1 Samuel 4-8

1 Samuel 4 – Ark Captured

Israel went to fight the Philistines, but the Philistines defeated Israel and killed about 4,000.  Israel didn’t understand why this happened.  They decided take the Ark with them at the next battle in hopes by having it there they would win the battle.   Eli’s sons went with the Ark.  When the Ark arrived in the Israelite camp the people shouted and the ground shook.  The Philistines heard their shout, which made them afraid.  This motivated them to be strong and to fight harder.  The Philistines and Israel fought, but Israel was defeated.  Israel lost 30,000 soldiers.  The Ark was captured and Eli’s 2 sons died as God had promised.

When Eli who was now 98 years old heard all this, he fell over backwards, broke his neck and died.  His daughter-in-law who was pregnant heard the news, went into labor and died.  She had a son and named him Ishabad and said “The glory has departed from Israel, for the Ark of God has been captured.” – 1 Sam. 4:22

Philistines are people who worshiped the gods of Baal, Astarte, and Dagon.  They were hostile people and often fought with Israelites.  Philistine comes from the Philistines and includes modern-day Israel, Gaze, Lebanon and Syria.  This is known as the Gaza Strip where there is still conflict today.

The Ark was a wooden box that held God’s laws, the Ten Commandments.  It was a symbol of the presence of God.  The lid of the Ark was a mercy seat where sacrifices were made.  God gave it to Israel because He chose them to be His people.  The Israelites thought if they brought it with them in battle, they would defeat the enemy.  Israel didn’t turn to God for help, but wanted to fix it themselves so they brought the Ark as if it were a type of mascot or good luck charm.  They found out that they could not manipulate God to get what they wanted.

How do you try to manipulate God?

Do you manipulate Him by giving money, but not surrendering to Him?

Principle:  God is in control and you cannot manipulate Him into doing what you want.

1 Samuel 5-6 – Ark Returned

The Philistines took the Ark of God to Ashdod, then to the temple of Dagon and set the Ark beside Dagon.  Dagon was a god worshipped by the Philistines.  The next morning they found that Dagon had fallen on his face before the Ark of the Lord.  They put Dagon back in his place and the next morning they found that Dagon had fallen on his face and his head and hands had broken off.  This was a clear that lifeless idols are powerless and the Lord is a Living God.   

The Lord brought devastation upon the people and afflicted them with tumors.  He could have destroyed them, but He wanted them to recognize His judgment and power.  They decided that Ark could not stay here so they took it to Gath.  After they moved it, the Lord afflicted the people of Gath with tumors.  They sent the Ark away again.  This time it was sent to Ekron, but the people of Ekron cried out that the Ark could not stay there.  They decided to send the Ark back to its own place in Israel.

The Ark had been with the Philistines for 7 months.  For 7 months the Philistines were punished with the presence of the Ark of God.  They looked at the Ark as a prize of battle and didn’t give honor to God.  They worshipped other gods and were not willing to serve the real God.  They should have sent it home sooner.  Egypt’s plagues would have been fewer if Pharaoh had let the people go sooner.  Sinners lengthen out their own miseries by refusing to repent of their sins. 

They saw the power of Israel’s God and now must be humble and give honor to Him.  They felt guilty so they sent a guilt offering of 5 gold tumors and 5 gold rats along with the Ark.  God didn’t need gold.   He needed their hearts.  They placed the Ark on a cart along with the offerings and hitched cows to it.  The Philistines followed the cart.  They watched to see which way it went.  If it went straight toward its own territory and didn’t turn right or left, then they would know that it was the Lord who brought disaster on them.  If it did not, then they would know that it was just happened by chance.

We do the same kind of things today.  We put stipulations and meanings on things and events.  God wants Christians to be different and doesn’t want us to live our lives according to norms and attitudes of society.  He wants us to live according to His Word.  Society puts lots of pressures of all people including Christians.  We can overcome these pressures by focusing on God and stay in His Word.

It was harvest by tin Israel and as the people were working, they saw the Ark coming down the road.  They shouted and rejoiced.  God had not forgotten His people and the Ark was the evidence.  The Levites carried the Ark to a large rock.  The people offered burnt offering and sacrifices to the Lord.  The Philistines saw all this and returned to Ekron.

Christians today try to use God and His Word to get what they want.  They pick and choose parts of the Bible that suits them and their agendas.  They only go to God when they are in trouble or want something from Him.

The people received the Ark with joy, but some men opened the sacred and looked inside.  That was a very unholy thing to do.  They should have known better.  The result was that many of them died.  God holds His people accountable.  Relationship with God is on His standards and on His terms and that’s through Jesus Christ.  Finally the people understood that God is holy and they must respect Him.

Principle:  A relationship with God is based on His holy standards not ours.

1 Samuel 7 – Israel Repents

They took the Ark to Abinadab’s house and consecrated Eleazor his son to guard it.  The Ark remained there for 20 years and all the people sought after the Lord.  They went to Samuel and asked how they could serve God.   Samuel told them they must serve the real God and not their false gods.  They must trust God alone to save them from their enemies.  The people followed Samuel’s advice.  They confessed and repented.  They began to depend on God alone.

The Israel gathered at Mizpah for prayer, but when the Philistines heard they came to attack them.  The Israelites were afraid and when to Samuel and asked him to continue praying for them.  Samuel offered sacrifices and prayed on their behalf.  There was a loud thunder which was God at work.  Israel won the battle, but really it was God who won on their behalf.

Samuel wanted the people to remember what God had done for them so he made a monument using a large stone to remind them of a past event.  The monument was called Ebenezer which means stone of help.  Many churches today have chosen the name Ebenezer.

There are 3 steps to true repentance - being truly sorry, naming your sins, then turning from your sin.

Principle:  True repentance restores our fellowship with God.

1 Samuel 8 – Israel Demands King

Samuel became the leader not as a king or ruler, but as its judge.  He continued to pray for the people.  God was Israel’s true king.  Samuel was the last person who led Israel as its judge.  He tried to appoint his sons but they were dishonest.  They accepted bribes and prevented justice.  The elders of Israel were unhappy with Samuel’s sons and gathered to ask Samuel to give them a king to lead.  They wanted to be like other nations who had kings.  This displeased him because of their hearts and motives.  He wanted the people to respect God as their king.  So he prayed to the Lord as to what he should do.

The Lord told Samuel to listen to the people and that it wasn’t Samuel they were rejecting but God.   God told Samuel to warn the people.  They needed to understand how a powerful king would behave.  They need to know just how a king would use his authority and how they would suffer because of their decision in wanting a king.  It was their decision and God would permit them to have a king.

The people acted foolishly and would not listen.  They wanted a powerful king who would defeat all their enemies so they would have peace and security.  They didn’t think about the problems they would have only the benefits.  They had convinced themselves that this was an excellent idea.

When we reject God is life, we become slaves to little gods.  When we ignore God’s rule and authority, we will suffer the consequences.  We are not to be like the world.  We are to be different, because God has set us apart.  We should have different views, morals and standards.

Sensible people think carefully about any problems that may occur, but wise people learn from the words of others.  Fools refuse to listen to advice.  God gave clear instructions to Samuel.  He should appoint a king to rule Israel because that’s what the people wanted.

When have you not listened to wise advice?

What were the results?

Principle:  Rejection of God’s rule brings consequences. 

God is the one true God.  He is fully present everywhere.  He has perfect judgments.  He is holy and wants His people to be holy.  He is an all-powerful and self-sufficient God. 

Next week we will continue our study in 1 Samuel.  See you here.

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1 Samuel 1-3

1 Samuel and 2 Samuel was written in Hebrew and used to be one book.  After many years it was translated into Greek and the book was divided into two parts.  Samuel was a prophet and not the author of the books.  The author is unknown.  It records the lives of Samuel, Saul and some of David.  It begins with the birth of Samuel and describes how he led Israel as a prophet, priest and judge.

1 Samuel 1 – Samuel’s Birth

The book starts with a list Elkanah’s family, which may indicate that he was an important man.  He had two wives, Peninnah and Hannah.  Hannah couldn’t have children and Peninnah would upset her because of it.  Elkanah loved Hannah very much although she couldn’t have a son for him.  She was very sad and even desperate for a son. 

Each year Elkanah and his family went to Shiloh to offer sacrifices.  One day Eli, the priest saw Hannah crying.  He saw her mouth was moving, but no words came out.  She was praying silently.  Eli watched and though she was drunk.  People didn’t say silent prayers, but prayed aloud.  Although she prayed silently, God heard her prayers.  She prayed humbly as a servant to God.  She felt God had forgotten her and that He was the only one to help her.  God answered her prayer and gave her a son, Samuel.

God always answers our prayers.  If we have to wait a while, it doesn’t mean they He has forgotten us.  Isaiah 49:15 – “I will not forget you”.

After Hannah had her Samuel, she didn’t go with Elkanah to Shiloh until he was about 3 years old.  Then she took him to Eli.  “I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.  So now I give him to the Lord.  For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” – 1 Samuel 27.

1 Samuel 2:1-10 – Hannah’s Prayer

Hannah prayed a prayer that was full of praises to God.  She was very thankful to God for giving her a son.  She had felt shame for not having children, but God saved her from this shame.  She says “my mouth boasts over my enemies”.  - Samuel 2:1.  There was a sense of vindication over her rival, Peninnah.  “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” – 1 Samuel 2:2.  She praised Him for His actions – He brings life, death and lifts the needy.  At the end of her prayer is a prophecy.  “He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed”.  – 1 Samuel 2:10.  These words point to King David’s descendant, our eternal King Jesus.

Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord.  Samuel stayed there with Eli and ministered to the Lord.  I am sure it was hard to leave Samuel, but they had promise God and they kept their promise.  He became the Lord’s helper. 

1 Samuel 2:11-26 – Eli’s Judgment

With all the sacrifices brought to the tabernacle, a portion was give to God and a portion to the priest.  God’s portion was always given first so it was wrong to take the priest’s portion before they burned the fat.  The idea was that God should get the best.  Eli’s sons were wicked men and had no regard to for the Lord.  They were greedy and wanted the raw mean, maybe so they could sell it for more money.  They didn’t hesitate to use violence and threats to get what they wanted.

Eli heard how his sons acted, but only rebuked them.  They were even committing sexual immorality.  Because they didn’t listen when Eli rebuked them, God saw they were corrupt and warned Eli that He would deal with them and they would be punished.  Eli’s sons were not worthy to be his successor. 

In the mean time, Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men.

A man of God came to Eli with a very important message about future events.  He told him that God would not bless his descendants.  Eli had allowed his sons to behave in this way as priests.  He told him that God would give him a sign that his sons will die in one day and Eli will know the judgment of God has come against his house. 

1 Samuel 2:28 is a summary of some of the priesthood duties.  The job of the High Priest was to minister to the Lord.  He was a servant of God first and then the people.  He brought sacrifices for atonement and worship.  He burnt incense which was a picture of prayer.  He wore special clothing that represented majesty, dignity, glory and beauty of God to the people.  He was responsible of receiving offerings from the people.

Because Eli did not correct his sons and by his actions chose them to the Lord, God said, “I will raise up for myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in my heart and mind.  I will firmly establish his house, and he will minister before my anointed one always.” – 1 Samuel 2:35  Eli and his family would one day be reduced to begging.  This promise to raise up a faithful priest was partially fulfilled in Samuel.  The promise was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, the High Priest forever.

1 Samuel 3 – Samuel’s Call

Eli’s eyesight was going and he had gone to bed.  Samuel was lying down when he heard a voice calling his name.  He thought it was Eli so he went to Eli, but it wasn’t Eli who had called him.  Eli told Samuel to go back and lie down.  This happened a second time.  Then when it happened a third time, Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling Samuel so he told Samuel to go back and when it happened again he was to say, “Speak, Lord for your servant is listening” – 1 Samuel 3:9.  Then the Lord came and stood calling Samuel again.  He answered as Eli had said, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” – 1 Samuel 3:10.  Then the Lord told Samuel what He was about to do.  “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle.  At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family – from beginning to end.” – 1 Samuel 3:11.

God spoke to Samuel not silently, but in an audible voice.  Samuel answered by saying “Here I am!”  God knew where he was.  It just reminds us we are His servants asking what He wants us to do.  There are others who answered God in the same way – Abraham in Gen. 22:1, Jacob in Gen. 31:11 and 46:2, Moses in Ex. 3:4, Isaiah in Is. 6:8, and Ananias in Acts 9:10.  God often speaks to us today in an “inner voice”, but when He does He will confirm what He wants us to do in a variety of other ways.

When has God spoken to you?

How did you respond?

These are several lessons here:  we are to make ourselves available for God to speak; then we are to be obedient to His call; we are to respond to God; we are to humble ourselves before God and His Word.  The Lord stood may mean this time it was a unique appearing of the Lord.  Maybe it was Jesus Himself.

The “ears of everyone who hears will tingle” are signs of God’s severe judgment (2 Kings 21:12, Jer. 19:3).  Samuel already heard of the judgment to come on Eli and his family.  Since there was no repentance God confirmed the judgment through Samuel.

Samuel went back to bed.  I’m sure he didn’t get much sleep because His ears were probably tingling.   He probably asked himself if he should tell Eli or not.  The Scripture tells us he was afraid to tell him.   In the morning he told Eli everything the Lord had said.  Eli accepted it and said that He is Lord and will do what is good in His eyes.

Samuel grew up and the Lord was always with him.  “Let none of his words fall to the ground” mean Samuel’s prophecies came true.  All of Israel recognized that Samuel was a prophet of the Lord.  The Lord continued to reveal Himself to Samuel through His Word.

What has God revealed to you in His Word?

How are you a servant of the Lord?

Prayer is communication with God.  It keeps God’s people powerfully connected with Him.  It is a great privilege to be in His presence.  He always hears and answers in His perfect timing and His perfect way.  Hannah had to wait years for God to answer her prayers, but through it all she experienced God’s power to peacefully persevere.

Next week we will continue our study in 1 Samuel.  Hope to see you here.

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Ruth 1 - 4

The book of Ruth is a beautiful story in the Old Testament.  The author of the book is unknown, but some think it was Samuel.  The book is about 2 women who had lost everything.  Naomi lost her home and family because of famine and death.  Ruth gave up her life in Moab to accompany Naomi back to her home land.  Naomi claimed that God hated her, but she was wrong.  The loyalty of Ruth paved the way for the loyalty of God to show itself to Naomi. 

This book demonstrates that God responds to His people’s cry.  By providing for Naomi and Ruth, we learn that He cares for the outcasts of society just as He asks us to do in James 1:27.  We belong to a loving, faithful, and powerful God who never fails to care and provide for His children.  Like Ruth and Boaz, we are called to respond in faithful obedience in spite of the godless world in which we live.

THE MAIN CHARACTERS

Naomi was the widow of Elimelech.  She changed her name to Mara, which means bitter.  She begins the book empty and hopeless and ends the book renewed and with a new son.  Her plan for Ruth’s future reflected selfless love.

Ruth as a young Moabite woman is disgraced by her position and despised for her ethnicity.  By faith, she leaves her country, her people and her gods to follow her mother-in-law, Naomi and her God.  She was patient, selfless, loyal and obedient.  Her sacrifice and hard work to provide for Naomi reflected God’s love.  She never argued or complained.  Her selfless love is like that of Jesus’ love.  She is listed in Jesus’ genealogy.

Boaz was a relative of Naomi’s husband.  He was a godly man.  He was a rich and honorable.  He was responsible and generous.  Boaz saw Ruth as she collected grain from his fields.  He treats her with respect and kindness.  He views her as a worthy woman.  His loyalty as a kinsman reflected God’s faithfulness.  He was a kinsman-redeemer, a picture of Jesus, our kinsman-redeemer.  He marries Ruth and they became Israel’s royal family.  King David and Jesus belonged to this family.

RUTH 1 – The Choice

Because of famine in Israel Elimelech and Naomi moved to the country of Moab.  They had 2 sons who married Moabite women.  When Elimelech and his sons died, the women were left alone.  Naomi heard that things were better back home so she decided to return to Bethlehem.  She urges her 2 daughter-in-laws to remain there and begin new lives, but one of her daughter-in-laws, Ruth was loyalty to Naomi and went with her.  She told Naomi, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.  Your people will be my people and your God my God.” – Ruth 1:16.

They arrived in Bethlehem and the town’s women recognized Naomi.  She explained her circumstances to them.  She said she had nothing, no husband, no sons, and that God was against her.  She thought her name should be Mara, which means ‘bitter’.  She still believed in God, but didn’t understand why her life was so sad.

RUTH 2 – The Provision

Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side.  His name was Boaz who was a rich and honorable man.  It was harvest time and Ruth offered to gather grain that the harvesters left in the fields.  This was called gleaning.  Landowners were to reap once and then leave what was left for the widows and the poor to glean for food.   Ruth chose Boaz’s field by chance, but we know God had a hand in it.  As Ruth was working in the field, Boaz arrived.  The foreman of the field told him who Ruth was.  Boaz accepted Ruth and gave her protection and offered he water.  He was very generous and kind.  Ruth was very grateful and humble.

Boaz continued to offer Ruth more than God’s law required.  He was happy for Ruth to share food with him.  He allowed her to take grain from the whole field not just the edges.  God is generous to us in the same way.

Ruth told Naomi about the field where she had been working.  Naomi told her that he was one of their kinsman-redeemers.

Kinsman-redeemer means to gain possession of something.  In this case it is a male who had the privilege or responsibility to act for a relative who was in trouble or danger or need of vindication.  It was the obligation of the next of kin to buy back property for the family.  If a man dies and fails to leave behind a son, his brother or the nearest relative is commanded to take his widow as wife and both redeem the land and provide a son to carry on the deceased father’s name.

RUTH 3 – The Proposal

Naomi realizing that Boaz is a kinsman used the opportunity to regain the family properties lost by her deceased husband and also a chance for Ruth to have a new life.  So Naomi instructs Ruth on how to proceed. 

After the men finished harvesting they had to thresh the wheat and barley.  They worked all day and all night.  Naomi instructed Ruth to wash, wear perfume, and put on her best clothes.  She is to approach Boaz privately at the threshing floor.  She approaches Boaz while he’s sleeping positioning herself at his feet and waits until he notices her.  Then she is to announce her mission.  She proposes marriage to Boaz by requesting that he fulfill his role as kinsman-redeemer.

Ruth showed courage and trust when she offered herself to Boaz.  He was surprised, but grateful that this young woman was willing to become his wife.  By this time Boaz and Ruth had spent much time together getting to know each other and were now in love. 

RUTH 4 – The Redemption

Boaz agrees to marry Ruth, but there is a problem.  There is one other kinsman who is a closer relative who would have to step aside for Boaz to marry Ruth.  Boaz confronted him in public so there would be witnesses.  He told him about the land that needed to be redeemed.  The man agreed to be the kinsman-redeemer.  Then Boaz told the man to redeem the land he would have to marry the widow, Ruth.  The man knew by taking her and into his home would ruin his own inheritance so he changes his mind and steps aside.  He man probably already had children and knew there would be problems dividing the land among his future children.  Boaz knew exactly what he was doing.  Now there is a clear way for Boaz, which was what Boaz wanted.

Ruth and Boaz were married and had a son named Obed.  Rahab was the mother of Boaz.  Obed became the father of Jesse and Jesse became the father of King David.  As you can see they are in the line of Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:1-17)  Jesus, who is the greatest of all kings.

Principle:   Boaz foreshadows Jesus, our Ultimate Kinsman Redeemer.

Do you ever feel like you are losing everything?  God is on your side.  He will show His commitment to you through people like Ruth.

Have you ever felt deserted by God and people?

Have you ever sacrificed to help someone in deep need?

Who do you know that are loyal people like Ruth?

We all go through painful trials, but through them God allows us the joy of pointing others to their Redeemer.  Ask God to give you compassion and to see opportunities that He provides.  Then explain the way to redemption in Jesus.  God used Naomi to point Ruth to her redeemer, Boaz.  We can all be Naomi to those around us that still need to be redeemed.

Who do you know who needs Jesus as their Redeemer?

Jesus is woven throughout this book.  He is pictured by Boaz as kinsman-redeemer.  A kinsman-redeem had to be a family member.  Jesus added humanity to His eternal deity so He could be our kinsman and save us.  The kinsman-redeemer had the duty to buy back family members out of slave.  Jesus redeemed us from slavery to sin and death. 

Boaz was motivated by love for Ruth.  Jesus was motivated by His love for us.  Boaz had a plan to redeem Ruth.  Jesus had a plan to redeem us.  Boaz took Ruth as his bride.  Believers are called Jesus’ bride.  Boaz provided a glorious destiny for Ruth.  Jesus provides a glorious destiny for us.

LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF RUTH

We learn that God is concerned and cares about all people regardless of race, nationality or status. 

Man and women are both equally important to God. 

God uses all things, big or small, to accomplish His plans.  

God sent Jesus as our Redeemer to rescue us from our sins.

Everyone loves the love story of Ruth and Boaz.  I know I do.  Next week we will continue our study in 1 Samuel.  See you here.

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