The Power of God in History - 1 Samuel 6-10

1 Samuel 6:6-7 (ESV)

Why should you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? After he had dealt severely with them, did they not send the people away, and they departed? Now then, take and prepare a new cart and two milk cows on which there has never come a yoke, and yoke the cows to the cart, but take their calves home, away from them.

To set the scene for the above passage we have to go back to the previous chapters.   Israel had decided to attack the Philistines, their arch enemy.   To embolden their troops they sent the Ark of the Covenant into the battle, lead by Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas.  Not only was Israel defeated and the two boys died, but the Ark was taken by the Philistines.  It was placed into a temple for their god, Dagon, in the city of Ashdod.  The morning after it was placed there the Philistines found this statue of Dagon, on the ground, prostrate before the Ark.  They set Dagon back up and the next morning the false god was on the ground again and his hands and head were cut off.  

The Philistines didn’t know what to do.  On top of all this the longer they had the Ark the worse it got.  God moved among them and He afflicted their people with tumors.  

This is when the leadership called for their own priest and their own diviners to find out what they should do.   Here is one of the marvelous things out of this text.  The priest and diviners point to a significant historical moment to give their leaders counsel.  They point to how God destroyed Egypt many, many years prior.  This is not some Jewish religious leader pointing them to the power of Yahweh, this is the foreign religious leaders.  They point to a historical, known event of God’s intervention in the affairs of mankind, for His people.  

Today’s scholars fail to recognize these historical events in Scripture.   But these false teachers knew something should be done.  They give counsel and it rescues the Philistines from this peril.  But the counsel is not based upon their beliefs. It is based upon the power of the living God.

Psalms 67:3-4 (ESV)

Let the peoples praise you, O God;

let all the peoples praise you!

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,

for you judge the peoples with equity

and guide the nations upon earth. Selah

Finish Well - Genesis 44-47

Genesis 47:29-31 (ESV)

And when the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt, but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place.” He answered, “I will do as you have said.” And he said, “Swear to me”; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed.

Jacob (Israel) was concerned about honoring God right up to his death and burial.  Running the path of belief is not one where you slow down or stop at the end. When I ran track in high school the track coach would say, “Run right through the tape at the finish line as though you had to break down a wall.  Don’t slow as you reach the line, run through it with the same energy you started the race.”

Abraham did this:

Hebrews 11:8-10 (ESV)

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Paul did this:

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

When we come to the end we need to make sure, by faith, we finish the race. 

Jesus did that:

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

I should do this!!! 

Church Discipline - 1 Corinthians 5-6

1 Corinthians 5:11 (ESV)

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

Paul is pretty clear about most of his doctrine. He doesn't hide what he believes and wants us to teach others. In most of his books he lays out his doctrine so that everyone can grasp it, with a few exceptions in each book. Peter told us that Paul has some "hard things" to understand. I would agree but I think he has "harder things" he writes to "practice" (Read Romans 12 if you don't believe me!). But in this chapter he gives us some hard, hard truth to grasp and to practice. In 5:11 Paul writes: 

But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so- called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler —not even to eat with such a one. 

Paul had just told the church at Corinth that he was NOT telling them they couldn't associate with the unsaved world who did these things, but to stay away from someone who calls himself or herself a brother and does these things. The context of chapter five is that there was a young man in the church, who claimed to be a believer, who was sleeping with his step-mother. Apparently all the church knew about it (5:1-10). Paul tells them they shouldn't avoid contact with the unsaved world ... that would necessitate them "coming out of the world" (the implication being that would be impossible). Paul does, however, want them to use their "social" contact as a form of discipline for the "saved brother/sister" who is practicing open sin. 

This type of "discipline" is neither practiced, preached or accepted by the church today. Imagine a pastor standing in his pulpit today and "telling" the members not to "associate" with the saved brother/sister who everyone knows is living in open sin! Even with the authority of God's Word most would not do it or fail to believe it or even revolt against it. The truth Paul writes is very, very easy to understand. I can affiliate with unsaved men/women who practice sinful deeds. I am NOT to affiliate with believers who do the exact same thing. Truth is truth ... but it doesn't mean it is easy to do!

God Equips Us for the MInistry He Calls Us - Mark 1-2

Mark 1:4-8 (ESV)

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

How did John the Baptist get this message?  Did Jesus convey it to him?  Did God covey it to him?  This was implied and talked about by Isaiah (especially Isaiah 51-61).   Or, since John the Baptist was simply a man of Scripture, did he simply preach what he read in Scripture?

We don’t really know the answers to these questions.  We do know that when John was born his parents were told the following:

Luke 1:12-17 (ESV)

And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

God prepared John the Baptist just for this moment. From birth he was given this ministry.  It is likely that his father instructed him about this.  It is likely he studied the Scriptures.  It likely that the Spirit of God indwelled him, as the Spirit came upon those in the Old Testament.  

Numbers 11:25-26 (ESV)

Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it.

Now two men REMAINED in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp.

When God gives you a ministry, He also equips you for that ministry.  He equips in many ways.  We are not told how John was equipped, but we are told of some ways that God equips us.  Here is a seven day prayer list to watch for ways God equips us for our ministry: 

Hebrews 13:21 (ESV)

equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

(MacArthur New Testament Commentary) Katartismos (Katar-kizz-most) (equipping) basically refers to that which is fit, is restored to its original condition, or is made complete. The word was often used as a medical term for the setting of bones.

MacArthur’s list of how God equips us for ministry: 

MONDAY - God’s Word

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

TUESDAY - Prayer

Colossians 4:12 (ESV)

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

1 Thessalonians 3:10 (ESV)

as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

WEDNESDAY - Leadership/Teaching

Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV)

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

THURSDAY - Testing

James 1:2-3 (ESV)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

FRIDAY - Suffering

1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

SATURDAY - Other believers 

Galatians 6:1 (ESV)

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

SUNDAY - Spiritual Gifts

Ephesians 4:8 (ESV)

Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,

and he gave gifts to men.”

Turn From Idols - Isaiah 56-61

Isaiah 57:11-13 (ESV)

Whom did you dread and fear,

so that you lied,

and did not remember me,

did not lay it to heart?

Have I not held my peace, even for a long time,

and you do not fear me?

I will declare your righteousness and your deeds,

but they will not profit you.

When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you!

The wind will carry them all off,

a breath will take them away.

But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land

and shall inherit my holy mountain.

This section of Isaiah is all about the fact that Israel turned to idols and practiced faith with a lack of true righteousness.  They sought things from other gods and other nations and spurned the Lord their God.  God will bring them into judgement, but someday give great blessings to those who follow Him in true righteousness. 

In the above verses we see this theme stated.  They cry out to their false idols.  God tells them to keep doing that, but those idols will not deliver them.  God will expose their false righteousness. 

But in the end, God states, he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my mountain. This is the greatest theme of Isaiah’s prophecy.   Those who trust to idols can still recieve God’s blessing if they turn from that false worship and back to God.   Taking refugee in idols will bring nothing. Idol worship produces simply false righteousness.  God will expose it and it will be seen to not profit you.  In the end, however, all those who turn to God will know He is the true God and rewards those who seek Him. 

All Situations Are Created to Bring Glory to God - Job 22

Job 22:2-3 (ESV)

“Can a man be profitable to God?

Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself.

Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are in the right,

or is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless?

The following was a journal entry written in 2011. 

If God is perfect in essence and has no need of anything, what do you get Him? What would you and I add to Him if we were strong for Him? Would that be an advantage for a God who has everything? If we were really smart and even brilliant and wise, would that add to a God who keeps mysteries from men? What if we were really, really kind, would God somehow benefit even though He is perfect in love, mercy and grace? God is perfect and therefore doesn't need anything we can bring Him. We do not add to God. 

This is the point Eliphaz is making in Job 22. He asks Job what advantage it would would be to God for Job to be righteous? (22:2-3). We do not add to God. God didn't create Adam because Adam would fill a hole in God's heart. God created Adam (and therefore you and me) for one thing: Someone to honor Him and praise Him for His glory. That is our purpose in life - to glorify God - not to find our own meaning in life. We are to solve conflict because, in so doing, it will glorify God, not free us from strife. 

We are to build positive relationships in harmony not because we will benefit but because it will bring glory to God. Eliphaz goes on to make the same argument all Job's friends have made from the beginning: If Job will but repent He will be restored (22:23). But that is not the real point. The real point is that all this is being done in Job's life (and theirs) so that in the end and during the process, God will be glorified. We can't add to God - but we can give Him Glory.

My addition to this in 2026 is as follows:

When we counsel others is it easy to get caught up in the web of their argument and their struggle.   Eliphaz does this.  He of course is experiencing this in real time. He has not read chapters one and two, or the last two chapters of the book.  He is caught up in the moment. Job sounds like he is trying to justify himself and sounds like he is accusing God of an injustice.   That is Job’s tone.  

Eliphaz is simply talking the truth he knows. He is right, we can’t add something to God.   He is right to remind Job that he, Job, can’t add something to God. But Eliphaz also adds nothing to God.  His counsel does not suddenly make these things right. He is there to glorify God.  

The chief end of man is to glorify God.  Whether we are being counseled or counseling.  The chief end is to bring Him glory.  

He Puts Us In A Broad Place - Psalms 30-32

Psalms 31:6-8 (ESV)

I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,

but I trust in the LORD.

I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,

because you have seen my affliction;

you have known the distress of my soul,

and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;

you have set my feet in a broad place.

Perhaps, one of the greatest blessing of be in a follower of Christ, are contained in the lines in the above passage.  Because we are Christ-followers we are beneficiaries of His steadfast love and the assurance He will not deliver us into the hand of the enemy, and that He sets an our feet in a broad place. 

For confirmation of all that, note the following weekly prayer list you can adapt:

MON

Psalms 18:19 (ESV)

He brought me out into a broad place;

he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

2 Samuel 22:20 (ESV)

20 He brought me out into a broad place;

he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

TUE

Psalms 18:36 (ESV)

You gave a wide place for my steps under me,

and my feet did not slip.

WED

Psalms 31:8 (ESV)

and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;

you have set my feet in a broad place.

THUR

Job 36:16 (ESV)

He also allured you out of distress

into a broad place where there was no cramping,

and what was set on your table was full of fatness.

FRI

Psalms 119:96 (ESV)

96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,

but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

SAT

1 Chronicles 4:10 (ESV)

Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and ENLARGE my border, AND THAT YOUR HAND MIGHT BE WITH ME, and that YOU WOULD KEEP ME FROM HARM, so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.

SUN

Psalms 18:33-34 (ESV)

He made my feet like the feet of a deer

and set me secure on the heights.

He trains my hands for war,

so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Psalms 26:12 (ESV)

12 My foot stands on level ground;

in the great assembly I will bless the LORD.

God, through the work of the Son and the power of the Spirit, keeps us from harm and sets us in a board place.  Wow!  That is the blessing of being a Christ-follower.