WAR....WHO IS CHALLENGING WHOM?

While David and his men now live in the little town in Philistia by the goodness of its king, they are reminded that they must war against their homeland and Saul who is still the king of Judea.  The king of Philistia, Achish, said, "You must understand that you and your men will accompany me  in the army." David brazenly said, "Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do."


Now, Samuel was dead, and Israel mourned him, but before he died he had expelled all mediums and spiritualists in the land, which put Saul in a difficult place, for when he saw the Philistine army he became terrified, and thought of a woman who was a medium in a city nearby.  Saul dressed himself in the clothes of another for a disguise, and at night he and two others went to the medium, and asked her to bring up some spirits for him, and he would choose. The medium questioned him, for she thought it was a trap which would end in her death.  But Saul persisted and asked for the man Samuel, who had always told him what the Lord desired. When Samuel came up he looked like an old man, but the woman knew him, and at once knew the man who asked for him...Saul!


Samuel turned to Saul and said, "Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has turned away from you and become your enemy?  The Lord has done what he predicted through me.  The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors...David.  Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his wrath, the Lord has done this to you today.  The Lord will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me in death, and the Lord will hand over the army of Israel to the Philistines."  And Saul fell forward full length onto the ground, filled with fear.


At this same time, the commanders of all the Philistine cities asked Achish, David's commander, "Wait!  What about these Hebrews?" And Achish replied, "Is this not David, who was an officer with me for over a year, and from the day he left Saul until now, I have found no fault in him."  But the Philistines commanders were angry, so Achish went to David and discharged him and his men,  assuring David he had done nothing wrong.  So David and his men got up early in the morning to go back to the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went on to fight against Israel and Saul.


When David and his men reached their homes, they discovered them burned and raided.  Their wives had been taken captive and carried off.  This needed the Lord's direction, so David had Abiathar, their priest, bring him the ephod, and David asked the Lord, "Should I pursue this raiding party?  Will I overtake them?" And God answered, "Pursue them.  You will overtake them and succeed in the rescue."


And the men were  off, finding an  old Egyptian slave who had been abandoned by the raiding party because of illness and he told David which way to go.  And there they were, the raiders, scattered around eating and drinking, reveling in their plunder and their success.  David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his wives.  Nothing was missing. But the men wanted to destroy those who had taken their goods, and take their plunderers' plunder, but David said, "No! Do not do wrong!  The Lord has given us what we now protect and also what has been handed back to us."  And when they returned home, he sent some of their earlier plunder to those men and families who were from many of the towns and cities in their homeland, giving them thanks.


Strange, isn't it?  The Study has an interesting thought: "David found his strength in God and began asking for a solution instead of a scapegoat.  When facing problems, remember that it is useless to look for someone else to blame or criticize.  Instead, consider how you can help find a solution."


From the gist of this story it's hard to tell...Whose on first? An old joke, but true, I think.  Such fighting written down for all the world to see.  I guess we are no different....We are the world!


Hoping soon to clear the air of this entanglement between David and Saul.


Hanging in there!
Jo INMN

THE BATTLES CONTINUE..DAVID VS SAUL

Saul continues to follow David to kill him, and David continues to keep from being killed. David finds ways to show Saul he can not be harmed while Saul lies to David, pretending his love.  God had placed Saul in the kingship and David honored the Lord's decision, knowing that someday, when Saul died by someone else's hand, then it would be time for his own kingship, if the Lord still willed it.  David would not run ahead of God's purposes.


Now, one day, David had set out to a place where Saul and his army were camped.  It was nighttime, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. His favorite guards were lying near him. David's men wanted to kill Saul, but David forbid it, saying, "Just bring back his spear and water jug that lay near his head."  And so it happened.  But David wasn't above heckling Saul about it, and stood across the space between them, heckling Saul's right hand man, Abner, "Why didn't you guard the lord your king?  Here is his spear and water jug in my hands."  Saul said, "Is that you, David, my son?" And David replied, "Yes it is, my lord and king!"  And he added, "Why are you pursuing your servant?  What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of?  Now let my lord king listen to his servant's words.   If the Lord God has incited you against me, then let me give an offering.  If men have done it, may they be cursed before the Lord! I have now been driven from my share in the Lord's plan for me. You, the king of Israel, have come out to look for a flea--as one hunts a partridge in the mountains."


Saul answered, "I have sinned.  Come back, David my son.  I will not try to harm you again.  Surely I have acted a fool and have erred greatly."  But it took David just a moment to consider Saul's words, sad that his old friend had once again followed him to kill him..and lied about it to cover his sin.  And David just went on his way, with Saul returning home.


David thought to himself, "One of theses days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul.  The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines, for Saul will not find me there.  So, David and his men with him went over to Achish, son of the king of Gath.  The men settled there, each with his own family, and David with his two wives, Abigail and Ahinoam of Jezreel.  And Saul did not search for David in Gath.


David said to Achish, "If you have found favor with me, let a place be assigned to us in one of your country towns, where I and my people may live.  I am your servant and should not live in the royal city with you."  And Achish was flattered and granted David to live in Ziklag, which since that time has belonged to the kings of Judah.  David lived in Philistine territory for a year and four months.


Although David was safe for a while from Saul, he raided many of the Philistine territories, leaving no person alive and taking the clothing and animals from the people.  Why would a hero do that?


Study/He had a huge group of people to care for and needed the animals to feed them, and wanted no one alive in these places to tell Achish the reality of their deeds.  Also, Achish expects military support from David when it is needed. And is therefore, not going to find blame; but is glad to shelter an Israelite traitor.


The world is different today, but in some ways the same.  There are still wars for selfish reasons, and wars for taking care and keeping safe one's own. Personally, I hate war.


Hoping and praying there will never be a World War III.


Jo INMN

DAVID AND HIS MEN ARE PURSUED

David went from city to city with his men and each time Saul had been forewarned about it.  David and his men were always scrambling to the next place to hide from Saul. David and his men were helped out with food and prayer by many priests, and from neighbors and friends who felt he was in the right as David's men went from place to place, for just as soon as they found good hiding, David would be found out. Each town where Saul appeared with his army, many were killed... but not David or Saul.


At one point, Saul and his army had followed David and his men where they were hiding in the hills.  When David heard, he and his men went down to the desert.  Saul followed, and was going along one side of the mountain while David was going along on the other side, hurrying to get away. When Saul and his forces were about to close in on David, a messenger came along side Saul saying, "Come quickly!  The Philistines are raiding the land!"  Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. And David went back up into the strongholds of the mountain with its caves and steep ravines off of the En Gedi.


Saul hurried back after the Philistine battle still consumed with the killing of David. Saul came to some sheep pens somewhere along the way.  There was a cave there and Saul went into the cave to relieve himself. But, David and his men were far back  in the cave, hiding.  David crept up to Saul unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe.  Then David felt a chill, being conscious stricken,  and said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lift my hand against him, for he is the anointed of the Lord."  With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul.  And Saul left the cave and traveled on his way, unknowing.


Again David moved, and while once again in the desert, he heard of a man named Nabal who was shearing sheep.  All this time, David and his men had to ask of the various farmers for food and water, and so it was that David needed the same from Nabal's kindness. So, David sent ten young men to Nabal to ask for help.  But Nabal refused, "Who is this David?  Why should I help him?"  So David's men turned back.  But one of Nabal's servants told Nabal's wife, Abigail, and Abigail put together many good things for David when she learned what David and his men had done for the  farm's protection.


But David, not knowing of Abigail's help, put together a raiding party of four hundred and took off to take the farm in a raid. While he was approaching, Abigail started out on a trek to the mountain with a full load of goods from the farm, but not telling her husband, Nabal.  As she came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, there were David and his men descending toward her.  Abigail got off of her donkey and bowed down before David with her  face to the ground.  Falling at his feet, she said, "May my lord pay no attention to the wicked man, Nabal.  His name is Fool, and folly goes with him.  But as for me, I am your servant, and did not see the men you, my master, sent.  Let this gift, which your servant has brought, be given to the men who follow you.  Please forgive your servant's offense, and let no wrongdoing be found  in you. And when the Lord has brought my master success, remember your servant."


David said to Abigail, "Praise be to the Lord who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed,  as the Lord has kept me from harming you.  I have heard your words and granted your request."  But, when Abigail went home to Nabal, he was drunk, holding a banquet for himself, so she told him nothing until the morning.  His heart failed him in his anger, and he was dead within ten days.  When David heard this, he sent word to the farm asking Abigail to become his wife.  She quickly got on a donkey and, attended by five maids, went with David's messengers and became David's wife.


A sweet love story?  Or a king attempting to take care of the innocent who suffer because of his life? I think, perhaps, both.


Study/ "No matter how right we think we are, we must always be careful to stop and listen to others.  The extra time and effort can save us pain and trouble in the long run."   (This would be a good one for me to memorize!)


Tomorrow?  More of David (the Giant killer!)


Jo INMN

DAVID'S RUN FOR HIS LIFE

Today, in David, Saul, and Jonathan's life so long ago, was the day before the day of the New  Moon Festsival and David asked Jonathan, "Look, tomorrow I am supposed to dine with the king; but let me go and hide in the field until the evening of the day after tomorrow.  If your father misses me at all tell him, 'David earnestly asked my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because an annual sacrifice is being made there for his whole clan.  If your father says, 'Very well' then your servant is safe.  But if he loses his temper, you can be sure that he is determined to harm me.  As for you, show kindness to  your servant for you have brought him into a covenant with  you before the Lord.  If I am guilty, then kill me yourself!  Why hand me over to your father?"  But Jonathan said, "Never!"


 Jonathan continued as they went out into the field together, "By the Lord, I will surely sound out my father by this time the day after tomorrow.  If he is favorably disposed toward you,  I will send you word and let you know.  But if my father is inclined to harm you, may the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I do not let you know and send you away safely.  May the Lord be with you as he has been with my father.  But show me unfailing kindness like that of the Lord as long as I live, so that I may not be killed, and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family--not even when the Lord has cut off every one of David's enemies from the face of the earth."   So the covenant was made.


And then the plan. Jonathan said to David; " At the festival tomorrow, you will be missed, because your seat will be empty. The day after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the place where you hid when this trouble began, and wait by the stone we called Ezel.  I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target.  Then I will send a boy and say, 'Go, find the arrows.'  If I say to him, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them here,' then come, because as surely as the Lord lives , you are safe; there is no danger,  but if I say to the boy. "Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then you must go, because the Lord has sent you away.  And about the matter you and I discussed--remember, the Lord is witness between you and me forever."


So, David hid in the field. When the New Moon festival came, the king sat down to eat he saw that David's place was empty, and Saul thought David could not come to eat as he must be unclean, having touched something that kept him from eating. But the next day, when David's seat was once again empty, Saul asked his son about David not attending, and Jonathan said, "David asked permission from me to go home as his brothers had ordered him to come."  Saul's anger flared up at Jonathan for letting David go and he said, "Now send for him and bring him to me!"  Then Jonathan knew his father intended to kill David.


In the morning Jonathan went out to the field for his meeting with David, and he had a small boy with him.  As the boy ran forward, Jonathan shot beyond him and he yelled, "Hurry!  Go quickly!  Don't stop!"  When the boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master,  Jonathan praised the boy, gave him his weapon, and said, "Go, carry them back to town."


After the boy had gone, David got up from the other side of the stone, and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground, and David went in peace.  He went to a neighboring king, Achish king of Gath, where he pretended to be insane in the king's presence, for they recognized the hero from Israel and would have been afraid to keep him if he were not insane. But pretending to be insane was difficult and not helpful to Israel, and so David escaped to the cave of Adullam.   When his brothers and his fathers' household heard of David's escape they went down to him there. They and all those who were discontented followed him and he became their leader  About four-hundred men were there. When the prophet Gad realized what had happened, he said, "Do not stay there.  Go into the land of Judah."  So David and all his men left and went to the forest of Hereth.


Study/  Those in distress, in debt, or discontented joined David, who himself was an outlaw.  These people were outcasts themselves and could only improve their lot by helping David become king.  David's control over this band of men again shows his resourcefulness and ability to lead and motivate others.  It is difficult enough to build an army out of good men, but it takes even greater leadership to build one out of the kind of men that followed David.  This group eventually formed the core of his military leadership and produced several "mighty men."


So, now there are the good guys and the bad guys!  Right?  Well, maybe, maybe not.  Saul is becoming quite a bad guy, but David isn't perfect!  Just now, he seems to be the more perfect of the two. Why can't our world create more perfect people!  I guess only God can be perfect, and only He can help us to be more like Him than what is our natural tendency.


Oh! Well! We are what we are and we can only be better than we are through Him.  I am reminded every day of my imperfections, and long for Him more and more.


Jo INMN

MORE ABOUT DAVID AND JONATHAN

Over and over, Saul would try to kill David, but David always found a way to dodge Saul's evil intent.  Jonathan, Saul's son, became David's "watch dog" as Saul, in his anger toward David, would always proclaim, "David must die!"


After David's first victory over the Philistines, he had married Saul's daughter, Michal, as was promised, and Michal, too, tried her best to inform David when her father was in a rage. One time in particular, Saul sent men to David's house to kill David while he slept. Michal warned him, and David climbed from a window and escaped.


Another time, David fled to make his escape and followed Samuel who was conducting a group of prophets prophesying., and when Saul's men turned up there, after following David, they, too, began to prophesy!  And the more men Saul sent, they too began to prophesy! And finally, Saul himself began to join in with prophesying!  The Lord must have enjoyed the excitement, and its humor.


When David fled to an area called Naioth at Ramah, he found Jonathan and asked him, "What is my crime?  How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to take my life?" "Never!" Jonathan replied.  "You  are not going to die!  Look, my father doesn't do anything, great or small, without confiding in me.   Why would he hide this from me?  It's not so!" But David answered, Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said to himself 'Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.'  Yet as surely as the Lord lives and as you live, there is  only a step between me and death."  And Jonathan  answered, "Whatever you want me to do, I'll do for you."


And so their pact was made, and they also made a plan.  David said, "Tomorrow is the New Moon festival, and I am supposed to dine with the king, but let me go and hide in the field until the evening of the day after tomorrow.  If your father misses me at all, tell him, 'David earnestly asked my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because an annual sacrifice is being made there for his whole clan.  If he says, "Very well," then your servant is safe.  But if he loses his temper, you can be sure that he is determined to harm me.  As for you, show kindness to your servant, for you have  brought him into a covenant with you before the Lord.  If I am guilty, then kill me yourself!  Why hand me over to your father?" But Jonathan said, "Never!"  If I had the least inkling that my father was determined to harm you, wouldn't I tell you?"


David asked, "Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?"  "Come," Jonathan said, Let's go out into the field."  So they were there together.


Study/"Saul tried to kill David out of jealousy of David's popularity, yet David continued to protect and comfort Saul.  Perhaps when there is jealousy in our lives or if someone is attacking us in some way, we must look for why they may be intimidated by our strengths, and therefore  conscious of their own shortcomings.  It would be easy to strike back or avoid them.  A better response is to befriend them and ask God for the strength to love them , as David kept loving Saul."


Sounds good to me!  More tomorrow with David, Jonathan, and Saul as we see the ambush in the fields.


Have you ever had someone despise you?  or even dislike you?  I think we all have at one time or another.  I hope God will always help me to love that person, and not be afraid.  I know He will...if I ask!


Loving the thought of you!


Jo inMN

TODAY I SAW MY SINFUL NATURE REALLLY AT WORK

I am low, really low.  I'm not sure how to tell you, or even if I should.  I am glad I am not alone.  Would it be better if I were?  No, because I don't really want to be here  on this earth anymore.  Yet I am here, and I am suffering. I'm not suffering because of what someone else has done.  I am suffering because of what I have done.


First, we are a family of more than a few who believe in Christ as our Savior.  And we enjoy being together. So, yesterday we had homemade pizza at our son's house and all were invited. I brought fruit. It was really lovely; my daughter in law and son are wonderful hosts. And all the family felt festive.


One of the sweet and talented young husbands there began a game that left me cold, as it was a silly game of what kind of people from what area of the US sounded like "this?"  And a word was said in a dialect hinting where the dialect was being said, with laughing and merriment  following.


It hurt me a bit, remembering my husband's years in the Navy which he performed as a  dentist.
We were the only family from the mid-west.  All the rest of the dentists and their wives were from the New York area, easterners to the core.  We took a lot of teasing, and otherwise indications that the Midwest was backward as can be.  Although my husband had graduated from one of the best dental schools in the country, knew more than most of the new dentists from the East, and was put in situations to take the place of the dentists on leave who were the specialists at that base, because we did not have  the Eastern Graces acceptable to them, and had two little girls while they were childless, we were rather  on the "OUTS." So we were glad when we got out 3 months early, never forgetting what it felt like to be discriminated against.  And that's why this game that was played by a few in our family cut so deeply.


In an attempt to teach, I spoke to the main fellow who had promoted the game on that terrible night. He was a young talented husband married to one of my granddaughters. and I tried to show how it feels to be made fun of.  After all, though, it was just a simple game!  When the whole night was over....and into the next day, we met again with the mom and dad.  Almost at the end of their visit,  after lunch, etc. they proceeded to tell me that I had told the young man that "he was at the end of my list."


I couldn't believe it.  I  can't still imagine myself saying such a thing.  But I guess that I did.


I have written him a note of apology, but it isn't enough.  I don't think I could ever take my own life, but I must admit I don't feel so good, or like I want to stay here on this earth for I am terribly ashamed.  I don't know what else to do, but hope he accepts my deepest apology.


I wish I was dead, to be honest.  I am so very ashamed.  I hope that you will each one pray for me that I will be able to continue in this life, somehow, with hope that I can do a little better next time.  I have no reason to think that it is a lie.  But I have absolutely no memory of saying such a thing.


Please pray for me, won't you?  I am distraught and very sad and ashamed.


Jo INMN

TAKING A BREAK TODAY!

Well, today I must be short...but I hope friendly!  Last night, while sleeping, I had sort of a nightmare, in which I battled something or someone,  (I have no recollection of what or who) and in the process of the battle I threw myself out of bed hitting the corner of a chest that I usually have covered up with the day-pillows that decorate the head of my bed.  Just that evening, before I retired, I deliberately stuck the pillows on the side of the chest and the floor, not for any particular reason.


I was dreaming that I was fighting for my life, as I said, and hit the chest with my head, hitting the side of my nose and almost into my eye.  Of course, I woke up immediately only to discover there was blood  covering the hand I had raised to my eye.  Fearing I had lost my eye, as there was a lot of blood, I wakened Jerry, my husband, and asked if my eye was gone.  He couldn't understand me as he was just awakening. I ran to the bathroom mirror to see for myself and saw I was a mess, but my eye was still where it belonged except it was turning black as I watched, and somewhat bloody, but it was there.


I'm taking it easy today with a lousy headache and hoping to feel OK enough to gather together an assortment of fruit to take to my son's tonight for pizza ....and fruit!


I am fine, but our daughter, the nurse, is going to arrange for me to have a side bar added to my bed.
So, being the crazy dreamer that I seem to be, and a grateful and obedient daughter that I want to be, I will do anything to keep from going through this kind of "nightmare" again.  (Nightmare in more ways than the originally meaning of nightmare.)


So, let's catch up again tomorrow with more of David, Saul, Jonathan and the Lord.  Until then,


Jo INMN

BEST FRIENDS

With the death of the giant, David became part of Saul's entourage, and came to know Jonathan, Saul's son.  The two be came instant friends and Saul would not part with David, even keeping him from returning to his father. Whatever Saul sent David to do, he did it successfully.  This pleased everyone, until one day as the men were returning home from battle, the women came out singing, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands."  And Saul became furious with jealousy.


The next day an evil spirit came upon Saul as he was prophesying in his house and David was quietly playing his harp.  Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, "I'll pin David to the wall!"  But David ducked and Saul missed.  But, Saul could not look upon David's face, his jealousy was intent, and Saul realized he feared David because the Lord was with David...and not with him.


So he sent David away from him and gave him a command of over a thousand men and David led the troops in their campaigns.  He was successful, battle after battle, and Saul became even more  fearful of David because the Lord was with him...and not with Saul.  All Israel and Judah continued to love David and did not value Saul as he was used to being valued. 


Saul had promised a daughter to the man who could kill the giant, so at this time Saul  gave his older daughter, Merab, to David to wed, as she was also in love with David.  But David refused, thinking he was beneath the king's daughter, so she was given in marriage to another.  But Saul's daughter, Michal, was in love with David, so this marriage was finally arranged, but there would be no marriage until David would bring back the foreskins of one hundred Philistine warriors.  Saul was sure that in this way, David would surely be killed.


David and his men went into battle and brought back two hundred philistine foreskins!  And Saul became even more fearful of David.  Saul was terribly angry, and told his son Jonathan and all his attendants to kill David.  But Jonathan warned David to go into hiding the following day.  He would watch for his father and talk to him about the foolishness of hurting David. 


After the following day, Jonathan came to David and told him, "Father said, 'As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be put to death.'"  But the harassment continued, and David was once again nearly killed.  Saul had once again thrown his spear at David, aiming for a death-strike. But he missed, once again. 


Attempt after attempt had been made for David's death, and David finally went to Samuel. Samuel kept him with him and Samuel and his prophets included David in their prophesying.  Word came to Saul as to where David was staying, and he went there, also.  With Saul standing amongst those who were prophesying, his men also began to prophesy. Whoever he sent there, they prophesied, also, and Saul felt shattered.


He left there, and finally, finding Samuel, the Spirit of the Lord came to him, and he also prophesied.  But David was fleeing from Saul and just as quickly, Saul followed.


David in the meantime was trying to find Jonathan, certain Jonathan would help him stop his father Saul from killing him. But Jonathan felt David would be safe from his father, and David believed Saul was sure the kill him.  Finally, David said, "Your father knows that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said to himself, 'Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.'  Yet surely as the Lord lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death.'"


And before they parted, they agreed to make a plan to try and protect David from Jonathan's father.


I am thankful I have never had to make a plan with a friend to save my life from certain death.
More tomorrow on this interesting threesome!


Loving all,


Jo INMN

DAVID'S FIRST BATTLE

It seems that the Lord still had plans for Israel, for while Saul was still on the throne, Samuel anointed David to be king.  David, however, was still a boy keeping  track of his father's flocks, living on the edge of the wild.  He at one time killed a lion with his bare hands because the lion threatened the sheep and but he was also gentle, loving the out-of-doors and could sit on a rock and play his harp without being worried about the time spent there for his spirit was one with His God.  And when Samuel saw him, the Lord told him....this is the one.


Now David was enthralled with the wars being fought for his country and longed to fight just as his brothers were doing, however his father would not allow it.  But, there did come a day when Jesse,  needed someone to take some food to his elder sons, and no one was available except  David.  David was thrilled as he had heard that the Philistines had a champion who was over nine feet tall! "I would like to see that man and if needed, fight him!


The giant was called Goliath and for forty days he had been bragging  about his fighting skills at the front of the line between the two armies.  On hearing this bragging, all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.  No one would step forward to fight this giant and so no one was doing battle of any kind.


Then, David came forward to the campgrounds to bring the goods from his father. Most of the men were waiting to see who would volunteer to fight this battle where the giant waited, but  all were reluctant because they were afraid. David could see the giant up on the opposite hill and he drew closer.


Now, King Saul, too, was reluctant to fight the giant, so offered a prize, "To any man who slays the giant, I give my daughter in marriage!" he said.  Then he noticed David, and tried to get him to put on a soldiers gear for protection, but David showed him, "This is much too large.  I need freedom, not bulk.  Please, give me permission to fight this man.  He can not be harder to fight than a lion!" And Saul gave in.  His brothers, too, tried to dissuade him, but he was determined to fight the giant!


Meanwhile, the Philistine came closer to David.  He looked David over and saw he was only a boy, and he despised him.  "Am I a dog, that you come at me with stick?  Come here, and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beast of the field!"


David answered the Philistine, "You come against me with a sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.  And He will give all of you into our hands!"


The Philistine moved closer to attack and David reached  into his bag and took a stone from it.  He then slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead.  The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.  When the Philistines saw their hero was dead, they turned... and ran.  David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem.


Jonathan, Saul's son, was filled with admiration for David, and the two became fast friends, the  beginning of a true  friendship.  More of this friendship to come, and more of Saul's disintegration, also.  There is much to be learned from these three men.


Looking forward to  the next blog on Monday!


Jo INMN

SAUL

The Lord was terribly grieved that he had made Saul king, even though Saul had rid Israel of many of their enemies, because  Saul had set up a monument in his own honor.  Samuel was troubled when he heard of those actions, and also for Saul having not destroyed the livestock of their enemies,  the people,  and their king, Agag.  Saul used the livestock to give homage to the Lord, deciding for himself that this would please God.  Now, Saul had to take the punishment for having disobeyed God's command , a great wrong doing.


When Samuel explained to Saul, "Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king,"  Saul begged Samuel to "Please honor me before Israel's people, and come back with me so that I may worship the Lord." So Samuel returned with Saul. While they were there, Samuel asked the soldiers, "Bring me Agag, king of the Amalekites", the man whose life was spared in direct opposition to the Lord's command.  Samuel put Agag to death before the Lord.


You may wonder why God would be pleased to have Agag dead. Remember, when the Israelites were sent into Canaan they were told to destroy every man, woman, child and all their possessions, as God wanted no remnant of evil in their new world. Every living thing previously there  would otherwise remind the people of small gods, and God desired Himself to be their one and only God.  Their lives were to be wrapped around these words..."Thou shall have no other gods before me."  And Saul had made a god of himself.


Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, although mourned for him.  And the Lord was grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel. 


Study/ "God  did not change His mind.  He did, however, change His attitude toward Saul when Saul changed.  Saul's heart no longer belonged to God, but to his own interests. Saul had lied to Samuel about the results of the  battle, as well as disobeying God.  People who lie  soon begin to believe the lies they construct around themselves.  Then lose the ability to tell the difference between truth and lies. By believing one's own lies one deceives one's self, and will become alienated from God, losing credibility in all one's  relationships.  Honesty wins out."


I am excited to tell you about how David meets Saul, and afterwards, Jonathan.


Bye for now,
Jo INMN

SAUL'S ENEMY: THE PHILISTINES

Saul was now king, and the enemy was still the Philistines.  But, as you  will see as you read this, or read the Bible  under the book of I SAMUEL, perhaps Saul's biggest enemy was himself.  God  choose Saul because Saul was a great soldier and God needed to rid Israel of the Philistines who were Israel's greatest enemy, invading God's people at every turn.


Now, Saul had a son named Jonathan, and he, too, was a soldier, and at one point had destroyed  a Philistine outpost, but Saul took all the credit for the victory.  It may have been normal in  that country and at that time, but it was a terrible instant for Saul as the incident gave strength to Saul's growing pride. His pride grew into an ugly obsession.  Could it become a trait that would eventually be his undoing?


Now came another day for a battle, but the Israeli army had no steel with which to make weapons, nor were there any blacksmiths at that time. The Israel people who needed plows and other tools of steel had to enter Philistia in order to get what they needed.  And only those soldiers who already had armor made before the battle would have armor this particular day.  A detachment of Philistines had gone to a pass at Micmash, where there was an outpost on one side of the pass and any enemy outpost on the other side.


Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, "Hey, let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows.  Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf.  Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few." So, over they  went, with the armor-bearer saying, "I am with you heart and soul." Jonathan added, "If they want to come to us, we will wait for them.  If they want us to come to them, we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord will give them into our hands."
The  Philistines saw them and said, "Come up to us and we'll teach you a lesson."  So Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and his feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. In that first attack, Jonathan and his young friend killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre.


Suddenly, on the large field of battle, panic struck, later thought to be caused by God.  And Saul mustered his entire army  together.  All came to him except Jonathan.  They had the Ark of God with them at that time, and it was brought out for the priest to pray.  When the men reassembled to go to battle, they found that the Philistines were all in tumult and on the run, so the Lord rescued Israel that day.


 However, during the battle earlier, Saul had warned his men to eat nothing until the victory was won. Most tried to obey, but fighting battles makes men hungry.  And where Jonathan was fighting he happened to see some wild honey which he speared on the tip of his sword and put into his mouth.   When he was found out, his father was angry and realized he must kill his son.  But the men said, "Should Jonathan die, he who brought about this great deliverance in Israel?  Never!  As the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall."  So the men rescued Jonathan.  But Saul continued to battle with the Philistines at every opportunity many times after that day.


Another foolish act by Saul--don't eat anything until the battle is over!  Fighting men need food, and so they told him.  But about Jonathan, was Saul more concerned about saving face than being right?
"To spare Jonathan's life would require him to admit he had acted foolishly, an embarrassment for a king.  Saul was really more interested in protecting his image than in enforcing his vow.  This helps us to remember to admit our mistakes and show that we are more interested in doing what is right than in looking good."  (Quote from the Study)


Did you like Jonathan?  I do.  And he has much more to reveal about his father, Saul, as well as the king after Saul, David.


Hoping to blog again tomorrow.  See you then!


Jo in MN

THE PEOPLE WANT A KING!

When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges for Israel, but his sons did not walk in God's ways.  They turned aside from God after receiving dishonest gains and accepting bribes.  They also perverted justice, making claims of rightness.  So the elders came to Samuel and made demands, "You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all other nations have."  This displeased Samuel, so he took it to the Lord.  The Lord told him, "Listen to what all the people are saying to you.   It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.  They have forsaken me since I brought them out of Egypt, serving other gods.  Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do."  And Samuel did just that.


"He will take your sons to serves him in battle.  Some will be assigned to be commanders of thousands; others will plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others will make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. Your daughters will become his perfumers, cooks and bakers.  He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants.  He will take a tenth of your grain and of your wine and give it to his officials and attendants.  Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use.  He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.  When that day comes, you will all cry out for relief from this king, and the Lord will not answer you."  But the Lord said, "Give them a king."


Now, a man of standing had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites, who had been sent on an errand to bring back his father's donkeys who had wandered away and were nowhere within the vicinity. So, Saul and a servant passed through the hill country and on into the next district, but they did not find them.  When they reached the next district, Saul wanted to go back, concerned that his father may begin to worry about his son, rather than his donkeys.


But the servant knew there was a man of God in the town they were now in, and suggested that they go to ask the man which way they should take to continue looking for the donkeys. As the servant had a shekel to give the man, the seer, they started off.


The day before, Samuel, who was thought to be a seer, had heard from the Lord, "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin.  Appoint him leader over my people Israel; he will deliver my people  from the hand of the Philistines.  I have looked upon my people for their cry has reached me."


When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, "This is the man I spoke to you about; he will  govern my people."


And Samuel heard the Lord, and invited Saul to eat with him, saying, "In the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart.  The donkeys have been found."  And as he sent the servant home, he told Saul to stay for a message from God.


Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him, saying, "The Lord has anointed you leader over his inheritance."  And when Saul left Samuel, he knew God had changed his heart. And there were many ways God ministered to Saul to convince Saul he had been made king.


These days, one has to be born into kingship.  And there are few kings.  Leaders today have to receive a majority vote, usually.  And not all the people are usually satisfied. But the people of Israel now had their king.  But nothing is perfect.  No, nothing.


Only with the Lord, and He can make all things perfect in time.


Jo INMN

THE ARK RETURNED

The Ark of the Covenant between man and God was returned to the Israelites from the Philistines and a man named Eleazar was given the task of caring for it.  Why wasn't it taken back to the tabernacle where it belonged? The city where it belonged was Shiloh and Shiloh had probably been defeated and destroyed in an earlier battle with the Philistines. Israel became a place of mourning and sorrow for all their losses, and would be there for twenty years.  The leaders did not know what to do with the Ark and decided to tuck it away for safe-keeping. When the Ark was put away,  the people felt abandoned by God.


Samuel, now a grown man, roused the people into action by saying that if they were truly sorry, they should do something about it. " Return to the Lord with all your heart, and rid yourselves of the foreign gods.  Commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will  deliver you out of the hands of the Philistines."  And so the Israelites met with the Lord at Mizpah and put away their idols and served the Lord only, confessing that they had sinned against Him.


 That very day, while Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near and began to fight.  Right away, the Israelites became fearful and approached Samuel, "Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand  of our enemy!"  Then Samuel took a lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the Lord and he cried out to the Lord on behalf of the people.  The Philistines were nearing the crowd and the Lord thundered with loud blasts against the Philistines and threw them into a panic.  They were routed that day by the Israelites.  The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along their way  of escape.  So, the Philistines did not invade Israelite territory again, yet they were long-time enemies. Samuel was Judge over Israel all the days of his life.


Had the people felt abandoned by God?  Is that why they took so long to come back to Him?  There have been moments when I have felt abandoned, I admit, but it is usually a question of who abandoned whom?


Study? "Samuel was the last in a long line of Israel's judges, a line that began when Israel first conquered the promised land.  A judge was both a political and religious leader.  God was Israel's true leader while the judge was to be God's spokesman to the people and administrator of justice throughout the land.  While some of Israel's judges relied more on their own judgment than on God's, Samuel's obedience and dedication to God made him one of the greatest judges in Israel's history."


We will go on to visit with the kings of Israel, and start with Saul. 


Tomorrow is good! Not so much is Saul!


Jo INMN

AND THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS!

The Philistines, long-time enemies of the Israelites, settled along the southeastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, but warlike, they had established themselves in five of the cities in southwest Canaan and were constantly pressing inland against the Israelites.  Throughout this time, the Philistines were Israel's major enemy.


Now, the Israelites put much store in the holding of their Ark of the Covenant, which was given by God to Moses, and it was supposed to be kept in Israelites' Most Holy Place, a sacred part of the Tabernacle, or Temple.  But as their wars became costly, it was decided to take the Ark and carry it to war with them, hoping that the Ark would bring them victories, sadly mistaking the Ark for a good-luck charm.  But, a symbol of God does not guarantee God's presence and power. And the Ark was captured by their enemies.


The slaughter was very great; Israel lost thirty thousand  soldiers.  The Ark of God was captured and Eli's  sons were killed, the sons of the man whom God had chosen to be Israel's Judge.


Now the Philistines had seen how the Ark of the Israelites created havoc and misery among the people wherever it was taken.  One Philistine city after another tried to pass it along.  After the Ark had been among Philistine cities for seven months, the priests of Philistia decided to send it back to its rightful place.  They put it in a new cart, filled it full of treasure, brought two new cow to pull it, and send it on its way.  They warned their men, "Keep watching it so nothing happens to it.  For if it goes up to its own country, then the lord has brought this great disaster on us.  But if it does not, then we will know that it was not his hand that struck us."  And the cows went straight to the rightful place of the Ark.


So many not familiar with the Lord, had no understanding of His people and His Beliefs.  The Study adds: "The Philistines acknowledged the existence of the Hebrew God, but only as one of many deities whose favor they sought.  Thinking of God in this way made it easy for them to ignore God's demand that people worship Him alone.  Many people "worship" God this way.  They see God as just one ingredient in a successful life.  But God is far more than an ingredient--He is the source of life itself."


When the Ark was returned, the people just set the Ark on a rock in someone's field,, and God struck down some of the men. Study/ "God could not allow the people to think they could use his power for their own ends., or permit them to disregard His warnings and come into His presence lightly.  Overlooking their sin would encourage the whole nation of Israel to ignore God."


Since that time, of course, we have come to know Jesus Christ, who did not come to us until many, many years after these incidents. God tried year after year, man after man, and even kings to help the people to find and accept him.  God finally had to send himself, in the form of His Son, Jesus.


And Hurrah to that!


Hoping you feel that way, too!


Jo INMN

SAMUEL: DEDICATED TO GOD

As a judge, Eli was OK, his sons not so OK, but young Samuel, left at the temple to grow up under the care of Eli, was coming along nicely.  And  in time,  Samuel was one of God's greatest prophets.  As the people clamored for a king, Samuel anointed Israel's first kings, yet his own sons, like Eli's, also turned away from God.


Very early in his life, Samuel ministered at the temple.  Every year his mother made him a little linen robe to wear before the Lord.  And the Lord was generous to her, as she had conceived five more times to birth three more sons and two daughters, as the boy Samuel grew in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men.


The Lord came again to Eli and Eli felt saddened to hear what God spoke. "I promised that your house would minister before me forever.  But those that despise me will be disdained, and I will cut short your strength and your sons will die on the same day.  But I will raise up for myself  a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind."  And Eli begged the Lord to appoint him to some priestly office so he could have food to eat. 


Now, in that day there were not many visions.  So one night, Eli, whose eyes were  becoming weak, while lying down in his usual place, had Samuel before him, saying, "Here I am."  But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."  So Samuel went and lay down.  Again the Lord called, "Samuel!"  And Samuel went to Eli and said, "Here I am, you called me!"  But, once again, Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down!"  


Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord personally.  The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.  And the Lord called Samuel yet a third time, and Samuel got up and went once again to Eli and said, "Here am I; you called me."  Then Eli realized the Lord was calling the boy. So, Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you again say, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."  So Samuel went and lay down in his place.


The Lord came and stood  right where Samuel was sleeping, and he called as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"  And Samuel said, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."  And the  Lord said, "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle.  At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family forever because of the sin he knew about his sons who made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them.  Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, 'The guilt of Eli's house will never  be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.' "  


The following morning Samuel opened the doors of the temple.  When Eli heard him, he called to Samuel to  ask him what the Lord had said.  Samuel hesitated and felt sad, yet he told him the truth.  Then Eli said, "He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes."


Study/  "God's chain of command is based on faith, not on age or position.  In finding faithful followers, God may use unexpected channels.  Be prepared for the Lord to work at any place, at any time, and through anyone he chooses." The study also says, "Eli had spent his entire life in service to God.  His responsibility was to oversee all the worship in Israel.  But in pursuing this great mission he neglected the responsibilities in his own home.  If we have a desire to do God's work, in order to hear his messages we must be ready to listen and to act upon what he tells us.  We must be ready to say, 'Here I am!' "


Here I am, Lord! I am listening!


Jo INMN

THE LAST OF THE JUDGES: ELI & SAMUEL

Israel was ruled by judges for 200 years. Eli and Samuel are the last of those judges.  Although the nation has fallen away from God, it is clear that God is preparing Samuel, yet unborn in most of this story, to lead the nation back to right living.  God is always in control; He is able to bring His people back to Him.


We open our story today with Eli in the temple when a woman named Hannah came to worship and sacrifice.  She was unhappy as she confessed that her husband had another wife who had given him many children, and although she had desired a child desperately, she had none. Her husband's other wife provoked her constantly and Hannah would not be able to eat or sleep.  When Hannah finished telling her story, she wept in desperation.  She admitted that her husband loved her very much, but she felt desperate to give him a child, because of that love.  Hannah admitted to Eli that she had made a vow, and said to her husband, "O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life."  And Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."


In the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave  birth to a son, and she named him Samuel.  When her husband went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the Lord. Hannah did not go.  She said to her husband, "After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always."  And her husband agreed, saying,  "Do what seems best to you, and may the Lord make good His word."


After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull for slaughtering, an offering of flour, and a skin of wine for the priests.  She took the boy to Eli, and she said to him, "As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord.  I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him.  So now I give him to the Lord.  For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord."


Then Hannah,  praying, said, "My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high.  My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides You, there is no Rock like our God!"


And Samuel worshipped the Lord there, ever after.


Study/ "Hannah praised God for being a Rock--firm, strong, and unchanging.  In our fast-paced world, friends come and go, and circumstances change.  It's difficult to find a solid foundation that will not change.  Those who devote their lives to achievements, causes, or possessions have as their security that which is finite and changeable. But God is always present.  Hope in Him.  He will never fail you."


In my own life I, too, often tried to encourage change which I thought important, both in my home and in my church.  I tend to be one of those people that is a seeker, a provider, and a doer, so oftentimes this was not the answer at all or the timing was off.  Not all changes are the best for others and too often I have been a catalyst for something others were not yet ready for. I love Hannah for living with her own sorrow, for praying and trusting God, and waiting patiently.  And she kept her word!  And that would have most certainly been difficult!


More about Samuel coming up.  He's a great guy!


Jo INMN

MORE ABOUT YESTERDAY

As I was writing yesterday's blog, I must have written more than is normal for a blog, and the computer refused to write my last couple of lines.  So, I had to go back shorten the blog by a few words in order to make a decent "goodbye."  So, today, I would like to make a couple of comments to add to yesterday's blog about Ruth, and this comes directly from my Bible----


"The Lord enabled Ruth to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.  The village women said to Naomi, 'Praise be to the lord, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer.  May he become famous throughout Israel!  He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age, for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth'.


Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him.  The women living there said, 'Naomi has a son.'  And they named him Obed.  Obed was the father of Jesse, the father of David, who became king." And I add, this king's life was a prelude to the natural life of Jesus of Nazareth.


Study/ "To some, the book of Ruth may be just a nice story about a girl who was fortunate.  But in reality, the events recorded in (the book of )Ruth were part of God's preparations for the births of David and of Jesus, the promised Messiah.  Just as Ruth was unaware of this larger purpose in her life, we will not know the full purpose and importance of our lives until we are able to look back from the perspective of eternity.  We must make our choices with God's eternal values in mind.  Taking moral shortcuts and living for short-range pleasures are not good ways to move ahead. Because of Ruth's faithful obedience, her life and legacy were significant even though she couldn't see all the results.  Live  in faithfulness to God, knowing that the significance of your life will extend beyond your lifetime.  The rewards will outweigh any sacrifice you may have made."


Although I treasure the suggestions made by the study, one thing I want to give to you as comfort--I have not led a perfect life!   Nor do I know any person still alive who has led a perfect life, one that will not give our Lord a raised eyebrow now and then.  No.  I don't believe it possible that any person can be without some kind of bad actions, bad intentions, bad decisions or any other kind of bad.  We are just human and we humans are imperfect in all ways.  But, God knows this, as He made us as we are.  But, he is a forgiving God. BUT, although He forgives, He expects you and me to be repentant of our imperfections. Not being repentant, not working on our imperfections,  is sin.  And the Holy Spirit within us is most helpful in working on those imperfections!


It ain't easy, but it's the right thing to do!


Working on it...


Jo INMN

RUTH, IN BETHLEHEM

Ruth and Naomi's return to Bethlehem was certainly part of God's plan because in this town King David would be born, as well as Jesus. This move was more than merely convenient for Ruth and Naomi, many believe it led to the fulfillment of Scripture.


Now, Naomi had a relative on her husband's side who was a man of standing, named Boaz.  And Boaz had what we would call a wheat farm, and was quite wealthy. So, Naomi suggested to Ruth that she go to his field, as it was being harvested at this time, and collect the grain that was scattered between the rows after the harvesters went through. Many of the poor people, called gleaners, followed the harvesters and collected for themselves the bits and pieces of the grain to keep for their own families.


Ruth agreed to do this and busily picked up that which she found. But, just then, Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeting the harvesters, asked his foreman, "Who is the young woman gleaning?" And the foremen replied, "She is the Moabitess who came back from Moab with Naomi.  She asked to glean behind the harvesters and has worked steadily sine morning."


So Boaz went to Ruth and said, "My daughter, listen to me.  Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here.    Watch the field where the men are harvesting and follow after the girls.  I have told the men not to touch you.  Whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled." Ruth bowed down to Boaz and exclaimed, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me--a foreigner." And Boaz answered, "I've been told all about what you have done for Naomi since the death of your husband--how you left your people and homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.  May the Lord repay you with rich rewards for what you have done.  And may you come under the wings of the God of Israel."  And at mealtime, Boaz invited her to join him for some bread dipped in wine vinegar. 


When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain.  She ate all she wanted and had some left over.  As she got up to glean some more, Boaz instructed the workers, "Pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, but don't rebuke her."  And so, Ruth was able to glean what she and Naomi needed for their small household.


When Naomi saw what Ruth had for their cupboard, she was thrilled and asked who the people were who were so generous.  Ruth said, "The name of the man I worked for was named Boaz."  At the answer, Naomi became excited, and said, "The Lord bless him!  He is our close relative; he is one of our kinsman redeemers!"  (A redeemer is a relative who takes care of those who have been left without one to take care of them.)  And Naomi had a good idea.


After some time, and Ruth had continued to glean in Boaz' field where Boaz himself would often watch as she went past his barn, Naomi shared her idea.  "Tonight Boaz will be winnowing barley on his threshing floor.  Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes.  Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.  When he lies down, note the place where he is lying.  Then go and uncover his feet and lie down.  He will tell you what to do."


Ruth did as she was told--everything her mother-in-law told here to do.  And when Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile.  Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down.  In the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet.


"Who are you?" he asked.  And she answered shyly, "I am your servant, Ruth.  Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer."  And Boaz, surprised, yet pleased, said, "The Lord bless you, my daughter.  This kindness is greater that that which you showed earlier you have not run after younger men,  whether rich or poor.  And now my daughter, don't be afraid.  I will do for you all you ask.  You will be redeemed." And so she was redeemed.  This, indeed, is a happily-ever-after story.


Now, I, too, had a wonderful mother-in-law. Her name was Margrit in Swedish, but she let me call her Mom Johnson.  The way she showed her family that she loved them taught me a lot.  Dad Johnson worked outside often, and it was bitterly cold that morning.  She took his rubber overshoes or boots and held them upside down over the flame of her gas stove to warm them for him.  I never forgot that doing simple tasks for someone is a "labor of love." Mothers-in-law are the best!


Loving her, now long past,


Jo INMN

 

RUTH: A WOMAN AFTER MY OWN HEART

Ruth is one of my favorite women of the Bible, and tomorrow I will tell you why!  Today, I just want to tell you her story.


Ruth is a destitute widow.  We follow her as she joins God's people, gleans in the grain fields, and risks her honor at the threshing floor. She begins with no hope and is an alien with no part in the kingdom of God.  She risks everything by putting her faith in God.  And God saves her, forgives her, rebuilds her life and gives her blessings that will last through eternity.  Ruth's story was written in a dark time in Israel's history.  People lived to please themselves, and not God.  Ruth tells the world that there is a better way.


During the days of the Judges there was a famine in the land of Israel Judah, and a man from Bethlehem by the name of Elimelech, went to live in Moab with his wife, Naomi, and their two sons. While they were living there the two sons married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other named Ruth..  After about ten years, Elimelech died.


This created quite a problem for Naomi. She needed to go home once again, as Judah had food, and in Moab a famine had come.  So she had no food, no husband and no son and no one to help her to return to Israel for Naomi did not want to ask her daughters-in-law to take her.


But they insisted on going with her and she prepared  to return home.  Finally, with her two daughters-in-law, she left the place and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.  Naomi felt sad that her new daughters had to leave their own country for her sake, and finally, she spoke out.  "Return home, my daughters.  Why would you come with me?  I am never going to have more sons who could become your husbands.  Return home.  I am too old to have another husband.  Even if I thought there was still hope for me--even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons--would you wait until they grew up?   Would you remain unmarried for them?  No, my daughters.  It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord's hand has gone out against me."


At this they wept again.  Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodby, but Ruth clung to her.  Naomi said to Ruth, "Look!  "Your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods.  Go back with her."  But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you.  Where you go  I will go, and where you stay I will stay.  Your people will be my people and your God my god.  May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely if anything but death separates you and me."  And Naomi accepted Ruth's plea.


So the two women went on, until they arrived in Bethlehem.  The whole town was stirred because of them, and the women of the town exclaimed, "Can this be Naomi?"  But Naomi, rejecting her  own self said, "Call me Mara because the Almighty has made my life bitter.  I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.  The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me." So Naomi returned from Moab in sadness and without hope, accompanied by Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.


We'll end our story here until tomorrow, if God allows it.  I really don't want to leave anything out for the story of Ruth is precious to me.


Study/  Ruth was a Moabitess, but that didn't stop her from worshiping the true God, nor did it stop God from accepting her worship and blessing her greatly.  The Jews were not the only people God loved.  God chose the Jews to be the people through whom the rest of the world would come to know him.  This was fulfilled when Jesus Christ was born as a Jew.  Through him, the entire world can come to know God.  The book of Ruth is a perfect example of God's impartiality.  Ruth was blessed because of her faithfulness.  No one should feel disqualified to serve God because of race, sex, or national background.  And God can use every circumstance to build his kingdom.


What a blessing, the story of Ruth!  Perhaps, you can understand why I love it!  I'll tell you more about it tomorrow! We ran out of time today........Shoot dang!


Love,


Jo INMN

THE TRIBE OF DAN...NOBODY' S PERFECT!

In all the many years since Israel had begun to listen to God and was to have taken His commandments to heart, Israel had turned away from Him and the laws he had given them to help them to start their nation. Each man or woman who had taken the goodly position of Judge in God's name, was unable to keep the people from doing his or her own thing rather than doing what God asked of them. Their sins of disobedience brought great troubles to the people  and the nation of Israel.


Study/ "Many of the people who became leaders of the Israelites were morally declining, so the nation that was to set the example for spiritual living had instead become morally depraved.  When Israel did serve God, and that was seldom, it was often from selfish motives. Selfish obedience does not bring us far.  Genuine obedience is motivated by a love and reverence for God himself."


Now, back to God's story.  A man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim said to his mother, "The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you and about which I heard you utter a curse--I have that silver with me! I took it." His mother was so  pleased that it was not altogether lost, she said, "I solemnly consecrate my silver to the Lord for my son to make a carved image and a cast idol.  Therefore, I will  give it back to you." So he returned all of the silver to his mother, and she gave two hundred shekels back to her son, to make an image and an idol for Micah's home for a shrine.  When the ephod and the idol were completed, Micah installed one of his sons as his priest, for in those days, everyone did as he saw fit.


At the same time, a young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, who had been living within the clan of Judah, left his home in search of some other place to stay and he came upon Micah's home. Micah was thrilled to hear that this man would agree to live with him, and be his priest, and gave him wages of silver, clothes to wear and food.


Now, at this same time, the tribe of Danites were seeking a place of their own where they might settle, because they had not yet come into their inheritance among the tribes of Israel.  So the Danites sent warriors to spy out the land and they came upon the house of Micah, and they recognized the voice of the young priest.  They asked him, "What are you doing in this place? Who brought you here? Why are you here?"  And he told them what Micah had done for him, and said, "He has hired me and I am his priest."


The Danites found and took note of the ephod, the other household gods, a carved image and a cast idol.  So they spoke to the priest that Micah had created and convinced him to follow them with the ephod and other images.  They turned away and left.


When they had gotten some distance away, the men from Micah's house and those who lived near him decided to overtake the Danites, who turned around and threatened them, shouting, "What's the matter with you to try and overtake us."  And  Micah himself answered, "You took the gods I had made, and my priest, and went away.  What else do I have?  How can you ask, 'What's the matter with you'" And Micah, seeing they were too strong for him, turned around sadly and went back home.


And so, the Danites set up for themselves the idols and craven goods they stole from Micah, after they had taken over the city of Laish and its people. And the man who had become a priest and his sons  became the priests for the tribe of Dan until the time of the captivity of the land.


How unhappy our God must have been as his people from the tribe of Dan lived and died believing in their false gods! Study/ "Through this entire incident, no one desired to worship God; instead, they wanted to use God for selfish gain.  Today some people go to church to feel better, be accepted. relieve guilt, and gain business contacts or friends.  Beware of following God for selfish gain rather than selfless service."


Another point made by the Study/ "Priests and their assistants were all members of the tribe of Levi.  They were to serve the people, teach them how to worship God, and perform the rituals involved in the worship services both at the tabernacle and in the designated cities throughout the land.  This disobedient priest showed disrespect for God in many ways.  This story shows how pagan influences and moral depravity had crept into every corner of Israelite culture.  Although 300 years had passed since they entered the promised land, they still had not destroyed the idolatry and evil practices within it."


It makes me wonder if some of the harmless seeming habits in my life may become a dominating force. The  values, attitudes, and practices each of us may have adopted from the world's system can be exposed by applying the light of God's truth to them.  I know that once I see them for what they are, I can begin to uproot them.  I will give no examples, for they are obvious.  One, for certain is the common use of the Lord's title and name!


We all have things that must really bother our Father!


Yours in Christ,


Jo INMN

PHILISTINES' HARRAH COMES TOO EARLY

Now, the Israelites, because of Samson had come to a major defeat, but Samson wasn't too worried.  So casual about the gift God had given him, he didn't despair very long when he realized his strength was gone.  He knew his hair would grow back and he would be strong once again.  God had not left him.


In the meantime, the Philistines were enjoying their victory, shouting aloud to their god, celebrating,   "Our god has delivered our enemy into our hands, the one who laid waste to our land and multiplied our dead." There was a vast crowd attending the promised ceremonies of a new temple and while they were in high spirits they begged for Samson to be brought out to entertain them.  Samson, although weak, asked them to stand him among the pillars of their vast buildings that he might have some support.  The crowd of man and women gladly placed him there, taunting him about his lost strength.  And there he stood, a laughing stock among the three thousand men and women  waiting for him to perform.


Then Samson prayed to the Lord.   "O Sovereign Lord, remember me.  O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on our enemies, the Philistines. for taking my eyesight."   Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple  stood.  Bracing himself against them, he said,  "Let me die with the Philistines!"  Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people within it.  Thus Samson killed many more of the enemy of God when he died than while he lived.


His brothers and his father's whole family went down to get him and brought him back and buried Samson in the tomb of his father.  He had led Israel for twenty years.


The study makes a good suggestion to pass along to us.  "In spite of Samson's past, God still answered his prayer and destroyed the pagan temple and its worshipers.  God still loved him.  God was willing to hear Samson's prayer of confession and repentance and use him this final time.  One of the effects of sin in our lives is to keep us from feeling like praying.  But perfect moral behavior is not a condition for prayer.  Don't let guilty feelings over sin keep you f rom your only means of restoration.  No matter how long you have been away from God, he is ready to hear from you and restore you to a right relationship with Him.  Every situation can be salvaged if  you are willing to turn again to Him.  If God could still work in Samson's situation, He can certainly make something worthwhile out of yours."


Perhaps, you and I can use this information.  Perhaps this is a lesson you have learned long ago.  Either way, I do not personally feel hurt to be  reminded as it is so easy to forget things that are important, but have just slipped away from my memory. I want to add, also, that although Samson seemed yesterday to be rather "stupid" in relationship to Delilah, he was only caught up in a situation that can easily look stupid in hind-sight, but when one is centered at the moment on the opposite sex,  one can often appear to be "very stupid."  Right?


Friends forever,


Jo INMN

SAMSON MEETS DELILAH

During Samson's years as Judge, The Philistines were ruled by five rulers each from a different city. Each city was an important center for trade and commerce.  These rich and powerful leaders came to a woman named Delilah to discuss something important.  Now Delilah, a prostitute, found that Samson was infatuated with her after one night they had spent together and these men who were meeting with her wanted her help in discovering why Samson had so much inhuman power. The men offered her eleven hundred shekels of silver is she would discover Samson's secret, for they wanted to subdue Samson.  Delilah was cunning, and being very sure of her own power over men, she gladly agreed.


'But, Delilah's questioning of Samson became a game to him.  "Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued," she said, while tickling his arm. And Samson answered, "If anyone ties me with seven fresh thongs that have not been dried, I'll become as weak as any other man."


Then the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh thongs that had not been dried, and she tied Samson with them. With men hidden in the room, she called to him,  "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!"  And Samson snapped the thongs as easily as a piece of string when it comes close to a flame.  So his secret was not discovered.


Delilah pouted and said to him, "You have made a fool  of me; you lied to me.  Come now, tell me how you can be tied." And again, Samson lied in return, and said, "Secure me with new ropes."  And again, she tried to set the Philistines upon him.  But he easily defeated them.  She tried again and again to trick him into giving up his secret, but he did not give in.


But Delilah was a very determined woman, and she pondered over what might make Samson tell her truthfully what would make him weak.  She knew he was infatuated with her, even with her attempts to trap him.  So, she played a woman's game, and said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you," when you won't confide in me?' You have made a fool of me three times and haven't told me the secret of your great strength."  With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired of  it.


So, finally, he told her everything. "No razor has ever been used  on my head," he said, "because if I shaved, my strength would leave me, as I am a Nazarite, set apart by God, and if I were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other  man."


When Delilah saw he had told her every thing, she told the rulers of the Philistines to come back again, as he had told her everything.  When she said to Samson, "Samson, awake.  The Philistines are upon you," Samson could do nothing, and he was captured and taken to prison, and they gouged out his eyes so he could not ever see again.


More on Samson tomorrow!


Jo INMN 






They  put him to grinding grain

WAS SAMSON THE BEST ISRAEL HAD?

The more I read about Samson, the more I am curious as to why he was chosen by God to be a leader.  But, a leader he was, and also one of God's chosen to be called a Judge.  The Philistine people had great strength in numbers at the time of Samson's judgeship. plus they were great warriors. And whether or not Samson was a good choice of Judge, he did have great strength.  His strength, however, was about all he had, as his intentions too often were for his personal benefit rather than for God.


At the time of the wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife.  When he asked admittance to her room, her father refused to let him go in.  "I was so sure you hated her," her father said, "that I gave her to your friend.  Isn't her younger sister more attractive?  Take her instead."  Samson went away really angry.


He went out and caught three hundred foxes and tied them tail to tail in pairs.  He then fastened a torch to every pair of tails, lit the torches, and let the foxes loose in the standing grain of the Philistines, burning up the shocks and standing grain, together with the vineyards and olive groves. (To say nothing of the poor foxes!)


When the Philistines asked, "Who did this?" they were told, "Samson, the Timnite's son-in-law, because his wife was given to his friend." So, the Philistines went up and burned her and her father to death.  Samson, thoroughly in despair, attacked them viciously and slaughtered many.  Then he went down and stayed in a cave in the rock of Etam.


The men of Judah were incensed by the actions of Samson, yet they were aware that he was  chosen by God. But the Philistines went up and camped near the camp of the Israelites, so the men of God asked, "Why have you come to fight us?"  "We aren't here to fight you!  We have come to take Samson prisoner," the Philistines answered, "to do to him as he did to us."


Then three thousand men from Judah went down to the cave in the rock of Etam and told Samson, "Don't you realize that the Philistines are rulers over us? What have you done to us?"  And he answered, "I only did to them what they did to me." His face was a mask of sadness, wanting understanding and acceptance. But they said, "You must let us tie you up so we can hand you over to the Philistines or we shall all perish."  but Samson feared them as well, and he said, "Swear to me that you won't kill me yourselves!"  And they agreed.


 So they bound him with two new ropes and led him up from the rock.  As he approached the Philistines,  they were shouting with anger and hate.  Suddenly, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson in power, and the ropes on his arms became like burned flax, and the binding dropped from his hands.  Finding a jawbone of a donkey nearby, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men.  He stopped, and yelled, "With a donkey's jawbone I have made donkeys of them.  With a donkey's jawbone I have killed a thousand men."


Then he realized he was really thirsty and he cried out to the Lord, "You have given your servant this great victory.  Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of these Philistines?"  Then God opened up the land and water came out.  When Samson drank, his strength returned and he revived.  The spring was thereafter named for this victory.


God must have wanted a warrior.  And that is what he got.  The study for this period is interesting: "Although the Lord's strength came upon Samson, he was proud and boastful. Pride can cause us to take credit for work we've done only because of God's strength.  But, God had selected Samson because he knew that  only strength would be influential in competing with the Philistines.  It is believed that Samson was chosen after this battle to be a Judge, and he judged for 20 years."


One more thing the Study added for today's world: "During the times of vulnerability, like after a big win, avoid the temptation to think that God owes us for our efforts.  We must remember, it was his
strength that gave us victory.  Concentrate on keeping our attitudes, actions, and words focused on God instead of ourselves."


I know from experience that sometimes depression can follow achievement, so we must be aware and focus on God and his strength that gives victory, rather than ourselves.


May God bless you in all you may try to do!


Jo INMN

A RIDDLE BRINGS AN END

There were many judges during these years in Israel, but none kept the Israelites from idols.  Over and over, Israel and its judges disappointed God by not being able to control or not trying to control the adoration of idols by the people. There was a repeated cycle of sin, judgment, and repentance that occurred throughout the years of the judges even though with each new judge there was new hope.


After a long period of evil, the Lord delivered the Israelites into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.  But there were always some who carried hope that God would intervene. A certain man named Manoah from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was sterile and childless. The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said,"You will conceive and give birth to a son.  No razor may be used on his head, because the boy is to be a Nazarite, set apart for God from birth, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines." After she told her husband, Manoah said, "O Lord, I beg of you, let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born."  God heard Manoah and the angel of God came again to the woman, and the woman's husband was called to her side.  They were again assured that no food or drink with liquor was to be eaten or drunk during the boy's lifetime.


Now, according the Study, after the boy child was born they "named him Samson and the spirit of the Lord began to stir in him as he grew. Samson was from the tribe of Dan which had continued to wander  in their inherited land.  Samson grew up with his warlike tribe's yearnings for a permanent and settled territory.  Thus his visits to the tribal army camp stirred his heart, and God's Spirit began preparing him for his role as judge and leader against the Philistines.  Samson had tremendous potential.  Not many people have started life with credentials like his.  Born as a result of God's plan, he was given enormous physical strength.  However, Samson seemed to enjoy jokes, with a real cleverness for getting out of trouble. And, his other weakness was his love for women."


When Samson went down to Timnah, he met a young Philistine woman. He wanted her as his wife and requested this of his parents.  They were aghast, and asked, "Isn't there an acceptable woman among your own people.  Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?"  But Samson insisted, "Get her for me!" (Her parents did not know that this was part of God's plan for Samson to confront the Philistines.) They gave in, and the three went down to Timnah.


While they approached the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young lion came roaring toward him.  The Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson in power, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands.  But he said nothing to his father and mother, as they had seen nothing. When he met the woman, he liked her and the marriage was arranged.


When he returned to go down the same road for the ceremony, he turned aside to look at the lion's carcass.  In it was a swarm of bees and some honey, which he scooped out with his hands and ate as he went along.  When he rejoined his parents he gave them some, and they too ate it.  But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey from the lion carcass.


Samson made a feast in Timnah, for it was a custom for the bridegroom. While there, he was given thirty companions, perhaps as groomsmen, and gave the men a riddle to entertain. "If you can give me the answer within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes.  If you can't tell me the answer, you must give me thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes." And they answered, "Tell us your riddle.  Let's hear it!"


He replied, "Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong something sweet."


 For three days they could not give an answer, so they went to their sister and begged her to intervene.  She threw herself on Samson, sobbing, "You hate me!   You don't really love me!  You've given my people a riddle, but you haven't told me the answer!"  But he answered, "Why should I tell you the answer?  Even my parents don't know!"  But she cried the entire time of the feast, seven days.  So on the seventh day he finally told her, because she continued to  press him. And she turned and explained the riddle to her people.


And Samson said to them, "If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have solved my riddle," as he was angry that they had manipulated one of his own. And just then the Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power.  He went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men, stripped them of their belongings and gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle.  Burning with anger, he went up to his father's house.  And Samson's wife was given to the friend who had attended him at his wedding.


This is how Samson began his adult life! Not a pretty picture!  He was a servant of the Lord, yet he had not learned to be attentive to the Lord and His teachings.  But, Samson had much more to learn, and much more to do to help his people who were in servanthood to the Philistines.  More on Samson tomorrow.


An imperfect man who serves the Lord! Not really unusual.  God can use each one of us when we give ourselves to His service.


Imperfect but loving Him!


Jo INMN

WHO CAN LEAD THE ISRAELITES NOW?

Again and again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and for seven years he gave them up to the  Midianites. The Midians were  very oppressive, so the people of Israel hid in mountain clefts, caves, and strongholds. The Midians were like locusts which did not spare a living thing.  They ravaged the land and  the people of God cried out to the Lord. A prophet visited the Israelites and reminded them that they were disobedient to God and had not worshipped Him or listened to Him.


The people hit rock bottom, and turned to God as a last resort.  Yet, God listened to them, and promised them he would send help.  God sent an angel to a young man  called Gideon who was threshing wheat in a winepress.  The angel called out to him, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior!"
but Gideon called back, "If the Lord is with us, sir, why has all this happened?  Where are the wonders that our fathers told us about?  Has the Lord abandoned us?"


And the Lord Himself answered, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand.  Am I not sending you?"  But, much amazed, Gideon said, "But Lord, how can I save Israel?  My clan is the weakest of all and I am the weakest in my family!"  But the Lord was not to be dissuaded, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together."


But Gideon was afraid to trust God's word.  "If I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you."  And the Lord agreed to wait.  Gideon prepared a young goat and bread without yeast.  When he finished preparing the food, he brought it out and offered it to the one under the oak.  The angel of God asked Gideon to put the food on a certain rock, and pour out the broth.  When Gideon did so, fire flared up from the rock and consumed the meat and bread, and the angel of the Lord disappeared.


Gideon felt afraid because he had seen the angel of the Lord and had not understood.  But the Lord said to him, "Peace!  Do not be afraid.  You are not going to die.."  And the Lord instructed Gideon in what he must do. "Tear down your father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.  Then build a proper kind of altar to the Lord your God on top of this height.  Using the wood of the Asherah pole that you cut down,  offer a bull as a burnt offering."  So Gideon did as he was told, but he did it at night because he was still afraid.


In the morning, the men of the town demanded of Gideon's father, "Who did this?" And after careful investigation, they called for Gideon.  But his father, Joash, said to the men, "Are you going to  plead Baal's cause?  Are you trying to save Baal?  Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning.  If Baal really is a  god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar."  And the people who loved Baal crossed over the Jordan and camped, leaving the area.


Gideon always had a difficult time totally trusting God and when God gave him instructions on how to handle one group or another, Gideon always had a test to see if God was being truthful. Yet he did finally obey God completely.


There is much more to say about Gideon. He is one of God's Judges and comes to my mind frequently, when ever I tend to need extra assurance.  Some of us need to practice having faith and trust in God, no matter what!  Let me quote from the words of the study portion of my bible:  "Was Gideon testing God, or was he simply asking God for more encouragement?  In either case, though his motive was right (to obey God and defeat the enemy) his method was less than ideal.  Gideon seems to have known that his requests might displease God and yet he demanded more assurance even after witnessing the miraculous fire from the rock.  It is true that to make good decisions, we need facts.  Gideon had all the facts, but still he hesitated.  He delayed obeying God because he wanted even more proof of what God would do.  Demanding extra signs was an indication of unbelief.  Fear often makes us wait for more confirmation when we should be taking action.  Visible signs are unnecessary if they only confirm what we already know is true.  Today the greatest means of God's guidance is his Word....The Bible."


No matter how often I read  from the Word, I always learn.  And I usually learn just what I need to know at that moment. God is good; yes, all the time.


Hope you enjoyed this little bit about Gideon!  He proved to be quite a guy in God's world!


Jo INMN