This episode reviews Dave's four phases of his life:

Annointed, but not official in man's eyes & chased by Saul

King who conquers, unifies & builds

Absalom's rebellion

The final years

There are lots of great stories during the life of David, and they're fun to tell and fun to hear.  But we should not allow the drama to distract us from the value of the teachings: they apply to our lives.  David's character in faithfulness and sin is revealed.  He sets an example for repentance like no other.  He is unique among leaders as one who responds to God's prophet with his complete repentance and subjection, unlike most leaders in the bible (or nowadays). 

Dave's character shines in the Psalms, where we get a unique and beautiful view into the soul of the man who wrote them.  They are the inspired word of God, in that they're an accurate reflection of what Dave (and others) wrote, and they wrote what they felt; but - the feelings they represent reveal the truth of the writer's heart, not necessarily God's heart.  They also must not be used to 'prove' stuff doctrinally, for that is terrible, awful biblical interpretation! 

Now it's the spring of the year, when kings go to war.  What season is it in your life?  Will you seek out someone to serve, to love, to make stronger, and to protect from harm?  Will you be a good shepherd, or a lazy one? 

I leave you with this prayer for the new year (2012): that in some way you may be provoked by David's sin to not put yourself in similar temptation.  That you may go, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey (in that order) ... and that you'll make it your ambition to accomplish it to the glory of God.

Samuel was a prophet and Israel's last Judge - dedicated by his mother.  Near the end of Sam's leadership, the nation of Israel anointed its first mortal king, a man named Saul. 

There are many great stories and lessons for us in this text, but time limited us to but a few.  I hope this lesson provokes you to break out your bibles and follow along. 

Also remember the lessons of Israel for parents: you can be very flexible with your children in almost every respect, but their relationship with God and learning of the Torah are non-negotiables.  Insist that your children are raised to know the Torah!

This lesson is supposed to be about Ruth - but I'm skipping it.  Steve did a great sermon based on Ruth - it's all you need, so find that, and you're good to go. 

So in this class, we revisited one of the fundamental problems faced by the people during the period of the Judges - and one which we also share: ignorance and disobedience.  We are ignorant of God's Torah and the stories contained there.  We don't teach our kids because we don't know any better ourselves.  If the Judges-period-people had stayed close to the Torah and the lessons there, they would have avoided immense problems, pain, suffering and seperation from God.  Same with us - we MUST dedicate ourselves to God's Torah! 

In an effort to demonstrate this, I returned us to 1 corinthians 10, where we re-examined Paul's lessons in context - then went back to a couple stories we missed earlier: the story of the snakes (Numbers 21) and the story of Spring Break in Moab (Numbers 25). 

To be clear: Satan doesn't have to get us by fighting or cursing.  All he has to do is offer us some pleasure and in no time at all we forget to follow God.  The question is: can you acknowledge your weaknesses and beg for help to avoid these temptations?

If Joshua demonstrated the correct response to learning the lessons of the Exodus and the Torah given by God, then the period of the judges is just the opposite.  These people were ignorant of what God had done (like us), ignorant of His law (like us), and fell into a mood of complacency that became their downfall (like us).  The period of the Judges is a time from which we must learn, or prepare to face the same kind of temptations and alienation from God they did.

Several of the stories about/from Joshua

Had intended to get several more stories finished ... particularly the five in 1 Corinthians 10, but didn't make it.  So this lesson just hits the high points of the stories of the Gold Calf (Exodus 32), complainer's fire and the Quail (Numbers 11) and Israel's failure to accept God's gift - the promised land (Numbers 13-14). 

Other scriptures mentioned are Mark 4.18-20

This class touched on several topics that require deeper study: the Ten Commandments, the Law of Moses (Torah) and God's tent. 

Remember: Moses' law or what we sometimes call the "Old" Covenenant or Testament is really only 'old' for Jewish people.  For us Gentiles, there's really only one covenant: the law of liberty - or the law of love.  It's the covenant we have because of Jesus.  The "old" testament isn't old to us ... it's rather a covenant between God and a very specific group of people.  We are not supposed to post this in the courtrooms of the US or any other earthly government - now, or ever, for they were never for US (Gentiles). 

Rather, the Covenant between God and the descendants of Jacob was intended to be a: Physical model of a Spiritual Reality.  The temple was a real building, but it was only God's house when God lived there ... and even then it didn't really contain Him.  Now the reality is that we are all components of the 'real' temple that is eternal.  Our 'eternal' High Priest serves in the 'true' tabernacle - and we who are the true worshippers, worship in spirit and truth.  The old system was a model - an image - an example to show us what the invisible reality looks like.

Scriptures you may want to review: Jesus' interpretation of various laws of Moses in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5.21-48).  Or any of the stories of obedience or disobedience in the "old" testament that play off against the Torah. 

Homework: Study 1 Corinthians 10.1-13, and review the 5 stories Paul alludes to there, which are all from the period of the Exodus. (Quail, Calf, Phinehas, Nehushtan, Korah)

God introduced Himself to Moses through the burning bush, and revealed His power, love, justice and holiness through the exodus, protection from enemies, providing food and water.  All of these incidents that introduce God to His people can be summed up in one event: God's redemption.  God bought these people. 

God has also bought us with the price of His Son, Yeshua.  And Yeshua (Jesus) has become our Lord (Master), who has given to us the exact same job that Moses had: to release the captives from their bondage and lead them out of slavery and into the promised land.

Review of learning to look at Genesis from the perspective of the original audience and author.  This time we give a quick nod to the "brat" named Joe - the 11th of Jake's 12 sons. 

Also, we again make a run at talking about faith and how we can grow it along with the Hebrews.