How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD
With the Christmas season behind us, we begin reading the Bible's historical books and open to First Samuel, chapter one. First and Second Samuel and the two Books of Kings carried the history of Israel from the wild west days of the Judges, into David's ascendance as God's anointed king, through his royal descendants, to the end of his historical line when Jerusalem was destroyed by a Babylonian army. They are considered "Deuteronomic" because they reflect the theology of Deuteronomy with its promises and threats.
Like many novels, and perhaps most historical narratives, First Samuel begins quietly, with the troubles of a single family. Who would expect anything important to arise from such obscurity? But "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world," and we begin with the story of woman who wants to place an infant son in her cradle. When her prayers are answered, Hannah joyfully brings her first born son to the Lord. He, Samuel, will be the last and greatest judge in Israel. In his old age he will anoint the first kings, Saul and David.
In all the ensuing history -- troubled, confusing, and sometimes scandalous -- we learn of God's blessings to the just and merciful, and his punishment of the wicked. If God does not appear among the rogues and heroes, his guiding hand is obvious..
Unlike the Greek and Shakespearean tragedies, most of Bible stories do not concern kings, emperors, and rulers. More often they're about persons known only to their families, neighbors, and friends. Their stories show God working out his plan of Salvation History not among the great and powerful but among the meek and humble.
Grace never allows "ordinary" people to hide in ordinary obscurity. Everyone is someone; every person has a role to play. Decisions make a difference, along with attitudes and beliefs. They may have cosmic consequences. Who would suppose that Ruth's following her mother-in-law Naomi to Israel would lead to her becoming the grandmother of King David? Or a young husband's nightmare might persuade him to flee into Egypt and save the Savior?
No one knows whose grandson might become a president, pope, or Joseph Stalin. A word or gesture on this tenth day of 2022 might trigger a cascade that brings the world to its knees in 2042.
And so we ask the Spirit of God to guide us as he guided Jesus from the Jordan River to Galilee and Jerusalem. We ask the same spirit to direct us as clearly as it directed Simon, Andrew, and the sons of Zebedee. We need not expect great things. We take out part with hope, willingness, and a generous spirit. The efforts are ours; the results are God's.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.