Read: 1 Samuel 15:1-16:23; John 8:1-20; Psalm 110:1-7; Proverbs 15:8-10
When Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt they came to Rephadim and there was no water. They cried out to the Lord and he gave them water from the rock that Moses was commanded to strike. The Amalekites came out to fight them…probably for their water. Israel fought all day and Moses had to have Aaron and Hur hold his hands up in order to win (Exodus 17). God had said that he would one day destroy the Amalekites from off the face of the earth and now he was asking Saul to do just that. He was to kill all their people and all their animals.
Instead, Saul killed all the people but took their king, Agag, as a prisoner and allowed his men to keep any of the animals and spoils they wanted. Samuel was not happy and neither was God. Saul, defensively said they kept the animals to sacrifice them. Samuel cut Agag to pieces himself. This cost Saul his kingdom which Saul was more interested in how he looked before his men than the fact that he had displeased God.
Samuel mourned Saul’s rebellion like a father would mourn over his own son, but God told him it was time to stop mourning Saul, and go and anoint his successor. David was chosen who was the least in his family. When Samuel anointed him, God’s spirit left Saul and a spirit from Satan came to torment him. Ironically, David was sent to ease his suffering with worship and music. David gained authority in the spiritual realm before he could rule in the natural.
In John, it was the day after the Feast of Tabernacle which is known as Simbat Torah, the celebrating of the ending of reading the law for the year and the first day of beginning to read it again. Jesus was bringing a new law and it was time to see the law with spiritual eyes. Yes, the law said to stone the woman caught in adultery, but it also said to stone the man also (Leviticus 20:10). Jesus was bringing in the law of grace and forgiveness. Adultery was still a sin, but God was to be the punisher.
Jesus wrote in the dust until all the people had left. The day before, they had rejected Jesus, the fountain of living waters. In Jeremiah 17:13 it says, “ O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters.” Now we know what Jesus wrote in the dust!
Jesus said he was also the light of the world which was the term used for Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles. They had these huge lights that lit up the whole city at night and everyone referred to Jerusalem as being the light of the world because everyone for miles around could see the light.
Jesus gave us his light so now we are his light in the world.
Lord, may our light shine so brightly that others may see it and come to you.
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Wed.’s Devo - Faith Over Fact
Read: 1 Samuel 14:1-52; John 7:31-53; Psalm 109:1-31; Proverbs 15:5-7
Jonathan was an independent soul. He was also fearless and strong. He took his armor bearer and faced 20 Philistines alone. He also knew to ask God for help. He would have made a great king, but Saul was responsible for losing the kingship for his family.
Because of Jonathan’s courageous act, the whole Philistine army was thrown into confusion and fear. The Israelites were able to chase them and save Israel. Saul had foolishly put a curse on any soldier who ate anything and since Jonathan hadn’t been there to hear the curse, he ate some honey and was cursed. If the army hadn’t come to Jonathan’s rescue, Saul would have killed him.
Israel won a great victory over the Philistines that day, but fought them constantly throughout Saul’s whole lifetime.
Philistines stands for “self-pity and regret”. Those were the enemies that Saul and Israel constantly fought against.
In John, it was the Feast of Tabernacles and everyone was talking about whether Jesus was the Messiah or not. The Jewish leaders sent Temple guards to arrest Jesus, but he told them he would not be with them much longer. I find it a miracle that he just spoke and they couldn’t arrest him.
On the last day of the feast they were doing their Water Libation ceremony where a third of the priests would go down to the pool of Siloam with a pitcher and get water to bring up to the Temple and pour on the altar. The Pool of Siloam was known as the “living water” which was suppose to bring healing when it was stirred. Jesus spoke and said that He was the living water and if anyone believed on him, they would have this living water flowing out of their heart also.
One of their big stumbling blocks was the fact that they thought Jesus was born in Nazareth and they knew that the Messiah had to be born in Bethlehem. I wonder if after he died, Mary didn’t tell them the truth. It was a simple matter that Jesus could have cleared up, but he chose not to. He wanted them to believe him by faith, not by fact. When we don’t understand the facts, it is our faith that carries us.
Lord, thank you for faith. Thank you that you have opened our eyes to see the truth and given us a heart to believe.
Jonathan was an independent soul. He was also fearless and strong. He took his armor bearer and faced 20 Philistines alone. He also knew to ask God for help. He would have made a great king, but Saul was responsible for losing the kingship for his family.
Because of Jonathan’s courageous act, the whole Philistine army was thrown into confusion and fear. The Israelites were able to chase them and save Israel. Saul had foolishly put a curse on any soldier who ate anything and since Jonathan hadn’t been there to hear the curse, he ate some honey and was cursed. If the army hadn’t come to Jonathan’s rescue, Saul would have killed him.
Israel won a great victory over the Philistines that day, but fought them constantly throughout Saul’s whole lifetime.
Philistines stands for “self-pity and regret”. Those were the enemies that Saul and Israel constantly fought against.
In John, it was the Feast of Tabernacles and everyone was talking about whether Jesus was the Messiah or not. The Jewish leaders sent Temple guards to arrest Jesus, but he told them he would not be with them much longer. I find it a miracle that he just spoke and they couldn’t arrest him.
On the last day of the feast they were doing their Water Libation ceremony where a third of the priests would go down to the pool of Siloam with a pitcher and get water to bring up to the Temple and pour on the altar. The Pool of Siloam was known as the “living water” which was suppose to bring healing when it was stirred. Jesus spoke and said that He was the living water and if anyone believed on him, they would have this living water flowing out of their heart also.
One of their big stumbling blocks was the fact that they thought Jesus was born in Nazareth and they knew that the Messiah had to be born in Bethlehem. I wonder if after he died, Mary didn’t tell them the truth. It was a simple matter that Jesus could have cleared up, but he chose not to. He wanted them to believe him by faith, not by fact. When we don’t understand the facts, it is our faith that carries us.
Lord, thank you for faith. Thank you that you have opened our eyes to see the truth and given us a heart to believe.
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Tues.’s Devo - We Need Discernment
Read: 1 Samuel 12:1-13:23; John 7:1-30; Psalm 108:1-13; Proverbs 15:4
Samuel had lived a guiltless life himself, even though his sons had not. The people could find no fault in Samuel either, but they had wanted a king, and a king was what they would get. Samuel made it clear to them that this was the king that they had chosen and asked for.
It had been God’s heart to give them a king but his king wasn’t born yet. His king would be David, a man after God’s own heart. They wanted it now so they got Saul, a man after man’s heart. Saul’s fear of man would be his downfall though he started out well.
It was the wheat harvest when it usually didn’t rain, but Samuel said that if God sent rain and thunder it would be a sign of how wicked their request had been. It rained and thundered scaring the people and causing them to repent. Samuel told them to let it remind them of their sin and be a warning not to go back to worshipping their worthless idols.
Saul was 30 at the time and reigned for 42 years. Saul led an attack against the Philistines but it wasn’t going so well and they were hiding out in caves waiting for Samuel to show up to offer the sacrifice. On the last day at the end of the day, Saul’s army was dwindling so he decided to offer the sacrifice himself. Samuel appeared and rebuked Saul for doing this and told him that his kingdom would be turned over to someone else who would be a man after God’s heart.
Saul’s army had diminished to 300 men and only Saul and Jonathan had weapons other than their own hands. They were going up against a multitude of Philistines. Cliff-hanger. We will find our tomorrow what happens.
In John, Jesus and the disciples were on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus’ disciples wanted Jesus to prove himself to the crowds with all his miracles, but Jesus knew better. He came after them to the feast and went straight to the Temple to teach. They questioned his authority and his miracles on the Sabbath. His response was, “Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”
I think this is the word for today. The world is crying out their views very loudly, but the truth is hidden beneath the surface. We must have discernment to see the truth.
Lord, give us discernment to live on this earth and see through your eyes and know your ways.
Samuel had lived a guiltless life himself, even though his sons had not. The people could find no fault in Samuel either, but they had wanted a king, and a king was what they would get. Samuel made it clear to them that this was the king that they had chosen and asked for.
It had been God’s heart to give them a king but his king wasn’t born yet. His king would be David, a man after God’s own heart. They wanted it now so they got Saul, a man after man’s heart. Saul’s fear of man would be his downfall though he started out well.
It was the wheat harvest when it usually didn’t rain, but Samuel said that if God sent rain and thunder it would be a sign of how wicked their request had been. It rained and thundered scaring the people and causing them to repent. Samuel told them to let it remind them of their sin and be a warning not to go back to worshipping their worthless idols.
Saul was 30 at the time and reigned for 42 years. Saul led an attack against the Philistines but it wasn’t going so well and they were hiding out in caves waiting for Samuel to show up to offer the sacrifice. On the last day at the end of the day, Saul’s army was dwindling so he decided to offer the sacrifice himself. Samuel appeared and rebuked Saul for doing this and told him that his kingdom would be turned over to someone else who would be a man after God’s heart.
Saul’s army had diminished to 300 men and only Saul and Jonathan had weapons other than their own hands. They were going up against a multitude of Philistines. Cliff-hanger. We will find our tomorrow what happens.
In John, Jesus and the disciples were on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus’ disciples wanted Jesus to prove himself to the crowds with all his miracles, but Jesus knew better. He came after them to the feast and went straight to the Temple to teach. They questioned his authority and his miracles on the Sabbath. His response was, “Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”
I think this is the word for today. The world is crying out their views very loudly, but the truth is hidden beneath the surface. We must have discernment to see the truth.
Lord, give us discernment to live on this earth and see through your eyes and know your ways.
Monday, May 11, 2020
Mon.’s Devo - A New Man and Another Heart
Read: 1 Samuel 10:1-11:15; John 6:43-71; Psalm 107:1-43; Proverb 14:1-3
Samuel had taken Saul aside to talk to him alone. He had already told him that him and his family were the focus of all of Israel’s hopes. Then he took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head and appointed him ruler over Israel.
He then gave him a snapshot of his day. He would meet two men besides Rachel’s tomb that would tell him his donkeys had been found and now his father is worried about him.
Next he would come to the oak of Tabor and see three men on their way to worship God at Bethel. They would be carrying three goats, three loaves of bread and three wineskins of wine. They will offer you two of the loaves of bread and he was suppose to receive them.
Next, he would come to Gibeah where the Philistines’ army was stationed. There he would meet a band of prophets coming down from the place of worship. They would be playing a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre and be prophesying. The Spirit of the Lord would come on him and he would prophecy with them. At that point, Saul would be turned into a new person. In seven days, he was to meet Samuel at Gilgal and receive further instructions.
As he turned to leave Samuel, God gave Saul another heart. It all happened just as Samuel had said. Samuel called a meeting in Mizpah and introduced Saul as the king.
Nahash, the king of the Ammonites had been oppressing the people east of the Jordan by gouging out the right eye of all the men. He had offered a treaty with the town of Jabesh-gilead. He would allow them to live, but all the men there would have their right eye gouged out. The men of the city cried out for help and Saul called on all of Israel to come and fight for them. He raised an army of 330,000 men and led an attack on the Ammonites. They saved them and everyone recognized Saul as their king. He then went to Gilgal to meet with Samuel where he had a ceremony and made Saul their king officially. All of this happened in a week!
In John, Jesus was teaching things they had never heard before and it was hard for them to grasp. Jesus wasn’t just teaching them, he was teaching everyone who would live for ages after that. He was the bread sent from heaven and he would return to heaven though none of them understood this. How could they? This was such a new concept. But, Jesus had chosen 12 disciples, knowing one of them was a devil, and eleven of them would stay even though they didn’t understand what he taught.
Following Jesus is all by faith. We keep believing because everything we do is by faith and sometimes it is easier to live by faith than by sight.
Lord, help us to live by both faith and sight. May our faith be of heaven and our walk here on earth reflect that. May we live as new creatures with another heart.
Samuel had taken Saul aside to talk to him alone. He had already told him that him and his family were the focus of all of Israel’s hopes. Then he took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head and appointed him ruler over Israel.
He then gave him a snapshot of his day. He would meet two men besides Rachel’s tomb that would tell him his donkeys had been found and now his father is worried about him.
Next he would come to the oak of Tabor and see three men on their way to worship God at Bethel. They would be carrying three goats, three loaves of bread and three wineskins of wine. They will offer you two of the loaves of bread and he was suppose to receive them.
Next, he would come to Gibeah where the Philistines’ army was stationed. There he would meet a band of prophets coming down from the place of worship. They would be playing a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre and be prophesying. The Spirit of the Lord would come on him and he would prophecy with them. At that point, Saul would be turned into a new person. In seven days, he was to meet Samuel at Gilgal and receive further instructions.
As he turned to leave Samuel, God gave Saul another heart. It all happened just as Samuel had said. Samuel called a meeting in Mizpah and introduced Saul as the king.
Nahash, the king of the Ammonites had been oppressing the people east of the Jordan by gouging out the right eye of all the men. He had offered a treaty with the town of Jabesh-gilead. He would allow them to live, but all the men there would have their right eye gouged out. The men of the city cried out for help and Saul called on all of Israel to come and fight for them. He raised an army of 330,000 men and led an attack on the Ammonites. They saved them and everyone recognized Saul as their king. He then went to Gilgal to meet with Samuel where he had a ceremony and made Saul their king officially. All of this happened in a week!
In John, Jesus was teaching things they had never heard before and it was hard for them to grasp. Jesus wasn’t just teaching them, he was teaching everyone who would live for ages after that. He was the bread sent from heaven and he would return to heaven though none of them understood this. How could they? This was such a new concept. But, Jesus had chosen 12 disciples, knowing one of them was a devil, and eleven of them would stay even though they didn’t understand what he taught.
Following Jesus is all by faith. We keep believing because everything we do is by faith and sometimes it is easier to live by faith than by sight.
Lord, help us to live by both faith and sight. May our faith be of heaven and our walk here on earth reflect that. May we live as new creatures with another heart.
Sunday, May 10, 2020
Sun.’s Devo - Scattering Seed
Read: 1 Samuel 8:1-9:27; John 6:22-42; Psalm 106:32-48; Proverbs 14:34-35
Samuel’s sons didn’t turn out much differently than Eli’s. They took bribes and perverted justice. The people realized that Samuel was getting old and they didn’t want his sons to be their judge. Israel was being oppressed by the Philistines and they needed a military judge; they wanted a king.
Samuel took their request to the Lord and he told them to give them what they wanted because they were not rejecting Samuel, they were rejecting God. God told Samuel to warn them just what a king would do.
A king would impose a draft for soldiers and officers, force others to be his farmers, manufacturers, cooks, perfumers and impose taxes to pay for this operation. He would also take the best of their fields, a tenth of their harvests, their slaves, and the best of their cattle. He would demand a tenth of their flocks and eventually they would all become his slaves.
All the people could see was that this king would judge them and lead them in battle. So God gave them their first king - Saul. His name means “people’s choice” and that is what he was. He was from a wealthy, influential family and he was handsome and tall so he looked like a king. His father’s name was Kish which means “a snare”, and that summed up Saul. He became a snare to Israel.
He met Samuel when he was looking for his father's lost donkeys. Samuel told him that his donkeys had been found, he was the hope of Israel, and that he was to stay and have lunch with him. Tomorrow we will hear what Samuel told him.
In John, Jesus had sent his disciples across the sea in their only boat. Now, the people find Jesus across the sea also. They asked him how he got across and he told them that they didn’t come for him because they understood what he had done by feeding them but because they wanted to be fed again.
It was almost time for Passover and Unleavened Bread so Jesus explained to them that he was the bread sent down from heaven that they celebrated every year. He had multiplied himself to show them that he was enough for all of them. He was the hope of Israel. Of course, they didn’t get it but he told them so that after he was gone, they could remember. Jesus was scattering seed. It didn’t look like it was taking root but some of it would so he just kept scattering it.
Lord, help us to remember this when we feel like no one is listening to the truth. It is our job to tell the truth, it is the job of the Holy Spirit to change the heart.
Samuel’s sons didn’t turn out much differently than Eli’s. They took bribes and perverted justice. The people realized that Samuel was getting old and they didn’t want his sons to be their judge. Israel was being oppressed by the Philistines and they needed a military judge; they wanted a king.
Samuel took their request to the Lord and he told them to give them what they wanted because they were not rejecting Samuel, they were rejecting God. God told Samuel to warn them just what a king would do.
A king would impose a draft for soldiers and officers, force others to be his farmers, manufacturers, cooks, perfumers and impose taxes to pay for this operation. He would also take the best of their fields, a tenth of their harvests, their slaves, and the best of their cattle. He would demand a tenth of their flocks and eventually they would all become his slaves.
All the people could see was that this king would judge them and lead them in battle. So God gave them their first king - Saul. His name means “people’s choice” and that is what he was. He was from a wealthy, influential family and he was handsome and tall so he looked like a king. His father’s name was Kish which means “a snare”, and that summed up Saul. He became a snare to Israel.
He met Samuel when he was looking for his father's lost donkeys. Samuel told him that his donkeys had been found, he was the hope of Israel, and that he was to stay and have lunch with him. Tomorrow we will hear what Samuel told him.
In John, Jesus had sent his disciples across the sea in their only boat. Now, the people find Jesus across the sea also. They asked him how he got across and he told them that they didn’t come for him because they understood what he had done by feeding them but because they wanted to be fed again.
It was almost time for Passover and Unleavened Bread so Jesus explained to them that he was the bread sent down from heaven that they celebrated every year. He had multiplied himself to show them that he was enough for all of them. He was the hope of Israel. Of course, they didn’t get it but he told them so that after he was gone, they could remember. Jesus was scattering seed. It didn’t look like it was taking root but some of it would so he just kept scattering it.
Lord, help us to remember this when we feel like no one is listening to the truth. It is our job to tell the truth, it is the job of the Holy Spirit to change the heart.
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Sat.’s Devo - The Return of the Presence
Read: 1 Samuel 5:1-7:17; John 6:1-21; Psalm 106:13-31; Proverbs 14:32-33
The Philistines had captured the Ark, but what was a blessing to Israel was a curse to them since they didn’t serve the God it represented. Their god, Dagon bowed three times to the Ark that contained the presence of God. The third time it lost its head and its hand which stands for its authority and power.
A plague came on all five towns that housed the ark until it became obvious that the ark needed to go home. They put it on a cart with five golden tumors and five golden rats and let the cows pulling it go wherever they wanted. They abandoned their new born calves and walked straight to Beth-shemesh (“house of the sun”) which was the first Israelite town.
It came to Joshua’s land and stopped beside a rock. Joshua means “savior” and the rock represents Jesus also. The people tore the cart apart and made fire with it for a sacrifice. Sadly, 70 men from Beth-shemesh died because they looked into the ark. They, like the Philistines wanted it out of their town so they called out to the people of Kiriath-jearim to come and get it. They did, and left the ark at the home of Abinadab who ordained Eleazar to be in charge of it. Abinadab means “father of the willing giver” who stands for God. His son, Eleazar (which means “god of help”) stands for the Holy Spirit. It stayed there for 20 years and the people didn’t hear from God during that time. That reminds me of the 200 years from the Old to the New Testament where God wasn’t speaking also. God stops talking when the people stop have stopped obeying.
Samuel had the people repent and turn back to the Lord and when they did, it made the enemy in hell mad. He stirred up the Philistines to come and fight them. The people had Samuel intercede for them as they fought. God showed up and fought from heaven with frightening thunder which confused the Philistines and gave Israel the victory. The Philistines didn’t attack them again as long as Samuel was alive.
In John, Jesus fed the 5,000 with a boy’s lunch. When his mom packed his lunch that morning, she had no idea that she was really preparing lunch for a multitude. I wonder if he was embarrassed to be the only one there whose mom had made his lunch. Whatever his story was, I am sure that he was glad his mom packed his lunch for him and he went home with the greatest story. I wonder how that one day affected the rest of his life. I wonder if he went home with one of the baskets of left-overs or all twelve of them!
That was a day the disciples saw the abundant provision of the Lord. They got into their boat and were immediately faced with a storm. But, Jesus met them and once in their boat, they immediately arrived at their destination.
In both of our readings we see how the devil comes as soon as there is a victory. He wants to steal the “thunder” and rob us of our victory, but Jesus is always there with us.
Lord, remind us of this principle when we feel attacked for no reason and can’t figure out what is happening. You are the good God and the devil is the bad one.
The Philistines had captured the Ark, but what was a blessing to Israel was a curse to them since they didn’t serve the God it represented. Their god, Dagon bowed three times to the Ark that contained the presence of God. The third time it lost its head and its hand which stands for its authority and power.
A plague came on all five towns that housed the ark until it became obvious that the ark needed to go home. They put it on a cart with five golden tumors and five golden rats and let the cows pulling it go wherever they wanted. They abandoned their new born calves and walked straight to Beth-shemesh (“house of the sun”) which was the first Israelite town.
It came to Joshua’s land and stopped beside a rock. Joshua means “savior” and the rock represents Jesus also. The people tore the cart apart and made fire with it for a sacrifice. Sadly, 70 men from Beth-shemesh died because they looked into the ark. They, like the Philistines wanted it out of their town so they called out to the people of Kiriath-jearim to come and get it. They did, and left the ark at the home of Abinadab who ordained Eleazar to be in charge of it. Abinadab means “father of the willing giver” who stands for God. His son, Eleazar (which means “god of help”) stands for the Holy Spirit. It stayed there for 20 years and the people didn’t hear from God during that time. That reminds me of the 200 years from the Old to the New Testament where God wasn’t speaking also. God stops talking when the people stop have stopped obeying.
Samuel had the people repent and turn back to the Lord and when they did, it made the enemy in hell mad. He stirred up the Philistines to come and fight them. The people had Samuel intercede for them as they fought. God showed up and fought from heaven with frightening thunder which confused the Philistines and gave Israel the victory. The Philistines didn’t attack them again as long as Samuel was alive.
In John, Jesus fed the 5,000 with a boy’s lunch. When his mom packed his lunch that morning, she had no idea that she was really preparing lunch for a multitude. I wonder if he was embarrassed to be the only one there whose mom had made his lunch. Whatever his story was, I am sure that he was glad his mom packed his lunch for him and he went home with the greatest story. I wonder how that one day affected the rest of his life. I wonder if he went home with one of the baskets of left-overs or all twelve of them!
That was a day the disciples saw the abundant provision of the Lord. They got into their boat and were immediately faced with a storm. But, Jesus met them and once in their boat, they immediately arrived at their destination.
In both of our readings we see how the devil comes as soon as there is a victory. He wants to steal the “thunder” and rob us of our victory, but Jesus is always there with us.
Lord, remind us of this principle when we feel attacked for no reason and can’t figure out what is happening. You are the good God and the devil is the bad one.
Friday, May 8, 2020
Fri.’s Devo - Prophecy Fulfilled
Read: 1 Samuel 2:22-4:22; John 5:24-47; Psalm 106:1-12; Proverbs 106:1-12
God warned Eli himself, through an unnamed prophet and through a child, Samuel, but it didn’t change his actions. He talked to his sons about their sins but refused to discipline them or remove them from their office. Eli was told by the prophet that his family would no longer serve as priests and that the few that did serve would go blind and have their hearts broken and both of his sons would die a violent death on the same day. His offspring would be poor and die young.
Samuel added that the sins of Eli and his sons would never be forgiven by sacrifices.
True to the prophecy, Eli died blind. His heart was broken when he heard that the ark had been captured and was told that both of his sons had died in battle.
The Philistines attacked Israel, took the ark and killed 30,000 Israelite soldiers in a day.
Eli’s daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas went into labor and died bringing her son into the world. She named him Ichabod to mourn the capturing of the ark and the death of her husband. Poor boy! I hope someone renamed him.
In John, the Pharisees were accused of the same thing Eli was accused of. They had the truth right in front of them but they refused to see it. They were responsible for handling the Torah and teaching it to the people but they didn’t understand it in their hearts, so they totally missed the living Word standing in front of them.
They claimed to believe in Moses, but if they had truly believed in what Moses said, they would have recognized who He was. They didn’t so it revealed their true hearts.
Those who believe in Him would never face the wrath of God or condemnation for their sins. They will be raise to eternal life but those who do not believe in him will be raised to the judgment seat of Christ. All will be raised, but not all will stay. Some will be rewarded and others condemned.
Lord, thank you that your judgments are just and fair. Thank you for eternal life in your son. Thank you that you do bring us hope in the midst of despair.
God warned Eli himself, through an unnamed prophet and through a child, Samuel, but it didn’t change his actions. He talked to his sons about their sins but refused to discipline them or remove them from their office. Eli was told by the prophet that his family would no longer serve as priests and that the few that did serve would go blind and have their hearts broken and both of his sons would die a violent death on the same day. His offspring would be poor and die young.
Samuel added that the sins of Eli and his sons would never be forgiven by sacrifices.
True to the prophecy, Eli died blind. His heart was broken when he heard that the ark had been captured and was told that both of his sons had died in battle.
The Philistines attacked Israel, took the ark and killed 30,000 Israelite soldiers in a day.
Eli’s daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas went into labor and died bringing her son into the world. She named him Ichabod to mourn the capturing of the ark and the death of her husband. Poor boy! I hope someone renamed him.
In John, the Pharisees were accused of the same thing Eli was accused of. They had the truth right in front of them but they refused to see it. They were responsible for handling the Torah and teaching it to the people but they didn’t understand it in their hearts, so they totally missed the living Word standing in front of them.
They claimed to believe in Moses, but if they had truly believed in what Moses said, they would have recognized who He was. They didn’t so it revealed their true hearts.
Those who believe in Him would never face the wrath of God or condemnation for their sins. They will be raise to eternal life but those who do not believe in him will be raised to the judgment seat of Christ. All will be raised, but not all will stay. Some will be rewarded and others condemned.
Lord, thank you that your judgments are just and fair. Thank you for eternal life in your son. Thank you that you do bring us hope in the midst of despair.
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