that leads to life?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in John titled “The Light of the World” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 110 is a powerful Psalm today!  It is considered Messianic and some say the most prophetic of all the Psalms.  Verses 1 & 4 are the 2 verses that are believed to be most prophetic of Jesus and both verses are referenced in the New Testament, most often verse 1. 

Verse 1 –
“The LORD said to my Lord,
        “Sit in honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies,
        making them a footstool under your feet.””

Verse 4 stands today, with very similar teachings to what we’ve just been reading about this in Hebrews this past week or so!
“The LORD has taken an oath and will not break his vow:
       “You are a priest forever in the line of Melchizedek.””

Bible.org’s commentary on Psalm 110 titled “David’s Lord” is at this link.

Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 15 verses 8 & 9 today teach us: “The LORD hates the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright. The LORD despises the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.”  I’m a bit late on this image below that is perfect for Mother’s Day regarding the prayers of the upright:

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the Colton Dixon song “Build a Boat:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Fl8ngQzWk

Do you need a boat? Click here for your boat!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “When they kept on questioning him, he (Jesus) straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you recognize your own sinfulness. Pray that you have repented of your sin and placed your faith in Jesus’ work on the Cross to redeem you from your sin. Pray that you will not “throw stones” at other sinners, like yourself.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Today’s Proverb is a great opportunity to ask yourself – 1. How’s your prayer life? and 2. Are you pursuing godliness in your life each and every day?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

======= Lora:

I see an interesting connection because the Old and New Testament scriptures today. In the O.T. the focus is on complete obedience rather than sacrifice. Then the John scripture contains the story of the woman caught in adultery. When Jesus moves in, not to condone the woman’s action but to protect her, he does so by reminding the accusers that they too have sins that need to be confronted. In other words, Jesus is teaching us once more that God is more interested in our own heart’s obedience than He is in our sacrifices or even our despair over the sins of others. Though we have concern for the sin in our world, God is more interested in the attention I give to MY own obedience to Him. True purity will not come by ridding the world around me of its sin but by dropping my rebellion and obeying God no matter what the cost.
Lora

======= Jim:

The end-times are when there is no one left who can be saved and the return on God’s investment has gone to zero. The Amalekites came to their end-times over 3,000 years ago when God commanded Saul to wipe them from existence. They had sinned, God gave them a couple centuries to repent, no one did, and God ended His investment in them. But things didn’t go as God commanded. Saul did not kill their king and kept their best livestock (with the excuse that he kept them to give sacrifices to God – but how can something you stole be a “sacrifice” for you?). This is the first of many biblical references that it is better to obey than to sacrifice (see also Ps 40:6-8; 51:16-17; Prov 21:3; Isa 1:11-17; Jer 7:21-23; Hos 6:6; Mic 6:6-8; Matt 12:7; Mark 12:33; and, Heb 10:8-9). A sacrifice was supposed to be about a relationship with God, but one who chose to sin and just say sorry couldn’t really claim much of a relationship. I often hear people (including pastors) say that they dislike religion, but if you look up the word you’ll find it’s definition is very close to culture. Thus, hating religion is like hating culture. Religious (or cultural) ceremonies or rituals are simplified ways to pay respect (such as shaking someone’s hand when you first meet). They are without merit only when they are done without an attitude of love and humility.
The phrase, “God was grieved” seems as if God had recognized that He had made a mistake. In verse 15:11 God says, “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the LORD all night. This is similar to 15:35 in which Samuel morns for Saul and “the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.” While repent can mean to regret or feel remorse, it can also imply to make a change for the better for one’s sins (as in penitence or atone). Nevertheless, God can’t sin or change His mind about sin – thus, God’s statement, “I greatly regret” was only meant to mean, “I appear to outside observers to greatly regret.” In other words, that both Samuel and God were grieved by Saul’s actions. Likewise, the flood was not because God regretted making Man, but because Man made God grieve. To those that were outside God, like the Biblical authors, this looked like God was repenting and regretting. The Hebrew word niham can only mean emotional anguish over a situation affecting others (as well as a change in mind as per Samuel in verse 29 asserts that God does not “change His mind”). The fact that Saul flaw’s endangered the nation made God sad (as Christ cried in John 11:35 for our pain) but was no indication that God had made a mistake. The Mormon Bible translators worry about this seeming conflict (blaming weak Jews and Christians for getting it wrong) and “correct” it to Samuel doing the regretting (as well as that Noah and not God that regrets making man), but this is a mistake.
Samuel feared that Saul would kill him if he heard Samuel anoint another king and God instructs Samuel to say he has come to sacrifice. Now God is outright telling someone to lie suggesting that we are not obligated to reveal everything we intend when it all were known another might be moved to sin. We read that the Holy Spirit left Saul when an evil one took up residence that was immediately noticed by Saul’s servants later in verse 18:10 (just as the Holy Spirit was empowering David for the work of ruling God’s people). Whatever Saul’s problem was (demon possession, attack, messenger, discontent), empowered by the Spirit of God, David was able to temporarily drive it away with music. The story of David and Goliath, however, should be taught to every school child if only for the biblical literacy to be able to read a newspaper in our society. “To apply the word ‘censorship’ to it is probably too strong,” said Tom Adams, California’s education official defending guidelines a couple of years back which resulted in stripping material from a wide variety of classics in an attempt to comply with “social guidelines.” As the breadth of the changes has become public, writers have been appalled at finding the Jewish content from Isaac Bashevis Singer’s work completely deleted, making the Little Engine that Could female, changing Paul Bunyan from a lumberjack to a wood cutter, and rewriting a famous Chicano activist’s memoirs with the word “American” instead of “gringo.” For decades textbooks have not been allowed to show elderly with a cane or men in dangerous jobs or women at home. Without a foundation of Bible knowledge (or of how the world really is), we are leaving our children void of basic literacy. With rewriting our literature for “social guidelines” we are ripe for firemen (who aren’t generally needed to put out fires anymore with so much fire retardant materials) to start burning books (AKA Fahrenheit 451). Moreover, “To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society” – Theodore Roosevelt (“What then of an entire generation” – Steve Farrell).
God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem and he was immediately taken with the strapping eldest boy and assumed he was a man of God, but God informed him otherwise, “I have rejected him.” It is said that we usually decide about a person within the first 30 seconds even though it is insane to think there could be enough information to make any kind of rational decision in that time (and we argue away hints of foolishness with beliefs in our intuition – which means either transferring repressed childhood memories or by using an unconscious mind, either of which being pretty bad). What does Jesus look like? What would you think of him just by his appearance? What does Satan look and sound like? Which would you more likely be more drawn to as a friend, mate, or Lord? Some years back, the BBC did a program on the life and times of Jesus and they received a mountain of letters from very angry viewers complaining about the fact that the actor who played Jesus was short and portly (and not about the character that he portrayed). We often hear that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but then we ALL do it ALL the time. A heart for God, though, is displayed in one’s actions.
For example, Satan is the most handsome of the angels with the sweetest voice and of great wisdom. While I can tell you about the appearance of most biblical characters (Paul was a short, overweight man of poor health with an unpleasant voice whom the Roman Centurions would criticize for talking incessantly) as well as other religious leaders before and after Christ, there are no directly descriptions of Christ Himself. We might guess that he was nothing out of the ordinary by the fact that Judas had to point him out to the Romans. While Jews were to maintain short hair, I talked on May 1st how Jesus and his disciples likely took Nazirite vows and so would never cut their hair (Jesus could have done this from birth like John the Baptist and had waist-long hair, the length where the weight will cause the hair to break off and fail to get longer, or Jesus could have taken the vow and shaved his head shortly before meeting Matthew in which case it would have been no longer than about 18” long at His crucifixion since hair grows about 6 inches a year). Christ is likely not handsome, either plain as per Isaiah 53:2 if not very ugly as per Isaiah 52:14-15 (which could have only meant after He received a beating that would have killed anyone else). Does Christ’s appearance matter to you? Well, appearance foolishly mattered even to a Godly man like Samuel.
People have always been surprised by God’s choices because God doesn’t see things as we do – God looks at the heart. How might we best predict which kid from High School will be the one most successful: the highest grades, the top test scores, the most attractive, the most athletic, the most popular, or the most frightening? Actually, it is the one most ignored. Jesus was also not the kind of person everyone noticed. In fact, He called them hypocrites whom prayed in public or who displayed their sacrifices and fasting. Are people not behaving the same way, though, when they say, “I couldn’t be a great disciple, just look at me!” Too often, argues political scientist Benjamin Barber (the graduation speaker at Berkley this week where students had hoped for a greater celebrity), how we think is only a product of the media and a fair shake is only for the local power elite. The only hope for true citizenship with real self-determination, Barber concludes, is to resuscitate the non-governmental and non-business civic spaces of voluntary groups and churches. Barber writes, “”Democratic politics has become something we watch rather than something we do.” In the same way, religion is increasingly less often something in which we truly invest ourselves.
David was the great-grandson of Ruth and Boaz and son of Jesse in Bethlehem. David ruled for four decades (like Saul) but was appointed and anointed by God for many years before taking the thrown. David is considered the greatest Israelite king and Jesus was a descendent by both Mary and Joseph. Christ made it clear that at the same time He was son and Lord to David (Matt 22:41-46). David’s confidence came from the belief that he was on God’s side, not that God was on his.
The Jewish leaders in today reading from John had already disregarded the law by arresting the woman without the man (laws, like cultural rites, also only have value when executed with love and humility). The leaders were likely only using the woman to as a theological trap for Jesus – they could report Him to the Romans if he urged them to execute her or claim He violated Moses’ Law if he did not (even though the death penalty was almost never imposed). He avoids their trap with the very famous line calling on “anyone of you who is without sin to cast the first stone.” It was tradition that the witness to the crime would also be the executioner. One by one they leave after Christ writes in the sand. My favorite conjecture for what Christ may have written in the sand that day was the names of all the men that had visited this prostitute chronologically by age. Jesus tells the woman that He does not condemn her but that she should sin no more. He shortly states directly that He judges no one even though He could (and later suggests that are many things in us which He would condemn). When Jesus next preaches and calls Himself the “Light of the world,” the Pharisees demand proof and Jesus points out again that the Father has testified through the miracles He has performed (using the Jewish tradition of two witnesses, in this case both His own and his Father’s). This was additionally confirmed at His death by the earthquake and darkness. When the Pharisees press the point, Jesus frankly warns them that they will “die in their sins” unless they believe in Him. Not to accept Jesus on His own terms is to reject Him. “Below and above” refers not only to the more accurate perception from God’s lofty position but also to man’s distorted view corrupted by sin.
The Psalms include many messianic prophesies: chapter 2 tells of His coming reign, chapter 22 speaks of his crucifixion, and chapter 16 refers to His resurrection. Finally, chapter 110 today (the most referenced chapter) describes Him at the right hand of the Father in heaven as a priest. Christ identified David as the author of this Psalm and asserts in Matthew 22:41-45, Mark 12:35-37, and Luke 20:14-44 (compare with Peter’s account in Acts 2:34-36) that “my Lord” in verse 1 is speaking of someone greater than himself or to God’s son and that the Psalm describes a conversation between Father and Son in which the Father ordains the Son to sit at His right hand, rule in the midst of His enemies, be a priest forever, and wage a war to win His kingdom. “In the day of thy power” refers to the power (the Key of David) given to the Messiah to accomplish his mission: to convert people and to save the world, and implies that this power will only be for a fixed time (and thus, not used before time). This power is not inconsistent with free will, just the opposite – it is the power to allow choice (unavailable to animals). Every person is given the opportunity to understand on some level their sins and provided the ability to chose to blame others or oneself and to chose pride and prejudice or humility and to be penitent.
Melchizedek was a godly leader who lived 4,000 years ago in the time of Abraham in the ancient city of Salem (the city of God’s Peace, later to be known at Jerusalem. Melchizedek took tithes from Abram, blessed Abram, and used bread and wine as priest (Genesis 14). Verse 4 says “a priest” (not priests) as a reference to only one who is comparable to the priest-king. Hebrews 5-7 explains in detail that Jesus is this one and only. Many groups have tried to suggest that there will be many priests following in these footsteps (like all Mormons and small groups named after Melchizedek), but Jesus was the only High Priest: greater than Abraham, King of righteousness and peace, made perfect (Heb 7:28), and lives forever (Heb 7:24). Early Christians believed the Aaronic priesthood had been made obsolete and that all the rights and privileges of that position had been conferred upon all believers. Irenaeus wrote in the second century, “For all the righteous possess the sacerdotal rank (i.e.: the priestly rank or rank of an elder). Origen, a third century father asked, “Are you ignorant that the priesthood as given to all the Church of God and to the people of believers?”
Jim

====== Ramona:

Jim, wow, you have given us a lot to chew on. May I ask that you reconsider this statement?
>>Now God is outright telling someone to lie suggesting that we are not obligated to reveal everything we intend when it all were known another might be moved to sin>>
If the above is true than God is telling us to do something that scripture tell us not to do and something that is outside of His Character (God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Num 23:19; See also John 3:33). We don’t have to reveal everything to everyone because Jesus did tell us not to Cast our pearls before swine and God’s Words are definitely the Pearl of Great Price.
If God allows us to “lie” to manipulate folks to do right, then it hasn’t worked. Manipulation is the attempt to control someone else’s will, like stubbornness, so I consider it a form of “Witchcraft,” because when it is all said and done the so called “Art” of witchcraft is a form of manipulation.
I believe, and I will search the scriptures, that when God told Israel that they would desire a king he gave them a pattern of anointing that king which would include sacrifices.
Regarding your reference to Mormon’s and their interpretation of the Bible. I believe that Mormon’s do not consider the Bible as the final written Word of God, their Book of the Mormons is the final text, am I correct?
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= John:

1 SAM 15:22
But Samuel replied:
“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
I think next year I am going to concentrate on Proverbs. It is pretty interesting whn one does a little research and finds corresponding verses in the Psalms and Proverbs. It helps to get a more complete picture of the passage. Keil & Delitzsch’s Old Testament commentary is a great help in this area.
Prov 15:8
The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
Prov 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Prov 21:27
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—
how much more so when brought with evil intent!
Interesting that nowhere does it say, ‘the sacrifice of the righteous is pleasing to God’. Perhaps it is a given?, or perhaps the emphasis is on prayer of the righteous. Who are the wicked?
Prov 4:19
But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.
The wicked are the lost. Whether by choice or by ignorance the wicked have no clue. Oh, they might in a spiritual moment or at some time in their life embrace something they think is spiritual – sacrifices, worship, prayer – but the wicked do NOT know God, nor are they sincerely seeking Him.
The sacrifices of the wicked are NOT pleasing to God. They are not sacrificing with the right heart. Maybe they sacrifice because it is prescribed by the religion, maybe it is a social custom, maybe they are just appeasing or trying to please family, wife, or a girlfriend, maybe it is to be perceived as one who is coming to the Lord – but they do NOT know God.
It is even worse when done with evil intent. ‘I will make this sacrifice, this confession, this act of pennance before God – because – heh, I can have a license to keep on acting in an evil (sinful) way as long as I periodically make the obligatory motions toward God to make everything all right.’
God HATES that even more! Regardless, God hates it and distances himself from such actions and people. But God is close to and hears the righteous. Not that anyone can be righteous, but in Old Testament that they Believe in God, his promises, and is seeking God with a right heart and striving to act in an upright manner.
Prov 28:9
If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law,
even his prayers are detestable.
Psalm 145:18
The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
Not just the sacrifices, but back in Old Testament those that hear the Law and reject it or completely ignore it – their prayers are even detestable.
The Lord is near to those that call on him in truth. Back then the truth was those that sincerely sought the Lord. Today, the “truth” is Jesus.
“I am the way and the TRUTH and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (emphasis mine)
Applications today: Don’t get caught up in perfunctory ritual. Don’t worship God because it is the way you were brought up, to please someone else, because it is the thing to do to get more local business. There is only one way the Lord, our God, will Hear you and that is to seek Him with an open heart, and come to Him through His son – Jesus Christ.
John

======= John:

Light of the World
(As a recap from yesterday)
On the evening of the first night of the Feast of Tabernacles, there was a ceremony called the “Illumination of the Temple,” which involved the ritual lighting of four golden candelabra in the Court of Women. For additional reflection, each person lit four candlesticks and set them in a floating bowl, producing such a spectacle of light that it is said that all Jerusalem basked in its glow. All night long the light shone. In celebration and anticipation, the greatest, wisest, and holiest of Israel’s men danced before the Lord and sang psalms of joy and praise, while the people watched and waited.
They watched and waited, hoped and prayed, because this festival reminded the citizens of Israel that God had promised to send a light, the Light, to a sin-darkened world. God promised to send a Redeemer, the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Son of God. God promised to send Someone Who would renew Israel’s glory, release them from bondage, and restore their joy.
Whether the light was to represent the Shekinah Glory once present in the Temple or the pillar of Fire that led the nation in the wilderness is not as important as that in the Old Testament “light” was promised (that it would be sent) to Israel .
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).
In John 1:1 Jesus is the Word so it is no surprise that He claims to be the light. In fact it is mentioned often in John 1.
Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me (Psalm 43:3).
Jesus is the light and the truth.
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. (Is 60:1)
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned. (Is 9:2)
With the backdrop of recent Feast of Tabernacles and the promises in Scripture, Jesus says:
John 8:12
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
“I AM” (ego eimi)
“the light of the world” – not just Israel. The light of the world , but there is responsibility on our part –
“Whoever follows me” – Greek present participle – means “continuos following” – which is the difference between a disciple and a true disciple. See John 15:8
“will never walk in darkness” – THE PROMISE: if you walk in the light and abide in me (follow me) you will know God and the things of God. They will be illuminated to you.
“but will have the light of life.” – see above – you will have the life-giving light – by knowing these things from receiving, believing, and following Christ you will walk in the light of God and be a reflection of His Glory.
John

====== Vance:

I Samuel 15 (NKJV)
2
Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt.
3
Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’”
9
BUT SAUL AND THE PEOPLE SPARED AGAG AND THE BEST OF THE SHEEP, THE OXEN, THE FATLINGS, THE LAMBS, AND ALL THAT WAS GOOD, AND WERE UNWILLING TO UTTERLY DESTROY THEM. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.
10
Now the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying,
11
“I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the LORD all night.
17
So Samuel said…
18
Now the LORD sent you on a mission, and said, ‘Go, and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’
19
Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? WHY DID YOU SWOOP DOWN ON THE SPOIL, and do evil in the sight of the LORD?”
29
And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent.”
I Samuel 16
7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees [ SEE NOTE ]; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
[NOTE ]
Septuagint reads For God does not see as man sees
Targum reads It is not by the appearance of a man
Vulgate reads Nor do I judge according to the looks of a man.
John 8 (NKJV)
10
When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her,[i] “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”
11
She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Psalm 110 (NKJV)
1
The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
Proverbs 15 (NKJV)
8
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
~~~
NOTE:
I am very glad that God is a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God, Who is not fickle and change like humans do (I Samuel 15:29).
I am sure that it is impossible for us, as humans, to really have any idea how God sees people—or even how God sees us.
In fact, I have spoken with those who do not believe in the God of the Holy Bible—the covenant God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—often make this very point. They indicate that it is impossible to know with certainty who God is as He is so far above us.
That would be true, except that God has chosen to reveal Himself clearly and definitely in His Word, and through His covenant people over thousands of years. Most clearly, the Father has revealed Himself through the Lord Jesus Christ Who is the glory of God, according to Hebrews 1:1-3.
~~~
Having said that, we who have a relationship with the Lord know that our human wisdom can never understand who our God is. Yes, we must study to show ourselves approved, as in 2 Timothy 2:15.
Yes, we need to love God with all of our mind and reasoning faculties (as in the Great Commandment of our Father quoted by Jesus the Son).
è Yet, in the final analysis, our minds and beings will only know God fully by revelation through prayer and in that personal relationship with the Lord.
And this has everything to do with our hearts. It is so easy for me, as a human, to deceive myself based on my understanding of my own heart—just like King Saul.
~~~
To human understanding, there seems to be a huge difference between the Father God of the OT and the love of the Jesus the Son in the NT. At least, that is in limited human understanding.
Note the wrath and justice of God when He remembered the persistent sin of the Amalekites, and told King Saul to destroy them. Also note when God when He rejected Saul for not doing so.
Yet, Jesus called the God of the OT by the name of “Father”. This shows that He is a compassionate God, more than willing to be a Father and to love and forgive.
Also, note the verse in Proverbs: “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD…”
People can say that there is a contradiction between the “God” of the OT and Jesus the Son in the NT. After all, note the exchange of words with the woman caught in adultery: “And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’ ”
~~~
The so-called “opposite sides” are reconciled by letting God’s Word—the Bible—interpret itself, and letting God speak for Himself.
1. FIRST, NOTE THAT JESUS CALLED THE GOD OF THE OT BY THE TERM, “FATHER”.
This reveals that God has always been a compassionate God, always ready to forgive and love. The OT is rich and overflowing with God’s compassion and mercy, more than willing to heal and forgive.
It is just hard for human understanding to get past the holiness and justice of God to see it. Again, it is not right for us to “judge” God by our limited view. He is God, and we are not.
2. Second, note the first verse Psalm 110, truly one of the most powerful Messianic Psalms: “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’ ”
In Matthew 22 (NKJV), Jesus clearly references this verse as speaking about Himself:
41
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42
saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “ The Son of David.”
43
He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying:
44
‘ The LORD said to my Lord, “ Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool ” ’?
45
If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?”
46
And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.
~~~
It seems clear to me that Jesus and the Father are One—in unity and in essence. There are NOT three gods—rather three Persons in the Godhead. Though that might not satisfy some, it is the answer to the so-called contradiction between the “Father” and the “Son”.
Jesus clearly reveals His self awareness as God when quoting Psalm 110 about Himself. Also, Psalm 110 clearly shows that those who refuse to repent—whether the Amalekites, or me or you—can never be forgiven.
But that is not because of any kind of shortage of God’s mercy, or of the unwillingness of God to forgive. That is because our hearts—if they are not right—keep us from entering into the fantastically amazing mercy of God to forgive.
May we heed God’s will in Philippians 2 (NKJV):
12
Therefore, my beloved…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
13
for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Vance

======= Romayne:

Just a small note to add to Vance’s statement about the Trinity being 3 persons in 1 God. I recently just had the concept that it’s not that hard to connect with the concept – we also are 3 in 1 so to speak – body, soul and spirit – each a separate entity but all joined together.
I’m SO enjoying having joined in at this particular point in the readings, as each is consolidating what the Lord has already been teaching me – i.e. I had just started watching a film on the life of David (similar to the Jesus films) and had also just watched the Gospel of John before starting into these readings, so He’s totally confirming many points to me once more. I think one thing that hit me on Saul’s disobedient episode was how easy it is for us to assume we know better than God. Or where we feel we can change His Will in some way and still please Him. I thought it was tough on Saul in some respects that although he repented, and no doubt was perhaps even forgiven, he wasn’t restored, which for him was so important. And I praise God that He provides us even restoration through Jesus when we truly repent. I think too that we sometimes don’t truly appreciate just how fortunate we are that God provided his new Covenant for us to avail of – dread to think where the human race would be now if He hadn’t. Blessings, Romayne

======== Ramona:

1 Samuel 15:1-16:23
Don’t second guess God and don’t think because God is the Ancient of Days, that He is senile and just doesn’t know anything. Don’t cry out, “God, you just don’t know …” Yes He does.
I am intrigued by Samuel’s directive to Saul, “And Samuel said unto Saul: ‘The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over His people, over Israel; now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.” (1 Samuel 15:1 JPS)
Saul, I (Samuel) about to give you some instructions, but they are not from me I’m passing them on from God so, “Listen Up!!” We read the Bible to get a “Word” from God. But, are we practicing witchcraft and idolatry by ignoring or fighting against the Word we have read and heard? Do we try to “pretty it up” by rationalizing and reasoning away the Word. Do we try to say God’s Word is complicated and open to interpretation in the face of someone telling us, “No, we are dead wrong and haven’t listened?” Samuel gave Saul a clear Word, leaving nothing to interpretation. However, what Saul heard with his ears was filtered by what was going on in his heart. He changed the message to fit himself.
Saul was a man with a big ego born out of his insecurity. Samuel said, When you were small in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed you king over Israel? (1 Samuel 15:17 AMP) People usually have big egos to cover-up their perceived insignificance. Saul saw himself and judged himself through his own eyes and not Gods. He is like those animals and fish that have a built in mechanism that causes them to “puff-up” to appear bigger than what they really are.
God how much have I “Puffed” myself up?
Grace and peace,
Ramona

1 Samuel 14:1-52 + John 7:31-53 + Psalm 109:1-31 + Proverbs 15:5-7
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Old Testament – Interesting First Samuel readings today!  Jonathan was quite brave going to the Philistine camp like he did.  Verse 6 was impressive: “Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!””  Fortunately God helped him with an earthquake and what looked to be some unique strength in verse 13: “So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell back as Jonathan and his armor bearer killed them right and left.”

Then, Saul seems to be having some power & ego & oath issues in today’s readings…  First he makes and oath that the men cannot eat until evening – not so wise when in the midst of battle.  Then he says in verse 39 – “I vow by the name of the LORD who rescued Israel that the sinner will surely die, even if it is my own son Jonathan!””  Well… it was Jonathan.  Fortunately the people were smarter than Saul and saved Jonathan.  Below is a painting by the artist C.F. Vos of Saul on this day of battle in today’s readings:

Bible.org’s commentary on our First Samuel readings today titled “Saul Fights the Philistines” is at this link.

New Testament – John chapter 7 verses 37 & 38 are powerful verses for each of us to meditate upon – ““Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow from the heart of those who believe in me.”  Wow… these are powerful words from Jesus.  And so true.  I know that I have been very spiritually thirsty in my life in the past and Jesus has most certainly quenched that thirst in my life.  And I do believe that rivers of living water flow from the heart of those that believe in Jesus.  This is the Holy Spirit, which indwells within us when we are in relationship with God the Father through Jesus the Son.  This living water flowing from our hearts – the Holy Spirit – is an intriguing topic.  I know different folks experience the Holy Spirit in different ways.  I do hope that each of us do tangibly experience the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives each and every day.  I do know there are some days where I really sense and experience the Holy Spirit in my heart and life.  And there are some days where I may not – but I don’t believe the Holy Spirit has departed.  It’s more likely that I’m just caught up in the hustle / bustle of this life and focused on the flesh / world and not the Spirit.  Do you believe that rivers of living water will flow from the heart of those that believe in Jesus?   Are you thirsty?

 

Interesting to see Nicodemus come up in today’s readings in verses 50 & 51 – “Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, then spoke up. “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked.”  Think Jesus’ conversations with Nicodemus in John chapter 3 changed Nicodemus’ life forever?  Remember that John 3:16 is in that chapter – imagine being the person actually hearing that from Jesus himself!  Oh my goodness… hard to imagine.   I gotta believe that Nicodemus – a Pharisee – was now a Believer…  Not surprising that he’s defending Jesus in these verses today.  Below is a beautiful painting by artist John La Farge from the year 1880 recalling recalling the “Visit of Nicodemus to Christ” from John 3:

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s (and yesterday’s) John chapter 7 readings titled “Jesus in Jerusalem at the Feast of Tabernacles” is at this link.

Psalms – Today in Psalm 109 verse 4 in the NIV we read these words of David – “I am a man of prayer.”  Wow. I like that. And I’m not sure I can honestly say that about myself right now. Sure, I will roll out of bed and offer up some prayers. Yeah, I’ll try to say a prayer before meals. And yes, I’ll pray briefly before going to sleep. Oh yeah, maybe in church once a week too I’ll offer up some prayers. But, for me to say “I am a person of prayer” would probably not be truthful. Ouch. Don’t worry – I’m not beating myself up too badly over it. But – if I really want to realize that God is holy and a Rock and if I really want to love God and other people, then I have a hunch that being a person of prayer is a critical part of the equation. I don’t think that prayer is so much talking to God as it is really slowing down and listening to God. Sure, it’s a conversation, but I think in our fast pace world today we would do well to really slow down in prayer and listen to God. Listen for that still small voice within our hearts leading us to God’s kingdom and glory and peace. It’s there. I think it takes prayer to really hear it oftentimes. How about you? Are you a person of prayer? Do you want to be a person of prayer? When you pray, do you talk more or listen more to God? Do you want to live your life as a person of prayer?

Bible.org’s commentary on Psalm 109 titled “A Prayer for the Punishment of the Wicked” is at this link.

Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 15 verse 5 today makes me think about the godly discipline our Heavenly Father gives us… – “Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.” 

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Needtobreathe’s song “Who Am I:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iooys8xC3QA

Who are you? Click here to be loved by Jesus!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:37-38 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that your spiritual thirst has been quenched by your faith in Jesus. Pray that streams of living water – the Holy Spirit – is flowing within you today and forevermore.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Are you learning from God’s discipline of you?  Or, do you despise God’s discipline at times?  Which is the better road to go?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

1 Samuel 14:1-52
I think I’m about to make a BIG leap by connecting Saul’s treatment of his son Jonathan to how we treat the Son of man, Jesus. When I sat down at my computer to type out my response to this reading I had plans to take this reading and my subsequent response in another direction. .

In my minds eye I saw Saul as a type of the world mistreating, rebuking, and persecuting the one God chose to deliver natural and spiritual Israel, Jesus. Saul is a type of Pharisee or religious leader of the day. Having no personal relationship with God (he was unaware that Samuel was a prophet let alone recognizing who he was), Saul put on the “cloak” of someone who did. This is a case of the mouse falling into the cookie jar then assuming it had become a cookie. All the mouse will do is eat up the cookies. All Saul could do was consume his own men for his own purposes and self-interest. In fact the warning Samuel gave to Israel about what a king would require of them was coming into fruition.

Saul made up a curse and then held it over his men’s head, including his son’s. Jesus accused the Pharisees of making up rules and placing them above God’s law. In the Book of Numbers we read that no one can curse what God has blessed when Balak hired Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 23). The writer of Proverbs stats this, “Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. (26:2). Saul wanted to kill his son because he had violated his command, stupid as it was, but because of pride, he didn’t want to appear weak before his men. Ever notice how nasty we can become when we are in public and we are proven wrong about a comment we have made or something we thought was on sale, but isn’t? We attack the person bringing us the truth. So it was with Saul. Instead of repenting for the dumb command he made, he became obstinate and stuck to his ill-conceived words. However, unlike the crowds at Jesus’ crucifixion, the fighting men interceded for Jonathan.

John 7:31-53
Fast forward to Jesus. Here we have the accusers, the religious leaders, and we have a crowd that is caught between two, no three opinions, Messiah, Prophet or just some crazy man. Unlike Jonathan’s supporters, this crowd is not speaking in one accord. Here we have someone who walked in Righteousness being called a “sinner” by those walking in unrighteousness. Saul walked playing the part of a quasi-religious leader, called to lead but failing to pick up the mantel. In reality Saul and the religious establishment of Jesus’ day were weak leaders because they were afraid of the people they were called to lead. You can’t lead people you are afraid of.

Psalm 109:1-31
David in this Psalm picks up the theme of false persecution and accusation. I love how unrelated books and authors come together in the Bible picking up the same motif, that’s God! But what I like about this Psalm is the reminder in verse twenty-eight to carry oneself with dignity while waiting on God,
28 Then let them curse me if they like,
but you will bless me! When they attack me, they will be disgraced!
But I, your servant, will go right on rejoicing!

The Lord always comes to our rescue even when it seems to us that He isn’t.

Proverbs 15:5-7

Discipline (The word disciple is in discipline) is the only way we can establish any kind of self-control and according to Proverb 12:2, knowledge can only be acquired if one loves discipline. A disciplined person has knowledge and a person of knowledge has discipline

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates correction is stupid.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Robert:

1 Samuel 14

Ramona: Interesting your comparison of Saul and Jesus. I like it. You weave a unique thread throughout the readings today. Certainly much of the human behavior was the same in both time periods of Saul and Jesus, as it is today. Reading Psalm 109 made me think of David and how a lot of his deep soulful feelings in his writings come from his relationship and persecution by Saul. This of course is a direct foreshadowing of Jesus life and suffering.

I do wonder if the effects of Alzheimers weren’t starting to show because Saul’s actions just become worse as time goes on. It certainly brings up the question of how to relate to people that do illogical things. I had to deal with my mother in this way. Not easy. Do you think the irrational behavior of leaders isn’t sometimes the result of some physical/mental malady? Do we just accept it or like Jonathan question: “I merely tasted a little honey with the end of my staff and now must I die?” (Verse 14:43). I think of President Reagan, a world leader when he was showing signs of mental problems. Luckily he had Nancy’s support but I don’t see any Nancy in Saul’s life. (chuckle).

Robert

====== Luch:

======= Jim:

Saul’s son Jonathan shows the faith his father lacks (waiting for a sign of God) when he attacks the Philistines (without trusting his father enough to tell him his plans) and confidence returns to those in hiding (as well as previous Hebrew traitors from v 20) as word from Saul’s spies spreads (isn’t it nice to finally read about a good son?). Saul tries to take Samuel’s place as priest again and foolishly forbids his men to eat (but Jonathan who hasn’t heard the order eats some honey). The Hebrew text has Saul asking for the ark to be moved while the ancient Greek reads “ephod.” Verse 7:2 confirms that the ark was not moved, until David brings it to Jerusalem, and “withdraw your hand” mostly likely refers to using the Urim and Thummim (which would be stored in the ephod, that I described in more detail on May 3). In essence saying Saul thinks there is no time to inquire of God (never a good idea). Saul concludes God’s silence when he gets around to considering God must be due to his son (forgetting his own sins and those of his men who ate the captured meat without first draining the blood in violation of Law) and commands Jonathan’s execution (but the people intervene – besides, there is no OT Law that demands death for an unintentional sin). Saul’s humble nature is corrupted by the power of office and he continues to willfully sin (which brings more discipline – “A fool spurns his father’s discipline”) and his failures drives him not to repentance but to insanity. He fights continuously with the Philistines for the next four decades drafting all the strong and brave into his army. The Amalekites were one of several descendants of Esau – these were nomads (no lands after Jacob stole the inheritance by lying to his father), the Edomites lived in the rocky lands of the mountains (same reason for no land). Both were jealous of Israel’s wealth.
The Isaiah 44:3 description of a future outpouring of God’s Spirit as pouring “water on the thirsty land” was clearly of the thirst and water that Christ discusses in verses 37-39. Moreover, the festival included a priest pouring a golden pitcher filled with water from the Pool of Siloam on the temple altar as a memorial for the water that flowed from the rock the Israelites traveled with through the wilderness, as the people march seven times around the altar in memory of the walls of Jericho. The people are impressed by Christ’s miracles for Isaiah 35:5-6 foretold that the Messiah would do so (punctuated by four to five centuries without miracles), but their admiration was not enough (also see verse Matt 23:39) because they sought a fictitious Messiah. The real living one had offered them protection and deliverance but instead they refuse and crucify Him. In failing in their community penitence, Jesus foretold that Israel would see their temple destroyed and a long and dreadful suffering before redemption would be offered again (while Jesus would wait in Heaven where the Jewish leaders could not follow). This is not about individual salvation, but national salvation – the Pharisees accused the people of believing too easily because they were ignorant, yet it was the Pharisees who were blinded by prideful ignorance. Nicodemus tried to speak up, but the Pharisees sarcastically belittling him (“are you also of Galilee”) and tried to prove Jesus could not be a prophet by claiming no prophet had ever come from Galilee (when actually Jonah, Hosea, Nahum, and perhaps even Elijah, Elisha, Malachi, and Amos were from Galilee or nearby).
Most Jew believed (and still do) that the prophet or teacher spoken of by Moses was one of the ancient OT heroes raised from the dead (most likely David). John 7:42 and 1 Samuel 16:1, 4 (which we will read tomorrow) refers to Bethlehem as the birth place of David (and Christ). We read today of the first formal attempt to take down Jesus (perhaps this is when the sinful apostles bought the two swords of Luke 22.38), but there will be another six months before the Sanhedrin is successful. Perhaps, they fail due to the restraint of those who believed (in v 7:43) as in Psalm 76:10. In addition, the officers found Jesus to be wholly different from the seditious false prophet they had been sent to arrest. Moreover, when they return to tell the Sanhedrin of their mistake, the officers are simply ridiculed with reminders that very few of the wealthy rulers had followed Jesus. The common Jews that did not follow all of the rabbinic interpretations were usually treated by the Pharisees with the most sovereign contempt (even unworthy of resurrection), much like how many are treated by today’s Christian leaders (I have often heard pastors suggest that people that don’t agree with their interpretations are not saved if at least without the Holy Spirit – including even Mother Teresa). Christ’s enemies are always opposed to reason. Psalm 109 is a harsh lament against the author’s enemies (who are lying, hateful, argumentative, and return hatred for love) for judgment and intervention (being in desperate circumstances and needing protection). Acts 1:20 says that Psalm 109:8 is what happened to Judas.
Speaking of prayers: becoming a Christian, getting baptized, going to church, and reading the Bible will not in any measurable way reduce your chance of divorce, while sharing a life-long habit of praying before bed with your spouse will reduce the likelihood by 1000%.
Jim

======= Vance:

I really liked the study of the Feast of Tabernacles, and that this is the feast where Jesus spoke about living water.
I see how each part of the festival points to Jesus:
Note actions of this feast that the Jews observed in the Temple. Each action has a spiritual lesson.
There was the ceremony of the outpouring of water, drawn from Siloam, in commemoration of the refreshing stream which had come forth miraculously out of the rock at Meribah (Ex. 17:1-7), and in anticipation of blessings both for Israel and for the world.
** Keep in mind that in John 7, Jesus was speaking at the Feast of Tabernacles.
Note again what Jesus said in John 7 (NKJV):
37
ON THE LAST DAY, THAT GREAT DAY OF THE FEAST, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
38
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
39
But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Note the other actions in the Temple at the Feast of Tabernacles:
There was the illumination of the inner court of the temple, where the light of the grand candelabra reminded one of the pillar of fire by night which had served as a guide through the desert (Num. 14:14).
** JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
There was a torch-parade.
** WE ARE TO BE COMMUNITY, BEING FULL OF LIGHT, HOLINESS, AND LOVE
And above all, everywhere in and around Jerusalem, in the street, the square, and even on the roofs of the houses booths were erected. These leafy dwellings provided shelter for the pilgrims who came from every direction to attend this feast. But most of all they too were reminders of the wilderness-life of the ancestors (Lev. 23:43).
** EVEN AFTER SIN AND REBELLION, GOD STILL FORGAVE HIS PEOPLE. God is faithful—even in the hard places.
Many of us are going through a wilderness experience. There are at least two (2) reasons for the wilderness:
The wilderness can be from God’s will—a hard time that God allows to allow in order pull away distractions from sin and the world—so we can draw close to God and be stronger.
The wilderness can be caused from our own sins or the sins of others that affect us. All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Each of us have been hurt and affected by family members or others who have sinned against us.
** EVEN IN THE WORST OF CIRCUMSTANCES, Jesus is our Life. We need to let Him be Who He is.
I also like the truth that each member of the Trinity–Father, Son, and Spirit–has its own role in fulfilling God’s will in our lives.
A. God leads to Jesus
John 6:44 — No one can come to Jesus without Father drawing him or her
B. Jesus leads to Spirit and the Word
Matthew 3:11 — Jesus baptizes us in the Spirit
Jesus leads me to the Spirit to be fully set apart and filled.
John 17:17 and 19 — Jesus brings me to His Word, so I can be set apart to God
C.
Holy Spirit glorifies and honors Jesus and Word
John 14:26, John 15:26, John 16:13 and 14
The Word of God is the “sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17)
Vance

======== John:

Feast of Tabernacles
One of three Feasts that all male Jews were required to attend to tithe and make offerings – along with Passover and Pentecost. The City of Jerusalem would swell from 500,000+ people to between two and three million people during these feasts.
The Feast of Tabernacles also is referred to as Feast of the Ingathering (final collection of the Fall Harvest).
This is the only Feast of the Jews that is one of Great JOY. Thankful for the Provisions of God during the Exodus and for the Crops harvested.
For the eight days of the Feast people have built leafy booths (tents) to live in with the tops to leave space to see God’s work in the heavens. Placed intermittently on the booths were samples from the Harvest as a reminder of God’s faithfulness regarding Crops.
John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (or translated “tabernacled among us”).
Rev 21:3
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” NIV (or literally “the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will tabernacle with them…) – the Final Ingathering of the Harvest?????
For the Jews the booths were to be a reminder of the desert experiance, and that despite all the hardship of the Wilderness to remember: ‘GOD will ALWAYS Provide, and it is from Him alone our needs are met.’
There were candles everywhere – placed outside, carried, and four 75 foot candlelabras with four branches that were lit in the outer court of the Temple. The resulting Bright Light was to remind the people of how God’s Shekinah glory had once filled His Temple.
The Temple Priests were divided into three groups: one to sacrifice the bulls, another to go outside the city and cut down 25 foot willow branches that they would intricately wave in the procession back to the city, and lastly the High Priest would go with others to retrieve water from the pool of Siloam to carry back to the altar.
Sacrifices of Bulls – also called the Feast of Nations. For seven days 13,12,10…7 bulls were sacrificed at the altar.
“During Sukkot, many rabbis assert, the 70 bulls represented the 70 nations that descended from Noah, the ancestors of all the Gentiles of the world. These bulls, according to Hebrew scholars, were sacrificed for the peace and well-being of the Gentiles, that they might one day acknowledge the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
[Note: Seems those sacrifices and prayers were answered in a way more than they could imagine.]
And on the eighth day of Completion of the Feast (the greatest day) one Bull was sacrificed.
The Talmud teaches that this reduction of the sacrifice from 70 bulls to one represents God’s turning from concern with the 70 nations — the whole world — to a quiet tete-a-tete alone with the people of Israel.
[or perhaps in a way for God to say: in the end only one sacrifice was needed – Jesus. (just an idle thought)]
======================================================
Willow Branch Procession
The priests would take their willow branches and wave them back and forth in procession back to the City. The would stand at the gate to the city and wave them furiously providing a rustling sound of wind – perhaps symbolizing the spirit of God about to enter the city.
The shofar (trumpet)would be blown and the priests would enter through the opened gates. They would march to the altar and beat the willows on the side of the altar – (representing the ‘beating back of sin’???) and then provide a canopy as the sacrificial offerings were made.
======================================================
Water Procession
The High Priest and his group would carry two gold pitchers to the Pool of Siloam. One already had win in it, the other was filled with water from the Holy Place.
The Priest would time his entry from the Water Gate (name given to gate from the Feast), and enter the city after three blasts from the shofar (trumpet). From there he would proceed to the Temple and the altar.
At the altar the Priest would pour the wine into one opening as a drink offering to God. Inanother opening he would pour the water. The Water symbolized: Prayer for rain for next harvest, reminder of God’s provision of Water in the wilderness (from the ROCK), and an outpouring of the Spirit of God (Joel 2:28).
The wine and water combined beneath the altar to flow out as one. (foreshadowing the blood and water flowing from Christ at the Cross?????).
As soon as the wine and the water were being poured out, the Temple music began, and the ‘Hallel’ (Psa 113-118) was sung. When the choir came to these words (Psa 118:1), ‘O give thanks to the Lord,’ and again when they sang (Psa 118:25), ‘O work then now salvation, Jehovah’; and once more at the close (Psa 118:29), ‘O give thanks unto the Lord,’ all the worshippers shook their branches towards the altar.
[NOTE: No wonder the priests got mad during the “triumphal entry” as the people were taking a part of the feast to call upon Jesus to “Save them” (Hosannah).]
Then:
On every one of the seven days the priests formed in procession, and made the circuit of the altar, singing: ‘O then, now work salvation, Jehovah! O Jehovah, give prosperity’! (Psa 118:25). But on the seventh, ‘that great day of the feast,’ they made the circuit of the altar seven times, remembering how the walls of Jericho had fallen in similar circumstances, and anticipating how, by the direct interposition of God, the walls of heathenism would fall before Jehovah, and the land lie open for His people to go in and possess it.
Whew! with all that backdrop, we are ready to look at Jesus’s words.
During this feast of GREAT JOY, where men symbolized tabernacling with the Lord – The Real Lord was amongst them.
With all the sacrifices to God, the symbolic entry of God’s Spirit entering the City, and the double portion outpouring of water on the last great day of the Feast – partly representing the flow of the Spirit – God was in their midst watching it all.
With all the worship, singing of Psalms, the beating of the branches during the frenzied seven circuits of the altar – and then DEAD silence as the ceremnies ended.
Then:
Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
The Psalms asking for the Lord to Come, the Hosannahs – saying God save us, and….
Jesus stood and basically told them – ‘I AM Here.’ Receive me, Believe IN me, and you will have the Spirit of God flowing from within you.
I would like to have a bunch of snapshots of the faces in the crowd that day/night. Some would believe, most would not. But let none say ‘Jesus never declared himself’.
John

======= Roslyn:

John,
Thanks to the thorough explanation of the Feast of the Tabernacles ending with Jesus’ climactic proclamation that whoever believes in Him “rivers of living water” will flow from within.
Roslyn

======= Ramona:

I Samuel 14:1-52
I must be in a humorous mood because Saul is reminding me of the Wizard of Oz. Ya know, BEFORE the dog Toto pulls back the curtain to reveal the man that he is, we see a BIG HEAD surrounded by flames and lots of green. Saul is a man with a big head with no brains and definitely no heart, at lest a heart for God. He is exactly what the people “desired.” In fact, he is a reflection of what is in the hearts of the people who demanded a king so that they could be just like the nations around them, wickedly sinful.
The difference between King Jesus and the kings desired and appointed by men, and Saul was appointed by the men who desired a king, God just gave them what they asked for, is righteousness and integrity. Jesus is righteous and integrity is part of His character. Jesus requires man to turn their hearts toward Him, not the other way around. Earthly kings play to the crowd, or at least the crowd that will keep him in power.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Pat:

Mike, it is odd that you talk about prayer life today in your commentary because for the past two days I can’t get Psalms 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God” out of my mind. I am faithful in my prayers to God but I think God is telling me that I need to slow down and let Him minister to me. I’m beginning to feel that my prayers are a one-way conversation in which I talk to Him but don’t give Him the opportunity to say what He has to say! It seems my eye is always on the clock and my mind is racing about reviewing what I have planned for the day. I never just sit quietly doing nothing and I think many of us in today’s hectic world are the same way. Matter of fact, I think it has come to the point where we are jittery when we just sit quietly because we are not use to doing so or we feel guilty about just sitting quietly because we feel we are wasting time.
Today is the Lord’s Day! Maybe today is when we should start making a point to just sit still and know that Jesus Christ is Lord of lords and King of kings!
God Bless!
Pat

======= Jenny:

Could someone please keep me in prayer. I’m having a hard time with this whole mothers day business, i miss my mom so bad n i hurt so bad. i just want this day to be over. My mom died n i am normally ok, but this weekend i cant escape “mothers day” and i am angry, sad, feeling sorry for myself. Plus 2 other loved ones, their anniversaries of their deaths just passed 2 days ago. Its just to much. I just hurt n i want my mom so bad. She is with Jesus, so i am grateful, i just wish i could be there too. thanks for prayers. sorry for being selfish…its just too much. God bless.
Jenny

======= Susanne:

oh Jenny… if only you knew… well you’ll know now.
I had no “reason” on God’s green earth to think of you this morning.
(Lord knows there’s sooo much else going on!)
Praise the Lord- HE REIGNS!
Anyway- it could only have been the Holy Spirit
AND
you have been lifted in prayer- just as if I KNEW
what you wrote above w/out speaking to you.
GIRL!!!!!
GOD LOVES YOU and has this merciful compassion for you.
Lean not on our own understanding (some coming from feelings & emotions)
TRUST HIM WITH ALL OUR HEART …..
HE understands our grief and we are to step out in FAITH
and leave it with HIM at the cross- & pick up our “cross”. I wish I had a “formula” and experience
but I don’t. All’s I can say is i’m going with the Spirit and will
do whatever to be His “cheerleader” for you. (couldn’t be one when i “thought” it mattered!)
May the Lord pour out that extra measure His Word speaks of, all upon you today and every day hereafter, HE is doing a work HE said HE began and
YOU ARE HIS MASTERPIECE HE will see to completion.
I’m priviledge to have run into you
and serve the Lord in His plan.
Thanks Lord Your Spirit comforts & intercedes where we don’t know how!
I’m TRUSTING in YOU, amen.
Sincerely, susanne
p.s. well maybe one experience to share- focus on what you are GRATEFUL for.
Good overcomes evil. And I pray this spirit to kill steal & destroy be removed from
you, in the Name of Jesus, amen.
Susanne