Today's Readings and Stuff -- Monday, 30 April, 2018

Another Monday has impacted.  We are grateful for it.

We'd expected / hoped to hear some heavy equipment outside this morning, but were disappointed (again).  Back on Memorial Day in 2014, a house just two doors up from us caught fire.  The structure wasn't fully engulfed, but the damage was beyond repair.  The local "land bank" has taken it over, and had promised to demolish it this spring, which will dispossess a number of feral cats, dogs, groundhogs, etc. and probably some druggies as well.  But no sign of them as of this point.  We'd been told that they start on Monday mornings, so all the neighbors that park in the abandoned driveway moved their stuff out last evening (again) in anticipation.  But they're a no-show.  Again.  Going on FOUR YEARS now!  Yeah, let "government" handle it.
The neighbors on either side of the place are buying the parcel after the demolition is complete, be a nice play area for the kids and grand-kids.  But not this week, apparently.
To be fair, there have been at least 3 vacant structures demolished in a half-mile radius of here within the last six months, and there is no shortage of need.  But FOUR YEARS!

Yesterday was a long and wearying one.  Glad it's over.  Just not my "thing".
Dishes are washed (by hand, by me).  Laundry to start soon.  God is good.


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Today, another change.  Samuel was a judge in Israel, with quite a story behind him as well.  But he will also be the Lord's agent in commissioning the 1st king in Israel.

Take note, as well, of the similarity between the prayer of Hannah in chapter 2, and the prayer of Mary in chapter 1 in the Gospel of Luke. 
Also look at the similarities between the events leading up to the birth of Samuel (whose name means "asked of God"), John the Baptist (Luke chapter 1) and Isaac in Genesis 21.

 

1st Samuel 1

1  Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim–zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:

2  And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

3  And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.

4And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

5  But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb.

6  And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb.

7  And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

8  Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?

9  So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord.

10  And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.

11  And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

12  And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth.

13  Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

14  And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.

15  And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.

16  Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

17  Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

18  And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

19  And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her.

20  Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.

21  And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

22  But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever.

23  And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the Lord establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

24  And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young.

25  And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

26  And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord.

27  For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

28  Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.

1st Samuel 2

1  And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

2  There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

3  Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

4  The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

5  They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

6  The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

7  The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

8  He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them.

9  He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

10  The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

11  And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the Lord before Eli the priest.

12  Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.

13  And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;

14  And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.

15  Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.

16  And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.

17  Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.

18  But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.

19  Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

20  And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The Lord give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the Lord. And they went unto their own home.

21  And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord.

22  Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

23  And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.

24  Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress.

25  If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them.

26  And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men.

27  And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?

28  And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

29  Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

30  Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

31  Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.

32  And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.

33  And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age

34  And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.

35  And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

36  And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.
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Today, Psalm 86.  This is a good example of a prayer that we can use as a pattern.  I don't think I can make the claim in verse 2, that I am holy.  But the "poor and needy" in verse 1, definitely.  and much else.  And "I cry unto thee daily"?  Oh, yeah.

Psalm 86

A Prayer of David.

1  Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

2  Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.holy: or, one whom thou favourest

3  Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

4  Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

5  For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

6  Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.

7  In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

8  Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

9  All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

10  For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

11  Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

12  I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

13  For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

14  O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.

15  But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

16  O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

17  Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

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Today, John 18.  This is hard.  Very hard.

John 18

1  When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

2  And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

3  Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

4  Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

5  They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

6  As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

7  Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

8  Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

9  That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

10  Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

11  Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

12  Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

13  And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

14  Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

15  And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

16  But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

17  Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.

18  And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

19  The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

20  Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

21  Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

22  And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

23  Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

24  Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

25  And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.

26  One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?

27  Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

28  Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.

29  Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

30  They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.

31  Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:

32  That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

33  Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

34  Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

35  Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

36  Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

37  Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

38  Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

39  But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

40  Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.