Welcome to the Bible in a Year for 2025. Intro to this series and resource links available here, plus here’s how I’m approaching this year.
Scriptures for Today:
Reflection:
God’s Word fulfilled (4:11) - The Lord has spoken a word of judgment on Eli’s sons and household for their wicked abuse of the priestly office. Now it comes to fulfillment in this battle against the Philistines. This reminds me of Isaiah 40:8— “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Also, Isaiah 55:11— “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Eli’s sons held a sacred office and were held accountable for abusing their position.
The holiness and fear of the Lord (5:1-12) - There’s a strangeness about this story, but that’s also its power. The ark of the covenant was not an idol to worship, but rather a physical representation of the Lord’s presence among the people. God sovereignly decided that His presence would dwell among the people in a demonstrative way by means of the ark. When the ark was captured by the Philistines, they were trying to rob the Israelites of their God’s presence and power. But this was a power they could not contain or control.
Getting away from God’s presence (6:1-2) - After months of the ark residing with them and causing trouble, the Philistines finally decide to give the ark back. They were not able to tame or co-opt Israel’s God, so they decide it’s best to be rid of Him. This seems like a good metaphor. People who want God to control or use for their own gain will tire of the God who refuses to be made into a pagan idol. We either surrender to God or rid ourselves of Him. What we cannot do is tame or cage Him.
Questions:
When have you appreciated someone being held accountable for their actions?
How do we hold together the mercy of God with the holiness of God?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, grant me an awesome reverence for your power and holiness, that I may deepen my holy surrender to you. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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