pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: sons


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Israel Was Joyful

Readings: 1st Chronicles 10, 1st Chronicles 11, 1st Chronicles 12

1st Chronicles 12:38 – “All these men of war, armed for battle, came to Hebron determined to make David king over all Israel.”

Our reading begins with the deaths of Saul and his three sons. This is the end of his reign. They die ingloriously in a battle with the Philistines, who dishonor the dead. Some brave warriors from Jabesh-gilead recover and bury their bodies in Jabesh.

The chronicler then turns to the story of David’s kingship. It begins at Hebron where Israel’s elders come to ask David to be their king. This unites Judah with Israel. David makes a covenant with them. God will be a part of his reign. David then conquers Jebus, renaming it Jerusalem. Zion and David’s city are also common names for Jerusalem. David and newly minted Joab repair the city.

Next we read a section on David’s mighty warriors. These men stood out for their skill in combat, for their bravery, and for their loyalty to David. The example of David craving some water from the well at Bethlehem is given as an example. On their own, three break through the Philistine lines and get him some water. David pours the water out to honor God.

Then we have a flashback to David’s time at Ziklag. This was when Saul was trying to kill him and he fled to Philistine territory. Warriors from Benjamin, Gad, Judah, and Manasseh come to support him as the next king of Judah. This shows that a transition is under way even though Saul yet lives. The story turns to Hebron, where a massive gathering of warriors and common folk alike gather to celebrate David becoming king. All 12 tribes are listed, reflecting the genealogies we read in chapters 1-9. All of Israel supports David as their king. The reading closes with this summary: “Israel was joyful.”

Prayer: Lord God, how right and good it is when your plans and purposes are worked out. How important it is for us to be an active part of that unfolding. We ask that you would lead and guide our lives, using us for your plans and purposes. Amen.


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The Battle Is God’s

Readings: 1st Samuel 16, 1st Samuel 17

1st Samuel 17:46 – “Then the whole world will know that there is a God on Israel’s side.”

Photo credit: Familyschaffner

God sends a grieving Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint Israel’s next king. He brings a heifer as a sort of guise – does it ever get sacrificed? Jesse has six sons pass before Samuel. Right from the start, Samuel thinks this is the one, but God corrects him. Humans see what’s visible to the eyes but God “sees into the heart.” None present are chosen so Samuel asks, “Is that all of your boys?” No. David is brought in from tending the sheep. God says, “That’s the one. Go anoint him.” And God’s Spirit comes up on David right then.

An evil spirit begins to torment Saul. Is that because David has been anointed? Music was thought to calm such spirits. David is known as a skilled musician. He becomes part of Saul’s court, playing the lyre to sooth Saul’s demons. But the time for war comes. The Philistines and the Israelites face off. But instead of army versus army, the Philistines send out their champion, Goliath. This nine foot tall behemoth challenges the Israelites morning and night to send someone out to fight. They cower in fear for 40 days. It’s been a while so Jesse sends David to check on his brothers. David overhears Goliath and asks, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine….insulting the army of the living God?” David sees the battle from a different perspective right away. Soon he is facing Goliath with a staff, a sling, and five stones. David declares to Goliath that God will hand him over to David, adding, “Then the whole world will know that there is a God on Israel’s side.” David slays Goliath and the whole world knows.

When we take the same faith into our battles, trusting that the battle is God’s, not ours, then the world will see the power of God at work once again. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, we can be tempted to think, “with just a sling and a stone.” But we forget the important detail. You see the heart. You guide the stone. David’s heart was filled with love for you and with trust in you. Make that our hearts too, O Lord. Fill us with a sure faith and a trusting love when the giants come our way. Lead us to walk forward in faith, knowing that you still move in our world. Amen.


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He Is the Lord

Readings: 1st Samuel 1, 1st Samuel 2, 1st Samuel 3

1st Samuel 3:18 – “He is the LORD. He will do as he pleases.”

Photo credit: Nathan Lemon

As we turn to 1st Samuel we see that much of the feeling of Judges carries over. Israel is still a place of suffering, pain, and sin. God feels silent. Our reading opens with the birth story of Samuel. Elkanah has two wives. Hannah is barren and Peninnah, the secondary wife, has many children. There is great tension. On one of the yearly pilgrimages, Hannah pours out her heart to God. She is so distraught, Eli the priest assumes she is drunk. But after hearing her heart, Eli blesses her. God does too. After he is weaned, Hannah brings an offering and gives Samuel to the Lord. They worship and Hannah lifts a song to God.

We then learn that Eli’s son’s are “despicable.” They steal from the Lord’s sacrifices (by force if necessary) and they have sex with the women serving at the meeting tent’s entrance. Eli confronts them but they don’t change. God has a change already in the works. Samuel continues to grow up, becoming “more and more liked by God and by the people.” Then a “man of God” visits Eli, telling him of the utter downfall of his house. His sons will die and God will establish a “trustworthy priest.” Eli seems to simply accept this.

In chapter 3 we read about Samuel’s call. God’s word and visions were rare at that time. God was mostly silent. While lying down in the temple, God calls out to Samuel. He thinks it is Eli calling. After the third time, Eli realizes that it is God calling Samuel. He responds as instructed: “Speak Lord. Your servant is listening.” God reveals the downfall of Eli’s house. Samuel does not want to share this news, but does, showing his metal as a prophet. Eli knows what is happening. His response to this news: “He is the LORD. He will do as he pleases.” Eli knows his own failures. He knows the depravity of his sons. And he knows the truth that the chapter closes with: “All Israel… knew that Samuel was trustworthy.”

Prayer: Lord God, we continue today with the good and the bad: Hannah and Peninnah, Samuel and Eli’s sons. Your presence is revealed in the good. There we find faithfulness and obedience to you. Guide us to walk in your ways too. There we will experience your presence and your goodness. Amen.


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Holy and Just Lives

Readings: Leviticus 8, Leviticus 9, Leviticus 10

Leviticus 9:24 – “Fire flew out from before the LORD… All the people saw it. They shouted for joy and fell facedown.”

Today’s reading begins with the purification and ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests. They are washed, dressed in their priestly clothing, and are anointed with holy oil. The tabernacle and all in it are also anointed as holy. On Aaron and sons’ behalf, Moses offers a bull as a purification offering and then a ram as an entirely burned offering. Aaron and sons place their hands on the heads of each sacrifice. A second ram is sacrificed as an ordination offering. The breast of the ram and some bread is offered as an uplifted offering. Aaron and his sons stay at the entrance to the tent of meeting for 7 days, as required by the Lord.

Next Aaron performs all of the sacrifices. This act is both symbolic and practical. Moses oversees it all. Aaron first offers a bull and then a ram as the priest’s purification and wholly burned offerings. He then offers the same for the people, followed by the people’s grain and well-being offerings. This completes the entire set of sacrificial rituals. Moses and Aaron then enter the tent of meeting. Emerging from the tabernacle, “Fire flew out from before the LORD… All the people saw it. They shouted for joy and fell facedown.” This is a sign of God’s validation. All has been done exactly as the Lord commanded.

Another act of disobedience occurs as chapter 10 begins. Nadab and Abihu, two of Aaron’s sons, offer unauthorized fire before the Lord. Again fire flew out from the Lord. This time it consumes Nadab and Abihu. This is a sign of God’s disapproval. Aaron is stunned so Moses takes over. The bodies are removed and Moses gives instructions for mourning. He specifically prohibits two Canaanite mourning practices. After some instructions on priestly eating and drinking, Eleazar and Ithamar fail to eat their portion of a sacrifice. They erred on the side of caution and safety, so Moses anger relents.

Today we are reminded of the importance of living as the Lord commands. In our own calls to model and reflect God’s love and God’s holiness, may we strive to live holy and just lives.

Prayer: Lord God, by the power of the Holy Spirit lead and guide us to live lives that are pleasing to your sight. May our very lives be a pleasing aroma that brings joy to you, O Lord. Amen.