Success Outside the Box

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting June 27 to study 1 Samuel 7.  This is an excellent contrast to the preceding three chapters.  It also flies in the face of assertions made in the "Bible" episode we saw last Sunday.  It is interesting for what it includes, and for what it doesn't.

Read through the chapter several times (even if you have already - you can never read it too much).  Look for details of sequence of the events.  Consider the timing of each element.  Remember that timing was not such a huge deal to Hebrew thought of this period (of writing, not of the events), but dramatic placement of those elements was most important.  Also look at a map for where these things take place.  How close or far from each other are they?  Then jot down your observations, questions, and comments you like from study Bibles or other commentary you find.

After reading through several times, consider the questions below:

• Verses 1 and 2 probably go with Chapter 6, but still, what do you see that might be odd about what is done with the Ark?
• Samuel's call in verse 3 is much like the call of the judges before him.  When you think about the previous battle (go back and read 4 if you need to) what do you think was missing then, because it certainly wasn't fixed by the Ark?  What are ways we try and substitute devotion to Jesus?  How well does that work?
• What connection between verse 2 and verse 4 do you see?
• Mizpah means "the watchtower" in Hebrew.  Why might that be meaningful?  How might that explain the Philistines response?
• Why might a "drink" or water offering show devotion to God? Why would they fast, and what might that mean?
• What might be significant about Samuel judging Israel at Mizpah?
• Why would the Philistines come to fight the Israelites when they gathered?  How fast would they be able to make that happen?
• Now Samuel offers a different offering/sacrifice, how long might that take?
• As the sacrifice is happening, the Philistines attack, so what do you think the people of Israel are doing as their enemies begin to attack?
• Consider what it looks like as the battle begins, then what did the thunder have to sound like to have the effect it did?
• Beth-Car means "House of the Sun" so who might this city belong to or be associated with?
• Why do you think it was important to set up the stone? 
• So why do you think the Philistines were never able to get over Israel during Samuel's judging Israel?
• What do you think it means for Israel that they recovered the cities of the Philistines?

That's plenty to work with at the moment.  Keep going over it because other things will occur to you as you do.  Be sure to right them down and bring them to the group.

See you in a week!

Serious Holiness

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Study group meeting June 13 to study 1 Samuel 5 & 6.  These chapters reveal a lot about how God views His ark.  The themes of holiness and sovereignty are pretty clear, but grace is also visible with careful looking.

Read through these chapters several times.  They go together very well.  And chapter six could either end at verse 18 or 7:1 (I prefer 7:1).  The paragraph breaks in Hebrew make little sense actually, so much of the break and rests seem more visually inspired rather than prompted by the narrative.

But there are peculiarities throughout, some of which I will bring out in my questions, but others you have hopefully already found reading these chapters through this past week.  As you read through, look for where God shows grace to the Philistines, then grace to Israel.  Look also for where He demonstrates His holiness before the Philistines, and then to Israel.  Lastly, look for examples of God demonstrating His sovereignty over Philistines and Israelis.

Finally read through again using the questions below.  Be sure to find and write down your own as well.

• Where did the Philistines put the Ark in Ashdod?  Why there?
• What happened to Dagon overnight?
• What is different the next day?  Why the threshold?  Why the head and hands?
• What else did God do to the people of Ashdod?
• What is their answer to the problem of God's "heavy hand"?
• Where does it go next?
• What is different about what happens in Gath?
• Where does it go from there?
• What happened in Ekron different from the other cities?
• How long had the Ark been with the Philistines?
• Who do they ask for a solution?  Why them?
• Why the "mice"?  What would a plague of mice look like?
• In verse 5, what will they do in addition to giving the gold items?
• What warning and who's example do the priests and diviners include in their suggestion?
• How will they return the Ark?  Why a "new" cart?  What is key about the "milch cows"?
• Once the cart is sent away, what are the people watching for?
• What do the cows do once hitched to the cart with the Ark and box and released?
• What happens when the people of Beth-Shemesh see the Ark coming?
• Who "took down the Ark"?  Where did they come from? (read Joshua 21)
• What did the Philistines do when they saw what happened?
• What did God do to the people of Beth Shemesh?  Why?  What did they do?
• What do the people of Beth Shemesh do in response to the "slaughter"?
• Why send it there? What's different about Kiriath Jearim?  Is it in Joshua 21?
• What is it about God and the Ark that is so difficult for the people of Beth Shemesh?
• What do they request the people of Kiriath Jearim do?  Why is that peculiar?

That should get us started in our study.  There's a lot more than this in there, and I hope you've been digging for it all week.  Bring your questions Thursday!

Failure to Manipulate God

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting June 6 to study 1 Samuel 4.  Fascinating chapter, not only for what does happen, for what is not recorded.  Consider the timing of the previous chapter, and this one.

Read through the chapter several times.  It's a sad story, but full of interesting detail.  Try to imagine the setting as best you can.  Jot down observations and questions.

After reading through a few times, go through using these questions:

• What is strange about the first two sentences?
• Where does Israel camp before the battle?
• How does the battle go for Israel?
• How do they arrive at a solution for the defeat?
• Consider the various names for the Ark.  At first it's inconsistent, then finally a name is used consistently.  What significance might there be that the final name matches the term used by the Philistines?  What difference is there in meaning from the same word used?
• What is the Philistine reaction when the Ark arrives in the Israelite camp?
• What is different about this battle from the previous one?
• What happens to the Ark and the sons of Eli?
• What does the messenger from Benjamin look like?
•  Where was Eli?
• What does the city of Shiloh do at the news?
• Eli asks for news, and what does he do when he hears it?
• What is the final comment about Eli?
• What does Eli's daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas do when she hears the news?
• What does she do in response to her son's birth?
• What does she name him, and why?
• With all the people dying, what is the issue that has killed the last two?

That should work for now.  Please think of and bring questions I didn't ask.  This turned out to be a shorter chapter than I thought.  Read through it, and possibly ahead, ask questions, and make comments and observations.

Good News, Bad News

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting May 30 to study 1 Samuel 3.  This is a famous chapter for Samuel's call, and not nearly enough for the content of God's message.  We'll be comparing Samuel's message with the "man of God" from chapter 2, so look over that one too.  As you read through this chapter, try to imagine what is happening, imagine the setting as best you can.  Think about what things might look like and so on.  It might be helpful to look up Shiloh excavations in Israel on Google to give you a sense of what things may have looked like in Samuel's day.

After reading through several times on your own, jotting down questions and observations, consider the questions below as you go through a few more times:

• The word normally translated as "rare" really misses an important element of the meaning.  Look up the Hebrew word used for "rare".  What's the difference?
• What does it mean that the "lamp of God had not yet gone out"?  Read Leviticus 24:2-4.  What might it mean if the lamp does go out?
• Where was Samuel sleeping? Read Exodus 26:30-35, and Leviticus 16:2-13.  Why might Samuel's place of sleeping be considered dangerous?
• It was said of Eli's sons that they did not know God (1 Samuel 2:12), so what is different about Samuel here?
• What might it mean that "nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him"?
• What is it that takes Eli three times to figure out?  Why would it have taken three times?
• Where is God when He calls to Samuel?
• How does Samuel's response differ from Eli's instructions?  Why might that be?
• The message seems shorter than the one given to the "man of God" in the previous chapter.  But what is the point here?
• In 1 Samuel 2:22 the word for "tent" is used specifically for the place of worship.  But now "doors" are being opened.  And the word "palace" is again used to refer to it.  So, what sort of place is this?  How do you imagine it?
• What is Samuel's feelings about the "word" he has been given by God?
• Eli calls him and tells him not to hide anything from him, what does he say will happen if Samuel does?
• Samuel tells him and what does Eli say?  Why say that?  How might he have said it?
• From the final three verses of Chapter 3 how much times elapses between the "word of God" coming to Samuel, and the events in Chapter 4?  So, what does it mean when God says He's about to do something?
• How "rare" is the word of God now?

That should be enough to start.  Be sure to bring your questions and observations.  Obviously I miss stuff (like the boiling sacrifice from Leviticus last week - Thank you for catching that Don!).  We're beginning to see more and more that we are much better at seeing Scripture together than we can ever be alone.  That's a big part of what we do every Thursday.  It's that way by the design of our Master.

Good Boy, Bad Boys

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting May 23 to study 1 Samuel 2.  This chapter has a lot in it; lofty praise, debased worship, a faithful servant, and unfaithful ones.  In it is the foreshadowing of much what happens in this book, and the prophecy at the end is seen fulfilled in stages throughout.

Read through the chapter several times.  It's good to read ahead a bit as well.  There are interesting descriptions, strange happenings, and harsh judgments.  After reading through a few times, read through again with the questions below:

• What is a "horn" refer to here?
• Hannah didn't go into battle, so to what is she referring here?
• In verse 8 what is God doing to everyone?
• What king?
• What is immediately strange about Eli's sons?
• Read Leviticus 3 and 7 about offerings.  Does this sound like the "custom" described here?
• On the other hand, read Number 6.  Now why does this sound so familiar?
• How did the sons of Eli deviate from the custom?  What was it they weren't waiting for?
• What is the reason they chose to get raw meat instead of cooked?
• What about not waiting was "despising" the offering of Yahweh?
• How often did Samuel see his mother?
• What did Eli think of this arrangement?
• What happens to Hannah after dropping off Samuel?
• What else were Eli's sons up to?
• What sounds odd about what Eli says about sin?
• Why didn't his sons listen?
• What does verse 26 sound like?
• Who comes to visit Eli?  What is he?  Keep this in mind as we get into the next chapter (or read ahead), it's peculiar.
• What is the charge of Yahweh against Eli?
• If you have an NASB version, what does all the italics in verse 32 mean?  Read the verse leaving those words out, what does that do to the meaning?
• Why won't Yahweh cut off every man of Eli from the altar?
• What sign does Yahweh give that these things will begin happening?
• Who is this "faithful priest"?

That should be enough for now.  Be sure to be reading and jotting down your own questions as well.

The Beginning of the End of the Judges

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting on May 16 to study 1 Samuel 1.  This chapter sets the stage for the transition of the people of God from a confederacy into a monarchy.  It is a difficult time, and the people are far from God in many ways.  In the midst of this waywardness of the people, there is also righteousness and faithfulness to God.  There are a lot of contrasts and ironies throughout this book, and ones that follow, many of them are very sad, some extremely shameful.

As you read this chapter be sure to ask questions about the text.  Look for curious things which could be cultural, but are unexplained.  Try to imagine the places things happen.  Pay close attention to descriptions of places because they are so rare.  Details of locations are common, details of places are not; and there is a difference.

After reading through the text several times, consider the questions below as you read through again.  It may be helpful to read through again after considering these questions because you may find things I didn't think to ask.

• What is the meaning of Elkanah's name?  Keep that in mind as we continue.
• What is the meaning of Hannah's name?  Keep that in mind too.
• What is the meaning of Peninnah's name?  You get the idea.
• What is the major difference mentioned between these two wives?
• What was Elkanah's yearly custom, and who was at Shiloh when he went?  Keep those people in mind for later (like next week or the week following).
• What does it mean that Elkanah would give "portions" to his wives and children?  What does that tell you about the sacrificial custom?
• Why would he give double portions to Hannah?
• Look up the word often translated as "rival" or "adversary".  How is it used most often?  How often is it used for a "person"?  Why use that word here, and like that?
• Look up the word for "irritate" or "fret" (KJV).  To what does this normally refer?  What does this tell you about what Hannah does when she's angry?
• How often would this happen?
• What was it that Hannah would not eat?  So is Peninnah successful?
• What does Elkanah say every time this happens?  How is that supposed to help?
• What is the meaning of Eli's name?  Is that what you expected it to mean?  What's missing from his name?
• Where is Eli sitting?  So, where is Hannah praying?
• Hannah makes a vow to God.  What does she want God to do for her, how does she phrase it?
• What does she vow she will do if God gives her a son?
• Why is the "razor" important?  What does that mean?
• What sort of attitude do you detect in her prayer?  So, what sort of attitude is missing?
• What does Eli see and and think is happening?
• What does Hannah reply to him?  What sort of attitude do you detect in her response?
• What does Eli reply, and what is interesting about his reply?
• Now how does Hannah feel?
• What does God do for her, how is it phrased?
• What is the meaning of Samuel's name?  Why does Hannah say she names him that?  What connection do you infer from the name and the explanation?
• How old does he seem to be when he's weaned?
• Why the extra sacrifice when she leaves Samuel with Eli at the temple?

That should be enough to sort through.  Consider any questions that my questions brought up.  Write them down and bring them Thursday.

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Unhindered by Hindrances

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Small Group meeting May 2 to study Acts 28.  This is the final chapter of Acts, and the chapter where we finally assess the point of Luke's writing.  Hopefully we will see more clearly for what reason Luke writes to, and perhaps what role Theophilus plays.  But we may not.

Read the chapter through several times.  Consider things that are explained, but look for things that aren't.  Consider why Luke selected the things he did for explanation.  What things about Paul do you discover in this chapter that you may not have considered previously?  Jot down observations and thoughts that come to you as you read.  Since this is so late, I hope you've already been doing this.

After several times through read through again with these questions in mind:

• Look at a map (like the one below).  How far is Malta from anything else?
• Why might you expect them to find a jewel encrusted gold bird?  Perhaps painted black... Maybe a fluffy white dog?
• What do you think is meant by "natives"?  Like aborigines?
• How are the castaways treated?
• What is Paul doing in the midst of the Islanders hospitality?  Why?
• What did the Islanders think when Paul was bitten?  Why think that?
• In verse 6, Luke uses a technical medical term. Can you guess which word?
• Look up "swell up" in the Strong's Concordance.  Is this the best translation of the word? Be sure to check out Thayer's Lexicon entry.  Buried in it is a better explanation.
• When the expected doesn't happen, what do the Islanders decide?
• What can you deduce from the name of the "leading man of the island"?  How "aboriginal" are these Islanders?
• What does Paul do for Publius' father?
• Now what do the Islanders do?
• How long were the castaways on Malta?
• What was the other Alexandrian ship doing there?  So how "remote" is this place?
• Where did they go next? (New York State? Really?)
• What two stops do they make on the way to Rome? What sort of "cities" do they sound like?
• Who comes to meet Paul along the way to Rome?
• What was Paul's living conditions like in Rome?  Why would that be?
• Why would Paul call the Jews together rather than go to the synagogue? Now how nice are his conditions?
• What do the Jews say about him after he tells them why he's there?  Why is that odd?
• Why are the Jews interested in hearing him?  Why is that odd?
• What does Paul use to support his testimony about Jesus being the Messiah?
• How long does he "testify"?
• What happens among those listening?
• Read Isaiah 6 (it's not that long).  How does Paul's citation from that chapter fit these people?  What ironies do you see in his use of this passage?
• Who does Paul say salvation will go to?  And what does he say they will do?
• How long was Paul in Rome?
• What is he doing during that time?
• The final word is "unhindered" (NASB) or "without hindrance".  Why would that be a significant way to end Acts?

That should be plenty for now. See you all Thursday (tomorrow)!