I Samuel 22 - Saul Kills the Priests at Nob

I Samuel 22

Then Ahimelech answered the king and said, “And who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s own son-in-law, who is commander over your bodyguard, and is honored in your house? (verse 14)

Message: Saul Kills the Priests at Nob

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: The Fugitive. Sort of funny to me, but that's what I'm thinking David is right now. Of course, he hasn't really done anything wrong, though Saul would heartily disagree. Saul it seems feels threatened by him. Saul wants to be king of the hill and David, chosen by God, and responding to this calling by trusting in God and seeing good things happen to him and the people of Israel has gotten in the way. Saul is the people's choice for king and though looks the part is not one who seems to put God first. 

As David is fleeing, Saul's son Jonathan and daughter Michal (David's wife) have been trying to help. David is now without his wife, simply going from town to town to stay alive. 

In Chapter 21, Dave had fled to Gath, more on the western side of Israel in the region of Judah. Next he heads east to the cave of Adullam. About 10 miles in distance so easily a day's journey or half a day. Once he gets to the cave, his family shows up -- parents and brothers -- as well as a bunch of others. And then David goes to Mizpah of Moab. He shelters and leaves his parents there while it is recommended he go back to the forest of Hereth in the land of Judah. 

Saul is hearing about David and the other men. He tells them that David basically doesn't have what he has to offer them - land and possibilities to be over armies. Doeg the Edomite, one of Saul's men, witnessed David with Ahimelech and mentions this to Saul. Saul summons Ahimelech and questions him, wondering why he has conspired against him. Ahimelech had provided David a sword and holy bread (chapter 21). Ahimelech tries to defend himself. He basically throws it back into Saul's face stating he is "commander over your bodyguard, and is honored in your house? (verse 14)" Well, Saul doesn't respond to this very well and wants Ahimelech seized and killed. 

Saul asks his servants to take care of Ahimelech and his other men, but they refuse, so he speaks to Doeg who has no problem killing folks. He kills 85, but in the process, Ahimelech's son -- Abiathar-- escapes. "Abiathar informed David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord (verse 21)." And David tells Abiathar, "For you are safe with me (verse 23)." 

Summary: David continues to flee but he makes sure his parents are safe in Moab while he goes back to Judah. Saul meanwhile apprehends Ahimelech and has Doeg kill him and his entourage while Ahimelech's son Abiathar goes to David and has refuge. 

Promise: From Tabletalk -- Nothing is too vile for men to do when God has given them over to the lust of their hearts. Only the restraining hand of God keeps people from being as bad as they could possibly be.

Prayer: God, you are rich in mercy. And grace. Thank you for protecting me and the people of God for your glory. Evil happens. But Lord you restrain evil according to your sovereign plan. It is hard to see it occur. But I will trust in You. Keep me focused on You. Thank you for keeping me safe as David did with the priest Abiathar. And help me to protect my parents, my father and my wife's mother, and I pray my children will do the same with me. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Judges 15 - Samson Avenges Himself on the Philistines

Judges 15

Then Samson said,

“With the jawbone of a donkey,

Heaps upon heaps,

With the jawbone of a donkey

I have killed a thousand men.”

Message: Samson Avenges Himself on the Philistines

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: As I continue to study Joshua and now Judges, one thing that stands out is while God used these men and worked his will through them, many of the men he used were not necessarily men of piety that I am to emulate. It also makes sense that in the last 20 years, there have been biblical like TV shows chronicling these individuals and to good reason, they lived sordid lives. They had difficulty often with temptations from women that we have today. They did not stay true to God's ways but entered into relationships with people of the world. On one level, their imperfect ways is encouraging for me, for I am far from perfect. Somewhere in Joshua I recorded that certain leaders from tribes allowed the non-Israelites to remain in the land. 

The Philistines are one of those groups that remained. Samson's first wife, Timnah, was a Philistine, though he later abandons her. 

This chapter begins with a back and forth of fighting fire with fire. It starts with Samson approaching the abandoned wife, Timnah, bringing a gift of a young goat, and wanting to sleep with his wife. But the father intercedes with the idea, "That ship has sailed but I can offer her younger sister." Samson doesn't like that idea. He therefore plans an attack, grabbing foxes, torches between the tails, end to end, lighting fire to the torches and releasing the foxes to run and burn themselves and the all of the crops. Naturally, the people did not like this. They find out the reason for him doing this is vengeance toward his wife and her father for not getting what he believes is his. The Philistines then kill the father and daughter. Samson did not like that and responded by striking many people and then hid in a cleft of a rock (1-8). Samson's remark, "As they did to me, so I have done to them" (v. 11). 

The Philistine go to Judah but Judah shows up to Samson wondering why the Philistines have been come to them with anger when the Philistines rule over them. Samson agrees to allow Judah to tie him up and hand him over to the Philistines. But the Lord was not done with Samson. His death probably loomed so the Spirit of the Lord came upon him (v. 14) and used a jawbone from a donkey to kill a thousand men. He goes to the Lord for provision of water and the Lord makes a way for him to have water and his strength returned to him. 

There is a good way to serve the Lord and a not so good way. I am not to emulate this episode in Samson's life. There is also the reminder, that God's will is to be done, no matter what the circumstances appear. God is in control. I think he obviously prefers Godly people, but either way he will carry out his purposes. His plan is bigger than we can see. 

Summary: Samson and the Philistines fight fire with fire. Eventually, Samson prevails, but only because of the Spirit of the Lord giving him the power. 

Promise: The Lord redeems us and uses us despite our sin. 

Prayer: You are Lord of All, God. I believe we need to be a people that honors you at all times, but your ways will occur whether we are faithful in all the areas we need to be. You choose your people to be your people. You have a purpose in that. I admit, it is not always clear. Maybe it seems clearer today amongst many because of the morality of the day, but there continue to be men of God that falter - struggling with sexual sin and/or other types of vices in their lives that often cause hurt and pain to many around them. I am not to condone that behavior and yet the work you have done through them is not null and void. Our culture does get caught up in cancelling them and everything they did and have done, but you still do great deeds through people who sin. I pray that people would see that your will is to be done. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Deuteronomy 5:17 - Murder, Self-Defense, and Hatred

Deuteronomy 5:17 - You shall not murder.

Message: Murder, Self Defense, and Hatred

Time: This book chronicles farewell messages by Moses, the 120 year old leader of the Israelite, primarily intended for the lay person. It covers about one month, at the end of the forty-year period in the wilderness - 1405 BC. It is a renewal of the old covenant given at Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab.

What the Lord is Saying:

For the most part this remains a command that society still prohibits in line with bible believing people. Taking another human life remains an offense. In the Hebrew, to murder is to deliberately take an innocent life. But not all killing is murder. "If the thief is caught while breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguiltiness on his account (Exodus 22:2)." In this case the innocent party is the one that has been attacked and thus, that is the life that must be preserved. This has been applied to war conflicts as well in defending ourselves against another aggressor. Yet, abortion is an area in which the killing of an innocent life is allowed, believing that a woman's feelings or choices outweigh the child. But the idea of modifying human life has become a common theme now in civilization. Personal choices are becoming a greater concern to people than the sanctity of life or how God has defined life. 

Jesus took this principle of murder a step farther in declaring that ungodly anger breaks the sixth commandment. 

21 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. 23 Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. 25 Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent."

I'm not sure if Jesus is saying that hatred is murder, but he does seem to be saying that anger and hatred is also an offense to the Lord and so just as murder is an offense, hatred or anger is also an offense. If anything- what Jesus is saying is -it is not simply our outward actions that are an offense before the Lord, but our inner thoughts as well. Our words are as important as our actions.

It is an interesting thought an idea - first regarding murder and then self-defense and now hatred.  

Summary:  Murder is not unforgivable and yet like any other sin, even hatred, we need to avoid it. It has consequences in this life. Fortunately everyone still in society agrees. Self-defense is a little harder to define, but God I believe understands type time of killing. 

Promise: From Tabletalk -- Murder is not the unforgivable sin...as Christians, we are perhaps more prone to break the sixth commandment by harboring angry hearts. Ungodly anger against another person violates the sixth commandment, so let us seek to eliminate that sin in our lives.

Prayer: O Father, you are Holy. This is clear. Forgive me for my anger and hatred over the years. Forgive our society for thinking murder does not apply to unborn babies. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness and help us to focus on You each day. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of July is about the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God. 

Bringing me to Christ

The Restraint of the Law - the law is given for lawless, unholy, disobedient people, to restrain us from acting on our sinful thoughts. Restraint and Guilt - the law is meant to restrain Christians and non-Christians alike; so that others may see Christ. The Law's Revelation of Sin - The Law reveals sin, at times making it more desirable, and show the sin which people commit and the complete standard it expects. The Law and Our Powerlessness - We are powerless over the Law and Sin revealed. It is in Christ that we receive forgiveness and the power to resist sin. The Law our Guardian - The law is not a tool of justifying me, but rather it is an instrument to bring me to Christ and show me my need for Him. 

Guiding our Lives

The Guidance of the Law - The Law is a guide in our lives for what pleases God and what it looks like to walk in holiness. The Antinomian Error - We were slaves to sin, but now we are slaves to obedience and righteousness. Judaizing Legalism - The error of Judaizing Legalism is the idea that obedience brings about God's acceptance of us for salvation. The Deadliest Form of Legalism - This legalism is that one would get too focused on external practices instead of focusing on the heart.

The Law is our Guide

The Centrality of Love - Love and the law go hand in hand. We do not belong to God unless we love our neighbor, and we cannot love our neighbor without knowing and doing God‘s law and loving him. Finding Guidance in the Law - God's Word, all if it, is a guide to my life and I am to meditate on it continually. The One and Only God - I seek to trust and love God above all else today. Images and Idols - Pictures, statues, symbols, art, people are not bad; but be careful about placing too much emphasis on these things I see. Using God's Name Frivolously - Blasphemy or using God's name frivolously are examples of taking God's name in vain. Keeping the Lord's Day - It is vital that we are setting apart a day to gather for worship and fellowship, resting from our ordinary vocations. Honoring Father and Mother - Parents are to rear their children in faith, teaching them to respect authority and children are to follow.

I Corinthians 5:1 - Restraint and Guilt

I Corinthians 5:1 - It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife.

Message: Restraint and Guilt

Time: Paul spent 18 months in Corinth and this is his 2nd letter to them (the first did not survive). He penned his letter in AD 55. There was quarrelling already in this church and deep divisions. Sin needs to be confronted and he did this boldly.

What the Lord is Saying:

As was seen in the previous lesson, the law is given for all, to restrain all from sin. Now we can't help but notice that this law of God has changed significantly, even in my lifetime. I can remember very few stores being open on Sunday. Thus, Sunday was thought to be a day of rest. And even stores were not open for 24 hours very often. But, all that has changed and there is rarely a day of rest when some stores are open on Christmas day. In addition, what has been defined as acceptable behavior has broadened.    

Homosexuality, sex before marriage, pornography, drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana -- were all even 40 years ago considered taboo and yet now they are celebrated as acceptable behavior and the needle continues to move as we have individuals now choosing their own biological sex. 

Yet the needle has not moved all the way and we are still centered on certain restraints, like murder, hate, theft, incest, torture, and certain aspect of sexual immorality like forcing minors to engage in sexual acts. 

In today's passage from I Corinthians 5:1 is an example of a sin that even the pagan world thought was wrong -- a sexual relationship between a man and his stepmother after his father died or divorced her. And this is a sin that was being practiced among those that call themselves followers of God. Thus, an example of how their was a law even in the pagan world of what is acceptable and unacceptable. And the Christians were those ones not rightly applying God's word. I've seen this in my lifetime. I remember my father saying that my faith would be challenged more by attending the Christian university that I did than if I were to attend a secular university. And having worked for Christian businesses as well, I found that I was treated differently than if I had been working for a business not made up of Christians. And even in the church, rather than being different, often churches are no different than the world. 

Many non-Christians are good citizens, doing good things, having good morals. They love their children and see the problem of exposure to all that the world offers and often are in very close relationships with one another. This is a good thing. And yet the words of the Bible decry an outward only manifestation of the truth of God, stating that it must be an inward change. Doing good and being Godly are very different things. None of us are perfect and all of us still are sinners and are in need of a Savior to redeem us from ourselves and bring us into God's acceptance. 

Promise: The Law of God is meant to be a restraint, and the world is watching how Christians restrain themselves. Let us seek to use the Law of God as a restraint so that others may see Christ in all His glory. 

Prayer: O God, thank you for the truth of You and the morality that you have set up in this world. You are holy and you have called your people to holiness. Thank you that our country was founded on Godly principles and this world still in many ways follows these creeds. Thank you that this country started with the right foundation and even I can remember these practices in my lifetime. Sin remains a surprise in all of its forms, and I pray that mankind would be redeemed and the law of God would be recognized again as the standard to live by. Draw people to yourself and help me to practice my faith at all times in all settings, to give you glory and be a testimony of God's love and right ways. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of July is about the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God.

The Restraint of the Law - the law is given for lawless, unholy, disobedient people, to restrain us from acting on our sinful thoughts. 

Proverbs 6:16-17 - Three Things the Lord Hates

Proverbs 6:16-17
¹⁶ There are six things which the Lord hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
¹⁷ Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,

Promise: Three Things the Lord Hates

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: 

This is interesting. Obviously, Solomon seems to be speaking to a group of people, reminding them of what God hates. Chapter 6 has been summarizes as parental counsel. It is interesting, it starts with son being snared by the words of your mouth. Be on guard for what your mouth can lead you to do. We need to careful with our words. And then there is a warning to the sluggard and the speaker brings up the ant. How in some ways humiliating that he looks at the smallest creature whereby a baby's footprint could smash it and yet he looks to that creature as an example for hard work. The ant keeps working, no matter the obstacles, the ant is working. The ant is either working or sleeping. Get up. Stop just sleeping. Wake up and get busy. Then, he addresses one with a perverse mouth. This person is a wicked man, a worthless person. This chapter is shaping up to be a chapter about the mouth.

Then he emphasizes 6 things the Lord hates, but it's not just six, it's seven. This isn't a new section, just a new subject. He is continuing his counsel.

And today i look at the first three:

• Haughty eyes - This is thinking more highly of myself than I ought. At the start of the day, I must understand who I am. I am a child of God. I am a child. He is God. He is my father. I am not to think more of myself than is necessary. This doesn't have anything to do with self-esteem which is believing in myself. I have no reason to not believe in myself because God loves me and I am his child. I have confidence in who I am, for sure, but here I am simply realizing that God is always in charge. I need to be careful that I don't put to much credence on my own work, thinking that I control outcomes. I surrender to God and he is in charge. This is the opposite of the fear of God. It is being humble. I can definitely say, "I can do this" but not "I'm good." Only God is good and I can do this because God is on my side. This pride is the beginning of all other sins. The only reason I disobey God's commands is because I think I can. I want it my way. And my eyes are the giveaway. In Ephesians 4:2, Paul begins with a list of virtues and he begins with "Humility" or the opposite of pride.  
• Lying tongue - The speaker now mentions the tongue. After beginning with pride, the beginning of all other sins, he mentions once again the tongue. Earlier, at the beginning of this chapter was a warning about being snared by the words of our mouth. But, lying wasn't the focus there, but rather it was more being careful about our words and those words getting ourselves in trouble. And then there was a warning about having a perverse mouth. Once again, the mouth is ugly and can degrade people, belittle them. Those were warnings about the mouth. And now, he addresses a lying tongue. Jesus is the Truth. If I speak untruth then I am in opposition to God and I show no regard for God's character. Lying harms me and it can harm other people. I admit, I have struggling with lying most of my life. I really struggled with it as a kid, all growing and through college. I can remember specific ways that I lied. I felt it necessary to just tweak the truth. I wanted people to see me a little better so I changed words. Its horrible. I didn't trust that the person God had made was really good enough to present themselves before others. The reason I am a liar is because I practice lying.
• Shedding of innocent blood - It is one thing to have pride and to think that your way is always the better way, but to then carry out the act and take away the life of another. The horrible thing I see about abortion is a person deciding which life is more important. A choice was made to have sex and now people are deciding the result needs to be removed. This verse speaks of innocent blood. It is not speaking of war, but is speaking of taking someone's life when they haven't done anything wrong. As I read the paper and hear of bombings and slayings and murders, repeatedly there are innocent lives being hurt. This 23 year old boy that went to a bible study and then opened fire on those there is someone thinking that he must decided who is worth keeping around. It's just not that far from abortion. We stare at this young man and give him the death penalty while the potential money is told, she had every right to make that choice. Are not both parties innocent?

Promise: Be careful about my thoughts, my mouth, and thinking I am in control.

My Prayer: Lord, help me to be guided by your truths. On my own, I am selfish and think I know what is best for me. Keep me centered on You, truly humble, and understanding that I am your child at all times. I can never get away from you nor do I want to. Guard me from haughty, prideful eyes, that think I know what is best. And forgive me for my lying tongue, for not trusting in the person you have made in me. And forgive us as a society for the taking of innocent lives.

Ezekiel 33

Message: Ezekiel is Israel's watchman. Ezekiel gives the watchman's message: "Why will you die, Israel?" and then explains Jerusalem's destruction.

Time: The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel.

What the Lord is Saying: The Lord explains the watchman. As enemies come, the people elect a watchman to stand guard. The watchman warns the people. If you hear the warning and do nothing, it is your fault when destruction comes your way. If you listen to the warning, you shall live. But, also, if the watchman does not blow his trumpet when the enemy comes, then the responsibility lies on the watchman if destruction was the result.

The Lord tells Ezekiel he will be the Lord's watchman. When the Lord speaks he is to warn the people. But, their outcome is not Ezekiel's responsibility. Ezekiel is to speak.

Then the watchman gives Israel the Gospel Message:

1. Israel says, "We are sinners and our sin results in death."
2. God says, "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked."
3. God says, "I want the wicked to turn from their way and live."
4. God says, "Righteous living will not save sinners."
5. God says, "Wicked living will not destroy wicked people turning from their sin."
6. God says, "Past righteousness does not save people engaged in present wickedness."
7. God says, "When wicked turn from their sin and live righteously, they are saved and their past wickedness is no longer seen."
8. Israel says, "God isn't doing what is right."
9. Ezekiel says, "No, you are the ones that are not doing right."
10. God says, "Your deeds show who you belong to."

A fugitive or survivor from Jerusalem comes to Ezekiel, no longer mute, to tell him the city has been struck down. The people thought that Abraham as one man got possession, but they are many and should also get possession. But, then the Lord reminds me of their filthiness, their idolatry, murder, adultery, and wonders why he should reward them the land when there ways are far from Him. No, the land must be destroyed, not partially, but completely. They want rewards, but what they really need is to know that the Lord is the Lord.

The Lord shows Ezekiel that the people do listen, but they don't do what he says. His voices is a soothing instrument to their souls, yet their walk does not equal their talk. "They listen, but have no intention of doing what you say."

Promise: The bottom line is the same as previous chapters have shown. We are to be God's people and He is to be our Lord. Our deeds need to mirror our relationship. Yes, God is sovereign and Yes, God sets His chosen people apart, but His people should follow Him. In following, there is great reward. Do what he says.

--------------------------------------------------- Words from Tabletalk reading. I continue to try to read these passages alongside my reading of the Tabletalk devotional series, but I've been getting behind because some days their is a jump from one passage to another. But, i don't like to jump and have enjoyed the study.

Today's reading (actually October 1) was, "God's Mercy Toward the Wicked." And it is a vivid summary of how the people of Israel assumed God would not save his chosen people. Yes, he wanted them to live pure lives and stop their wickedness and there would always be punishment in this life for wicked behavior, but ultimately they were to know that God has chosen them and they will always be His. No matter what. What a great picture this is of who we are in Christ. So many in the world focus on the justice of God, often wondering why it doesn't occur more swiftly, and yet God pledges His mercy to repentant sinners. He looks over sins previously committed and gives us the riches of His position as our Lord. The Lord takes no pleasure in punishing sinners. This grieves Him. But, justice must be performed. His desire is obedience. His desire is people will remember Him and follow His ways.