April 14, 2012

The Slaughter of the Priests (4/14)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Samuel 21-24.

The reign of Saul provides a series of examples showing why it is dangerous to allow one man to hold such great power over a people. He went from being afraid to accept the throne to being willing to do anything to hold onto his power. The incident with the priests in Nob illustrates the degree of wickedness to which he had attained.

“Saul said to [Ahimelech the priest], ‘Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me, in that you have given him bread and a sword and have inquired of God for him, so that he would rise up against me by lying in ambush as it is this day?’”

“Then Ahimelech answered the king and said, ‘…Did I just begin to inquire of God for him today? Far be it from me! Do not let the king impute anything to his servant or to any of the household of my father, for your servant knows nothing at all of this whole affair.’

“But the king said, ‘You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s household!’ And the king said to the guards who were attending him, ‘Turn around and put the priests of the Lord to death…’ But the servants of the king were not willing to put forth their hands to attack the priests of the Lord. Then the king said to Doeg, ‘You turn around and attack the priests.’ And Doeg the Edomite turned around at attacked the priests, and he killed that day eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. And he struck Nob the city of the priests with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and infants…” (1 Samuel 22:13-19).

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April 13, 2012

Better to Seek Justice and Righteousness than Power (4/13)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Samuel 18-20; Psalm 11, 59.

David and Jonathan’s friendship is one of the well-known relationships in the Bible (1 Samuel 18:1-3). Their friendship was not one of convenience (as it may have been if they just happened to know each other and were forced to spend time together); but the text says their souls were “knit” together (1 Samuel 18:1).

This bond would be tested, though, as Jonathan’s father, King Saul, wanted David killed. Jonathan had to make a choice. Would he be loyal to his father, the king, or his friend? He chose to be loyal to his friend and tried to protect him in the presence of the king.

“Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan and he said to him, ‘You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you are choosing the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die.’

“But Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him, ‘Why should he be put to death? What has he done?’ Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father decided to put David to death” (1 Samuel 20:30-33).

Not only did Jonathan need to make a choice between his father and his friend, but he also had to make a choice between ascending to the throne or aiding an innocent and righteous man. Jonathan decided that defending the innocent David before the king was more important than gaining some position of power.
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April 12, 2012

Justice for King Agag (4/12)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Samuel 15-17.

When we read of the destruction of the Amalekites, we typically focus on Saul’s disobedience in failing to do all that the Lord commanded. Yet there are also lessons to be learned if we focus on the king of the Amalekites, Agag.

“Then Samuel said, ‘Bring me Agag, the king of the Amalekites.’ And Agag came to him cheerfully. And Agag said, ‘Surely the bitterness of death is past.’ But Samuel said, ‘As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.’ And Samuel hewed Agag to pieces before the Lord at Gilgal” (1 Samuel 15:32-33).

There are at least three lessons we can learn from Agag:
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March 29, 2012

Qualifications to Lead

Man with Tie

During an election year, it is common for people to discuss what characteristics qualify a candidate for public office. The Bible certainly addresses the role and desired character of civil authorities, but I want us to focus on a higher authority in this study – God.

In the Old Testament, God was the Israelites’ King (1 Samuel 8:7). In the New Testament, Christ is the person of God identified as our King (John 18:37). He is in a position of ultimate authority, even over our civil rulers (Ephesians 1:20-21). But what qualifies Him to be our King and worthy of honor and respect?
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March 10, 2012

Equal Justice Under the Law (3/10)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Numbers 35-36.

The cities of refuge were given as a provision in case anyone killed another man unintentionally (Numbers 35:6-28). If this happened, the one who took the life of his neighbor could flee to one of the cities of refuge to escape the slain man’s avenger. While there, the manslayer would be safe until he stood trial. If he was found to be not guilty of murder, he would remain safe if he remained within the city of refuge until the death of the high priest. Only then could he leave and return to his home.

After these rules were given, the Lord was explicitly clear that these rules would apply to all the people.

“If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death at the evidence of witnesses, but no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness. Moreover, you shall not take ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death. You shall not take ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may return to live in the land before the death of the priest” (Numbers 35:30-32).

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February 26, 2012

"To Each Man According to His Service" (2/26)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Numbers 7.

When the tabernacle was finished, the leaders of Israel brought an offering consisting of six carts and twelve oxen (Numbers 7:1-3). The Lord then gave Moses instructions about what to do with them:

“‘Accept these things from them, that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting, and you shall give them to the Levites, to each man according to his service.’ So Moses took the carts and the oxen and gave them to the Levites. Two carts and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service, and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service… But he did not give any to the sons of Kohath because theirs was the service of the holy objects, which they carried on their shoulders” (Numbers 7:5-9).

Among the Levites there were three groups: the sons of Gershon, the sons of Merari, and the sons of Kohath. It may have seemed logical to divide the offerings between the three groups – two carts and four oxen each – but this was not the Lord’s will.
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February 25, 2012

Innocent Until Proven Guilty (2/25)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Numbers 5-6.

When the Law was first handed down to Moses, adultery was explicitly condemned (Exodus 20:14). If this command was violated, God revealed the punishment for this sin – “If there is a man who commits adultery with another man’s wife… the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death” (Levitucus 20:10).

What if there was only a suspicion of adultery? What if one was all but certain his wife had committed adultery with another man, but he had no evidence to prove she was guilty? The Law addressed this:
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