Author: Dave Dishman (Page 368 of 475)

The Philistines won a major victory over the Israelites and took possession of the Ark of the Covenant in the spoils of war. At first they celebrated this magnificent coup, defeating Israel and their god, but before long they realized that the God of Israel wasn’t contained in the box they captured.

Their people soon suffered from an infestation of rats, and an outbreak of tumors. Commentators see this as evidence of bubonic plague, carried by fleas on the rats. Devastating to a population, the leaders of the Philistines needed to act.

Choosing to appease the God of Israel, they sent the ark away, along with golden figures of rats and tumors. The cows pulling the cart wandered into Israeli territory, and God staunched the plague.

In the minds of the Philistines hovered the fate of Pharaoh so many years ago. Horrific plagues of rats and tumors – what would eight more rounds bring? Better to cut their losses now than suffer under the hand of the same God.

I wonder how many Philistines paused in doubt on their next visit to the temple of Dagon (their god mentioned in this account). How many quietly began praying to the God of Israel instead? Not in public, which was dangerous, but in the privacy of their hearts?

I imagine several. Like underground believers in the Muslim world, or Hindu nations, or American universities, more people recognize the power of the Living God and turn to Him than we realize.

I’m praying they might soon enjoy open and free worship.

I Samuel 5&6 in week sixteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

The painting featured – The Plague at Ashdod – is by Nicolas Poussin. Poussin painted this during a plague that took place in Italy from 1629 to 1631, influencing his accurate portrayal of the epidemic.

The rapidly growing church (see Acts 6) faced a problem. Certain widows missed out on the daily dispersion of food. No small issue, for these women suffered already, and the indignity of being ignored by the very people who claimed to love them hurt them and the new church’s reputation.

The disciples took action, and appointed a group of men to lead and work out the daily regimen of food distribution.

I’m impressed with the disciples decision to add leaders to their mix. The widows posed a significant problem at a tentative time. The disciples easily might have shifted their responsibilities and shouldered this new burden, working harder and longer. It’s risky to trust young leaders.

But trust they did. The disciples entrusted good people with a major problem, passed on their blessing and authority, removed their hand of control, and let these new leaders go to it.

The result? The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

I wonder, who might I help flourish in their leadership and how might I do so?

Week sixteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger

A unique phrase describes Samuel as he matured from a boy to a young man under the tutelage of Eli – Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.

What does this mean?

The New Living Translation renders the Hebrew phrase as Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable.

Samuel’s words proved reliable. Not that he preached brilliantly and delighted audiences, but that Samuel spoke accurately and truthfully. Samuel developed into a trusted, proven prophet of the Lord.

I’m encouraged to read Samuel’s story. Dedicated at birth by a mother desperate for a child, raised from boyhood in a temple surrounded by priests, addressed directly by the Lord at an early age, and due to this reliability, confirmed as a prophet.

The Lord prepared Samuel to lead Israel well before his birth.

I wonder, what pieces are moving into place as the Lord prepares the way for his next yet-to-be-born leader?

I Samuel 3:19 in week sixteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Kane Reinholdtsen

The author agonizes in Psalm 120, Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. Today’s Bible readings sandwich this prayer with brazen examples of lies and deceit.

Hophni and Phinehas served as priests to the Lord. Scoundrels, they stole sacrificial meat for themselves, and slept with women serving in the temple. God condemned their actions and brought them to an early demise. Their violations weave through I Samuel 1-4.

A breathtaking example of the Lord’s response to lying occurs in Acts 5. Ananias and Sapphira chose to lie about proceeds from property they sold and presented to the burgeoning Jesus movement.

They chose poorly.

Caught in the lie, one after the other collapsed and died at the feet of Peter, having not lied just to human beings but to God.

Does God take lying seriously? Apparently. Or to use a crude, more expressive phrase, No sh*t, Sherlock.

The sons of Eli used their priestly roles to abuse people seeking to worship the Lord. Ananias and Sapphira used their money to exalt themselves in front of people seeking to follow the Lord. Like a mother bear with her cubs, menace exists for those who get between sincere people and the Lord they seek.

Rather than put obstacles in the way, my role is to help those seeking the Lord move closer and deeper.

No lie.

Week sixteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Toa Heftiba