Chapter 7: verse 1... since Eli and his sons had died, were there no other priests, so that they had to consecrate new ones? why would that be so, if all the Levites were to be priests? maybe there were others, but Eleazer was the one nominated to be the high priest or something? any insight on this? verse 2... so was God not present with them during these 20 years? that is a long time to work towards turning back to God, but it is a comfort in some ways, to know that if it takes us time to get back on the right track, at least we are not alone in that kind of timetable... however, it is much better to stay connected to God, so I hope that we get there and remain there. verse 3-4... So, Samuel is a full grown man, then, now, huh?... funny how the people were mourning and seeking God, yet did not think about getting rid of their other idols... instead, they had to be told to do so... it makes me think about how often we try to hold on to the idols of security or money or time or pride or whatever else, and then we wonder, with real confusion, as to why we do not feel connected to God, or why we don't "hear" from Him, or why He seems so far away from us... maybe we need to follow Samuel's advice, too? verse 5-6... it is still amazing to me that it took 20 years before the people were really willing to repent and confess and pray to ask God to forgive them... it makes me think about how long we hold on to sadness and guilt before we are willing to give them up to God... how long we mourn things or beat ourselves (or other) up, before we are willing to accept God's foregiveness (or even before we are willing to seek that forgiveness)... yet, God's answer is very fast (see verse 9) when our hearts are truly seeking Him, truly repentant and looking for Him... makes me wonder about how much the people were really seeking after the Lord with their hearts(verse 2), and how much they were just putting on "a show" in hopes of being able to keep from having to completely give their lives over to God... this is a good look at the stages of turning to God... first, we have to recognize what our life is like without God... then, we have to realize we need Him... then, we have to turn from our sinfulness and turn towards God... after that, we must confess our sins and truly repent from them... and when we do that, God is right there, happily waiting to scoop us back up into His arms and fill our faces with His kisses. :)
verse 7-9... their reasoning seems like it might be a little skewed again, that they are looking for physical saving instead of spiritual saving... but, God is willing to meet us where we are and encourages our baby steps when we direct them toward Him.... it is also important for us to have good spiritual mentors (like Samuel), who will help us when we begin to wobble as we learn to walk. veser 10... "leave My people alone", said God... when I read this, I think of how wimpy thunderstorms must be compared to God's thundering... to make grown men run in confused fright... I also think of The Incredible Mr. Limpit, when he "roared" under water in order to direct the boats toward the enemy submarines... I kind of thought of that and how God sent His mighty "roar" to defeat the enemies, too... not that an animated fish played by Don Knotts is really a good comparison to God, but that is what came to mind... so, anyway... verse 11... and God is with the Isrealites again! verse 12... interesting that he says "thus far", as if there were any doubt that God would continue to help them?... anyway, I also thought it interesting that "Ebenezer" meant "stone of help", especially since Ebenezer Scrooge does not embody that throughout most of A Christmas Carol... just wonder if Charles Dickens knew the meaning of the name, or if he was referring to what Scrooge would become by the end of the book... makes me think about how God always knows what we are to become and how He chooses us and equips us accordingly, even if we don't know why at the present... like with Samuel... a little boy, who didn't even know the God he was serving, and now he is responsible for helping the Isrealites reconcile with God... pretty amazing sandJ
PS The Study Notes make a pointon verse 10, when God uses thunder against the Philestines... the notes say that the Philestines god was Baal, and he was a storm god, and also one of Isreal's idols... God is showing His power over that of the supposed "god of the storm", by making His own all-powerful "storm" and thunder.
The IDEA: Romans 1:12-That we may be mutually strengthened, encouraged, and comforted by each others faith. Have you ever read the whole Bible before? We have never done it. We want to share God’s Word, but how can we if we do not know it.
The PLAN: Ecclesiastes 4:12-One person is easily overcome, but two can stand together and conquer. Three is even better, though, as a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. With each others help we can succeed-So, let us team up and read the Bible in a year.
The DATE: We will start Dec 26, 2009 - Dec 26, 2010.
The FYI: We will read 3-4 chapters each day, starting in Genesis, and post thoughts daily. If you do not have a Bible, you can access many translations at www.biblegateway.com. You can also download an audio for each chapter at: http://www.audiotreasure.com/webindex.htm
Read it.
ReplyDeletesandJ
Chapter 7: verse 1... since Eli and his sons had died, were there no other priests, so that they had to consecrate new ones? why would that be so, if all the Levites were to be priests? maybe there were others, but Eleazer was the one nominated to be the high priest or something? any insight on this?
ReplyDeleteverse 2... so was God not present with them during these 20 years? that is a long time to work towards turning back to God, but it is a comfort in some ways, to know that if it takes us time to get back on the right track, at least we are not alone in that kind of timetable... however, it is much better to stay connected to God, so I hope that we get there and remain there.
verse 3-4... So, Samuel is a full grown man, then, now, huh?... funny how the people were mourning and seeking God, yet did not think about getting rid of their other idols... instead, they had to be told to do so... it makes me think about how often we try to hold on to the idols of security or money or time or pride or whatever else, and then we wonder, with real confusion, as to why we do not feel connected to God, or why we don't "hear" from Him, or why He seems so far away from us... maybe we need to follow Samuel's advice, too?
verse 5-6... it is still amazing to me that it took 20 years before the people were really willing to repent and confess and pray to ask God to forgive them... it makes me think about how long we hold on to sadness and guilt before we are willing to give them up to God... how long we mourn things or beat ourselves (or other) up, before we are willing to accept God's foregiveness (or even before we are willing to seek that forgiveness)... yet, God's answer is very fast (see verse 9) when our hearts are truly seeking Him, truly repentant and looking for Him... makes me wonder about how much the people were really seeking after the Lord with their hearts(verse 2), and how much they were just putting on "a show" in hopes of being able to keep from having to completely give their lives over to God... this is a good look at the stages of turning to God... first, we have to recognize what our life is like without God... then, we have to realize we need Him... then, we have to turn from our sinfulness and turn towards God... after that, we must confess our sins and truly repent from them... and when we do that, God is right there, happily waiting to scoop us back up into His arms and fill our faces with His kisses. :)
verse 7-9... their reasoning seems like it might be a little skewed again, that they are looking for physical saving instead of spiritual saving... but, God is willing to meet us where we are and encourages our baby steps when we direct them toward Him.... it is also important for us to have good spiritual mentors (like Samuel), who will help us when we begin to wobble as we learn to walk.
ReplyDeleteveser 10... "leave My people alone", said God... when I read this, I think of how wimpy thunderstorms must be compared to God's thundering... to make grown men run in confused fright... I also think of The Incredible Mr. Limpit, when he "roared" under water in order to direct the boats toward the enemy submarines... I kind of thought of that and how God sent His mighty "roar" to defeat the enemies, too... not that an animated fish played by Don Knotts is really a good comparison to God, but that is what came to mind... so, anyway...
verse 11... and God is with the Isrealites again!
verse 12... interesting that he says "thus far", as if there were any doubt that God would continue to help them?... anyway, I also thought it interesting that "Ebenezer" meant "stone of help", especially since Ebenezer Scrooge does not embody that throughout most of A Christmas Carol... just wonder if Charles Dickens knew the meaning of the name, or if he was referring to what Scrooge would become by the end of the book... makes me think about how God always knows what we are to become and how He chooses us and equips us accordingly, even if we don't know why at the present... like with Samuel... a little boy, who didn't even know the God he was serving, and now he is responsible for helping the Isrealites reconcile with God... pretty amazing
sandJ
PS The Study Notes make a pointon verse 10, when God uses thunder against the Philestines... the notes say that the Philestines god was Baal, and he was a storm god, and also one of Isreal's idols... God is showing His power over that of the supposed "god of the storm", by making His own all-powerful "storm" and thunder.
ReplyDelete