Bible in a Year Blog

1 Samuel 10:1-11:15 + John 6:43-71 + Psalm 107:1-43 + Proverbs 15:1-3
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Old Testament – Okay – I have a temporary new favorite verse in the Bible!  Today in First Samuel chapter 10 verse 22 when they were about to name Saul king, but they couldn’t find him: “So they asked the LORD, “Where is he?” And the LORD replied, “He is hiding among the baggage.””  That is awesome!  I really appreciate the fact that Saul was hiding among the baggage.  🙂  I think that’s where I would be too.  I hope I would be in any case.  I think it’s a bit scary when someone is too lustful for power.  Better to have your future king hiding in the baggage…  🙂

   

(sorry, couldn’t resist this photo… 🙂  I suppose this image below would be more appropriate for Saul being named king as we read in verse 24: “Then Samuel said to all the people, “This is the man the LORD has chosen as your king. No one in all Israel is his equal!” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

In First Samuel chapter 11 we see Saul really step into his role as king by defending the city of Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites attack.  Verse 2 was sad to consider when the Ammonite king said this to the citizens of Jabesh-gilead – “”All right,” Nahash said, “but only on one condition. I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you as a disgrace to all Israel!””  Gouging out the right eye would be done for humiliation purposes – but also to destroy the military ability of the archers.  After this point, Saul gets word back in his hometown that Jabesh-gilead is under attack.  Below is a powerful painting by the artist James Tissot from the year 1896 of verses 6 & 7: “Then the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he became very angry. 7 He took two oxen and cut them into pieces and sent the messengers to carry them throughout Israel with this message: “This is what will happen to the oxen of anyone who refuses to follow Saul and Samuel into battle!””

I was impressed with Saul’s graciousness in verses 12 & 13 of this chapter: “Then the people exclaimed to Samuel, “Now where are those men who said Saul shouldn’t rule over us? Bring them here, and we will kill them!” But Saul replied, “No one will be executed today, for today the LORD has rescued Israel!”  Impressive.  You could see where after defeating the Ammonites, Israel’s adrenaline might be running high to go after dissenters.  Saul put a stop to it, which was impressive.  What about us today?  When we are riding high on a victory of some sort and the group around us says we should forge ahead on something that does not seem right, can we stand up and say “No” to the group as Saul did on this day?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in 1 Samuel titled “The Making of Israel’s First King” is at this link.

New Testament – Okay, so John chapter 6 verses 53 through 58 are some verses that get interpreted several different ways – some saying these verses speak of the Lord’s Supper and some saying they speak only of faith in Jesus because the Lord’s Supper had not yet been instituted by Jesus at this time.  I think the key for us to focus on is that Jesus is our nourishment – our literal spiritual food if we have faith in him. It is interesting to note that many disciples turned away from Jesus after this teaching.  I love Peter’s reply to Jesus in verses 68 & 69 after Jesus asks if the Twelve will leave too – “Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life. We believe them, and we know you are the Holy One of God.””  True words indeed Peter.  True words indeed.  If not Jesus, to whom would you go?  Does anyone else have the words that give eternal life?

Bible.org’s commentary on John chapter 6 today titled “The Bread of Life” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 107 today is a wonderful Psalm of thanksgiving!  Okay, be honest, who started busting out singing the Michael W. Smith/Chris Tomlin worship tune “Forever” when you read verse 1? – “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”  I did!  That’s a great tune… based on a great verse in a great Psalm. 

Psalm 107 repeats a verse four times – starting with verse 6 here – “”LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress.”  (then see verse 13, verse 19, and verse 28 – same verse) This is a great reminder to pray – and yes, it’s great to pray during times of distress of course.  But, how about praying during times of happiness & joy?  Or even times of just regular blahs?  I recently read much of the book “The Life You’ve Always Wanted” by John Ortberg (great book!), and it has a great chapter on prayer.  It is so true that one of the best ways to truly know and love God is through prayer.  Simple prayer.   5 minutes a day.  Do you pray to God 5 minutes a day?  When the storms of life come, do you cry out for help to Jesus?  Do you know that he will always be there for you in the midst of the storm?

Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 15 verse 1 is so so so very true… we would all do well to practice this every day – “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”  How beautifully true & wise this is?  Let us be gentle people…

Worship Video: Today’s Psalm and Proverb reminds me of Michael W. Smith’s classic song “Friends:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAeD2UEYaAk

Do you believe friends are friends forever? Click here for Forever!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”  Psalm 107:1 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray thanksgiving to God for His goodness today! Pray thanksgiving that God’s love endures forever!

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  If someone were to describe you, would they describe you as a “gentle” person?  Would you want to be described as a gentle person?  Should we be gentle all of the time?  Was Jesus gentle all of the time?  Was Jesus gentle most of the time?  To whom or in what circumstances was Jesus not gentle?  Should we follow Jesus in this regard?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

======= Jim:

God directed Samuel to anoint Saul, which he did reluctantly. Samuel poured a special mixture of olive oil, myrrh, and other expensive spices to symbolize the presence and power of the Holy Spirit of God in Saul’s life and to remind the new king of his great responsibility to lead by God’s wisdom and not his own. Samuel said, “I am doing this because the Lord has appointed you to be the leader of his people.” The book of Samuel is all about what it means to be the “Lords anointed” or chosen by God for some special service, blessed, and endowed by Him with the power and authority to carry out that task. Later, David will also be anointed by God as Israel’s second king and “the Spirit of the Lord came upon Him in power” (v 16:13). Paul will start his ministry to the Gentiles by reminding the Jews of Isaiah 49:6, “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” The Redeemer had been appointed, “before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee … and I ordained you a prophet” (Jeremiah 1:5). Luke 7:8, “For I also am a man set under authority; appointed, or designated as a soldier, to be under the authority of another” and Acts 22:10, “It shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do” refers to an announcement or commission for those with prejudice and prepossession to accept (the greatest of which is the Great Commission to go and to convert and baptize in order to make disciples of all peoples of the world. What is God’s will for you? What is your appointment?
Samuel gave Saul specific instruction for an unspecified future time when Saul would find himself at Gilgal involving a peace offering. The OT includes Burnt, Grain, Peace, Sin, Guilt/Trespass, and Wave Offerings to teach the Israelites reverence, submission, and commitment to God. The Peace offering was to show gratitude and that one was in peace and fellowship with God by slaying and cooking an animal without defect much the same as the Burnt offering with the exception that the person presenting the offer to could partake in eating a portion with the priest. The Sin offering mentioned in yesterday’s verses included a “certain” animal to be sacrificed for each sin, unintentional in nature, such as dirtiness, neglect, and thoughtlessness. In the Burnt offering, the animal would be slain with the sinner’s hand on the animal’s head to allow the beast to “take” the sin and show a person’s devotion to God and provide payment for sins in general. A Grain offering consisted of either fine flour with oil and frankincense, roasted kernels of corn with oil and frankincense, or baked cakes, and accompanied the Burnt offering to show honor and respect and by burning a portion on the altar that they understood what they have belongs to God. A Guilt Offering was with a ram without defect for God as well as the person offended. And, a Wave offering provided food specifically for the priests and was waved over the alter to show that what they offered, God would return.
Saul publicly shows Saul as God’s choice by use of the Urim and Thummim. Although most are pleased with Saul for his impressive size, those from Belial complain (but Saul hold’s his temper as well as a second time later). It was uncommon for Saul to speak for God and people were surprised when he prophesized (v 10:10-12) and asked, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” They quickly lost respect, however, as Saul’s devotion to God ends up to be something of a national joke. The signs Samuel had given Saul came to pass and Saul accepted God’s heart and disposition of mind and yet Saul was still for Saul. Mike says he likes the idea of finding a future king hiding. Just as it is good to be conscious of our unworthiness, however, it is not good to shrink from the responsibilities and services to which we are called. It is important to remember that while Saul was reborn into a new man, God never removes the endowment of free will and choice and because Saul later did not keep the commandments of God, the Spirit of God left Saul. “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:26).
Many of Christ’s disciples were offended by the cannibalistic nature of Christ’s request to eat His body and they did not see the symbolism to spiritual eating and drinking of Christ by receiving him through belief and thusly many of his disciples deserted him (interesting that they left in verse 6:66). They also found it difficult to give up the doctrine they had been taught based on Moses, deeds, being special, and simply following some set of rules. Jesus did not deny that these things were difficult to give up and hence said that it was proof of God’s appointment if anyone believed. Just as we have heard that no one approached the Father except by the Son, v 6:44 tells us that no one can come to the son except by teaching (“hearing and learning” implying knowledge and reason as the basis for faith) by the Father. This implies some current comprehensible instructions of the Holy Spirit that ordains (and not some pre-time election). The strength of the 11 disciples that stayed true to Christ came by hearing the Word (Romans 10:17). The twelve disciples stay, convinced there was no where else to go. One the most surprising things I learned when I first read the Bible didn’t really require me to read the Bible except that it didn’t dawn on me until after I had read it: there is no Gospel entitled Jesus. While every other religious leader in history knew we would get their religion wrong without detailed personal instructions, Jesus was the only one who talked about a real relationship with the Father that we could get “right” on our own. Where else could we go, indeed! Disciple simple means to follow or to learn but could include unbelievers, those who go beyond initial belief to baptism and obedience, or to the apostles. While Judas was a disciple, it is never said that he believed. Christ’s words in verse 6:64 were likely partly addressed to Judas. Similarly, Paul suggests that many that joined in communion at Corinth perished because they did not distinguish between it and a common meal without properly considering that sacrifice for sin, or which the sacrament of the Lord’s supper is a type (1 Cor 11:30). This story fits well with the lessons learned today from the book of Samuel. As some accepted God’s appointed, some did not (asking, “How will this man save us?). They were offended in him and should be slain, but how much more to our advantage is an enemy made to be a friend. “Some were fools in their rebellion; they suffered for their sins. Their appetites were gone, and death was near. ‘LORD, help!’ they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.”
Jim

======= Ramona:

1 Samuel 10:1-11:15
I am a person that goes to the core of things, the cause—the effects are just grass to be mowed down and managed, but the core is the key to the problem. No one just rolls out of bed one morning and commits a heinous act. Character flaws are clearly seen if one looks; but the root, the causal seed takes study. For me it is important to do self-study, if I make a misstep, a sin, I need to not just look at the sin but look at why I did what I did. What is it I believe about myself, about God about the problems I face and faced to take the action I took? Those are the types of questions I ask.
Jesus said,
The upright (honorable, intrinsically good) man out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart produces what is upright (honorable and intrinsically good), and the evil man out of the evil storehouse brings forth that which is depraved (wicked and intrinsically evil); for out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45 AMP)
We speak in three ways, our words, sprit and our gestures (body language) and what I do and what I say, when lined up, make a powerful testimony of what I truly believe about myself, about God and about those around me. What does Saul really believe about himself, what does he believe about God and about the people who he will be serving as king; or is Saul thinking the people should be serving Him.
Maybe because I’m looking at the entire picture of Saul’s life, I am now looking at him in his entirety. He began with a BANG but ended with a whimper. The things that led to that whimper are in his character right now in these verses, in these chapters. I want to study them so I can take heed of what the Apostle Paul wrote in the tenth chapter of I Corinthians,
But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were cut down in the wilderness. These things happened as examples for us, so that we will not crave evil things as they did. (1 Corinthians 10:5-6 NET.)
The Children of Israel are not the only ones who had a wilderness to go through. Everyone who comes to Christ has their own desert to cross, their own tests to take; what can I learn from Saul to help take me to the next level?
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Michelle:

What have you noticed so far about Saul’s character, Ramona? I am on the edge of my seat!
Michelle

======= Ramona:

>>What have you noticed so far about Saul’s character, Ramona?>>
Michelle, I’m still taking notes, underlining the text and going, Hmmmm! I have my subway ride back home from work to continue my pondering. I tell you what, if I get something about this, I’ll ask God to remind me to send you an e-mail. Sometimes this kind of stuff takes days.
All my blessings
Ramona

======= Vance:

Proverbs 15 (NKJV)
1
A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2
The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
3
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
~~~
When I think of Proverbs 15:1, I think of the following passages:
What Moses said in Exodus 32 (NKJV):
25
Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies),
26
then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on the LORD’s side—come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him.
29
Then Moses said, “Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, that He may bestow on you a blessing this day, for every man has opposed his son and his brother.”
What Jesus said in Matthew 10 (NKJV):
34
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
35
For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’;
36
and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’
37
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
38
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
39
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
~~
Obeying God will cause conflict, even in families. Obviously, obedience and loyalty to God are more important loyalty to family.
What does this look like?
If each member of the family surrenders to the Spirit of Christ and prays together, then each family member will voluntarily surrender to Jesus in the heart first and do His will. Then, together as a group, the glory of God can be demonstrated in a greater way as the whole group agrees and flows with the Lord.
What if members of the family oppose the one family member who is intent on seeking the Lord first and doing His will above all else? Jesus anticipated this. God through Moses and Jesus instructs us that if necessary—our enemies may be of our own household because we obey.
Proverbs 15 verses 1 – 3 are very instructive. We can have a heart to obey God and yet act in the flesh, and give a rash and harsh answer to family members or friends who do not want to do God’s will.
Or… we can trust the Lord to provide wisdom on how to respond. Wait on the Lord, and He will provide the way of wisdom: “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly…”
God will always support us, as He said, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.”
~~
We see hope of later reconciliation in the Scriptures, even in Jesus’ own human family.
See Jesus’ brothers disbelieving in Him and making fun of Him in John 7 (NKJV):
1
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him.
2
Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand.
3
His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing.
4
For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”
5
For even His brothers did not believe in Him.
Note how Jesus’ brothers later were praying together with others waiting for the Holy Spirit from Jesus in Acts 1 (NKJV):
14
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
May we seek the Lord and fulfill His Word in our lives and trust the Lord to work in our families.
Vance

======= John:

John 6:48-58
I read the bible in a straightforward manner. And yes, that means I would understand some passages to be literal that others would not. That being said the “Bread of Life” discourse is a “spiritual” discourse. In vs. 63 Jesus says as much.
The progression
vs.29 Work of God is to believe IN the one he has sent.
vs. 35 He who comes and believes will never go hungry or thirsty.
vs. 40 Everyone who Believes IN the Son will have eternal life.
Vs 47 Jesus repeats himself (probably now in the synagouge) – he who believes has everlasting life.
Everlasting life is a spiritual concept. In the very next verse Jesus says, “I am the (or that) bread of Life” (Note the use of ego eimi or the “I AM” statement.) Bread is a metaphor.
The words used for “eat” are “phago” and “trogo”. Phago has an explicit metaphorical meaning of ” consume, take in”. Trogo is a more intense form of eating – implying “gnawing at and getting to the core”. It does not have an explicit metaphorical meaning, but since it is used in a spiritual passage, and is used to elaborate on a metaphor, I feel pretty comfortable that its use is not literal here – given the context of the passage.
vs. 56
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.”
Merrill C. Tenney has a very compact statment regarding this metaphor of “Bread of Life”:
“The metaphor of eating and drinking is the best possible figure that can be employed to express the assimilation of one body by another, the method whereby life is transferred from the eaten to the eater. The literal eating of Jesus’ flesh and the drinking of His blood were not demanded” (John, The Gospel Of Belief).
It all goes back to John 1:12-13 with the concept of all those that received him (take him in) and believed IN His Name (Jehovah is salvation) had the authority to become children of God. Co-heirs to Heaven. To know (ginosko) Him in an intimate personal way is to be ensured a place in heaven.
How do you get that intimate with Christ? By taking him in (consuming Him), feeding on Him – His words, His sprit, and metaphorically his body and blood.
This to me – is what the “Bread of Life” discourse is all about. It is a spiritual lesson about eternal life.
Just ran across this:
John 6:56
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.
v. 56 It is “real” food because it gives “real” or eternal life. And, carrying the metaphor a step farther, it does that because it enables us to participate in the life of Jesus Christ himself.
John

======= John:

Below are comments by St. Augustine, Gelasius – bishop of Rome, and a couple from the Believer’s commentary on “Bread of Life” discourse
======================================================
Believe, and you have eaten already.
“Who is the bread of the Kingdom of God, but He who says, “I am the living Bread which came down from heaven?” Do not get your mouth ready, but your heart. On this occasion it was that the parable of this supper was set forth. Lo, we believe in Christ, we receive Him with faith. In receiving Him we know what to think of. We receive but little, and are nourished in the heart. It is not then what is seen, but what is believed, that feeds us. Therefore we too have not sought for that outward sense.
This is then to eat the meat, not that which perishes, but that which endures unto eternal life. To what purpose do you make ready teeth and stomach? Believe, and you have eaten already.” (Augustine, John: Tractate 25:12).
======================================================
“The sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, which we receive, is a divine thing, because by it we are made partakers of the divine-nature. Yet the substance or nature of the bread and wine does not cease. And assuredly the image and the similitude of the body and blood of Christ are celebrated in the performance of the mysteries.” Gelasius, bishop of Rome, in Jacques Paul Migne, Patrologiae Latinae, Tractatus de duabis naturis Adversus Eutychen et Nestorium 14.
======================================================
In verse 47 we read that “He who believes in Me has everlasting life.” In verse 54, we learn that whoever eats His flesh and drinks His blood has eternal life. Now things equal to the same thing are equal to each other. To eat His flesh and to drink His blood is to believe on Him.
MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. 1997, c1995. Believer’s Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments . Thomas Nelson: Nashville
======================================================
In the bread of life discourse, our Lord began with fairly simple teaching. But as He progressed, it was apparent that the Jews were rejecting His words. The more they closed their hearts and minds to the truth, the more difficult His teaching became. Finally He talked about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. That was too much! They said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it” and they quit following Him. Rejection of the truth results in judicial blindness. Because they would not see, they came to the place where they could not see.
MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. 1997, c1995. Believer’s Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments . Thomas Nelson: Nashville
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Amen, Amen
The NIV I think misses a great point of importance by using the phrase “I tell you the Truth”.
The KJV uses “Verily, Verily” the original word in Aramaic is “amen” – meaning so be it, or truth.
Before testimony is given in Jewish courts the witness first says “Amen” (truth) to indicate the veracity of his testimony.
On very important points Jesus does the same thing. Except he repeats it for emphasis. It would be wise to highlight all the “Verily, Verily” statements of our Lord.
John