How easily we can be fooled. Saul was measured from his shoulders up; nothing is said about his heart. Not only was God the best King, supreme over all earthly rulers, His reign marked by wisdom, mercy, power, and generosity, but it was—to put it bluntly—a real bargain! Samuel explained: “This will be the behavior […]
Read More… from September 25, 2023 — Man Looks At The Outward Appearance
God’s commentary: “I gave you a king in My anger, and took him away in My wrath” (Hos 13:11). Israel hadn’t had it this good since the days of Joshua. Not only was the enemy neutralized, but “Israel recovered its territory from the hands of the Philistines. Also there was peace between Israel and the […]
Read More… from September 22, 2023 — The People Reject Theocracy
Samuel shows how different life could have been for Israel (and for us) by simple obedience. After the debacle regarding the ark at Beth Shemesh, the men there did what the Philistines had done—called their neighbors to take away the ark. So they said to the inhabitants of Kirjath Jearim, “The Philistines have brought back […]
This wasn’t simply a driverless cart; it was moving exactly the opposite way the cows longed to go! An offering had been prepared by the Philistines, but how could the ark be transported back to Israel? The priests advised: “Make a new cart, take two milk cows which have never been yoked, and hitch the […]
Even in Philistia there was proof that God’s light lightens every man who comes into the world. Dagon’s image lay in ruins on the temple floor at Ashdod. With it lay the delusion of the Philistines: “Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon […]
Read More… from September 19, 2023 — A Trespass Offering—From The Philistines?
Imagine worshiping a god who can’t get up off its own face! Isn’t God supposed to help you up? Every country has its national treasures and, throughout history, victorious armies have delighted in capturing and displaying those spoils of war as the evidence of their superior might. I think of the Arch of Titus in […]
Read More… from September 18, 2023 — When Dagon Bows Before Jehovah
Her husband dead; her father-in-law dead; she is dying; but the real tragedy? The glory has departed! Israel has been defeated. Scores lie dead on the battlefield. Then inspiration hits. Why not force God to be with them? So Eli’s sons commit the ultimate blasphemy, treating God like a good luck charm. Israel, like Samson […]
Read More… from September 15, 2023 — Ichabod: The Glory Departs
The advantage of idols: you can make your god do what you want. But Jehovah won’t be pushed around. When Eli heard the solemn pronouncement on his house, he responded, “It is the Lord. Let Him do what seems good to Him” (1 Sam 3:18). We could admire his acquiescence if we didn’t know more […]
Read More… from September 14, 2023 — God Is Not A Good Luck Charm
Old-time preachers sometimes sounded like a fire alarm—because they believed there was a fire! “Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision” (3:15). Who wouldn’t be? It was a message of judgment. This cuts close to home, doesn’t it! The message we have is tempered with God’s marvelous mercy, but it includes the message of […]
Read More… from September 13, 2023 — The Whole Counsel Of God