Arise and Abide

Reading 1 Samuel 4:12-22 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Israel continues to put their trust in things and not in God. What happens when selfish hearts take the role of Priest and even High Priest. 1 Samuel 3:11. They lost the battle because they did not go to God or seek His direction. Eli was blind and overweight, 1Samuel 2:29 & 2:33. Quite the situation for Samuel to be stepping into. Hophni and Phinehas carrying the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant, the place of atonement, and the throne of His presence, to where their whole lives were leading. Just because man does something in the name of God, doesn’t mean God is with them, or that it is God’s will. Eli’s belief that the safety of the Ark of God was dependent on those fighting the battle.  Without Godly spiritual leadership the people develop a misunderstanding of God’s character, God’s heart, and God’s will.

Reading 1 Samuel 4:1-11 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion.  Israel using the Ark of the Covenant like a good luck charm. They ask the right question but don’t seek the answer from the LORD, they come up with their own conclusions. Though their conclusion was wrong, it brought Hophni and Phinehas into God’s will be done. Hophni and Phinehas missed opportunities. The Philistines’ misunderstanding and arrogance. God’s ways are not human ways, human nature is bent toward evil.

Reading 1 Samuel 3:1-4:1 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion.  Recall to 1 Samuel 2:26, chapter 3 is a detailed example of how Samuel grew in favor with God and with the people. Samuel continuing to serve the LORD by assisting Eli. God using Eli in Samuel’s life. Three times Samuel hears and audible call and goes to Eli. Learning to hear from God. Samuel being confused by the voice. Speculations can distract us form the point. God’s patience, the end of His patience, and living a life of surrender.

Reading Psalms 67:1-7 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion.  Mercy, being provided what we need to live even when we don’t deserve it. Blessings, all the relationships we experience and all the things beyond our basic needs to sustain life. Favor, the Love of a father that is well pleased with his child. This psalm is like the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24-26. The image in these verses and the warm hug feeling they give. A picture of the beginning of the LORD’s Prayer. When we read through the scripture, we see God wanting His heart to be known by His people. Colossians 1:15, Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. Matthew 20:25. Love does not LORD authority over others, but Love uses Love’s power and authority to define Love’s Kingdom.

Reading 1 Samuel 2:27-36 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion.  God at work raising up Samuel as a leader. The problem wasn’t just with Eli’s Sons. Eli’s lack of attempt to discipline his kids puts his approval over their actions. The entitlement culture that was growing in the priesthood and the wakeup call Eli was sleeping through. God is a good and patient God who is faithful to forgive a repentant heart. God is calling us to follow Jesus home.

Reading 1 Samuel 2:12-26 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion.  The comparison between Eli’s sons and Samuel, Eli’s warning and poor attempt to his sons, and the update on Hannah and Elkanah. Hannah returning yearly and visiting Samuel. God blessing Hannah and Elkanah with more children. How much God loves us is displayed in giving us Jesus as a savior. Eli’s sons believe themselves as the ones who should be served and had no interest in being God’s servants.  Serving the LORD was not about duties alone, it’s about a heart set on the LORD. Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD. Jesus intercedes for us.

Reading 1 Samuel 2:1-11 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion.  Hannah’s prayer, a picture of the Kingdom of Heaven, the first shall be last and the last will be first, the humble are exalted, and the proud are humbled. Revelation 1:18, “I am the living one. I died, but look – I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” God is at work putting things back to how they should be. Remembering the story of Samson, God strengthens our physical strength as well as strengthening our faith.

Reading 1 Samuel 1:19-28 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion.  A little glimpse into the time before Hannah fulfills her vow. Elkanah wanting Hannah to be able to rejoice in the LORD. Elkanah sees Hannah's vow as a great act of faith, worship, love, and trust. Unclear if Eli remembers Hannah or her vow but they worship the LORD all the same. The bittersweet moment of letting go.  The example of going to the LORD with our requests and praising God as we wait. That level of sacrifice was hard, but it was good and it was part of God’s perfect plan.

Reading 1 Samuel 1:1-18 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Hardly an instant exists in scripture where a man’s simultaneous marriage to two wives did not produce serious friction. The competition of rivalries within a family. Hannah sadness is relatable to all who have struggle to have children. Children are a blessing. Putting too high a value on the blessing and not on the one who blesses. Selfishness of our sin nature makes us want to be loved the most, when we should all be loving God the most. Eli had the authority to speak the life and encouragement Hannah needed. We have a similar authority and responsibility to speak words of life and encouragement to those near us who are crying out to God.

Reading Ruth 4:1-22 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Boaz gets right to work and finds the family redeemer who was first in line to redeem the land and marry Ruth. The first in line wont marry her to preserve his own name and estate, yet he goes un-named. Ruth and Naomi, both being widows held little value in society, yet Ruth is praised as being more valuable than seven sons. Tamar and Judah, Tamar was a foreigner like Ruth. God’s plan has always been for all nations to be grafted into the family of God.