Reflections on I Samuel 4-6

On November 17, 2016 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 November 15, 2016 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.

Reflections on Ruth 3-4

On November 10, 2016 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 November 8, 2016 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?

Reflections on Judges 19-21

On November 3, 2016 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 November 1, 2016 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?

Reflections on Judges 13-16

On October 27, 2016 By BrianIn OT Reflections

Our passage today focuses on Samson. He was a man used mightily by God despite his many moral flaws. Note:

Disobedience – The list of Samson’s sins is long. God told Israel not to intermarry with the inhabitants of the land, but Samson did anyway. As a Nazirite, he was not to go near a dead body (Numbers 6), yet he scraped honey from the carcass of a lion and ate it. He slept with a prostitute. He acts out of anger and vengefulness. He often seems to have a complete disregard for the commands of God. What about you?
Wisdom – Samson often seems to lack in wisdom. He fails to see the potential problems of marrying a Philistine. He foolishly tells his wife the riddle. Later, he foolishly tells Delilah the secret of his strength. Are you making wise choices?
Faith – Despite his failings, Hebrews 11 includes him as an example of faith. Samson apparently trusted God to help him as he fought the Philistines. He looked to God to help him bring the house down upon the Philistines even though it meant his own death. Are you walking by faith?
God’s Sovereignty – Samson’s life points clearly to the truth that God can make use of even our shortcomings for his purposes. Though it was wrong for Samson to marry a Philistine, God used it as an opportunity for Samson to fight them (see 14:4). God used Samson flaws and all, and he can use us flaws and all. That is not an excuse for us to be complacent – who knows how much more God might have used Samson if he had been given over completely to God. But it should encourage us to know that God can bring good even out of our moral failures, and that God can use imperfect people like us.

Reflections on Judges 11-12

On October 25, 2016 By BrianIn OT Reflections

Our passage today focuses on Jephthah. Consider:

Lack of peace –Jephthah delivers Israel from the Ammonites, but then we see him leading some of God’s people to fight against another tribe of God’s people. As a result, 42,000 people die. How sad when God’s people fight among themselves. Are you fighting with another of God’s people? Is there strife, conflict, bitterness, anger between you and another? What will you do to seek peace?
Rash words – Before Jephthah goes to fight the battle, he utters rash foolish words that cost him the life of his only child. Our words may not usually have such dire consequences, but we too speak words without thinking that hurt others. When have you spoken such rash words? How might you be more careful to guard your tongue?

Judges 11-16: Learning From Samson

On October 24, 2016 By BrianIn OT Studies

(13) A whole chapter is given to Samson’s parents. What details are given, and what do those details tell us about their relationship with God? Be specific.

In what ways should we follow their example?

What does Manoah want to know about their child (v8)? How is this a good example for us? Where would we find the answers?

(14) Describe Samson’s attitude in v1-3. How does this compare to our culture’s attitude? Be specific.

What does v4 teach us about human choices and God’s sovereignty? How might this encourage you as you look around the world today?

(14-16) Many details of Samson’s life are given in these chapters. From those details, what character flaws do you see in Samson?

How do these character flaws lead Samson into trouble?

In what ways do you see these same character flaws in our culture today?

(14-16) From the details given about Samson, what good character traits do you find in him?

In what ways should we follow his example?

(13-16) What part does the Spirit play in Samson’s life (13:25, 14:6, 14:19, 15:14)?

Despite Samson’s many imperfections, God still used him. How does that encourage you?

At the same time, Samson’s end is tragic. What warning do you find here for your life?

Reflections on Judges 9-10

On October 20, 2016 By BrianIn OT Reflections

In our passage today, God raises up Tola and Jair as judges. One man raises up himself – Abimelech. Observe:

Self-exaltation – God raised up judges to help the people of Israel. Abimelech raised up himself to the harm of God’s people. Abimelech’s story is a sad affair of murder, betrayal, and fighting. Are you trying to exalt yourself above others – no matter who you have to step on to get to the top? Or will you follow God’s direction in I Peter 5:6 and humble yourself before the Lord, that he may exalt you?
True Repentance – After Tola and Jair, the cycle continues: the people rebel and God sends enemies as punishment. The people again cried out to God, confessing their sin, but they did not change their ways. So God did not help them. Are you confessing your sins, but not turning from them? We must repent from sin not just in word but in our actions. From what sin in your life do you need to truly repent?