Chapter Eleven

The week of April 1


From Shepherd to King

Israel had gone from Moses, a strong leader but not a king…to Joshua, a general but not a king…to the various regional judges, definitely not kings…to Saul, a not so godly king. As the prophet Samuel assessed the situation he heard God telling him to anoint another king. So, there were dueling possibilities to the kingdom God is forming: one was a man a head taller than all others, the other was a young boy with a ruddy complexion, who had a heart after God.

P145 When the Lord told Samuel that "People look at outward appearances but God looks at the heart", did this mean that Samuel originally had chosen the wrong king when he had chosen Saul?

P146 How might David's seven older brothers felt about his being anointed king, while they were not chosen? Here is another situation of a younger brother being chosen over the older ones. God sees a boy-man with His own heart and chooses him to grow into the position of King of Israel.

P147-50 Talk about a tall man. Goliath was head and shoulders over Saul and all of the men of Israel. But David was offended by Goliath's boast and said a pagan should not be allowed to defy God's army (King Saul & the other men were dismayed and terrified, p 147). David's brother was derisive and thought David was conceited to come watch the battle. Saul allowed David to be a sacrificial lamb for slaughter and gave him his own armor. But David chose his own armament, the slingshot he had used to protect his flock. David was verbally derided by Goliath but David need only one stone to fell the Philistine. He had come in the name of the Lord Almighty and realized the battle was the Lord's. David's valor empowered Israel and dispirited the Philistines. How has God stepped into your life to give you success beyond your own strength or gifting?

P150-1 David was now a rock star. Saul became 'insanely' jealous that David was more popular than Saul. And Saul's son Jonathan formed a friendship bond with David that would also irritate Saul. All of Israel applauded David. How do we respond when a young upstart in our expertise gets more attention than we do?

P152 The context of Psalm 59 is that David is relentlessly being pursued by King Saul. David relies on God for his strength and refuge. He spends more time calling on God than developing battle plans. Why is it good to have a leader who is transparent about his struggles and his need for God? Why do most people see this as weakness?

P153 Though Saul pursued David with five times as many men, David still got the upper hand. On two occasions he snuck up next to Saul yet did not take his life. David would not "lift his hand against the Lord's anointed". Why was this important that David would wait for God's timing for when he was to become king? David would not become king until age thirty; it was a long wait.

P155-6 David lived with the very Philistines he fought against by feigning mental illness. Eventually, Saul along with three of his sons including Jonathan, were killed by the Philistines. David moved through his grief and ultimately consolidated the kingly throne of the twelve tribes. Why can waiting on God bring both tribulation and triumph?

P157-60 In David's zeal to please God he desired to build a house for Him. But God does not dwell in houses made by men; He owns and lives in all creation. This task would be left to a future son. David would need patience during his forty-year reign. Has God shown you something that will not be accomplished in your lifetime? How do you wait?

Chapter Ten the week of March 25

We close out the times of the Judges with the birth of the prophet Samuel and the crowning of the first king of Israel, Saul. The judges were making decisions and fighting battles in regional areas. Samuel was the prophet-judge who closed out this era and ordained Saul (and David) in the era of the kings.

P129  Elkanah had two wives. One would irritate the other, Hannah. Why was it not ordained for a man to have more than one wife  (remember Rebecca and Leah)?

P 130  Barrenness is such a difficult burden to bear. There is a strong desire to parent children and no children come. On this occasion God answered Hannah’s plea for a son when he gave her Samuel. God is hearing us whether we receive our requests or not. Do you have an illustration of this that comes to mind?

P 131 After Hannah finished nursing her son Samuel (meaning: because I asked the Lord for him) she brought him to Eli in the house of the Lord at Shiloh. She left him under the tutelage of Eli and would only see him yearly. Hannah had made a vow to the Lord when she had prayed. Though inconvenient, why was it important that she keep her vow?

P 132  Eli had blasphemous sons. Samuel was a child sensitive to God’s voice. When He spoke, Samuel wanted to listen and follow. This was in-house training, even when Samuel told Eli that God would bring judgment on Eli’s family. Why is it hard for good people to tell difficult things to people for whom they care? Does it require grace & truth?

P 133-5  In the midst of battle with the Philistines both of Eli’s sons died and 98 yo Eli also died when he heard of it. So Samuel led the nation by defeating the enemy and being vigilant in leading worship of the only true God. Things seem on the right track.

 P 135-6  As Samuel aged he thought of succession as he delegated leadership to his two sons. However, as they acted dishonestly Israel’s elders wanted a king, no more regional judges. Samuel took it personally but the Lord told him that it was God who was rejected. In telling the people, Samuel told that a king would take the best of the wealth, resources and people. But the people persisted that they wanted a king ‘like the other nations’. Samuel and the Lord dropped their resistance. The Israelites would get what they wanted. How did Samuel feel about this rejection? How did the Lord feel?

P 137-8  The Lord revealed to Samuel who would be the king and Saul was that man. Saul was a reluctant recipient and Samuel gave a couple of signs to convince him. Nonetheless, when Samuel was ready to anoint him King, Saul was hiding with the supplies. What an awkward beginning for a King!

P 139-41  Besides his height Saul did have some strengths. He rallied 330,000 men for a battle that was magnificently won. Now Saul was acclaimed king with fervor. Prior to stepping out of the picture, Samuel reminded Israel that the people and the king would still need to follow the Lord, not be on automatic pilot. Samuel does a wonderful thing of challenging AND praying for the people, even though they had done the wrong thing in asking for a king. Can you remember an experience like this where you were both chastised and encouraged?

P 141-3  Saul is like everyman: dissipating his approval by God and people by relying on his strengths and not relying on what God says for him to do. The greatest of these was being impatient and conducting a burnt sacrifice that only a priest could do. So Samuel prophesied that the Spirit would leave Saul and go to another. For a personality like Saul, these were fearful and fighting words. How are all of us like Saul, our own worse enemy? When shown we are wrong, why do we dig in and defend our actions?

Chapter Nine                                  the week of March 18

There was a famine during the time of the Judges of Israel. Elimelek, a descendent from Ephraim and Joseph from Bethlehem along with his wife Naomi and their two sons moved to the other side of the Jordan into the foreign land of Moab.  Naomi’s husband died as did her married son’s ten years later. Three widows, Naomi the Israelite and two daughters-in-law, Moabites went to live in Israel.

P 122  Recognizing there would be hardship for these kin, Naomi sent the women back to their own kin in Moab. Going with Naomi, they would likely remain unmarried with no future. Naomi was giving them a way out. Orpah took the offer and returned to her people. Ruth was steadfast in staying, telling her famous line: I will go where you go, your people are mine, your God is my God. What is the significance of this momentous confession? Have you ever heard anyone say this (beyond a wedding service)?

P 122-4  Upon returning to Bethlehem, Naomi sent Ruth out into the fields to glean grain. A generous owner gave protection and provision for Ruth. Boaz had recognized what Ruth had sacrificed by accompanying Naomi back home. Have you ever been recognized for doing something that you did not think as special?

P 124-5  Ruth reported the conversation to Naomi. Naomi saw the possibility of something more permanent. She gave Ruth a script of what to say and do, which she did to the T. Boaz recognized the significance of this personal service. Ruth was open to be redeemed to be his wife. Boaz told that he would try to redeem her but that it was not totally up to him. What a risk each of them took: Ruth by expressing she would want to be redeemed, Boaz by telling he would want to do so. This is a very good illustration of both people asking each other to be engaged. For those who are presently married, which one of you asked first?

P 125-6 Ruth told Naomi the story, who said that Boaz would resolve things that day. He went to the next in line to Elimelek and called the town elders together. They discussed the purchase of Elimelek’s land. And oh, by the way, the widow Ruth comes with the deal. This man chose not to redeem because it would endanger his estate: read, he already had a wife. So, Boaz purchased the land and married Ruth. What movie does this amazing chain of events remind you about?

P 127  Imagine the shock that Naomi and Ruth experienced? They went from hungry and destitute to protected and loved. And when Ruth had a baby, Naomi became a grandmother! They both praised God. There are many applications for us. What does this say about God loving all peoples? About God causing ALL things to come together for good? About our hope in God alone? About our taking initiative and risks to follow God? About the fact of God’s sovereignty? Did we mention that Ruth, the foreign woman, was the great-grandmother of King David? She was part of the line of David and the line of Messiah Jesus. God continues to love all peoples.

Chapter Eight

The week of March 11


Note: Please see Laurie Newell's parenting blog for The Story www.biblechurch.org/chbcjom/laurie-newell-blogs.html

So Moses is gone and his hand picked successor Joshua dies as well. At least he has died within their of their destination, the territory of Israel. They are 70 years outside of slavery in Egypt. But how do you develop the next line in succession? There was no king, so it would not come through lineage. Beyond that, the Israelites did evil in God's sight and worshipped the gods of the pagan culture surrounding them. In other words, they acted as if the only true God did not exist. This cause of living without God would have an effect that was dramatic.

Pp 103-4  God was angry with His people, allowing the enemy to defeat them, but also would raise up judges, regional leaders to rule and sometimes lead them into battle. On page after page we read that the people 'did what was right in their own eyes'. As they did evil and served foreign gods, God would let them reap what they had sown and then He would send a judge to rescue them. Why would God do this repeatedly? What does it say about His persistent love for His children?

Pp 105-6  After Othniel, one of these judges who had died, Ehud personally killed Eglon and rescued Israel again. Deborah was a woman who stepped up to lead when Barak would not lead on his own. After the enemy was routed Jael personally disposed of the enemy Sisera. What is the significance of God using men and women in leading Israel?

Pp 107-9 Then the Midianites plagued Israel and God chose a farmer to be a military leader for Israel. Gideon was self-deprecating and also more than once asked God’s confirmation through putting out a fleece. When we think of leaders do we think of humble, timid men? One thing Gideon had was devotion to God.

Pp 109-11  To test Gideon's trust, God winnowed down from 32k to 10k to 300 warriors. Why would God not want men who drank from their knees? Would you have thought you had enough men for battle? Gideon did conquer their enemy with 300 men.

Pp 112- 114 Manoah and his wife received a special blessing to have a son. That son, Samson became a strong warrior for God. The Spirit of God worked in him in an unusual way. But people susceptible to God may also be susceptible to the world. Samson wanted foreign women. The enemy used this as a weakness affecting all of Israel. Samson revealed his self-made riddle, then went into a rage when he was tricked. How can people be warm to God and yet so gullible to deception?

Pp 114-116 In a fit of rage Samson killed 30 of the enemy, effectively becoming a marked man. He later lit tails of foxes with fire to burn down fields. He was not a very welcomed man. But they could not subdue him because of his strength. Samson later went to a prostitute where his mighty power was unleashed on the enemy. Why would God work through leaders who do wrong things?

Pp 116-119  Delilah is the last of the foreign women who plagued Samson. His attraction to her violated his trust three times. Finally he was captured after he told of his strength being related to his length of hair. Captured, mocked and his eyes gouged out, Samson came to his senses. In one last prayer to God, he asked for a super-demonstration of strength. The answer to the prayer was shown in Samson’s knocking down the two pillars that held the roof covering 3000 of Israel’s enemies. How was God honored in Samson’s death? Could Samson have honored God better with his heart even if he didn’t have such strength? How does strength in one area obscure our spiritual need in another?

Chapter Seven

The week of March 4


The Battle Begins

So Moses, God’s servant, has died and Joshua is solely in command. The promised land lies on the other side of the Jordan with Jericho just a few miles away. After all the starts and stops, Israel is about to conquer the land God had given to them. During the era of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob, God’s people had blended in with the various peoples but this people could not blend in very well. They had left Canaan with 72 people; they are returning with 2 million. Like a migration in the Serengeti, but with a permanent end point, Israel will not be denied.

Pp 89-90  Joshua gives a strong admonition to ‘Be strong and courageous’. Forty years before, Israel had stepped back from taking Canaan and the result was a wandering in the wilderness. Why was this reminder and the encouragement to be courageous important?

P 90-1  Rahab, a woman who had a reputation, is listed as a person of faith in Hebrews (11:31). Certainly she had heard of Israel’s exploits and was self-protective. But she lived by faith in protecting the spies who had come to see the physical weaknesses and the psychological state of mind in Jericho. Do we see the faithful things that ordinary people do to lay the groundwork for faith and the gospel?

92-3  The march around Jericho was a peculiar battle strategy. Knowing the state of mind in Jericho, what do you think their people were thinking during this seven-day siege? The walls of the city were not so weak to simply crumble from shouting and trumpet blasts. God may use human efforts, but He also may intervene in one-of-a-kind ways. When has God intervened in your life in which the ending may only be explained by His intervention?

94-5  Following this stirring victory comes a ignoble defeat because of Achan’s sin. Have  you had mountain to valley experiences that may seem confusing, but may be explained by sin? Does it seem fair that one person’s sin may cause a discipline for the whole people (such as the defeat at Ai)? The battle tactics, like Israel’s ‘bait and switch’ in order to take Ai, have been studied by military leaders throughout history. General George S. Patton of WW II fame regularly studied Old Testament battle plans, like these stories and the battles of King David. God’s intervention may not always be duplicated but strategies God-given to leaders, can be understood and applied to today.

I have always seen Joshua and Moses as generals. They had a large contingent of soldiers and civilians and needed to care for them before, during, and after the battles, much like generals during the Civil War.  They understood where they came from: their history- Genesis & Exodus, their traditions- Leviticus; their strength- Numbers, and the charge from Moses their leader- Deuteronomy. The key was not merely understanding this, but communicating it to their leaders and people. What happens when life is not passed on?

95-6 The side story of the Gibeonites is an interesting one. They realized they were doomed to be obliterated, so they sued for peace. Pretending to be from a great distance they put themselves as servants to Israel, cutting wood and carrying water (a needful thing). By the time the ruse is discovered, an oath has been made. So because of this vow, they were allowed to live in the land. When have you made a pledge that would have been different if you had discovered the reality of the situation?

98-9  The wanton killing of all who breathed with no survivors left feels troubling. Why did God want to totally destroy them? There is much we don’t know but this we do: throughout history and Scripture the intermarrying of people of faith with those of cultic religions always ruins the community and morals of the people of faith. There is ample evidence of this. Also, the degrading nature of the Canaanite peoples (including regular child sacrifice), caused God to make his people holy by removing this immoral people from the land. This was similar to what happened prior to the flood. While this is a hard thing to accept, we can understand that God’s righteous jealousy for a holy (set apart) people of His own possession is the motivation behind it.

100-2 This chapter ends with Joshua retelling the story that had been passed on to him. There were also new contributions, such as the glories of victories; and several  disappointments, such as the repercussions of Achan’s sin. Do we retell the stories of faith passed on to us along with the way God has weaved our life together as highs and lows?