TODAY’S READING: II SAMUEL 5-8

 

OVERVIEW:

David is anointed as the king over all ofIsrael; the stronghold of the Jebusites (Jerusalem) is captured by David; David brings the Ark of God intoJerusalem; the Davidic Covenant: David’s prayer of thanksgiving: David’s victories over the Philistines, the Moabites, the Syrians, and the Edomites.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

David had reigned over the tribe ofJudahfor 7½ years inHebron. In chapter 5, he is anointed king over the entire nation ofIsrael, and did so for 33 years, making his entire reign forty years.

With the extension of his kingdom, He now needed a more centralized location from which to rule, and choseJerusalemto be the capital city. The only problem was, the Jebusites dwelt inJerusalemandIsraelhad not yet found a way to capture this stronghold of the enemy (Josh. 15:63; Judges1:21). The Jebusties were so cocky about their ability to maintain their stronghold they defied them saying, “The lame and the blind could defeat you,” yet David and his men defeated the Jebusites, andJerusalemeven came to be called “the city ofDavid”!

 

Like David, our King, the Lord Jesus Christ, has been anointed (Messiah) of God to rule from the throne of our hearts over our entire life. We must allow Him to remove any and all “strongholds” that the enemy has established. II Cor.11:35says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”

 

But notice in II Samuel 5, that just as soon as the stronghold had been defeated and David had been established inJerusalem, the old enemy, the Philistines, show up! Recognize, that until we receive our glorified body, we’re never going to be “out of the woods,” and that one of the key times Satan will attack us, is when he thinks we have been “lulled by the blessing” of a recent victory.

 

Note also, that as the Philistines were in pursuit, David sought clear direction from the Word of the Lord and victory was granted. As the enemy (the Philistines) attacks a second time, David didn’t assume another victory, but once again sought clear direction from the Lord. (These are key principles to file in the forefront of our understanding concerning spiritual warfare!)

 

In chapter 6, David is about to do something monumental: Return the ark (representative of God’s presence among His people) to its rightful placed. The ark has been in the possession of the Philistines for 20 years, and sadly, no on seemed to miss it, or be impassioned to see it returned!

 

The return of the ark was an incredibly exciting and worshipful experience for all involved. The spiritual atmosphere was electric! A great lesson is to be learned, however. God is never interested in self styled worship, and good intentions and proper motivation mean nothing if there is not complete obedience to God’s Word. In David’s zeal to see the ark returned, the method of carrying it (on a new cart) was in violation of how God had clearly instructedIsraelto carry it. (See Num. 4:15; 7:9) When the oxen pulling the cart stumbled on Nachon’s threshingfloor and well-meaning Uzzah reached forth to keep the ark from falling off, just as God had warned, he was immediately zapped! Don’t ever forget, “God says what He means, and means what He says” (Num. 4:15). (That Ark was a picture of Christ himself, which is holy and pure. Uzzah made the mistake of thinking his hand was cleaner than the mud that the Ark was about to fall into. The whole incident caused David to “take the standing eight count” as to whether returning the ark was what he really wanted. He pawned it off on the Obededom, and it stayed there for three months, until David saw how the ark had brought such blessing to Obededom and his entire family.

In chapter 7, God established the Davidic covenant. This key unconditional covenant promised that David would have a child that was yet to be born who would succeed him and establish his kingdom.

 

This son (Solomon) would build the temple instead of David, and the throne of his kingdom would be well established forever, even in spite of the sins he may commit. It further promised that David’s house, his kingdom, and his throne would be established forever.

 

David was deeply moved by God’s covenant of grace, and humbly came into God’s presence and offered the prayer of thanksgiving recorded in7:18-29.

 

In chapter 8, David consolidates the kingdom by defeating in rapid succession the Philistines, the Moabites, the Syrians, and the Edomites. The key to theses conquests is found in verse 14, “And the Lord preserved David withersoever he went.”

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

Through DAVID, THE ANOINTED KING OVER ISRAEL – II Samuel 5:3 (Psalm 2:2; John1:41– Christ is the Lord’s Anointed. Note that “Christ” is the Greek word for the Hebrew word “Messiah,” which means “anointed one.”)

TODAY’S READING: II SAMUEL 1-4

 

OVERVIEW:

The death of Saul; David mourns the death of Saul and Jonahthan; David’s song of sorrow; David is crowned king ofJudah; Ishbosheth is made king ofIsrael; Abner deserts Ishbosheth to align with David; Joab murders Abner; Ishbosheth’s murder; David’s execution of Ishbosheth’s murderers.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we saw in yesterday’s reading, I Samuel ends with the death of Saul. II Samuel is, as the name of the Book implies, is a continuation of the narrative of I Samuel, so it likewise begins as I Samuel ends, with the death of Saul.

 

Saul’s death gives us an incredible glimpse into the heart of the only one Scripture ever specifically identifies as a “man after God’s own heart” (I Sam.13:14; Acts13:22). With all that Saul had done to David and had attempted to do, one would think that David would be elated at the news of his death.

 

That’s precisely what Saul’s killer thought! Uh, not so much! Amazingly, David genuinely grieved and lamented Saul’s death (1:11-12, 17), even composing a song as a beautiful and continuous memorial toIsrael’s first king (1:19-27). David slayed Saul’s slayer for the audacity of thinking it was within his right to put to death the one whom God had anointed. Be careful who you slay, realizing more people are slain with the four ounce slab of mucous membrane that rests behind our teeth, than all of the world’s swords and knives combined!

 

But withIsrael’s king now dead, the question was, who would be his successor? Back in I Samuel 16:13, David had been anointed by God by the prophet Samuel asIsrael’s next king. But that was a long time ago, and Abner, Saul’s cousin and the powerful commander of Saul’s army was determined to keep the kingship within the family, and perhaps better stated, within his own authority. He moves to persuade the elders ofIsraelto put Saul’s son, Ishbosheth, on the throne.

 

Once again, it is incredible to watch the “man after God’s own heart” operate. With the anointing David had received of Samuel, he most certainly could have justified himself in facing Abner in battle for his “right” as God’s chosen successor. Rather, David inquired of the Lord (2:1,4), placing his life and the entire situation completely in God’s hands. It is a great lesson for those of us to whom the Scripture identifies as “lovers of their own selves” (II Tim. 3:1-2), and those who are interested in their “rights” (Rev. 3:14 – “Laodicean” = “the rights of the people”), who are so prone toward self-promotion and personal advancement, rather than waiting upon God, seeking God, and trusting God.

 

What situation are you presently facing, that from a human perspective, you would have the “right” to vaunt yourself, and “make happen” what you know God has determined as His will? David teaches us how unnecessary it is to fight for our “rights,” and how God proves His faithfulness when “self” is off of the throne, and we patiently and confidently submit ourselves to Christ’s Lordship, allowing Him to carry out His will in our lives, in His way, and in His time. David realized that if Jehovah had indeed anointed him as king, then Jehovah would deal with his enemies, and bring him into the possession of the kingdom.

 

God led David toHebronwhere He was anointed king ofJudah, yetJudahwas only a small representation ofIsrael’s tribes. The other tribes ofIsraelrefused to recognize David’s kingship. But in due time, Abner and Ishbosheth had a major falling out, causing Abner to pledge his loyalty to David.

 

When Joab, the captain of David’s army returned from battle and heard that David had met with Abner, it sent Joab over the top! He immediately planned to kill Abner, and did so by stabbing him under the fifth rib (the perfect location to assure death). In response, David publicly condemned Abner’s murder in two ways: first, by cursing Joab and his house; and second, by proclaiming a time of mourning for Abner, while openly mourning for Abner himself.

 

With Abner out of the way, Ishbosheth’s position became weaker and weaker, while David’s grew stronger, and stronger. Baanah and Rechab realized that David’s rule overIsraelwas inevitable, and decided to impress David by killing Ishbosheth. David, however, was not impressed! David realized that God would never lead men to violate His Word in order to enthrone His king (i.e. It’s never right to do wrong, in order to do something right!) David knew that God was more than able to fulfill His promises to him without the assistance of murderers! David called for Baanah’s and Rechab’s execution, exposing their bodies to the humiliation of public display, while the head of Ishobosheth was respectfully and honorably buried in the tomb of Abner.

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In DAVID’S SONG OF SORROW – II Sam.1:19-27 (Even though Saul had made David his enemy, David continuously loved Saul. Christ loved us, even though we had made ourselves His enemies – Rom. 5:8, 10a; Eph. 2:1, 4-5a)

In DAVID’S PARTIAL REIGN – II Sam. 2:4 (Though David had been anointed asIsrael’s king; he actually reigned over a very small percentage of those to whom he was entitled to rule. He patiently waited for God’s timing. In similar fashion, the Lord Jesus Christ has been anointed King over all the earth, yet awaits the Father’s timing to actually possess His kingdom. There are only a small percentage of the world’s population who recognize Christ as their Lord and King, but one day soon, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father – Phil. 2:10-11)

 

TODAY’S READING: I SAMUEL 26-31

 

OVERVIEW:

David spares Saul’s life again; David lives in the land of the Philistines and defeats many enemies; Saul consults with a witch regarding going to war; David recovers his family and the families of his soldiers who are kidnapped; Saul’s sons are killed in battle and Saul takes his own life.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

What a sad slide Saul has taken throughout the Book of I Samuel.  He has gone from prophesying, showing how God’s hand was upon his life, to consulting with a witch just to prove how desperate the life without God can become.  He has all the power of the entire universe on his side when he starts out as king, and finishes his life exerting the only power he has left; the power to take his own life.  He loses his fight with God, and with it, he loses the respect of those who love him.  He is dying to preserve his legacy and ends up doing just that.  His legacy is of a man who lives and dies as an example of how to blow it!

 

David on the other hand, emerges from obscurity because of the condition of his heart.  God tells Saul through Samuel that he “hath sought him a man after his own heart” (I Samuel13:14) “and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people.”  From the time David is chosen, until the day that Saul ends his life, God proves over and over that David will wait on the Lord, will not exalt himself, will deal with the adversity and the complicated mix of adversaries, and will not take anything except what God gives him.

 

So, the Book of Samuel is divided into two columns; one is titled “What NOT To Do,” and the other is titled “What TO Do.”  Eli and Saul occupy column one, while Samuel and David are in column two.  You and I choose the column in which our lives will be placed.  It was reasonable for Saul to do many of the things he did, but he was operating based upon his own vision, and this is precisely what got him in trouble and ultimately led to his demise.  David continually had apparent success at his fingertips, but he resisted the urge to rush in, but rather waited upon the Lord for his leading.  Because of his faith, God’s blessing was upon his life.

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

Through the URIM, which was used to determine God’s will – I Sam. 28:6 (Heb. 11:1-2 – Today Christ speaks to us to reveal His will through His Spirit as we read His Word.  “God… hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son.”)

 

TODAY’S READING: I SAMUEL 22-25

 

OVERVIEW:

David is a fugitive from Saul and runs to Nob,Gath, Adullam and the wilderness; David spares Saul’s life; Samuel dies; Abigail spares Nabal’s life.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

David was a great “man of God” in the truest sense of the word.  He excelled as a musician, warrior, writer, and inspiring leader.  But when God paints a picture of a believer, He paints with all the human frailties and frustrations included, so that we don’t misunderstand the struggles that always accompany greatness.  For some time, David struggled to keep his head above water.  When is the last time you had to dodge a javelin?  When is the last time you faked insanity so that you could survive among your enemies?  Knowing he was God’s choice as king was little consolation while David was on the run from the armies of Saul.  No wonder so many of the Psalms connect with us in our greatest time of need! (i.e. Psalm 100)

 

So, who would have blamed David for taking advantage of the most fantastic of coincidences when Saul, flanked by 3000 soldiers, “happens” upon the very cave in which David is hiding?  Here David could have “read” God to say just what his own good men whispered in his ear; that this had to be the day when the Lord promised to deliver Saul into his hands.  Oh, he was tempted.  But David resisted to hear anything other than the clear message God would later send through the events only He could orchestrate to bring David into the kingdom.  David even worried that he had flunked the spirit of the test by embarrassing the king.  His sensitive heart pleased God.  How sensitive are we to God’s working in, around, and through our lives? James 1:17-20

 

In Chapter 25, all of us who have ever worked for a genuine fool take great hope.  Abigail saves her fool of a husband, and for this God blesses her richly.  Simultaneously, we learn that “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans12:19).  David’s reaction to King Saul was correct, and he was saved from his weakness to seek vengeance against a fool by Abigail’s wise handling of the situation.  Many would have thought themselves powerless to stop a small army, but Abigail was “a woman of good understanding,” who new when to “make haste.” 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

By DAVID’S REFUSAL TO TAKE THE KINGDOM BY FORCE, OR BEFORE GOD’S APPOINTED TIME – I Sam. 24:10-13 (John6:15- Christ refused to become king ofIsraeluntil God’s appointed time.)

 

By ABIGAIL’S EFFORT TO MAKE PEACE BETWEEN DAVID AND NABAL – I Samuel 25:21-28 (II Corinthians5:19– God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself).

TODAY’S READING: I SAMUEL 18-21

 

OVERVIEW:

David and Jonathan become friends; David is promoted in the site ofIsraeland despised in the eyes of Saul; Saul plots and attempts to kill David; David is helped by Jonathan and others to escape Saul.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Killing the chief enemy ofIsrael(Goliath) certainly had a big effect on the reputation of David.  God had chosen to promote him in the eyes of the Israelites while Saul, who seems to be far more concerned with how things look rather than the state of his heart, becomes protective of his position and jealous of David at the same time.  With this, Saul loses his very most prized possession – his son.  Jonathan, the supposed heir of the kingdom, is knitted to David and they become fast and permanent friends.

How sad for Saul as he continues to slide out of the picture of God’s plan.  He wants more than anything for his kingdom to be preserved and for his son to sit on the throne in his place, and he will go to any lengths to see that he accomplishes this.  In the process of this pursuit Saul loses the essence of what he was really after – respect.  Matthew16:26says it all, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

 

Jonathan, however, is motivated by love, friendship, a covenant he made with David, and a calm sense that God is in control.  Chapter 20 makes it clear that Jonathan was not naïve about David replacing him, but Jonathan new that there are more important things than ones own promotion in front of people.  Jonathan would gladly play the role of protecting David, and with this, becomes one of the most beautiful portraits of selfless friendship and brotherly love in the whole Bible. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13, “Ye are my friends,” Jesus continues to say, “If you do whatsoever I command you.”

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the FRIEND THAT STICKETH CLOSER THAN A BROTHER – I Samuel 18:3 (Proverbs18:24, John15:13-16)

 

By JONATHAN, knowing that it was God’s will to make David king, stripped himself of his royal robe, promising all that he had to David – I Samuel 18:3-4.  (Phil. 2:5-8 – Jesus, knowing, the will of the Father, stripped Himself of His royal robe, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men… and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.)

 

 

 

TODAY’S READING: I SAMUEL 15-17

 

OVERVIEW:

Saul’s disobedience costs him the kingdom; God chooses David to be king; David kills Goliath.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

These three chapters are some of the most dramatic happenings in all of scripture.  Here God rejects a king, appoints another one to replace him out of obscurity, and instantaneously promotes the new king-elect in the eyes of the entire nation ofIsrael.

 

Each of these stories has been preached on numerous times because of the very clear messages that God is sending in each of them.  In Chapter 15, God gives King Saul a very clear command to totally annihilate the enemy, and by all outside appearances it looks as if Saul is going to obey God.  He gathers the troops, confidently prepares them and courageously leads them to battle, but out of victory, Saul snatches ultimate defeat.  After the hard part is done and the battle is won and while Saul is in total control, he “reinterprets” God’s command in order to do something that better suits his taste.  He keeps some of the spoils of battle, and with his own desires fulfilled; he leaves forever behind the hand of God upon his life. 

 

Ringing in his ears are Samuel’s words, “to obey is better than sacrifice,” while we go on to read what Saul did not understand at the time.  “Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death.”  How ironic. (Note that Romans 12 makes obedience and sacrifice one when we are “beseeched” to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service.)

 

And the irony only intensifies by the last verse of I Samuel 16 when the only cure for King Saul’s oppression from the evil spirit was the beautiful harp playing of David – the young man, who unbeknownst to Saul, was God’s choice for king. 

 

As the emphasis in the scripture forever shifts from Saul to David, it is thrilling to note what is at the heart of this shift – the heart.  While Saul was a choice that was easy on the eye, David was a man after God’s own heart. (16:7 – But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him (Saul): for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.) I Sam.13:14is where Saul is disqualified over the heart issue, and I Sam.12: 24has God urging Saul to keep his heart right.  Obviously, God is serious about the state of our inner being, since “heart” is in the scriptures 765 times, and it seldom refers to the physical blood pumping muscle!

 

With the whole heart issue in mind, we launch into the story of “David and Goliath”, which should be renamed, “David and His Motivations.”  While this history is often recounted emphasizing the fact that David desired to defend the name of God against the big, bad, evil Goliath who defied the God of Israel, his motivations seem quite different when we examine the emphasis the scripture puts on David’s discussions around the campfire prior to taking on the giant.  Three times David is told what will be done for the man who defeats Goliath (twice David asks). (I Sam. 17:25-30)  And to make the point even stronger, David’s eldest brother accuses him of having a bad heart attitude right in the middle of these discussions about the booty for killing the giant.  It is clear that God is strongly endorsing the fact that rewards often naturally accompany doing right by God and we do not need to shy away from them or apologize for being motivated by them as long as we are not perverted by them from doing God’s will.

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

Through DAVID’S NAME, which means “BELOVED” – I Sam. 16:13 (Matt.3:17; 17:5; Mark1:11; 9:7; Luke3:22;9:35)

TODAY’S READING: I SAMUEL 11-14

 

OVERVIEW:

The rise of King Saul as he obeys God; the fall of King Saul as he relies upon his own reasoning; Jonathan, Saul’s son, acts in great courage.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

With all the disobedience and rejection God has tolerated throughoutIsrael’s history, Saul’s reign is delivered with this promise and warning, “Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.  But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.” I Sam. 12:24, 25.

 

Fourteen verses later Samuel is announcing privately to Saul what will still take years for God to deliver, “thy kingdom shall not continue:  the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart.”  Watching Saul try to hang on to his power and position from this point on, instead of seeking God and desiring to keep a pure heart, is like watching so many followers of Christ who structure their existence upon maintaining a good front, and getting from God what they want from Him, rather than hearing and heeding and knowing the God who in turn promotes and protects. (I Sam. 7:9; Jeremiah 22:29; Joshua 23:11; James 4:10)

 

In the New Testament, (Acts 13:21-22) Paul, (who’s original name was Saul), makes only one mention of his name’s sake saying, “And when He had removed him.”  How ironic that the first king ofIsraelis only known for having to be removed, so that God could fulfill His plan.  God will always seek a man after His own heart. (I Sam. 13:14;)

 

Jonathan, King Saul’s son, seems to have the heart of a lion (I Sam. 14:6), but his life is caught up in the web of his father’s sin.  Although he remains pure, the tangle of Saul ends his life too.  There is no private sin or private life.  What we do affects those around us, and most often and most severely, those we love (Numbers 32:22-24).

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

We see Christ in all that Samuel was meant to be – judge, priest, and prophet. John 5:30; Hebrews7:26and Acts 7:37.

 

TODAY’S READING: I SAMUEL 5-10 (don’t worry, it’s only 126 verses!)

 

OVERVIEW:

God wreaks havoc on His enemies through the Ark of the Covenant; Samuel leadsIsraelin reformation and worship;Israeldemands an earthly king and Saul is chosen by God.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The glory has departedIsrael(end of Chapter 4).  Ichabod has been born at the death of his father, uncle, grandfather and mother.  In one fail swoop, Samuel is ushered in as judge, priest and ruler.  While God is establishing His man, He is wreaking havoc in the lives of His enemies.  They have taken theArkin battle, and have found that nothing is more uncomfortable than the presence of God in the house of the devil (II Cor.6:14).

 

Samuel calls God’s people back to Him and as they respond to His Word, they are restored, and once again, are protected by God in a miraculous manner (II Chron.7:14). In the end, however, the sins of Samuel’s spiritual father, Eli, are visited upon Samuel and his sons sin in a manner similar to Eli’s sons (Deut. 5:9), and given this excuse the children of Israel reject their God and choose to ask for an earthly king (Phil. 3:19).

 

Ignoring all the warnings of how oppressive their choice of having an earthly king rather than God as king would be, the children ofIsraelare given Saul.  Once again, even thoughIsraelhas chosen God’s second best plan, God makes provision to give them a king who could chose to lead them to Him.

 

To the echoes of “God save the king” (I Sam.10:24), Saul begins his reign.

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

We see Christ in all that Samuel was meant to be – judge, priest, and prophet. John 5:30; Hebrews7:26and Acts 7:37.

 

TODAY’S READING: I SAMUEL 1-4

 

OVERVIEW:

God gives Samuel to Hannah; Hannah gives Samuel to God; Samuel gives himself to God; God gives Samuel toIsrael; Eli misappropriates the tabernacle by permitting his sons to disobey; Eli misses God’s message; Eli misuses the Ark of the Covenant; Samuel lives; Eli dies.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The Book of I Samuel begins at a time when “the word of the Lord was precious” (3:1).  It was precious for the same reason platinum is such a “precious” commodity today: because it is incredibly rare!  God’s people were in the place He wanted them, (the Promised Land), but they hadn’t actually “possessed their possession” the way God had intended.  God had repeatedly warned them in Deuteronomy 8 and 9 of the danger of forgetting Him after He had brought them into the land.  The warning had gone totally unheeded, however, resulting in two extremely unfortunate realities in I Samuel:  1) God’s people were not bringing Him the honor, respect, fear, and glory He deserved and/or demanded; 2) God’s people were not experiencing the “abundant life” He had designed for them to enjoy in the “land that flowed with milk and honey.”  Once again,Israelis a picture of believers who are “in Christ,” but live lives beneath what God intended life in Christ to be.

 

Enter Samuel, the miracle child given to a mom who surrendered him to God before he was even born.  He was to be the first of the prophets, the last of the judges, and the man that would usher inIsrael’s earthly kings.  He was born into a time when God’s perfect will was largely ignored.  He would faithfully serve God and His people, and yet ultimately be rejected by the people.  ThoughIsraelrejected Samuel, God was clear that it was actually Him that they were rejecting (8:7).  Because of their rejection of God’s leadership, they sought out kings to lead them as had the other nations of the world.  The kings are all ultra-imperfect pictures of Christ, whose kingdom would nonetheless be ushered in at God’s perfect time.

 

The Book of I Samuel is fast paced and layered with historical and spiritual significance.  One of the most intriguing lessons repeated throughout the Book of I Samuel is the way that God always provides a “new perfect will” for His people, even as they mess up the “perfect will” He had them working within the day before.  In Chapter 1, it is out of a sticky marital situation that Samuel is born to Hannah.  Hannah is one of Elkanah’s two wives who prayed that God would give her some relief from her “adversary” (the other wife with whom she could not get along).  Elkanah loved Hannah, but his acceptance of what was culturally acceptable (bigamy), while not in God’s perfect will, was the backdrop for God’s “new perfect will” – Samuel.  (Random note – Over 30% of live births in theU.S.are now outside of marriage altogether, which is obviously not in God’s perfect will, and yet God has a “new perfect will” for each of these souls.)

 

In Chapter 2, when Hannah presents back to God His present to her, she is handing Samuel over to a priest who has long departed from God’s perfect will.  He is a carnal, obese (I Sam.4:18) old man who has allowed his own sons (who are the sons of Belial!) to run the tabernacle. And, run it they did. Right into the ground!  Out of this, God’s “new perfect will” emerges.  And even with the loss of the Ark of the Covenant in Chapter 4 in a battle improperly fought byIsrael, the “new perfect will” of God will emerge.  Lamentations3:22& 23 says, “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Hallelujah for God’s unending mercies and unfailing compassions forIsrael, and US!   

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

We see Christ in all that Samuel was meant to be – judge, priest, and prophet. John 5:30; Hebrews7:26and Acts 7:37.

 

 

 

 

TODAY’S READING: RUTH 1-4

 

OVERVIEW: Elimelech and Naomi and their two sons sojourn into Moab during a time of famine; Elimelech’s death; the marriage of Naomi’s two sons to Orpah and Ruth; the death of Naomi’s sons; Naomi’s decision to return to Bethlehem and Ruth’s decision to go with her; Ruth goes to glean in the field of Boaz in Bethlehem; Boaz’s kindness to Ruth; Naomi informs Ruth that Boaz can fulfill the role of kinsman-redeemer; Ruth approaches Boaz at the threshingfloor; Boaz fulfills the role of Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer, taking her to wife; Ruth gives birth to Obed, King David’s grandfather.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The Book of Ruth is the record of one of the greatest love stories of all time. Ruth’s story is a familiar one. She was born into this world a Moabitess. The Moabites were a race of people cursed by God due to sin (Deut. 23:3).

 

During a time of famine (1:1), one day someone shared with Ruth the fact that the Lord had visited His people inBethlehem, giving them bread (1:6). Upon hearing that good news, she left her father and mother and the gods of her homeland, and went to partake of the Lord’s provision of bread inBethlehem(1:15-18).

 

When she arrived in Bethlehem, she just “happened” (2:3) to go to work, gleaning in the harvest field of the only man on earth who would carry out for her the Old Testament provision of the kinsman redeemer (Lev. 25:23-28). His name was Boaz, a mighty man of wealth, a Jew, from the city ofBethlehem(2:1-2). Boaz take one look at her, falls head-over-heels in love with her (2:5), and takes her out of his harvest field to be his bride (4:9-10). “And,” as the old saying goes, “they lived happily ever after.”

 

Like Ruth, we too, were born into a race of people that had been cursed by God due to sin (Rom. 5:12; 6:23a). We call it the “human” race.

 

But, one day, someone shared with us the fact that God had visited this planet, being born inBethlehem(Luke 2:4, 7), as the Bread of Life (John6:35), and could feed the famine sin had left in our soul. Upon hearing that “good news” (gospel – I Cor. 15:1-4), we left our father and mother (Matt.10:37), and the “gods” we once served in our homeland (I Thess. 1:9), and became a partaker of God’s provision on our behalf.

 

We have now been left to work, gleaning in the harvest field (Matt.13:38) of our Jewish Kinsman

Redeemer, the mighty man of wealth (the “God-man”) from the city ofBethlehem, until He calls us out of His harvest field (I Thess.4:16) to make us His bride (Rev. 19:7; 21:9), and so shall we ever be with the Lord (I Thess.4:17), living happily ever after (Rev. 21:4).

 

In October and November of 2007 we covered the book of Ruth in Sunday morning sermon series, which is available on request. 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

Through BOAZ, the mighty and wealthy Jewish kinsman-redeemer from the city of Bethlehem who took a Gentile bride out of his harvest field – Ruth 2-4 (Isa. 9:6; Heb. 4:15; Luke 2:4-7: Rev. 19:7; Matt. 13: