Category: Bible Journey

I Samuel 7-12: Where Is Your Heart?

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(7) What three instructions does Samuel give in v3?  How are they related to each other?

What commentary does this verse give to our culture’s obsession with the call to “just follow your heart”?

How does God respond to their repentance to further woo their hearts in this chapter?  How has God wooed your heart?

(8) On what are the hearts of Samuel’s sons set?

On what are the hearts of the people of Israel set in this chapter?  Why (v5, 20)?

How are we tempted in similar ways?

Samuel’s warnings of what a king will mean for them falls on deaf ears.  What are some examples of people whose hearts are set on something and so refuse to accept warnings?

(9-11) What characteristics does Saul have that might seem to make him a good choice for a king?  What concerns might there be?  How would you describe his heart?

God’s Spirit comes upon Saul making him a new man with a new heart to lead the people and fight their enemies (10:6, 9; 11:6).  So God is ultimately responsible for their victory over the Ammonites, as Saul himself recognizes (11:13).  Why is that important for the people to remember?  For us?

God touches the hearts of many men of valor to fight with Saul.  What has God placed on your heart?

(12) What instructions does Samuel give in v20-25?  What incentives are provided?

What are some empty things the world chases after that we might be tempted to also chase after?

What would it look like to serve God with all your heart?

Reflections on I Samuel 4-6

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Israel was fighting the Philistines, so they brought the ark to the battlefield thinking it would help them.  Instead they lose the battle…and the ark.

  • Good luck charm – Rather than seek the Lord’s help with the battle, they bring the ark to the battle. They treat it as a good luck charm.  Are there objects in your life that you treat as good luck charms?  Not only does Israel treat the ark like a good luck charm, but since the ark represents God’s presence, they also treat God that way.  They thought they could manipulate God.  If they brought the ark, God would have to perform for them.  Do you treat God that way?
  • God’s Sovereign Power – The Philistines take the ark, but they soon learn that God is not one to trifle with. They place the ark in their temple only to find their idol bowing down to the ark.  Then God sends a plague upon them.  They are so hard-pressed that they finally send it back to Israel.  What powers do you see in this world?  How does this reminder of God’s sovereign power encourage you?  Will you trust in God’s sovereign power?

Reflections on I Samuel 1-3

On By BrianIn OT Reflections1 Comment

Like Ruth, the beginning of I Samuel is set during the period of the Judges.  Again we see examples of faithfulness amidst the corruption.  Note:

  • Worship – Elkanah faithfully brings his family to worship and sacrifice before the Lord each year. Three times in chapter one, we find the word worship – an obvious theme of the chapter.  Is it an obvious theme of your life?
  • Prayer and Praise – Another theme in chapter one is prayer. Hannah pours out her heart to the Lord.  God wonderfully answers her prayer, and the first part of chapter two records Hannah’s praises.  About what do you need to pour out your heart to God?  What answered prayers do you need to praise God about?  Do you regularly respond to answered prayers with praise?
  • Judgment for Sin – Eli’s sons did not follow the Lord. They treated God’s offerings with contempt, and slept with the women who served at the tent of meeting.  God sent a man to warn Eli that judgment was coming.  God spoke to Samuel to warn Eli again that judgment was coming.  We may look at those around us doing wicked things and apparently prospering, but remember – God’s judgment is coming.

I Samuel 1-6: To Honor God Or Not

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1) What word is used three times to show how Elkanah’s family honored God (1:3, 19, 26)?   What did that look like?

By application, what does that look like for us?

(1-2) In what ways does Hannah show honor to God?

How does the end of her prayer (2:10) foreshadow later events in this book and beyond?

(2) How does the rest of the chapter contrast Samuel and Eli’s sons as it relates to honoring God?

What applications might we find here for today?

(3) How does the author’s comment in 3:7 contrast to what we learned about Samuel in chapter 2?

In what ways might we see this contrast today?

(3) How does Samuel show honor to God? How does God respond?

(4) After Israel is defeated in v1-2, what smart idea do they have?  Are they honoring God or not?  Why?

How is this different from Hannah’s prayer in chapter 1?

When are we tempted to treat God like Israel did?

(5-6) How do the Philistines treat God at the beginning?  How does God respond?

How do the Philistines change their approach to God?  What do they decide to do?

(6) How do the people of Beth-shemesh treat God?  What happens?

What can we learn from the Philistines and the people of Beth-shemesh?

Reflections on Ruth 3-4

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God takes a story that begins with tragedy and death, and ends it with joy and new life.  Note:

  • Kinsman Redeemer – If a man in Israel died without a son, it was the responsibility of a relative to marry the man’s wife, and their first son would be counted as the deceased man’s child to continue the family line (Deuteronomy 25). Land sold or lost also had to be redeemed by a relative (Leviticus 25).  Boaz serves as a kinsman redeemer by marrying the deceased’s wife and buying the land.  Jesus took on flesh to become our kinsman, that he might redeem us from our spiritual poverty and make us his bride.
  • God’s Grace – In the Old Testament, God had called Israel to be his people, but even then God was extending his grace to outsiders. Ruth is a wonderful example of this: she left her people and gods for the people of Israel and the true God (1:16), she found refuge under God’s wings (2:12), and she was so incorporated into God’s people that she became an ancestor of David and ultimately of Jesus himself.  How did God bring you, an outsider, to himself?
  • God’s Providence – Naomi returned to Bethlehem bitter, but the story ends with joy. God is an expert at taking tragedies and bring good out of them.  What struggles are you facing?  Will you trust him?  Mourning comes for a time, but joy will follow.

Reflections on Ruth 1-2

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

After the depravity and apostasy of Judges, Ruth is a breath of fresh air and a reminder of how to live in dark times.  Observe:

  • Loyalty – Ruth demonstrates an incredible loyalty to Naomi. Ruth leaves everything she knows in order to stay with her mother-in-law.  She goes out to glean to help provide for not only herself but also Naomi.  How loyal are you to your family?  To your friends?  To your church family?  Do you stick with them?  Are you there to help in difficult times?
  • Care for the poor – Ruth gives us an example of one who needed the provision for the poor that God had set up in the Law. She goes to glean the leftovers from the field.  Boaz, who owns the field, shares God’s heart for the poor by encouraging her and helping her.  Do you have God’s heart for the poor?  How can you encourage and help those in need?
  • Godliness – After the depravity and apostasy of Judges, the book of Ruth gives us a simple reminder that some people still followed the Lord during this otherwise dark time. Boaz is a wonderful example of a godly man, and Ruth of a godly woman.  Yet references to the danger of other men assaulting Ruth makes clear that not all of Bethlehem is like them.  Boaz and Ruth live for God among many who do not.  In our world, where many do not follow God, will you follow the example of Boaz and Ruth?

Ruth 1-4: The Story of Ruth

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1-2) What evidence do you see of Ruth’s full commitment to the God of Israel (1:16-17)?

What does she leave behind?  What has she gained (2:12b)?

How does her example challenge you?

(1-4) Kindness is a recurring theme throughout the book.  How does Ruth show kindness to Naomi?  To Boaz?

How does Boaz show kindness to Ruth and Naomi?

How does Naomi show kindness to Ruth?

How might we apply their example to our own lives?  Be specific.

(1-4) Kindness in 2:20 could refer to Boaz’s kindness or to God’s kindness.  How does God show his kindness toward Ruth and Naomi?

In what similar ways, has he shown his kindness toward you?

(2-4) Another recurring theme is redemption.  In what way is Boaz a redeemer for Ruth?  How does she ask?  What does he do?

How does Boaz’s redemption of Ruth point to Jesus?

How does their son point to Jesus (4:14-16)?

(1-4) What evidence of God’s sovereignty do you see in the details of this story?  In this story’s place in God’s plan of redemption?

(1-4) The book begins with loss as Naomi comes back bitter and empty.  By the end of the book there is new life, and Naomi has found blessing and joy.  How is that an encouragement to you?

Reflections on Judges 19-21

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Our passage today reveals the depths of depravity to which Israel had sunk, and serves as a fitting reminder of the sinfulness of man.

  • Depravity – This entire passage reveals the depths to which Israel has fallen. Assault, rape, murder – this is not a cheerful story.  The story of the Levite in Gibeah has obvious parallels with the story of Lot in Sodom.  It is a sad reminder of the depravity of man.  Man is sinful, and in great need of a Savior!
  • Moral relativism – The book closes with the phrase: “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” They did what they wanted to do, rather than what God wanted them to do.  We see this early in the book, escalating as the book continues, and reaching its climax with Gibeah’s atrocities.  In what ways do you see this same approach in our society today?  Do you see this approach in your life?

 

Reflections on Judges 17-18

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Today’s passage focuses on the way Israel twisted their worship to fit their own ideas.

  • Idolatry – Micah’s mom ironically dedicates some money to the Lord to make a carved image which the Lord had clearly forbidden in the second commandment. Micah then sets it up in a shrine, making one of his sons a priest.  Later Micah makes a Levite his priest, concluding that now the Lord will prosper him.  Micah apparently thinks that he is worshipping God acceptably, but he is not worshipping as God has commanded.  Are you worshipping God in the way God commands or have you made up your own way of approaching God?
  • Idolatry Spreads – What begins with Micah spreads to the entire tribe of Dan. Our personal actions have consequences beyond us.  Our sin spreads to others.  How have other people’s sin tempted you to stray?  What sins in your life do you need to address before you lead someone else astray?

Judges 17-21: Right In Our Own Eyes

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(17) In one sentence, summarize the story of Micah and his mom.

Which of the Ten Commandments did they break and how?

How is their story a good example of “do-it-yourself” religion?

Give some examples of “do-it-yourself” religion in our world today.

(18) How does Micah’s idolatry spread to a whole tribe?

Again, which of the Ten Commandments did the Levite and the tribe of Dan break and how?

(19-21) Chapter 19 relates horrible events that first mirrors the story of Sodom, and then gets even worse – all of it now taking place in Israel!  How does Israel respond in chapter 20?

What small glimmer of godliness is found in chapter 20?

What problem does Israel now have in chapter 21?  Did they seek the Lord’s direction to address the problem?  What did they do?

(17-21) What editorial comment does the writer make four times in this passage (17:17:6, 18:1, 19:1, 21:25)?

Why is that significant?  How does it relate to Israel’s wickedness in these chapters?

What application is there for us today?

(17-21) What editorial comment does the writer use as a bookmark for these chapters (17:6, 21:25)?  Why is this a good summary of these chapters?

In what ways do you see this in our country and world today?

When are we tempted to live this way?  Why?