1 Samuel 21-24

Saul pursues David to kill him. Saul murders priests.

David cuts Saul's coat and is filled with conviction that he has sinned against God's man.

1 Samuel 17-20

'Then Saul’s anger was aroused against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?"'

How many people prophesy naked in the Bible? Saul does. Isaiah. Ezekiel. Amos? Jesus from the cross. Why does Saul strip naked when the Spirit of God comes upon Him? What is God trying to teach him? Humility, vulnerability, trust, honesty? Saul dealt in deceit and secret plots. Ultimately he excluded even his own son from his schemes. Saul was open and accountable to no one. He covered himself.

Jonathan by contrast was transparent before David, a true Israelite in whom there was no guile. Saul saw the cost of such a friendship. Jonathan enjoyed the reward.

All of us stand exposed before God who reads our hearts. And yet we are clothed in white garments because He was stripped naked.

1 Samuel 5-8

Chapter 5 - God reveals He can look after Himself! The Philistines are stumped - their false gods can't do anything against the power of the Lord!
Chapter 8 - Wow - I had never realised that the introduction of a king was actually a sign of the people's rebellion (v7). Samuel makes clear to the people that a human king is very different to a divine king (v10-18) but they remain stubborn. When Christ comes, he finds the same response. The people want a human king, but not a divine one. When we accept Christ as Lord, we place ourselves under the rule of the truly divine King.

1 Samuel 1-4

The introduction of Samuel. Eli appears to serve God faithfully, but his inability to discipline his sons reveals a lack of wisdom - where's Phineas when you need him? The Israelites are defeated, and respond by bringing forth the Ark, like a lucky charm. Their faith was not in God, but in the Ark. So today we should not have faith in the image of Christ, but the person of Christ.

Ruth 1-4

A beautiful account, where we discover Ruth's words "Your God will be my God" were not spoken lightly, for she had truly 'taken refuge' under His wings (2v12). Boaz provides an example of the gentlemanliness that Christian men should have. He has a heart for the faithful servant (2v5, 3v10) and trusts the Lord that, by doing what is right in the Lord's eyes, the best outcome will follow.

1 Samuel 13-16

Saul was a religious man. He sacrificed to God seeking His intervention, and declared a fast for the people too. Unfortunately for Saul, God is interested in relationship and not ritual. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Sometimes we work when God is calling us to rest and we go without when God is expecting us to revel in His provision (honey on the ground). We must be careful not to be led by fear or anxiety (as Saul was) but instead to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit: feelings are not always right. Faith not fear. Grace not guilt.

1 Samuel 9-12

The obligation of intercession. Samuel says it would be a sin if he did not pray for the people. How seriously do we take God's command to pray for those who rule over us? We quench the Spirit when we ignore His commands.

1 Samuel 5-8

What god can stand before our God? Silly Dagon, haven't you anything to say for yourself? Give us a wave at least. A nod of the head? And so it is with all our idols, they are destroyed in the presence of the Glory of God. Pornography, selfish ambition, addiction, greed; they all lose their grip as we step into His presence.

1 Samuel 1-4

"For by strength no man shall prevail...

He will give strength to His king,
And exalt the horn of His anointed."

Don't rely on strength or lack of strength. Physical, financial, intellectual, emotional strength can all be provided if necessary. Just walk humbly and reverently before God who transforms circumstance.

Ruth 1-4

A beautiful little book which emphasises the power of multi-generational blessings. A couple of times the phrase 'kindness to the dead' occurs, and the story concludes with the genealogy of David. The central story concerns Ruth who was attentive to the instruction of her Mother-in-law, and so managed to catch the blessing. Ruth recognised Naomi's God, sought to glean from Naomi everything she could about this God, and the baton changed hands down the generations. It is a baton that is transferred as much through service/obedience as through study (although we can still show kindness to the dead by honouring their words with action). Elisha took on Elijah's mantle after he had already become his servant.

Judges 19-21

(Judges 21v25) 'In those days Israel had no king, and everyone did as they saw fit...'
That sums up a lot of the book - poor decisions and bad practices leading to disappointing outcomes. A lot of confusion and a lack of compassion. Notice in chapter 20 - the Lord leads them into battle after weeping, fasting and sacrifice. We must never take God for granted, nor must we be casual about seeking His will.

Judges 11-18

(11v30-40) A hastily made vow cause Jephthah regret. God does not desire burnt offerings but the sacrifice of a contrite heart! Question - is Mizpah offered as a literal burnt offering, or like a burnt offering - ie. dedicated to the Lord's service?
The account of Samson - who must be understood in the context of Hebrews 11 - 'who through faith... gained what was promised...' What was the promise? (13v5) 'He will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines'. Samson was to act as one who would (at least in part) deliver God's people from the enemy. He was able to obtain the promise 'through faith' (Hebrews 11v33) - ie. he believed the promises of God, in particular concerning his hair. We obtain God's promise of deliverance from the enemy, Satan, through faith in Christ. Without the Lord, we are as powerless as Samson without his long hair. With the Lord, we have victory because of his strength.

Judges 19-21

In the story of the murdered concubine, the writer emphasises the traveller's continual delay. Why? Is there an implication of the danger of being distracted? Its not a strong case, but the emphasis on continual delay is clear. He lacks focus and is drawn aside to feast frequently.

I am also intersted in the fact that those who didn't turn out to fight against sin (Jabesh Gilead) were themselves destroyed.

Judges 7-10

Hey, John, I'm excited to see I'm getting close to Samson - I've been wanting to do a family service about him for some time, as he seems an exciting figure, but one I rarely hear spoken of to children.
Judges 9v7-15: Jotham's parable. Just as the trees did with the thornbush, so people will look everywhere else before they look to Jesus. Yet there is nowhere else we may 'take refuge'. Unlike other 'trees', Jesus Christ was willing to 'give up his glory' so that he could become the acceptable sacrifice.

Judges 3-6

A dramatic passage. On several occassions, God sends an individual as a 'deliverer', who frees God's people from oppression when they cry in repentance. Some are named - but notice the unnamed prophet in 6v8. He had an important role, but recognition was not to be part of that.

In the example of Gideon, God chooses the 'weakest' and the 'least' (6v15). The grace of God is a thread that runs through the whole bible!

Joshua 23 - Judges 2

The Israelites forget what God has done in the past for His people, and foolishly turn to other gods. When we look to the cross, we see not only what God has done in the past for our ancestors of faith, but also what God has done for us personally. Whatever we face in life, we can trust God because He has proven to each one of His people 'I will never break my covenant'. He is faithful. We must respond with trusting obedience.

Judges 15-18

11 Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and said to Samson, “Do you not know that the Philistines rule over us? What is this you have done to us?”

I love the implications of this question: the philistines may be the ruling principle in everyone elses life, but I can still live free from their power and wage effective war against them.

I love the story of the enemy trapping Samson in the city, but He just lifts the gates up and carries them out to the top of a hill. The gates of hell shall not prevail. We can go right in to the enemies camp and right out again bringing with us those captives he thought were his!

Delilah's story reveals an enemy strategy: keep using the obvious trap because eventually they might fall for it. Perhaps the repeated temptation even builds a familiarity with the idea, and it becomes steadilly acceptable. Don't toy with the idea, don't make jokes about the possibilty. Take it seriously. It's fight or flight time!

Compromise will allow the enemy to steal your vision.

Joshua 15-22

It seemed to make sense to do these 8 verses together, in which everyone is allotted their land. At the end of that process, we find (21v45) every promise is fulfilled. Then chapter 22 - a problem that is sorted out through dialogue. I wonder if Phinehas took his spear to the talks!

Joshua 7-10

This is a challenging passage. Military conquest time and again, and, time and again, 'they left no survivors'. God's judgment leaves no room for sentiment. Thank God for His grace!

Joshua 3-6

They follow the ark, relying on God to lead the way. (3v5) This is interesting - they commit themselves to the Lord, not to cause Him to do something, but so that they are ready when He does.

I'm still here...

Hi, John, just so you know, I'm still keeping up with the blog, but in a little notebook, as finding time on the computer is not always easy! I'll update hopefully tonight...

Judges 11-14

The Spirit of the Lord was upon Jepthah, by grace, before his vow. Nothing extra was needed.

God sought an occasion to move agaist the Philistines so He let his man Samson experience personally the oppression of the Philistines "plowing with his heifer" at Timnah. Sometimes our personal experience of challenge is God's strategy to tackle a broader issue.

Judges 7-10

“Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself; likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink.”

It is not without reason that big city firms take interviewees out for lunch, or that Generals insist on inspecting the polish on the soldier's boots at parades.

Judges 3-6

1 Now these are the nations which the LORD left, that He might test Israel by them, that is, all who had not known any of the wars in Canaan 2 (this was only so that the generations of the children of Israel might be taught to know war, at least those who had not formerly known it),

God leaves challenges even after salvation that we might learn how to overcome through Him.

v31: A great victory brings a period of peace and rest.

Deuteronomy 33 - Joshua 2

At last! I've made it into Joshua!
Deuteronomy 34 - Moses sees the promised land but does not enter it. We find many occassions in the New Testament epistles where believers are advised to 'examine themselves', to make sure they are rooted in the faith. How sad it would be to find that we have only gazed upon the promise, and never truly entered into it in faith.

Deuteronomy 29-32

(29v18) 'Make sure there is no one among you whose heart turns away from the Lord your God...' The importance of protecting church membership - making sure it is limited to the truly faithful. It's so sad to preach at chapels, and find them unable to move forward because the membership is a mixture of believers and unbelievers. 'Do not be unevenly yoked'

Deuteronomy 25-28

Chapter 28 - Woah! What a chapter! From the top of the mountain to the bottom of the pit! And the practice of sin has that kind of emotional impact upon the believer! What a miserable ending to the chapter - 'You'll try to sell yourselves back into slavery, but no one will want to buy you!'

Deuteronomy 21-24

(22v6, 7) I assume the part about the bird's nest relates to conserving nature's supply - take the eggs and the mother, and there will be no more eggs. Leave the mother, and she will produce more eggs and thus more birds in the future...?
(24v1-4) Is this the longest sentence in the world?
There are two recurring themes - (1) Justice, both for the 'average' and for the 'unusual', ie those who are often overlooked, or cannot speak up for themselves. (2) Holiness. God presents the law as part of freedom, but the curse of sin creates a burden that can only be removed at the cross, where we find Christ, the only one who truly lived a 'free' life.

Joshua 23- Judges 2

Soooooooo great to have you back in Tom. I get so much out of what you write. They inspire me to dig deeper (you'll notice my posts have got shorter of late).

"9 For the LORD has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day." What about Ai? I guess he meant that ultimately noone would stand against, even if they did initially. That has to be our courageous stance in the face of opposition.

"31 Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had known all the works of the LORD which He had done for Israel." / "Judges2:10 When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel." Israel only continued to serve under those that had experienced the supernatural reality of God personally.

It is interesting that Judges ch1 starts with stories of victorious partnerships and ends with lists of individual failures: simple lesson there.

Deuteronomy 17-20

God's word is a guide to living and ruling, and is a framework within which we can make authentically godly decisions (17v8-20). This leads to the role of the prophet (18v14-22). There is assurance in God's strength (20v1).
Essentially, God reveals the way, and enables us to follow it.

Joshua 19-22

1 Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites came near to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the children of Israel. 2 And they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, “The LORD commanded through Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their common-lands for our livestock.” 3 So the children of Israel gave to the Levites from their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their common-lands

Don't ask; don't get. Even if it was promised.

Joshua 15-18

15.18 Now it was so, when she came to him, that she persuaded him to ask her father for a field. So she dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you wish?” 19 She answered, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

The Father is willing to give more, if we will only ask. He gives the springs of water to those bold enough to ask for more. "I have it all already" says the theologian, and misses out on the "more". Does our experience match the promised blessing, or is there more?

Joshua 11-14

" Joshua 11.20 For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that He might utterly destroy them, and that they might receive no mercy, but that He might destroy them, as the LORD had commanded Moses."

Ha Ha! Our enemies are sent against us so that we can destroy them! Woo Hoo! Come on Giants, you're only sent so that I can overcome you! Pretty soon there will be none of you left in the land. Giant sins? Giant forgiveness and giant overcoming power in Christ! No giants left in the land! (I've just put on a track called "Giants" by Donald Lawrence and the Tri City singers: check it out on Itunes, very inspiring)

Joshua 7-10

25 Then Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”

Celebrate victory. Don't be ashamed of it. Revel in it, expect it and develop a culture of faith that overcomes.

Joshua 3-6

"About forty thousand prepared for war crossed over before the LORD for battle"

God prepares the victory, but we must prepare (sanctify) ourselves.