Bible reading for Aug 12.
I Samuel 2.
"There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God." (1 Samuel 2:2)
SINGING TO THE LORD. In thankfulness to the Lord, Hannah prays (vv 1-10). It is a poem which was likely sung or recited as a public testimony at the tabernacle in Shiloh. A central theme is, God lifts up the lowly, and humbles the proud. There are some similarities in Hannah's song with Mary's song in Luke 1:46-55. Was Mary influenced by Hannah's prayer when she spoke her Magnificat? We don't know, but the same Holy Spirit inspired both!
FAMILY DYNAMICS. Now we learn of Eli's two good-for-nothing sons who acted as priests (vv 12-26). Ever notice that even in the Bible how few families actually do a good job at parenting? Eli had good intentions (apparently) and spoke the right things (feebly), but withheld discipline, and honored his children above the Lord (v 29; cf Luke 9:59-62). A prophet confronts Eli, saying that judgment will come from the Lord. The "faithful priest" promised in verse 35 may be Zadok and his descendants (Cf. Ezek 44:15; 48:11). See Constable's notes on the NET Bible.
HOLY IS THE LORD. It's a joy to sing with God's people, which is something I miss during this pandemic. Do you sing at home when you read the Word and pray? Verse two of this chapter is nicely sung to this tune. Here are the lyrics and guitar chords I use...
D A G D
There is none holy as the Lord
Bm G A
There is none beside Thee
D A G D
Neither is there any rock like our God
G A D
There is none holy as the Lord
(c) David Butterbaugh, Integrity's Hosanna! Music
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Romans 2.
"Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4)
WHAT ABOUT GOOD PEOPLE? Paul now addresses the morally good person, and after that, the religiously observant Jew. It might be easy to dismiss the pagan world with its degeneracy, but what about people who are trying to do good? The Apostle tells us our condition must be viewed from God's perspective, and not from the vantage point of our good intentions, outward appearance, or self-comparison. Out where I live, there's a sheep farm that I drive past every day. In the summer when the sheep are standing together in a field of grass they appear white. But in the winter, after a fresh snowfall, these same sheep are seen to be a dirty, dingy yellow. When our hearts are examined in God's light we see that "good" people have all of the same problems as "bad" people, they're just a bit more hidden, refined, or under control. Jesus said, "So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire" (Matt 7:17-19). Constable's notes are helpful, as is Charles Hodge's article on human depravity, here.
REFLECT. Are you trusting in your goodness (or your good intentions, or your good attempts) to gain God's approval? Why is it so hard to give up that view of ourselves?
Image credits. Photo by Drue Marino on Unsplash.
We are following the Robert Murray M'Cheyne (RMM) two-year reading schedule, as arranged by D. A. Carson.
Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The NET Bible is a free, online resource, and a ministry of bible.org.
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