1 Samuel 17 is truly legendary. David, Goliath, a stone. That old enemy of Israel, the Philistines, had gathered its armies together to battle. Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together as well. Both forces camping in their respective places. At that time, Israel arrayed itself on one mountain side while the Philistines stood on the other mountain side with a valley (more correctly - a ravine) in between.
The Philistines had a champion named Goliath. He stood over nine feet tall. He had a bronze helmet, a coat of mail, bronze armor on his legs, a bronze javelin and a spear - and all of it was very heavy and imposing. All he wore or carried said "power". He was outfitted to the hilt. A visible display of force / domination. He also had a loud mouth and cast insults toward the Israelites and demanded engagement on his terms. He was big, loud and angry. Such can be the enemies of God's people.
I suspect that each day the Israelites would roll out of their tents and survey the morning horizon. Each day, there he would come again. Just to confront them. Their eye would be drawn to him. Possibly, they would look to the side, but in the back of their mind, they could not escape him. This Goliath. Morning by morning, still there.
Then, one day a tender youth arrived. "Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." He would run to the enemy and say, "I come to you in the name". Young David had his eyes on Someone else.
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Monday, February 8, 2016
Places to Hide
The book of Samuel lays bare Israel's transition from a theocracy to a monarchy. Their heart had cooled to their God. So, they demanded a person to reign over them instead of God. They wanted a layer of humanity between them and divinity. Their demand spoke of their longing to be like other nations (1Sam 8:20) and their rejection of their God (1Sam 8:7).
Well, a man after their heart is chosen by God. A man named Saul. Head and shoulders above the rest of them, surely he is a leader! And . . he was attractive. That's the guy. Everything about his outward appearance is exactly what they wanted.
In time, their new king would find himself battling Israel's old enemy - the Philistines. The Philistines ruled over Israel in those days. Israel was in bondage - again. In chapter 13, the battle lines are precisely drawn. Jonathan attacks the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba. The ruling Philistines sound the alarm. These uppity Hebrews think they can overcome us! The enemy response is overwhelming. A multitude of chariots, horsemen and people "as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude" arrive at the doorstep of Saul's army which is gathered at Gilgal. As someone has said, Israel "poked the bear."
It must have been quite a sight. Israel looking up the rocky slopes from the plain just northwest of Jericho where Gilgal was toward the hills of Benjamin. Michmash and Geba were up there. The silhouettes of the enemy filled the skyline. Chariots, horsemen, officers, soldiers. Israel felt the danger. They were afraid. It caused them to hide. They hid in caves . . in thickets . . in rocks . . in holes . . and in pits. Some simply high-tailed it out of there. Sprinting toward the Jordan and lands beyond. So many places for the people of God to hide.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Saul must be taken out of the way
1 and 2 Chronicles
Chronicles is not a repetition of Kings. It is a view of Israel's history during the same time period but views those elements that are distinctly redeemable. To me, it lingers on those events that remain (works that would align with 1Cor 3:14). It has a priestly focus. The temple. The worship of God. Acts of faith.
Though we are in the second half of 2 Chron, there are some notes that I wanted to share. 1 Chron 1-9 are taken up with Chronicling God's earthly people. Who was the son of who, brothers and sisters etc. Each name (and therefore person) pondered by God and placed in the list. Each had their unique contribution to the big family.
Chapter 10 recounts the end of Saul - that picture of self, of flesh, of weakness (Mr. "I forced myself" 1Sam 13:12). In it, we read of that famous battle on Mount Gilboa. Saul is hit. Saul is wounded. Saul is dying. Saul dies. God comments on the reason for his death in verse 13. He "died for his trespass which he committed against the Lord, because of the word of the Lord which he did not keep and [a second thing] . . . therefore [God] killed him.
Verse 14 concludes with the transfer of the kingdom to David. 14 verses on Saul followed by 19 chapters on David. This speaks to me about the hearts of these men. Chronicles focusing on the Temple, the Priesthood, the worship of God, the heart of Israel. It is no wonder that David takes up so much space.
The story is often like that. Saul must fall first for David to rise. As long as Saul is in power, very little story is written. But when David takes the throne, the wide vistas of God's work have just begun.
No more Saul.
Chronicles is not a repetition of Kings. It is a view of Israel's history during the same time period but views those elements that are distinctly redeemable. To me, it lingers on those events that remain (works that would align with 1Cor 3:14). It has a priestly focus. The temple. The worship of God. Acts of faith.
Though we are in the second half of 2 Chron, there are some notes that I wanted to share. 1 Chron 1-9 are taken up with Chronicling God's earthly people. Who was the son of who, brothers and sisters etc. Each name (and therefore person) pondered by God and placed in the list. Each had their unique contribution to the big family.
Chapter 10 recounts the end of Saul - that picture of self, of flesh, of weakness (Mr. "I forced myself" 1Sam 13:12). In it, we read of that famous battle on Mount Gilboa. Saul is hit. Saul is wounded. Saul is dying. Saul dies. God comments on the reason for his death in verse 13. He "died for his trespass which he committed against the Lord, because of the word of the Lord which he did not keep and [a second thing] . . . therefore [God] killed him.
Verse 14 concludes with the transfer of the kingdom to David. 14 verses on Saul followed by 19 chapters on David. This speaks to me about the hearts of these men. Chronicles focusing on the Temple, the Priesthood, the worship of God, the heart of Israel. It is no wonder that David takes up so much space.
The story is often like that. Saul must fall first for David to rise. As long as Saul is in power, very little story is written. But when David takes the throne, the wide vistas of God's work have just begun.
No more Saul.
Monday, March 29, 2010
How beautiful is an open flower
David has come and gone (Acts 13:36).
The kingdom was transferred to his son. It was an awkward transfer, but in time Solomon was firmly placed on the throne. It was Solomon who was the builder of the temple. That unique place where God chose to dwell. A house really.
How valuable and how focal was the sanctuary / the house of God. Such a primary object in Israel. The place where God dwelt. The central place of worship for the entire nation. So should God's residence be in my heart. A well kept place, a great place, a beautiful place, a pre-eminent place.
I Kings 6:29 tells me of some of the carvings that were found in the house. His house. "He carved all the walls of the house round about with carved engravings of cherubim, palm trees and open flowers, inner and outer sanctuaries. . . "
Verses 32 and 35 repeat these carvings.
Open flowers. Open flowers. This caught my eye. They were open. Life, beauty, nothing hidden. The flower had arrived at its created purpose. It had reached its full display. Much as a flower opens to the sun as it courses the sky, so is the heart that dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. In God's presence, there is fullness of joy. In God's presence, I find a fully open life. In God's presence, people finally explode with all of the richness and purpose of life.
Time to bloom!
The kingdom was transferred to his son. It was an awkward transfer, but in time Solomon was firmly placed on the throne. It was Solomon who was the builder of the temple. That unique place where God chose to dwell. A house really.
How valuable and how focal was the sanctuary / the house of God. Such a primary object in Israel. The place where God dwelt. The central place of worship for the entire nation. So should God's residence be in my heart. A well kept place, a great place, a beautiful place, a pre-eminent place.
I Kings 6:29 tells me of some of the carvings that were found in the house. His house. "He carved all the walls of the house round about with carved engravings of cherubim, palm trees and open flowers, inner and outer sanctuaries. . . "
Verses 32 and 35 repeat these carvings.
Open flowers. Open flowers. This caught my eye. They were open. Life, beauty, nothing hidden. The flower had arrived at its created purpose. It had reached its full display. Much as a flower opens to the sun as it courses the sky, so is the heart that dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. In God's presence, there is fullness of joy. In God's presence, I find a fully open life. In God's presence, people finally explode with all of the richness and purpose of life.
Time to bloom!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Make Me A Servant
The Judges with all of their instruction for us are fading from view. The final four chapters of Judges showed how low people can go when they simply do what is right in their own eyes. Painful. Ruth followed and what a breath of fresh air her story was.
1 Samuel provides the background for how Israel came to have kings. They went from a Theocracy with God as their King, to a monarchy with a man as their king. Their first king was a notably handsome man. He was "choice and handsome, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel." Wow! Sounds like someone who should be on the cover of magazines in our day. "From his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people." (9:2). Sign him up!
If there should be leadership in a man, it would seem to be housed in such a body, no? His name was Saul. As I begin to read of him, the first thing I find is that he is looking for lost donkeys. Further, his dad wants him to take a servant along to go with him to find them. After some time searching, they did not find them. Saul proposed that a return trip was in order to calm dad's anxieties. All in all, there is nothing remarkable about this story. That is what makes this future king's story so alarming. Nothing spoke of noble character, lofty vision, or loving leadership.
But something comes into the story - or someone. In verse 6, it is the servant's turn.
In this city "there is a man of God, " he says. (Oooh, let's find out what God has to say)
Saul replies, "but what shall we bring the man?" (Decisions, decisions, decisions)
The servant pulls out some money from his pocket and says, "I will give it to the man of God." (Personal sacrifice)
"Well said," said Saul.
"Well said" is right. The servant was wiser and crisper about things of life than Saul. He knew what was required and knew what to do to get there. This is a leader. I wonder if dad knew this trouble spot about his son. "Take now with you one of the servants."
The servant has such a small place in the Scripture. But, he helped me see Saul.
King Saul. The king which they had chosen. There he is, Israel. Your king. The king after your heart. Well, he certainly looks like a king! (cf. 1Sam 16:7) What would be the outcome of this king's reign? So many decisions would need to be made. Decisions, decisions.
He had the servant tell him what was right. He did not ask for God when he could not find what he was looking for. He wondered how to pay for advice from the man of God. He watched someone close to him voluntarily offer money on his behalf. He heard the good decision. He finally concluded, "well said, let's go."
Make me a servant, today.
1 Samuel provides the background for how Israel came to have kings. They went from a Theocracy with God as their King, to a monarchy with a man as their king. Their first king was a notably handsome man. He was "choice and handsome, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel." Wow! Sounds like someone who should be on the cover of magazines in our day. "From his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people." (9:2). Sign him up!
If there should be leadership in a man, it would seem to be housed in such a body, no? His name was Saul. As I begin to read of him, the first thing I find is that he is looking for lost donkeys. Further, his dad wants him to take a servant along to go with him to find them. After some time searching, they did not find them. Saul proposed that a return trip was in order to calm dad's anxieties. All in all, there is nothing remarkable about this story. That is what makes this future king's story so alarming. Nothing spoke of noble character, lofty vision, or loving leadership.
But something comes into the story - or someone. In verse 6, it is the servant's turn.
In this city "there is a man of God, " he says. (Oooh, let's find out what God has to say)
Saul replies, "but what shall we bring the man?" (Decisions, decisions, decisions)
The servant pulls out some money from his pocket and says, "I will give it to the man of God." (Personal sacrifice)
"Well said," said Saul.
"Well said" is right. The servant was wiser and crisper about things of life than Saul. He knew what was required and knew what to do to get there. This is a leader. I wonder if dad knew this trouble spot about his son. "Take now with you one of the servants."
The servant has such a small place in the Scripture. But, he helped me see Saul.
King Saul. The king which they had chosen. There he is, Israel. Your king. The king after your heart. Well, he certainly looks like a king! (cf. 1Sam 16:7) What would be the outcome of this king's reign? So many decisions would need to be made. Decisions, decisions.
He had the servant tell him what was right. He did not ask for God when he could not find what he was looking for. He wondered how to pay for advice from the man of God. He watched someone close to him voluntarily offer money on his behalf. He heard the good decision. He finally concluded, "well said, let's go."
Make me a servant, today.
Monday, March 1, 2010
A Real Relation
Joshua led the people after Moses' death. Though it was Moses who spoke with God face to face, Joshua still spoke with God. Leadership must speak with God. They must be speaking with Him and He must be speaking with them.
This is the golden era of Israel's history. There were failures, but they are notably dwarfed by the success God gave Israel in its conquest of the promised land of Canaan. Joshua had just come off the miraculous success of conquering Jericho toward the beginning of the conquest. Unknown to him, an Israelite named Achan had grabbed some of the expensive loot during the battle - something forbidden by God. As a result, God would not fight for Israel until the sin had been dealt with. So, when Israel went to do battle with Ai, they lost.
Joshua's reaction is so interesting to me. Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening . . . "Alas, O Lord God, why did You ever bring this people over the Jordan, only to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? If only we had been willing to dwell beyond the Jordan. . ." (Josh 7:6-9) Was Joshua not the leader of Israel? He had such a long history with God. Yet, why did he fall apart? Why so despairing?
I remember similar things in Moses (Num 11:11-15) when he said to God, "why have You been so hard on Your servant?" Further Ex 33:12-16 shows the frustration Moses had with God. "See, you say to me, 'Bring up this people!' But You Yourself have not let me know whom You will send with me. . ."
We see similar things of David in the Psalms.
We see a similar note even in Jesus who cried out to His Father, "why have You forsaken Me?"
Why such falling apart among such godliness?
Maybe the better question would be why is there not more falling apart before God. Each of these had such intimacy with God, an obvious relationship with the God of the universe. When that fellowship went awry, each one cried out with vigor and passion - even if sometimes misdirected - to their Relation. So real was their connection to Him. So willing to direct whatever was in their hearts to Him. God does not want verbal dainties. He wants my heart.
So strong were they.
(Thank you, Lord)
This is the golden era of Israel's history. There were failures, but they are notably dwarfed by the success God gave Israel in its conquest of the promised land of Canaan. Joshua had just come off the miraculous success of conquering Jericho toward the beginning of the conquest. Unknown to him, an Israelite named Achan had grabbed some of the expensive loot during the battle - something forbidden by God. As a result, God would not fight for Israel until the sin had been dealt with. So, when Israel went to do battle with Ai, they lost.
Joshua's reaction is so interesting to me. Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening . . . "Alas, O Lord God, why did You ever bring this people over the Jordan, only to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? If only we had been willing to dwell beyond the Jordan. . ." (Josh 7:6-9) Was Joshua not the leader of Israel? He had such a long history with God. Yet, why did he fall apart? Why so despairing?
I remember similar things in Moses (Num 11:11-15) when he said to God, "why have You been so hard on Your servant?" Further Ex 33:12-16 shows the frustration Moses had with God. "See, you say to me, 'Bring up this people!' But You Yourself have not let me know whom You will send with me. . ."
We see similar things of David in the Psalms.
We see a similar note even in Jesus who cried out to His Father, "why have You forsaken Me?"
Why such falling apart among such godliness?
Maybe the better question would be why is there not more falling apart before God. Each of these had such intimacy with God, an obvious relationship with the God of the universe. When that fellowship went awry, each one cried out with vigor and passion - even if sometimes misdirected - to their Relation. So real was their connection to Him. So willing to direct whatever was in their hearts to Him. God does not want verbal dainties. He wants my heart.
So strong were they.
(Thank you, Lord)
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Come Again?
Midway through Deuteronomy now.
Many noteworthy things since the last post.
In Deut 18, we read of another prophet who will be raised up. I remember God showing His violent power on Mt Sinai but even more terrible must have been His Voice. It was a type of Voice that, when heard, the people would say, "let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God." Further, it was a type of fire that, when seen, the people would say, "let me not see this great fire anymore." Why? They felt as if they would die. It was the presence of a being so accosting, that death pounded in their ears and in their hearts. "I will die".
God agreed. Verse 18:17 conveys the Lord's estimation of such a conclusion. "They have spoken well."
But, as is so like our Father, there is more to the story. God tells them of someone else. Someone else would be heard and seen. What? You mean to say that there will be another word from this horrific God? Yes.
There will be another one, one from among them, who will speak. God said, "I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him."
Yes, God was saying that someone was coming who would speak His words. Yes, God would come again. He would have a voice. But, no longer would God condone "let me not hear," "let me not see." No, they would have no option to refuse this voice. What would it be like? What kind of words would come out of this one? What would they see this time? The absolute most appropriate, receivable and personable Being, who would use their language, their form and their tones to share the reality of God and His message.
No one ever saw such Grace. And no one ever saw such Truth.
How could anyone not listen to such words?
Many noteworthy things since the last post.
In Deut 18, we read of another prophet who will be raised up. I remember God showing His violent power on Mt Sinai but even more terrible must have been His Voice. It was a type of Voice that, when heard, the people would say, "let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God." Further, it was a type of fire that, when seen, the people would say, "let me not see this great fire anymore." Why? They felt as if they would die. It was the presence of a being so accosting, that death pounded in their ears and in their hearts. "I will die".
God agreed. Verse 18:17 conveys the Lord's estimation of such a conclusion. "They have spoken well."
But, as is so like our Father, there is more to the story. God tells them of someone else. Someone else would be heard and seen. What? You mean to say that there will be another word from this horrific God? Yes.
There will be another one, one from among them, who will speak. God said, "I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him."
Yes, God was saying that someone was coming who would speak His words. Yes, God would come again. He would have a voice. But, no longer would God condone "let me not hear," "let me not see." No, they would have no option to refuse this voice. What would it be like? What kind of words would come out of this one? What would they see this time? The absolute most appropriate, receivable and personable Being, who would use their language, their form and their tones to share the reality of God and His message.
No one ever saw such Grace. And no one ever saw such Truth.
How could anyone not listen to such words?
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