by Steve Thomason | Mar 29, 2010 | Uncategorized
1 Samuel 15:1-35; 17:1-58 As with all good stories, the early scenes set the stage for what is to come. In these two chapters we get to peek into the heart of the two main characters in this drama. On the one hand we see Saul, the current king of Israel. On the...
by Steve Thomason | Mar 26, 2010 | Uncategorized
1 Samuel 12:1-25 In this chapter we encounter the third great farewell speech in the Old Testament. The history of Israel and its shifts from era to era seem to be punctuated by these speeches. As the nation shifted from the era of the patriarchs and slavery into the...
by Steve Thomason | Mar 25, 2010 | Uncategorized
1 Samuel 8:1-22 What a slap in the face this must have been for Samuel and for the Lord! Try to put yourself in the Lord’s perspective here (I realize this is an absurdity to even attempt to see from God’s perspective, but work with me on this). From the day you...
by Steve Thomason | Mar 24, 2010 | Uncategorized
1 Samuel 1:1-2:36; 1 Samuel 4:1-22 Here are some observations about why Hannah seems more honorable than Eli. She obeyed the Law regarding the redemption of the firstborn. (Exodus 13:13-15; 34:20; Numbers 3:46; 18:15-17) In the Law of Moses, since God had taken the...
by Steve Thomason | Mar 23, 2010 | Uncategorized
Ruth 1:1-4:22 In order to fully understand the story of Ruth there are some key cultural issues that must be made clear. First of all, we must remember, whether we like it or not, the 14th century B.C. in Canaan was a male-dominated society. Women were little more...
by Steve Thomason | Mar 22, 2010 | Uncategorized
Judges 17:6 Judges 18:1 Judges 19:1 Judges 21:25 In the verses that you were directed to read you discovered the formula for disaster. Israel had no king + Everyone did as he saw fit = Disaster No King. Was this a bad thing for Israel to not have a king? We will find...
by Steve Thomason | Mar 21, 2010 | Spiritual Formation
Look up the following passages. Whenever you see a spiritual gift or a special position or function in the church mentioned, write it down. At the end you should have created a list. Romans 12:3-8 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Ephesians 4:7-14 The list As you read the...
by Steve Thomason | Mar 19, 2010 | Uncategorized
Judges 10:6-12:7 Here are a few observations from this very confusing chapter: In spite of the fact that God had told the people that He would not save them from their enemies, the people went ahead and made a battle plan. In the past, it was God who had chosen the...
by Steve Thomason | Mar 18, 2010 | Uncategorized
Judges 8:22-9:57 Today’s devotional is specifically targeted at leaders in the church and fathers. The truth of these words is for everyone, but the cross-hairs are on these two types of people for the moment. If you grew up in the church you probably heard the story...
by Steve Thomason | Mar 17, 2010 | Uncategorized
Typically in this devotional we take a large section of scripture from the assigned reading and narrow it down to one passage for the purpose of closer investigation. Today we are going to do just the opposite. We are going to broaden the field of our lenses and look...
