Day 158 - 1 Samuel 4:1b - 5 & Proverbs 7

 Julie

Today it talks about Eli and his sons and how they lose to the Philistines. God allowed them to lose as punishment for their actions. Even though they lost and the Philistines took the Ark, God did not allow the Philistines to keep it and used it to show them he is greater than their false God. The Ark is returned to the Israelites because every place that the Philistines moved it people were getting sick. 

This proverb is more on adultery and encouraging people not to get caught up in it. 

 

Michelle

I do not recall this part of the bible.  I was surprised that the Ark was allowed to be taken.  But I see what you are saying about God punishing Eli and his sons as this is when they die and that he uses the Ark and the sickness in the cities it moves around to.  At the end the people in the cities do not want it and ask for it to be returned to the Israelites.  

This proverb is another warning against adultery.  It reminds at the beginning to keep the commands and guard the teachings, write them on your heart so that you do not stray to the adulterous woman.  The verse that stood out, and I am not sure why, is 11 that says, "she is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home".  I'm not sure why this stands out to me.   

Day 157 - 1 Samuel 2.12 - 4.1a & Proverbs 6.20 - 35

 Michelle

This passage talks about Eli, the priest, and his son's and how they were doing wicked things to the people.  The Lord was upset because Eli knew what they were doing and didn't do anything about it.   Eli blessed Samuel's parents because they gave him to the Lord.  But the Lord says the House of Eli is to be no more and that his sons will die young and God will bring up another to be priest.  Chapter 3 talks about when God comes to Samuel and he did not know it was God talking to him.  Once Eli told him, then God spoke to him again and shared with Samuel what would happen to Eli's family.  And Samuel was recognized as a prophet of the Lord.  

This proverb is another warning against adultery.  This one goes into the jealousy arousing the husband's fury at the end of it and how he will show no mercy.  It also likens it to putting fire in your lap.  I find some of these analogies interesting, but they do paint a good picture and I can see how they are meant to dissuade you from doing the sin. 

Julie

I am not sure that I can say much more than you have already said. This passage does fall in line with the previous proverb that we read.

I think that this one also incites the need for Wisdom and a reminder that adultery can lead to more because it is done without remorse. So, the need for Wisdom is heavy here in order to make good decisions and to not be tempted. 

Day 156 - 1 Samuel 1.1 - 2.11 & Proverbs 5.1 - 6.19

 Michelle

So the preface to this book says that this is a turning point for the people of Israel.  It says the people of Israel want to shift from being a theocracy to a monarchy.  It goes on to state that this marks a crucial time in Israel's history and that this turn forever alters the course of history.  It says that we will see both what happens when we follow what seems best to our human reasoning and what happens when we entrust ourselves to God's care and timing.  

Wow.  So this one hits me today.  The passage goes thru the birth of Samuel and how his mother was barren before she prayed to the Lord, after being provoked to irritation by her rival.  She poured out her heart to God and he answered her prayer, but in her prayer she promised to dedicate him to the Lord.  So she left him in the care of the priest to be brought up in the ways of the Lord.  That is a huge sacrifice for a mother.  Or at least in my mind it is.  The devotional in my bible is what really drove it home for me.  It talks about how this woman had a hard time giving up something important to her even when God was urging her to do so.  It took her a while but she finally did and is better for it.  But she also says that while it's excruciatingly hard to turn her children's lives over to God, she released them to his loving care by saying a simple, heartfelt prayer to that effect.  But she had to say it many times until her words were not a lie.  LOL, I can relate to this.  She said she chose to trust that God would love them and guide their lives better than she could.  I find that this is a struggle and the husband tells me, from time to time, how I have affected our child with my controlling ways.  Well not controlling necessarily, but I am probably like a helicopter mom, and I don't mean to be.  He does have a sense of independence but at the same time I am a worrier and am fearful when he is away from us.  I pray often for God to watch over him and to bring him home safely to me.  I am not sure where this fear came from or if it's just a mom fear, but sometimes it is overwhelming.  That is why this passage is so convicting.  To thoughtfully give your child to God in the way that Hannah did.  Just gives me pause.  As he grows I know that I have to let go more and more and have worked on doing so.  I continue to pray often that God guides him and watches over him.  Some day I will not feel as anxious about it.

The proverb begins with warning against adultery and to stay away from the adulterous woman.  The part that stood out to me was vs 15 on.  It likens it to drinking water from your own cistern and how you wouldn't share that with others.  So you shouldn't share your wife/partner with others.  In vs 21 it reminds us that all our ways are in full view of the Lord and he examines our paths.  The second part warns against Folly.  I had to look this up as the beginning confused me a little.  The part that stood out was 16-19 where it talks of the things God finds detestable.  Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.  The devotional attached to this section is for these verses.  It says that it's bad for you to sin, doing any of these things, but it is "detestable" to start a chain reaction - causing others to sin too.  This is powerful and is relatable to things going on throughout the world today.  Often you see or read about people inciting others into negative actions. 

Julie

Wow! That was very thought-provoking. It's funny because when I read something like this where someone willing gives their child to God I think how about how that takes great strength, but I don't know that I have ever thought much more than that. Maybe that's because I had to share my child and let him go, so I did basically give him to God and just asked him to take care of him. Hannah's song of praise to God was beautiful and reads like some of the psalms and proverbs that we have read. There is something in by Bible that says that we will see this again when Mary Magdalene enters the picture.

That is so true, you do see people inciting the negativity and it is horrible to see. I am amazed by the weakness of people that they would commit adultery. I am not sure how you do that and not feel any type of remorse. I think the verse that stood out to me other than 6:19 was 6:12, and how it explains the crooked man and reminding us that God knows that he is doing evil and justice will be served when the time is right. We just have to understand that it's God's time and not our time.

Day 155 - Proverbs 4

 Julie

This proverb was a father teaching how to ask for wisdom. It also explained the need to stay away from evil and the consequences of not doing so.

 

Michelle

This one spoke of getting wisdom at all cost.  Like this is the most important thing.  Get wisdom, get understanding; Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you.  The part that stood out was vs 23-27, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.  Keep your mouth free from perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.  Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.  Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.  Do not Turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."  I feel like this has been a theme in my readings lately.  To guard your heart and maintain your focus on God.  Keep evil thoughts from corrupting your heart.  Maybe because I have been struggling with this a little.  My thoughts continue to be negative or harmful in nature.  I have found myself mostly thinking poorly about others and not considering the things I don't see or know about their situation.  People have been so awful and hateful and it is hard not to pass judgement even though I know that is not for me.  I just wish they would stop being a-holes and treat people with a little courtesy and respect.  

Day 154 - Proverbs 3

 Julie

There are a lot of really good things in today's proverb. The one that stood out the most to me was, "Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your path." I think that this can be a difficult thing to do, but it is also something that we should be working hard at doing.

 

Michelle

I like that verse too.  I have highlighted that one before and it comes up in many things that I read.  Definitely a good reminder to always turn to God for everything.  There are many things in this proverb.  Another that goes along with this one is verse 25-26, "Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared."  Another that stood out was vs 9, "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of your crops."  When we were attending church services regularly, we tithed on a regular basis, but since we have been watching from home, I have found that this has stopped.  Not intentionally, it just changed with the way things have gone the past year.  It makes me think it's time to go back to church.  It is open now and we can go, but there are things I like about watching at home too, but this changes our tithing practices.  There are probably other ways to do it, I just haven't looked.  I also often ask myself if I have to give to the church or if it can be done in other ways.  Not that I don't want to give to the church, as our church does use it for alot of good things within the community and to help others, which is what we should be doing with it, but I wonder if we can give our tithes in other ways or to other organizations.  I don't know the right way for this.

Day 153 - Ruth 4 & Proverbs 2

 Julie

This was a very short book. I read this last year and don't remember it being that short, so I was surprised to be finished today. This last chapter talks about how Boaz buys Naomi's land and marries Ruth. They have a son and Naomi stays to help take care of him. This is probably one of the nicest books so far as there was nothing nefarious going on. 

This proverb is asking for wisdom and shows what happens if one does not fear God and gain the wisdom to make good decisions. 

 

Michelle

I agree.  It's nice to read something where they aren't doing awful things to each other.  It also describes Boaz and Ruth's interaction as love, which is different from before.  It says he made love to her and she conceived and had a son.  It also speaks of the love Ruth has for Naomi.  The end also lists that this is the line leading to David.  

This proverb talks of the Moral Benefits of Wisdom.  It says turn your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.  It shares all the things wisdom will save you from if you adhere to it's teaching.  But if you do not follow wisdom, you will be cut off.  

Day 152 - Ruth 3 & Proverbs 1:8-33

 Julie

This chapter is a big change from all of the others. It feels like the first time since we began that people weren't trying to steal, coerce, or trick anyone into doing things. It's kind of refreshing to read about a woman that is being portrayed as someone that is considered righteous instead of a "wicked" woman, for lack of a better term. All of the previous chapters really did portray women as devious, but this one talks about the goodness of Ruth.

The remaining part of Proverbs 1 exemplifies what will happen to those that intend to do bad things or fall in with the wrong people. It also shows how God will respond to those that don't heed the wisdom of God or fear the Lord and continue on the wrong path.

 

Michelle

I had different expectations as I read this than what actually happened.  It surprised me that she was not taken advantage of as in past readings.  Boaz seems to genuinely want to help her and is kind in his words and actions.  This is different from previous readings.  

The beginning of this section is called "Warning against the Invitation of Sinful Men" and tells not to follow those that seek to do harm to others or take their property.  It says that those who go after ill gotten gain only harm themselves and take away their own lives.  The second is Wisdom's Rebuke.  It says that those who refuse to listen to wisdom and follow her teachings will find harm and those that listen and will live in safety.  The devotional for this section is interesting and makes you think about where you are today.  It's called "Perpetual Puberty".  It talks of when you are in Junior high and still in the learning phase, when it wasn't cool to listen to authority, when sarcasm and spite peppered our speech, when we thought we knew it all.  It says that wisdom was there the whole time and we chose to ignore it.  I can see this is the case.  It goes on to say that we are like a teenager stuck in perpetual puberty, or we can be this way.  Solomon describes the unwise as those who "delight in mockery", reject help, and ignore advice (verses 22-25).  He goes on to say that those who reject God's knowledge will "eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes", or we will reap what we sow, or get what we deserve.  It goes on to ask if you are stuck in perpetual spiritual puberty.  Here are some signs discussed;  You constantly worry about what others think of you, you overreact to stressful situations, you're too proud or stubborn to listen to those older and wiser, you stay with one group and ridicule others.  If you find yourself in any of these then it's time to seek wisdom in God's word.  According to Solomon, wisdom comes from listening to God and obeying him.  I found this devotional very convicting.