anitasanecdotes

In 1 Samuel 16 God tells Samuel to move on because He has provided a king. The new king is already chosen, don’t belabor the past. Samuel takes oil for anointing and goes to Bethlehem. He sanctifies the people and prepares them for a sacrifice to the Lord. Jesse and his sons are among those who are ready for worship. God is choosing the king from Jesse’s house. Samuel sees his oldest son, how tall and handsome he is and is certain God will choose him. But God tells him not to look on his appearance, he is not the one, because God doesn’t see people the way we see people. All of Jesse’s sons are rejected by God for king. Samuel asks Jesse if he has any other sons and Jesse mentions his youngest son who is out in the field with the sheep. Samuel anoints David and the spirit of the Lord comes upon him.

The spirit of the Lord leaves Saul and God sends an evil spirit to torment him. Only the sound of a lyre (harp) playing soothed Saul. His servants hear that David is a proficient lyre player so Saul sends for him. David’s playing calms Saul’s spirit. He becomes a trusted companion and armor bearer to Saul.

God chooses the king and it is up to Samuel to find who it is. We must remember that God always goes before us preparing the situation so that in faith we can discover His purpose for our lives. He also works in ways that may not seem the best from a human standpoint. We are to trust in faith that God’s way is best even though it may not seem right on the surface.

You may be uncomfortable with the idea that God sends an evil spirit to torment Saul. In contemporary terms, Saul is most likely struggling with feelings of guilt, doubt and fear. He knows that he has gone against God’s commands and now has to live with the consequences. He also knows that God is no longer blessing his reign and will be choosing another to take his place. Certainly Saul is afraid of what it to come.

1 Samuel 17 opens with the Philistines and Israelites gathering for battle. The Philistines have a giant of a man, named Goliath, as a champion. He taunts the Israelites and says if any of them can kill him the Philistines will serve the Israelites, but if not, the Israelites will become the servants. The Israelites are frightened by Goliath’s threats.

David goes back and forth between taking care of the sheep for his father and serving Saul. Once when he is delivering food to his brothers on the front lines he hears Goliath shouting his taunts. David volunteers to fight Goliath, something no one else will do. Saul wonders how a boy can do what a man will not. David says he is not afraid because he has fought off wild animals taking care of the sheep. Saul tries to give David his armor to wear but it is too big. David goes to fight with his shepherd’s staff and a sling with 5 smooth stones.

Goliath is insulted by David’s approach. He taunts David and calls on his gods. David knows that God has sent him and tells Goliath that God will defeat him. David hurls a stone at Goliath and kills him on the spot. David brings Goliath’s head back to Saul as the victor.

Psalm 48 is a song of victory praising God for defending His people.

1 Samuel 14 begins with Jonathan making a bold move. He and his armor bearer go to a Philistine garrison. He has faith that God will bless his efforts and follows the sign that God gives. He kills the Philistines at the garrison. This starts a row in the Philistine camp. When Saul sees it he knows someone has gone into their camp and finds out that it is his son.  Saul gathers his 600 men together and goes with them and the ark of God into battle. The Hebrews who have been with the Philistines and those who are in hiding see what Saul is doing and join the fight. God lets Israel win the battle that day.

But Saul blows it. Instead of letting the troops eat of the spoils of the battle he tells them not to eat anything that day. They get so hungry that after they fought the next battle they slaughter the livestock and eat the meat with the blood, breaking God’s commandment. Saul is told what the men are doing and in order to make it right he builds an altar to the Lord on which the priest sacrifices the animals.

Saul wants to go into battle again that night. The priest suggests that they ask God. Saul does and God does not answer. Saul sets out to see who sinned since he believes that is why God does not answer him. He says that whoever sinned will be killed even if it is his own son. He asks God who sinned. God vindicates the people and says by lot that either Saul or Jonathan sinned. When the lot is cast again it falls on Jonathan. Jonathan admits to eating honey when his father had forbidden it with the curse. He submits himself to be killed but the people recognize that he fought for the Lord that day and ransom him from death. Saul does not go into battle after this and the Philistines return to their place.

In 1 Samuel 15 Samuel tells Saul that God wants him to punish the Amalekites for what they did to the people of Israel after they came into the promised land. Samuel tells Saul to destroy everything: people and livestock.  Saul defeats the Amalekites but allows their king and the best of their livestock live. God tells Samuel that Saul didn’t keep his commands. Samuel becomes angry and confronts Saul. Saul feels vindicated by saving the best animals. He claims they are for the Lord. Samuel points out that God does not delight in burnt offerings more than obedience. Rebellion is iniquity and idolatry. Samuel tells Saul that he has lost his kingship because of his disobedience. Saul apologizes for his sin but blames the people for his disobedience. Samuel says that he will leave Saul and never return because of Saul’s rejection of God. Saul begs Samuel to allow him to worship the Lord one more time, but this time says that He is Samuel’s God. Samuel relents and then has Saul kill the king of the Amalekites. Samuel does not see Saul alive again but he grieves over Saul. In a poignant statement, this chapter ends with the Lord being sorry He had made Saul king over Israel.

Saul did not do what God commanded and he made excuses for why he sinned and God was sorry He had made him king. Do you ever wonder whether our sinfulness and our desire to cover up that sin make God sorry he chose us to do his work?

Mark 13 opens with Jesus predicting the fall of the temple. The disciples ask Jesus for the signs that will indicate when all of this will be accomplished. Jesus tells them of the persecution they will endure, the betrayal, sacrilege and battles that will ensue and he encourages them to have faith and continue to preach the good news.

He also tells them to keep awake and be ready because only God knows when this will all come to an end.

So many people try to read the signs to determine if this is the time of the end. Jesus tells us not to be concerned with the signs because they are always all about us. We are to keep faithful when others might lead us astray, tell others about Jesus even if it means putting our lives on the line and continuing the work as long as the end has not come so that we will be found ready when he comes.

1 Samuel 12 opens with an interesting situation. Samuel challenges the people to witness against him in the presence of the Lord. If they have any claims against them he wants them to bring them up so he can make restitution. The people find no fault in him.

This is something we rarely see happen, taking time to reconcile with those whom we may have hurt in our lives. If only we could be more honest with ourselves and others and be willing to put our pride on the line, the peace we would give to others when we are gone would be priceless.

Samuel now has the credibility to tell the people of their sins against God. He recounts the history of the people of Israel and how God saved them when they cried out to him through the judges. But the people rejected God by asking for a king when God is their king. Samuel tells them that if they and their king keep God’s commandments and follow God things will go well for them, but if they rebel God will be against them.

Nevertheless God punishes the people for wanting a king by sending rain and thunder on the day of the wheat harvest. The people ask Samuel to pray for them because they have sinned in calling for a king. Samuel reassures them that even though they have sinned they can turn again to God. God will not abandon His people . He promises to pray for them and to teach them the right way to live.

1 Samuel 13 begins with a puzzle that may never be solved. Saul’s age and part of the number of years he reigned to date are not given. They are missing from the oldest sources of the Hebrew text available. While the Greek version of the Old Testament omits this sentence the Hebrew version, from which our Old Testament is translated, keeps this incomplete sentence. We may never know how to fill in the blanks. What we do know is that Saul now has a son named Jonathan.

Saul attacks the Philistines and Jonathan defeats one of their garrisons. The Philistines are angered by this and gather their troops for battle. The Israelites are frightened by the power displayed by the Philistines, some of them flee and hide.

Saul goes to Gilgal and waits for Samuel to come to offer a sacrifice for God’s blessing. Samuel is delayed in coming so Saul offers the sacrifice himself, a breaking of God’s commandments. When Samuel arrives he asks Saul what he has done. Saul makes the excuse that was afraid that he was losing more of his people and the Philistines were going to attack. He didn’t want to fight without God’s blessing and since Samuel wasn’t there he was forced to make the sacrifice himself. This is a clear rationalization and scapegoating for his own fear and lack of faith.

Samuel points out that Saul has sinned. He tells Saul that God would have blessed his kingdom forever if only he had been obedient. Now God is choosing someone else to rule Israel.

Saul’s men number 600 against the Philistines thousands. Additionally, the Philistines are the ones who sharpen the Hebrews implements so there are no sharp weapons except the ones Saul and Jonathan have. Things are looking grim.

Mark 12 opens with Jesus speaking to the religious leaders through parables. He tells the story of a man who owns a vineyard which he leases to tenants and leaves the country. He sends servants back to collect his share of the produce but they are all beaten and killed. Then he sends his son and he is also beaten and killed. Jesus then asks what the owner will do. He answers the question saying that he will destroy the tenants and give the property to someone else. Then Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22, 23 about the stone the builders rejected becoming the cornerstone. The leaders realize Jesus is talking about them and want to arrest him but are afraid of what the crowd will do.

Some Pharisees bring some government officials to trap Jesus by asking him about taxes. Jesus doesn’t fall for the trap telling them that the government should get what it deserves and God should get what He deserves.

Then some Sadducees try to trick him with a question about resurrection of the dead, even though they do not believe in it.  Jesus doesn’t play into their hands and educates them about their ignorance regarding eternal life.

Jesus is asked what the great commandment is and he responds with the Shema we read in Deuteronomy that we are to love God with everything and he adds another commandment we read there that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. The scribe who asked the question acknowledges that these commandments are more important than all of the commands relating to offerings and sacrifices. Jesus recognizes his faith.

Jesus again teaches against showy displays of piety that cover sinful intentions and lauds the giving of everything to God.

Jesus is not interested in placating the powers that be. He knows that this will lead to his death but that is part of God’s plan. Unlike Saul who did what he did for his own gain only to be punished for his sin, Jesus gladly sacrifices all to gain the world.

In 1 Samuel 10 and 11 Samuel anoints Saul as king of Israel.  Samuel sends him on a journey telling him that God will be with him. Saul does as Samuel commands and during that time the spirit of God is with him. When he and his servant return home they do not mention that Saul has been anointed king.

Samuel confronts the people of Israel with the fact that in wanting a king they are rejecting God. He tells them to present themselves to the Lord by tribe and clan. God calls out Saul but he is hiding. When the people find him he stands head and shoulders above everyone. The people accept Saul as their king. He receives instructions regarding his kingship. Some of the people despise Saul.

The king of the Ammonites has been oppressing the Gadites and Reubenites on the other side of the Jordan by gouging out their right eyes. His armies come to Jabesh-gilead and threaten to do the same thing. The people send messengers to Saul and he becomes angry. Saul gathers an army from among the Israelites and they beat the Ammonites. The people go with Samuel and renew Saul’s kingship. They sacrifice offerings of well-being at Gilgal.

God has promised to be with Saul as long as he is obedient to his word. God is keeping his promise.

Psalm 46 proclaims that God is our refuge in strength no matter what happens to us. Even if the world falls apart God will save us. It contains those beautiful words, “Be still, and know that I am God!”

Psalm 47 is a song of praise to God our king. Everyone is gathered together in praise of our exalted God.

1 Samuel 7 opens with the people of Kiriath-jearim bringing the ark to the house of Abinadab. His son Eleazar is consecrated to tend the ark.

The Philistines have been ruling over Israel for 20 years. Samuel calls on Israel to put away their other gods and turn to the Lord. The people obey. Samuel gathers the people at Mizpah. The Philistines hear that they have amassed and the move against them. The people ask Samuel to pray for them and God confuses the Philistines. The Israelites move against the Philistines and subdue them. Samuel becomes the judge of Israel.

By 1 Samuel 8 Samuel becomes an old man. He makes his sons judges over Israel but they are corrupt. The people want Samuel to appoint a king over Israel like other nations. God had declared that He was the king over Israel so in asking for a king the people are rejecting God. He has Samuel tell the people what it will be like with a human king who will oppress them. The people insist that they still want a king. God grants their demands.

In 1 Samuel 9 God shows Samuel who is to become the king over Israel. He is Saul the handsome son of a wealthy man. Saul is strong and tall the perfect human choice for a king.

Mark 11 opens with the events we associate with Palm Sunday. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a colt. The people shout Hosanna! “Save us!” They believe Jesus will bring in the returning kingdom of David, the king who united Israel and made them free. Jesus looks around the temple and goes to Bethany for the night.

The next day on his way to Jerusalem Jesus sees a fig tree and goes to get a fig, but it had only produced leaves. Jesus curses the fig tree. He enters the temple and drives out the money changers. He says that the religious leaders have turned what God made a house of prayer into a den of robbers. On their way back to Bethany they pass the fig tree and the disciples notice that it has withered.

This is what is known as a Markan sandwich. Mark frequently interrupts one story with another that are on the same theme. The fig tree represents the faith practiced by the religious leaders. It is all show but has no true substance. It does not bear fruit. Jesus curses the fig tree just as he condemns those in the temple.

Jesus tells his disciples to have faith; “do not doubt in your heart, but believe.” He also tells them that when they are praying they should forgive any who have sinned against them so God can forgive them.

Jesus tells us that faith that is based upon show, doubt and judgment is not a saving faith. Our faith must be deep enough that our lives bear fruit, we are able to pray with faith despite the doubts, take our own forgiveness to heart so that we can forgive others.

1 Samuel 4, 5 and 6 tell of the result of Eli’s sons’ sin. The Philistines come against Israel. The Israelites cry out to have the Ark of the Covenant brought to them for protection in battle. Eli’s sons bring the ark to the camp and when the Philistines hear of it they become frightened but instead of fleeing they are determined to fight.

The Philistines defeat Israel, kill Eli’s sons and capture the ark. A messenger brings Eli the news. Eli is distraught over the capture of the ark, falls backward and dies. Eli’s daughter-in-law is pregnant and upon hearing of Eli’s and her husband’s deaths goes into labor. Before she dies she names the baby Ichabod which means “The glory has departed from Israel,” because the ark was captured.

The Philistines put the ark next to their god Dagon. When the people of the town enter Dagon’s house they find their god destroyed. The people are afflicted with tumors and beg to have the ark removed. Everywhere the ark goes it wreaks havoc. Finally the Philistines demand that it be sent back to Israel. Their priests suggest that they also send a guilt offering with it. They remind the people about what happened to the Egyptians when they did not honor the God of Israel. The Philistines send the ark to Beth-shemesh to the field of Joshua. The people set the ark on a stone and make a sacrifice. Some of the people are not happy that the ark has been returned to them and the Lord kills 70 men from them. They ask that the ark be moved back to its place.

God’s promise to Eli is fulfilled but in the process the ark is moved out of Israel. God shows his power against the Philistines. To their credit they recognize His power even though they do not become believers. God continues to deal with the sin in Israel that the sons of Eli have propagated. There is still some disbelief among His chosen people.

Mark 10 begins with the Pharisees questioning Jesus regarding divorce. Jesus acknowledges that God allowed divorce because of human hardness of heart but that it is God’s intention that marriage last. He explains to his disciples that this kind of divorce causes both parties to commit adultery.

The disciples prohibit some children to come to Jesus but he rebukes them. He tells them everyone must become like a child to enter God’s kingdom and blesses each of them.

A man comes to Jesus and asks how to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells him to obey the commandments. The man says that he has. Then Jesus tells him he must give up everything he has and follow him. The man leaves dejected because he has many possessions. Jesus tells his disciples that it is hard for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of heaven. The disciples ask who can be saved if not those who are blessed with wealth. Jesus says that for us it is impossible but for God everything is possible. Peter tries to boast that he and the disciples have given up everything but Jesus stops him and says that those who follow him will be blessed but also will have persecutions.

They are heading toward Jerusalem and Jesus tells the disciples what will happen to him there. Almost as though they were not listening James and John ask him if they may sit next to him in glory. Jesus says they must go through the same thing he is going to go through. They say they will. Jesus agrees that they will undergo hardship but that the seats next to him are not for him to grant. The others become angry with James and John; none of them has understood. Jesus tells them that unlike the Gentiles whose leaders rule over them he has come to serve. They must also serve if they are to become like him.

They come to Jericho and meet a blind man Bartimaeus. Jesus heals him because of his faith.

The disciples are struggling with what it truly means to follow Jesus now that he has started revealing the sacrifices involved. They enjoyed the crowds, the power, the adulation, now they are beginning to understand the true cost. They still think it is all about having fame and power when it is really about serving and sacrifice. The story of the rich man is not about his money it is about his willingness to give up everything to follow. Those who follow Jesus must be willing to use everything they have to accomplish his will. Those who have much must turn over much. All must give everything. Even the disciples, who gave up their way of life to follow Jesus, have not yet given up their pride and ego. They still need to give up much to truly follow Jesus as do we.

1 Samuel 1-3 begins with the story of a woman named Hannah. She is one of two wives of Elkanah. Hannah is barren and the other wife is not. She is taunted by the other woman and is very despondent. Each year Elkanah goes to the temple at Shiloh and makes a sacrifice to the Lord. One year Hannah goes to the temple to pray. She promises the Lord that if he allows her to have a child she would dedicate him as a nazirite throughout his life. The priest Eli sees her praying so desperately and thinks she is drunk. When he hears that she is praying he grants her a blessing that God would do as she wished.

Hannah becomes pregnant and has a son whom they name Samuel. After Samuel was weaned Hannah and Elkanah bring him to Eli to serve the Lord. Hannah sings a song of praise which is very similar to the song Mary sings after she meets with Elizabeth. She leaves Samuel with Eli. God continues to bless Hannah with children.

Now Eli’s sons have no regard to the Lord. They treat the people badly and cheat them and God. But, Samuel continues to minister to the Lord. One night while Samuel is lying down by the ark of God he hears a voice calling him. He goes to Eli to see what he wants. Eli says that he has not called Samuel and senses that it is the Lord. When the Lord calls again Samuel says he is listening tells him that he will punish Eli’s sons with death. When Samuel tells Eli what God has said, he accepts God’s decision. Samuel becomes a prophet of the Lord and God spoke to him.

The story of Hannah and Samuel is an extraordinary one. Both of them show great faith and obedience keeping their promises to the Lord even when it requires sacrifice.

Mark 9 begins Jesus revelation of who he is and what that means. He takes Peter, James and John up on a mountain. Jesus is transfigured in front of them. God speaks to the three and tells them that Jesus is his son. They are to listen to him. Jesus tells them to keep this a secret until he rises from the dead. They obey but wonder what he means by rising from the dead.

A man brings his son to Jesus because his disciples are unable to heal him. Jesus heals the boy. The disciples ask why they could not do it and he says it can only happen through prayer.

Jesus shares with the disciples that he will be betrayed and killed but will rise after three days. The disciples don’t understand but are afraid to ask him about it.

While they were traveling to Capernaum the disciples were arguing. Jesus asks them why. They don’t answer because they were arguing about who would be the greatest. Jesus says that whoever wants to be first must be the servant of all. He tells them to welcome children and not to become stumbling blocks to them.

Many of Jesus’ teachings are hard to understand. He is trying to tell us to be responsible and accountable to ourselves and to others. Be hard on ourselves in regards to faith but charitable to others to build them up.

In Ruth 3 and 4 Ruth approaches Boaz and offers herself to him. He is Naomi’s next-of-kin and as such has the right to redeem Elimelech’s property for her. He says that there is another relative who is closer to Naomi who needs to be consulted first before he can act.

Boaz approaches the other relative to see if he is willing to redeem the land. He is willing until he hears that Ruth would have to become his wife. So, the relative gives Boaz the right to redeem the land and to marry Ruth.

The rights of inheritance and succession have been restored, just as in the days of Tamar and Judah. Ruth bears a son who becomes the father of Jesse, who becomes the father of David, the future king of Israel. This is how Ruth, a Gentile woman, becomes named in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew.

Boaz serves as Naomi’s kinsman redeemer. This is the role a next-of-kin plays to continue the family line and to maintain a family’s inheritance. Jesus is our kinsman redeemer. When we lost our inheritance because of our sin, Jesus stepped in and spoke on our behalf. He claimed us as his own and restored our inheritance as God’s children.

Psalm 45 appears to be a song for a royal wedding. The notes say that it is a love song. This is a marriage blessed of God.

We have finished Judges but still remain in the time of the Judges with this next book. Ruth is a personal rather than a national story. It looks deeply into the goings on of a specific family.

Ruth 1 and 2 introduce the people in this family. A man from Bethlehem named Elimelech takes his wife Naomi and their two sons to Moab during a famine. Elimelech dies. The sons marry Moab women and live there 10 years until they also die.

In the intervening years, the famine in Israel ends and Naomi decides to go back home to Bethlehem.  Naomi speaks to her daughters-in-law Naomi and Orpah encouraging them to go back to their family homes. Orpah does this but Naomi pleads with Naomi that she be allowed to stay with her. In words that are often used at weddings Ruth says that she will go wherever Naomi goes. Naomi’s people will be Ruth’s people and Naomi’s God will be Ruth’s God.

Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem during the time of the barley harvest. Ruth asks permission to go and glean the fields after the reapers are finished. This is consistent with the commandments concerning helping the poor.

While she is gleaning the field Ruth is spotted by a man named Boaz, who a member of Elimelech’s family. He learns about who Ruth is and what she has done to take care of Naomi. He tells Ruth to glean only from his land and instructs the reapers to allow her to glean from crops that still need to be harvested. When she tells Naomi what happened Naomi tells her who Boaz is and encourages her to stay in his fields.

In Mark 8 Jesus feeds another crowd. Again, the disciples doubt whether the people can be fed. The Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign to tell them who he is. He leaves them and warns the disciples about the Pharisees by comparing them to yeast. The disciples have only brought one loaf of bread with them and are concerned that this is the reason that Jesus is warning them. Jesus becomes frustrated that the disciples are still concerned with how they would eat.

Jesus meets a blind man and heals him. At first the man could only see shadows but Jesus puts his hands on him and he can then see clearly.

Jesus and the disciples come to Caesarea Philippi. He asks them who others say he is. Peter says that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus begins to tell them that he will have to suffer. Peter tries to stop him but Jesus says that Peter is concentrating on human things. Jesus openly continues to teach about the things that are going to happen to him.

This is the halfway point of the book of Mark. Up until now Jesus has been secretive about why he is here. After Peter sees clearly that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus begins teaching about who he is and what it means to be the true Messiah. The disciples may not be ready to hear the truth but Jesus begins to open their eyes.

In Judges 21 God has rejected the tribe of Benjamin. All of the women are dead and the men who escaped are in the wilderness. The people of Israel vow not to let their women marry any Benjaminite. But, the other tribes can’t imagine that God would allow only 11 tribes to exist so they hatch a plan to keep the tribe going. They determine that one group did not gather with the rest and kill everyone except the virgins. They give the virgins to the Benjaminites. There aren’t enough of them to go around. So the people try to figure out another way to provide wives from the people of Israel without going against their vow not to give their daughters to them.

There is a festival to the Lord at Shiloh. The Israelites tell the Benjaminites to lie in wait until the young women dance away. Then they can come and abduct the young women. They figure that they are in the clear because they have not given the Benjaminites their daughters, the Benjaminites have stolen them. Surely this plan will lead to punishment.

Mark 7 opens with a confrontation between Jesus and some Pharisees. The Pharisees are upset because the disciples did not perform the ritualistic washing of hands before eating. Jesus chastises the Pharisees because they follow human tradition and do not follow the commands of God. He mentions that they do not honor their parents by saying that all that they earn is for God. That way they use it for themselves but do not support their parents.

Jesus says that God is not so much interested in keeping clean on the outside but on keeping the heart clean. It is not what you put in that needs to be clean but what comes out of you from your heart.

Jesus meets a Gentile woman who wants him to heal her daughter of an unclean spirit. Jesus tells her that he needs to concentrate on Jews and not Gentiles. The woman implores Jesus to help and he does. Jesus also heals a deaf man. Even though Jesus tells the crowd not to tell anyone they tell all the more.

In both the Old and New Testament stories we see how we manipulate our faith practices to get what we want. We make our thoughts God’s thoughts and our ways God’s ways. Just because we say that these are what god wants from us does not make it so. We are only fooling ourselves. God knows when we stray from his teachings. It is better that we keep reading his word and following his ways. God is not being fooled by our rationalized disobedience.