As we continue our journey through the Scriptures, now we turn to the 1 Samuel. The books of 1-2 Samuel were originally one book, and there are three main themes that permeate it:

1) Who is really in charge in Israel?

2) where will they build a place for worship?

3) And God exalts the weak and humbles the proud.

These texts may seem like they took place in a completely different world, but we can still appreciate the concern of traditionalism vs. relevance that every worshipping community must ask. For Israel they seemed to be at cross purposes. The Judges would rescue them, but it was never long-term and soon their sin would once again lead them into oppression, but to have a human king would run the risk of Israel becoming “a nation just like every other nation” rather than uniquely God’s. Under the Judges, Israel was not acting unified and they were even fighting against each other (they were extended family!) Yet, Samuel warns them that having a human king will not solve all of their problems. There is a third option, and it is the one that is both traditional and relevant: God is to be their King! This speaks to us even today as we wrestle with the same question, whether the direction of our church or our country’s elections: No matter what happens, we must remember God is our King!

The other main question that Israel wrestled with is where would they build a place for worship? Again, we can appreciate the challenge. When you have wondered a desert with a portable church for 40 years and then arrive in the land only to have the location changed (and your ark of the covenant stolen for awhile!), you start wondering what to do next. Would the twelve tribes of Israel all agree on one location? If so where? And who would do the choosing? The people? The King? Yet once again, the answer is plain to see as one reads the text: God will make the location known, just as He promised in Deut. 16:5-6.

Eventually God gave His answer to both of these questions, and in doing so, continues to show grace and mercy to His people: Even though they have rejected Him in favor of a human king, He would still provide a righteous king that He would chose: David. Unfortunately, this would only happen after they would experience the struggle and hurt of having a human king who was ungodly: Saul. Secondly, He would choose a city for His own and there His glory would dwell: Jerusalem.

This second question also speaks to us today but in a different way. We too must ask where will we worship God? Yet, the question is not the same. God makes His dwelling in the hearts of those who receive Jesus Christ by trusting Him. We do not need a temple or a building, because each believer is a temple of God! We do not need a church building because we are the church, the body of Christ. The question we must ask ourselves is are we welcoming God in our lives daily by living for Him? God does not regard brick and mortar as highly as He regards the human heart.

This leads us to the third theme of 1 Samuel: God exalts the weak and humbles the proud. We open up with Hannah, a childless woman, who cries out to God and is blessed with Samuel. We continue to see Samuel, who humbles himself and is used by God. We turn to Saul, who may have started out “in the least of the least” yet becomes Israel’s first king, but who later becomes prideful and is brought down from honor. Finally, David who begins as merely the youngest of his brothers and a shepherd boy but who would one day be the greatest king Israel would know.

This also teaches us something about Jesus. Although He is God, He humbled and lowered Himself so completely that it brought Him to death on a cross, yet now He has been exalted to the highest so that every knee will bow and every tongue confess one day that He is LORD! This shows us that though we may suffer for being humble in this life, God is already at work in us and through us so that He will do great through us!
Your Brother,
Craig

Last blog post, I touched on the story of God’s people found in the book of Judges, which contains a tragic but grace-filled pattern of Israel wandering away from God, falling into sinful & destructive behavior, being oppressed by other kingdoms, turning to God for forgiveness and deliverance, and God showing His love by sending a deliverer (“judge”) before the pattern would start over again. The next book, Ruth is an interesting episode of hope, positivity, and redemption in the midst of the Judges story as the two books take place at the same time. 

What is remarkable about the book of Ruth is that it features the most unlikely duo of characters: a poor Jewish widow Naomi, and her Gentile, also-widowed daughter-in-law Ruth. With all of the men and caretakers in their lives gone and against all odds, the women are left with a choice: Will Naomi despair and lose all hope? Will Ruth return to her home country and maybe a more comfortable life? Or will both cling to God and each other and move forward. The rest of the book shows us the answer, displaying God’s promises to those who trust in Him. Even the downtrodden, the “least of these” whom the world has abandoned; they hold a special place in God’s heart. The book of Ruth can teach us a few insights. Although I will only go over them briefly, my prayer is that you would read this book for yourself. It is only four chapters long but contains a story rich in courage, loyalty, and God’s faithfulness. 

Loyalty-One of the verses many know from the book of Ruth is 1:16. After both of their husbands have died, Naomi offers her daughter-in-law Ruth a chance to return home since her future will be bleak if she stays with Naomi. Ruth understands the path ahead of both of them will be tough, yet somehow God has made himself known to this woman who was not even born an Israelite. This “outsider” has such confidence that she declares to Naomi, “Your people are my people. Your God is my God!” Ruth displays her loyalty to Naomi, and by extension, God’s people and further to God Himself. The chips may be down, but Naomi and Ruth cling to the only Rock of salvation. Yet, this also shows us something about God’s loyalty to us. Even when we are faithless, He is faithful, promising to be loyal to us because of His great love. 

Redemption-Boaz became Ruth’s “kinsman redeemer”. Whereas Ruth was not born Jewish and was therefore looked at as an “outsider”, her love and faithfulness touched Boaz who upheld his duty to preserve the family line and so married Ruth. God’s grace was behind all of this the entire time. Similarly, that grace shone brightest when Jesus Christ, our “kinsman redeemer” saw us when we were “outsiders” not because of any ethnicity, but because of sin. Jesus, through His death on the cross, took us the church as His bride and married us, redeeming us to new life. In Naomi, we find her in the beginning of the book aching for God’s redemption and by the end, she is singing because the ache has been met by His grace, and the baby Ruth has is evidence.

The Least of These-Naomi and Ruth had many factors working against them. They were both widows, both women, Naomi was elderly, and Ruth began the book without any children. If we were trying to write a good heroic story, this probably would not be where we would want to start. Yet, even here, we can see God’s protection over those the world neglects. From this protection, God would bless Ruth with a son, who was the ancestor of King David, and was an ancient ancestor of Jesus Christ Himself! Ruth is in Jesus’ family tree! God does not regard a person’s age, gender, or family status. The only question that matters is are we going to respond to His offer of grace. He can use anybody to accomplish His purposes, and it is not those who are born into a certain people, a certain time, or a certain place who make up His people. All throughout the Old and New Testaments, it is “any who call on the name of the Lord will be saved”. The only question that matters is, “Do you and I have a relationship with this God based on His mercy and grace.”

May the God of Naomi, Ruth, and all who call on His name bless you and keep you in perfect peace.

Your Brother, 

Craig