Some of the best gospel singing I ever heard was done by the Greater Shiloh Baptist Choir in Jasper, Alabama. Shiloh.
It’s a word that evokes Genesis 49:10 and the Messianic promise.
But, when I’m talking about Shiloh, I’m not talking about the North American Baptist choir, and I’m not talking about the Messianic prophecy. I’m talking about a place. A place that looked something like this.
By MyName (Shuki) (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
This picture is a view from the grounds of ancient Shiloh. It’s the setting of the opening of I Samuel.
Chapter 1 opens with a story about the Hannah. It opens with a story about a woman and her prayer. That’s significant.
Hannah groaned. She didn’t whine. She didn’t pout. She was tough, and she went to the right source. Her hearts desires were fulfilled. Let’s see what we can learn.
Here are some questions that jump out at me about Chapter 1:
Why did Elkanah have two wives? I mean, if he loved Hannah so much, why have another one? Did it have to do with child bearing?
What did it mean that Elkanah gave Hannah a double portion of the sacrifice? What in the world would this have to do with BBQ? Why was this not very effective? Can you imagine giving your depressed wife a double helping of BBQ to “make it all better”?
Which festival does this seem to be? Hint, I think it’s Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles).
Verse 9 – “the doorpost of the temple of the Lord?” – What are we talking about here? Isn’t this in Shiloh? Why a “temple” here?
What is the significance of the title “Lord of Hosts” that is used repeatedly in this chapter? What might it have to do with the overall story and Hannah’s prayer?
How is Hannah’s prayer a daring one? How would you describe it?
What do you think about making promises to God? How was it viewed in the Old Testament?
How does her prayer remind you of a story in Judges?
Verse 13: Is there any irony that Eli would accuse Hannah of drunkenness? Do you know what happens with his sons?
Verse 15: “Pouring out my soul before the Lord.” Can you think of a time when you did that? What happened?
Hannah describes herself as a a tough woman. Do we think of the Bible as teaching women to be tough? To plead their case with God?
What should we learn from Hannah’s prayer?
What should we learn about God from answering Hannah’s prayer?
When you really want something what should you do?
What about if it seems to take longer than you had thought it would?
What if you were always the good looking one, always the chosen one, and then the one thing you want…seems to elude you?
I can imagine what Hannah was feeling….not because I’m a woman. Not because I’m in a polygamous situation. Certainly not because I want to get pregnant (ha).
I’m can imagine it because I’ve had it pretty good.
Hannah probably did too. She was most likely the first wife of Elkanah. He had another wife, but he probably only married again in order to have kids. Hannah was the favored wife (I Samuel 1:5). She was most likely beautiful, powerful, and had most anything she wanted. But, there was something she wanted that she didn’t have. She just wanted a son. This went on for years.
Have you ever had something you wanted….more than wanted…something you could just give sweat blood and tears for….and you didn’t get it right when you wanted it? I certainly can relate to that. I’d like to have a wonderful wife. I’d like to give back to the world in a way that is much more than what I’m currently doing. Sometimes I’m tempted to settle. I’m tempted to give up on the dreams that I have in my heart for good.
How about you?
Is there a good thing you’ve been wanted to do for years…and it just hasn’t panned out?
Is there a dream that you’ve had in your heart.that just won’t go away?
Maybe it’s a book.
Maybe it’s a godly relationship.
Maybe it’s a child.
Maybe it’s a ministry.
And, it just eats at your heart. You lie down and night and think about it. You get up and it’s there. All day long it’s in the back of your mind.
You’re tempted to give up. You’re tempted to throw in the towel…
Well, let me tell you this…Hannah didn’t. At a time when others were giving up and giving in…she was getting down…down on her knees in prayer. She was praying so hard, the man of God thought she was drunk. Now, let me ask you this…when you feel like giving in…have you ever thought of praying so hard people might think you’re out of control? Have you ever thought about seeking God so much that people just don’t get it. Maybe that’s what God is shaping in you right now. Maybe he wants to give birth to your dream, but it’s going to take going to the begging place. Maybe it’s going to take getting to the place that your dream isn’t about you…it’s about giving birth to something that you turn over to God.
That’s what Hannah did. She begged and she prayed…and she wanted that son…but her dream wasn’t just for her…it was about birthing into the world just what God would use to bring about his Plan and his Mission….for you see when she went to her begging place, the man of God heard her, and he said,
“Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” I Samuel 1:17.
This woman who couldn’t do anything but pray…she had her burden removed. She had her dream come true. And, her sad face turned to joy. She ate. She went her way…and then she did something that is hard to say…but a joy to write…she gave her son to the Lord. She gave her dream away. God gave her her dream…and she gave it back to him.
Her dream was a son…but could she ever imagine what role he would play…in the shaping of the nation…in the anointing of the great King of Israel…and finally in the pathway to the Messiah? Would she know that he would pave the way for something that you and I are doing today…studying about him…in a book called after his own name? You can’t imagine what God can do with you when you are willing to do for God, willing to go to the place of prayer…willing to rise from the ashes to serve with impunity and total abandon…willing to go to the begging place.
Santa Claus came to my door. They sent me to answer it. I was four years old. He was dressed to the nines as Santa. Great outfit. Would have fooled me, except that I knew something about him. I knew what his hands looked like. I knew the ring on his finger. And, I identified him. It was Spec Burnett, my great uncle.
Years earlier those same hands would pull the parachute cord as he courageously served as a paratrooper in WWII. I never really heard him talk about it, but I imagine bravest men don’t brag.
Many years later those same hands would be used in service to his wife, Flossie. You see, she was in a nursing home because she had Alzheimer’s. Spec went to see her every day and served her breakfast and lunch. When asked why he would spend so much time with her when she didn’t recognize him, he responded that he still knew. He still loved her. And, his 90 year old hands still served.
In the last years of his life, his hands trembled, and it took him hours to get ready. But, every Sunday he was at church. You see, those same hands that pulled the shoot as he jumped over the Pacific were used in courage as he slowly and painstakingly buttoned every button of his Sunday clothes.
William Tittle, the preacher of the Cordova Church of Christ told that story, and it really touched me and got me to thinking about Spec’s hands. Made me think about the Santa Claus story, and how his hands identified him to me.
Truth is, that same God that gave him courageous hands can give courage to you.
You see, in the last years of his life, Spec lived alone in Burnett Loop Road in Cordova, Alabama. But, truth be told, he was not alone. God was there with him. Spec had faith.
Just as Spec courageously jumped out of the planes in WWII, we must make a choice. We must make a jump. But, it’s not a jump into an abyss. It’s a leap into the greatest hands of all.
I’d like to think that I could be like Spec. I’d like to think my hands could be courageous and true like that. And, I believe they can. I believe yours can, too. Why? Because I know the true source. And, those hands were nail pierced.
And, one more thing. If you ever dress up like Santa Claus, you might want to take off any distinguishing rings. Why? Because people are noticing your hands, too.
It’s easy to get it wrong. In fact, the prevailing notion on this is generally wrong. And, when you get this wrong, you miss out on the beauty of the Old Testament. You miss out on who God really is in the Old Testament. Just think: You could have been reading the Bible and going to church for years and completely misunderstood some basic thoughts about the Old Testament. If I’m right about this, then we’ve got some serious thinking to do. We’ve got to re-examine our thinking about the Old Testament.
Here’s where to start: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:
“The Old Testament Law was mostly about the outward act. When Jesus came, he gave us a whole new way of relating to God that is not just about the outward act, but is about our intent. It’s now about our heart.”
Let’s see you how you answer after you’ve read this entire post.
Let’s start with the Sermon on the Mount.
It went like this:
“You’ve heard it has been said……, but I say.”
Jesus starts off with the teaching about anger:
“21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother[c] will be liable to judgment; whoever insults[d] his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell[e] of fire,” Matthew 5:21-22.
Now, here’s the question.
Is this Jesus versus the Law OR Jesus versus wrong interpretation of the Law?
I am convinced that this passage is about Jesus showing them a correct interpretation of the Law (versus their incorrect one).
Here was the wrong interpretation: They made it all about the outward act.
The Misunderstanding:
Now, what about us? Have we gotten it wrong? Have we gotten this idea that following God under the Law was all about the outward act? Well, I admit I have said it before.
Is it the case? Is it true that the Old Testament Law was just about the outward act? Did Jesus give them a completely new Law that said, “This is not just about the outward act…it’s about what’s in your heart”?
Well, let’s let the Old Testament answer that. Read a little from the book of Leviticus (Law):
“17 “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord,” Leviticus 19:78-18.
Wait, doesn’t that sound just like Jesus? Isn’t that about the….heart?He said that it’s not just about the outward act of murder. It’s about the inward thought of your heart. It’s about loving your neighbor and not hating him. Wait….so, that means…Jesus was simply pointing them back what the Law really said.
In fact, Jesus would later say that the greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40).
Overarching Principle: Fulfill the Law
In fact, the truth is, Jesus came, not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it.
In fact, before Jesus made all those “you have heard/but I say” pronouncements, he had just said this:
“17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished,” Matthew 5:17-18.
So, let me ask you again.
Agree or Disagree:
“The Old Testament Law was mostly about the outward act. When Jesus came, he gave us a whole new way of relating to God that is not just about the outward act, but is about our intent. It’s now about our heart.”
Did you change your mind? I suppose the question we’re really asking is whether God changed his. I don’t think he did.
Sometimes I even feel like that. In fact, I am tempted to wear it as a sort of badge of honor. You know, all I need is me.
The problem is, it’s not true.
Last Saturday sort of proved it to me. Over 180 people gathered together to do a Walk4Water event. If you’d like to know more, you can read about it here. It was spearheaded by Christ followers who just wanted to help some people in need.
We raised money, met our fundraising goal, and had a good time.
But, one image sticks with me.
When you’re walking with Christ followers, you’ll never walk alone.
It may seem like you walk alone. It may be your experience for some time, but they are out there. They’re pulling for you. They’re right beside you.
1 John 3:16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
John 13:34-35A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Colossians 2:2that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,
John 17:23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
I Samuel isn’t a story about Samuel. It isn’t even about the other two main characters, Saul nor David. But, it is a story about the king.
Why Study I Samuel:
Key insight into who Christ is.
Foundation for understanding the gospel.
Better understand the church.
Understand what God is doing in the world.
Deepen your worldview.
If you don’t get what’s going on in I Samuel, you will never really understand what’s going on in the gospels. But, to understand I Samuel, you must step back a minute, and look at what happened right before that in the book of Judges.
Background
It’s a wild, crazy world. It’s not a G-rated story. It’s a story where
men cut off the thumbs and toes of their rivals (Judges 1:7)
a man assassinates a king so fat the dagger just won’t come out of his belly (Judges 3:27).
a woman kills a king by driving a tent peg into his temple (Judges 4:21).
Basically what happened is that God told the people to take the land, but they were unfaithful in various stages. So, there were various people that fought against them and oppressed them.
Here is an infographic of the general situation:
The book of Judges has some of my favorite stories. Great movie material here.
The Original 300
This is a time when God showed up and showed out! He took a man lacking in faith and called him to lead God’s armies. And, when this man, Gideon, this mighty man of valor, showed up with army of 22,000, God said NO! He made him get the number down to a ridiculously small band of 300. Yes, this is the original 300. And, they took thousands. Why? Because God was in it.
My Favorite Childhood Story
Then, we come to my favorite Bible story as a child. It’s a story of a man so strong he could literally carry the city gates off on his shoulders! But, it’s a man so weak for pretty women, that he let one talk him out of his strength. It’s a story of a super-hero who falls, but in the end regains his faith, and kills more in his death than in his life.
Gustave Doré [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Messy
To put it bluntly, the situation in Israel was a mess. They wanted to have the full conquest promised, but they didn’t seem to be faithful long enough to really follow through on what God promised to give them. Yes, Joshua led them into the promised land. Yes, God was true to his promises. But, there were wars.
Sometimes the map of Israel during the Judges is presented like this:
Courtesy of oneinjesus.info
While this map gives us some insight into the general locations of the judges, the actual territory of each tribe was in a state of flux depending on the current fights with the surrounding people (you know, all the “stines” and “ites”).
The actual territory may have looked more like this map.
Courtesy of oneinjesus.info
No King
God delivered mightily through Samson, Gideon, and Deborah, but the people forsook him. It hurts to tell you, but they turned their back on God. Can you imagine that? God delivered them, then they forgot. And, the phrase that is used to describe their situation is that “there was no king in the land.”
“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes,” Judges 21:25.
You see, they didn’t have a human king, but that wasn’t really the problem. They had rejected their true King. They had rejected God.
King
But God is not surprised. He has a plan. I Samuel tells us about that plan. And, it starts with a dejected woman and her prayerful cry at what we might would call the annual BBQ. Very Southern. Very real. God answers her prayer, and sets in motion a plan that is being fulfilled even now.
Join me as we see the seeds of the kingdom. and the true king in Israel. You see, there’s this story in I Samuel about a bad judge, then a good judge, and then a bad king, then a good king. But, the good good king is just a shadow of the real King.
He’s the King of kings.
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think about theocracy? Is it a crazy, outdated form of radicalism? Should we be interested in helping establish a theocracy?
2. Why do we “sanitize” the Old Testament stories? I mean, why do we somehow not see the gore, the grit, and the very “real” side of these stories?
3. What does it mean that the there was “no king in Israel”? How does that apply to modern day USA?
4. Why does God do things like insist on an army of 300 (versus 22,000, a much more seemingly fitting number)?
5. What kind of a king do you think God is going to bring about in I Samuel, and how does that tie into the story of the 300?
6. What was the difference between a Judge and a King?
7. Read these passages: Exodus 15:18, Numbers 23:21, Deuteronomy 33:5. Was God king of Israel?
8. When God was king of Israel, how did that contrast to surrounding nations?
9. Do we put our faith in our nation? In our leader? What if our nation was God’s kingdom, and our King was the King of Kings?
10. How does this tie in to our national discussion of the presidential election?
11. What do we see about the character of God in Judges and I Samuel?
12. What about the place of women at this time?
13. Why does God keep using such flawed people?
14. God is depicted in certain ways in Judges and I Samuel. What does this tell us about Jesus?
15. What does Jesus tell us about the God of Judges and I Samuel?
Think of those moments that seemed to stand still. The time your shared tears of joy with a friend. Worship that filled your heart with joy. What were they really about? What made the moment special?
Why not figure that out, latch on to it, and never let go?
Want to know what it is?
Let me give you some hints:
“…in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore,” Psalm 16:1
“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control,” Galatians 5:22-23
Get Real
Drop the cell phone. Put down the laptop. It’s about to get real.
Empty the moment of selfish expectation and fill it with the presence of God. Seize the moment by finding God in it.
Then, you can truly see. You can look deeply into your loved one’s eyes and experience the eternal in the fleeting.
Then, your life will be filled with timeless moments, for you will have filled them with the timeless presence.
Then, your seemingly meaningless moments will be filled with the meaning and purpose of the Ages.
You will experience an eternal kind of life(John 17:3).
It’s all here. It’s right now. In this moment.
Featured Image courtesy of Atlantic Records (Billboard, page 1, 12 December 1964) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
“Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent.”
Where does the Bible speak?
Can’t you just imagine the priests having a heated discussion about the tithe of mint and anise and cummin…and they miss something…the Messiah just walked by.
Speaking where the Bible speaks means saying what it has to say. Let’s think about that. That not only means specifics but it also means emphasis (i.e., weightier matters of the Law). So, we need to make sure our emphasis is the emphasis of the Scriptures. We need to not only approach the Bible with a legal perspective of getting all the rules right, we also need to approach it from a relational perspective of getting the heart right.
The Heart of the Bible
If we want to speak where the Bible speaks, if we want to truly be a restoration people, then let’s show the world that…
It’s not only about being immersed in water…it’s about being immersed into the work of the kingdom. Let our best argument for baptism be our total immersion into the death of Christ, dying to self. Let’s model the resurrection by arising from baptism to be resurrection people building his kingdom in this world.
It’s not just about worshiping with a congregation that wears the name of Christ…it’s about seeing Christ in the least around us and being with them and serving them.
Truth is, there are many Christ followers that are embracing this. It’s about getting to the heart of the Bible. I’ve seen it in Nicaragua, and I’ve seen it in the Heart of Dixie. Let’s speak where the Bible speaks, and’s let’s remember that at the center of the Bible there stands a cross and a resurrection.
P.S. On average, women and children in developing countries walk 4 miles per day for clean water. Through your generous support, we can end their walk. I’m participating in a Walk4Water event on April 2nd that will raise funds to build a well in Honduras. Click here to help.
If it’s not true, then forget about Christianity. If it is true, then you’ve got some serious things to consider. This is HUGE for your life, and you really need to take the time to ask three simple questions.
Three Questions You Must Ask About the Resurrection
1. Have you considered the evidence?
Have you ever heard of Simon Greenleaf? If you’ve ever gone to Harvard Law, you would. He was one of its main founders. An agnostic in early life, he was challenged to apply his legal prowess to investigate the testimonies of the resurrection. So, he held the gospel accounts to the same standards he would hold any other legal testimony. What was his conclusion?
Either the men of Galilee were men of superlative wisdom, and extensive knowledge and experience, and of deeper skill in the arts of deception, than any and all others, before or after them, or they have truly stated the astonishing things which they saw and heard.
So, he became a believer. But, you must make your own examination. Now, remember his motto was simple. He was going to go where the evidence led him. Shouldn’t you?
As you’re examining the evidence, here’s a question that you must ask.
2. What about the apostles?
What I mean is, why did the Apostles choose to hold fast to the testimony of the resurrection in the face of persecution and martyrdom? Here were a group of guys from various backgrounds. Some were fishermen. One was a tax collector, working for the Romans. Others wanted to overthrow the Romans. Some were uneducated. Some were highly educated. Why did this diverse group stick to the same proclamation that defined them?
If it wasn’t true, then why not recant? I’d examine that question very throughly.
3. What about resurrection people?
I don’t normally go to funerals. But, I went to the one for Mandy Latner. I’ve literally never seen anything like it. If you want to get a feel for what it was like, check this out.
The building was packed with former students, “adopted” kids, friends, family, a professional acapella group, and about 50 firemen who stood for the hour and fifteen minute service. While there were several hundred at the service, hundreds more had come that afternoon just to sign the book that was completely full by the time I got to it.
As we went through the line, there was a bucket, which we could fill with notes. The explanation was that Mandy was a “bucket filler.” She showed love every day. She filled people’s buckets.
You see, when you encounter a resurrection person, it’s much easier to believe in a resurrected Savior.
What The Resurrection Means
You see, the resurrection isn’t just about Jesus being physically arisen. It’s not just about us one day being physically rising from the grave, even though that’s important. It’s about Christians living life with a resurrected spirit and mind. It’s’s about being born again to a new life. This is the life of Christ going on today in his body. It’s the beginning of the new creation.
That’s how I see it, and I’m willing to stake my life on it.
How about you? Will you dare to answer these three questions?
flickr photo by vaXzine https://flickr.com/photos/vaxzine/3463485198 shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-ND) license
The Apocalypse
They find themselves residing in a deserted island. Far away from civilization. Distant land from the fallout. They are alone. A child grows up in this post-apocalypse and finds a Bible. There are no rules. There are no traditions. He reads the words of the old worn-out Bible. He gets to know the Creator. He falls for the story of redemption. He starts to tell others about it.
flickr photo by muha… https://flickr.com/photos/muha/1016691310 shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license
The Start
People start simply following the Bible. It’s simple. It’s pure. They have faith in the Savior. They turn to follow him. They confess him as Lord. They are baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.
They love each other. There are no special programs. There are no flashy signs. There isn’t even an acoustic guitar. No seminaries. There are no choirs. No robes. No clerical collars nor even Sunday suits. No sects.
They meet each week to remember his death. They celebrate his resurrection. They love each other. They sing and pray. They read from the Word and discuss it. They commune together as they take the Lord’s supper, enjoying fellowship and sharing the bond of the Word.
Sola Scriptura
They simply love the Lord. They love each other. And, what is their guide? Sola Scriptura. The seed produces fruit after its kind. Simply Christians. They are full of the Spirit and bonded together in love.
Isn’t that enough?
Featured image credit: flickr photo by __o__ https://flickr.com/photos/__olga__/3935059442 shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC) license
![By MyName (Shuki) (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Shilo.jpg?ssl=1)
![Gustave Doré [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i2.wp.com/www.justinbrasfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/064.The_Death_of_Samson.jpg?resize=474%2C597)
