Although they are not linked in our reading, both Samson and Samuel lived during the same time and both are listed as judges in Israel. I mention this because both of these judges share some common elements and one very strong similarity. They both have unusual birth stories that God takes a lot of time to describe. I wonder why.
Judges 13-14
Judges 13
Notice that this entire chapter is the birth story of Samson. That really interests and surprises me. I've never noticed this before.
Notice who the angel is who speaks to Samson's parents.
Vs. 4-5 Notice that the mother is forbidden to drink wine or strong drink, and the only Nazirite condition given to the child is that his hair wouldn't be cut. Samson will violate every Nazirite condition except the cutting of his hair until, well, you know the story.
V. 14 Apparently the parents obeyed this.
V. 25 It is hard to understand what this stirring of the Spirit was, since among other things, Samson was not a moral man or devoted follower of God. It looks like the Lord used Samson in spite of himself. This is not a good role model for kids, even if he had "superhero" strength.
I think the lesson I would see here, for me or us, is that God's blessing and privilege do not determine obedience or gratefulness. These parents were blessed and they obeyed, but Samson will not obey. He is listed in the Hebrews 11 for his faith, and God used him, but his faith was mingled with deep rebellion and selfishness. I think the lesson for us following Christ in the harvest, during this very dangerous time on earth, is to be very careful, like Paul says in Ephesians 5:15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
It is instructive to see how great faith and great disobedience can exist in the same heart. It is scary to see how this caused Samson's own downfall and limited the impact he had in serving God and the nation.
Judges 14
V. 4 God didn't sanction this behavior, in fact, the parents were right. But in a case like this, God is accomplishing His own purposes, using a disobedient servant.
Both in killing the lion and in getting the honey, Samson defiled himself by touching something dead. Also, he must have been given tough skin or amazing reflexes not to have been cut or stung.
Vs. 10-18 I'm always amazed by the creativity of Samson. In a way, he was an artist. Also, I'm struck by his raw confidence, being in very aggressive and hostile situations and remaining there without apparent fear.
V. 17 This is our "hero's" fatal flaw. This is the same thing that will finally break him with Delilah.
V. 19 It is interesting to see that when the Spirit rushes upon Samson, there is a spirit of judgment and anger. Samson isn't the only one this happens to.
This uncontrolled and undefeatable strength is what will keep the Philistines so terrorized that they will not extend their rule over Israel for the 20 years that Samson is a judge.
None of the judges in the book of Judges takes an interest in directing the people to the Lord and encouraging the nation to be unified around their worship. Samuel will begin to do that, yet Samuel's judgeship will be one of conflict with the Philistines too. Here, a guy like Samson, with all this potential, is used, though very sadly, in spite of his selfishness and arrogance. Here and elsewhere, God will use his appetites and pride to put him in places to strike fear into the enemy. As followers of Christ, this story teaches us that God will use us in spite of our disobedience. As disciples in the harvest, that is the last thing we want. We want to be trained in every way to follow Christ, carrying our crosses as obedient servants in the harvest, making disciples who make disciples who make disciples into the next generations. I wouldn't mind the strength and creativity, but I'll settle for the obedience and humility.
John 1:29-51
Vs. 29-34 This testimony is the fulfillment of John's ministry.
Vs. 35-42 This is how it all began. What is amazing to me is that many of John's disciples did not follow Jesus. Even here listening to John, it took faith and obedience to leave John and follow Jesus.
Since John, the writer of this Gospel, doesn't refer to himself directly, I suspect that John was the other disciple.
As far as I know, these are the only words we ever hear from Andrew, yet it was his faith in following that brought Peter to Jesus.
I wonder, at this point, if Jesus had some supernatural insight into Peter's future when He said, "So you are Simon, the son of John."
Since this happened in Bethany beyond the Jordan (near Jericho), it means that Andrew and Peter, who lived near Capernaum on the sea of Galilee, had traveled a long way and left their father's business to hear the words of John the Baptist. In that sense, they had a very deep spiritual interest to begin with. Jesus was looking for people with this kind of faith to build upon.
Vs. 43-51
Within two days of John's testimony, Jesus has 3 disciples. Now Jesus leaves this area and goes straight up the Jordan river to the north side of the sea of Galilee and gains two more disciples.
Notice that Jesus must have known Phillip and that Phillip probably knew Simon and Andrew. These were not huge cities. Phillip was another man of faith, waiting for the Messiah and he sought out a similar man, a friend named Nathanael.
V. 47 There has to be more to this statement by Jesus than meets the eye. It might have involved a nickname or even something deep in Nathanael's heart that only he himself knew he was seeking. Nate's reply, "How did you know me," would seem sort of insincere unless, in fact, Jesus hit on something that was important to Nathanael.
Vs. 50-51 might allude to what Nathanael was reading or thinking about under the fig tree. The image is where Jacob rested at Bethel and saw angels ascending and descending from heaven. It might illustrate Nathanael's own seeking to be close to God, to understand His interaction with humans, desiring to interact with God.
If that's the case, Jesus is telling Nathanael that he's about to get his desire and then some.
Not that we fully make use of our privilege, but the Spirit living in us, gives us exactly what Jacob saw and Nathanael desired, full and open communication with God.
Psalm 102
With this psalm, I find I'm back to psalms I can deeply identify with, calling out to God for His answer and help.
It is a long psalm with different parts which you'll notice if you use a pencil to mark where the thought changes.
For me, I saw the force of verses 25-28. Though everything else will perish, God remains. Therefore, our hope is secure because we set our hope on God who remains.
Proverbs 14:15-16
We talk about simple faith and the faith of the simple. Apparently simple faith is prudent and careful, full of growing discernment regarding God's will. The faith of the simple seems based on feeling and is reckless and careless. This doesn't answer all the questions, but it does provide some guidelines for the wise.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.
No comments:
Post a Comment