All is Well, All is Peace

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 7

From Samuel's Journal

I might have turned into a gray hair old man at a young age if Israel hadn't repented.


With Eli gone the priestly leadership duties came to me. And quite truthfully, I loved serving the Lord, but there were times when the people I was responsible for frustrated me. They worshiped other gods like Ashtoreths and Baals each day. It broke my heart, and...made me angry.


Sure they followed some of the ceremonies God commanded, but their heart simply didn't worship God. They came to a ceremony for the Almighty and put this here, put this there, say this, say that...a dog could be trained to do the same thing. 


When will they hear the Words of God, feel His love in their life, choose to truly worship Him?


I feel like I'm dragging a thirsty camel to a water trough, pushing its head into the cool, refreshing liquid, and telling it to drink. The result? I step back and watch the camel walk away without drinking one drop.


But last year a most wonderful change came. 


The Philistines stole the ark...this is not the wonderful part (read that story here ), returned to Beth Shemesh where 70 people disrespected God and died (read that story here ) and then moved to Kirjath Jearim.


Next came the wonderful change. At that place, at that time, the people cried out to God, saying from their hearts they were sorry for their sins. They threw away their Ashtoreths and Baals and gathered together as one nation serving our great God. They prayed together and confessed their sins. What a sound!


Those nasty Philistines heard the Israelites crying out to God and chose to gather their army to squash us. Big mistake. God took over and won the battle for the Israelites (read that story here) 


So why am I writing this journal entry today? Because all is well; all is at peace. 


I decided to visit the Israelites to encourage, judge, and teach them once a year. I started my journey at my hometown, Ramah then north to Bethel, down the mountain and east to Gilgal, back up the mountain and to the west to Mizpah then home to Ramah. After finishing the journey each year I built an altar to the Lord. 


Each year I spent time with the people...teaching and guiding them to follow God. They grew to know me and I learned their names. Together we worshiped God.


What happen?


Well, the Philistines, our number one enemy...the ones who fought us and made us slaves time and time again--left us alone! They didn't come into our territory anymore. God kept his hand against the Philistines every day of my life. The Israelites could wake each morning in their own homes, without fear of an attack. Such peace.


What did we do?


The people not only worshiped God and God alone, but also gathered together and went to our cities which had been conquered by the Philistines from Ekron south to Gath. They helped their brothers and sisters rebuild their cities.


This is what people do who worship God and God alone. Such blessed peace.


The Promised Land rested in peace...not only Israelite brother with his brother mind you, but also with the Amorites who still lived in the land.


All is well.


All is Peace.
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1. What did the people need to do to have peace in the land?
I suppose that tells the whole store. :)

Eli's Sons Cause Trouble

By Mary Vee

I Samuel 2

From Eli's Journal

If the Lord had not brought young Samuel to live and train in the Temple, I think I would have gone crazy. Why, you ask? Because my two sons Hophni and Phinehas cause trouble.

I am an old man, ready to pass my job as chief priest on to my sons, but I can't bring myself to consider either Hophni or Phinehas for the job. When the people bring their sacrifices to the Temple my sons steal from them and they lay around when they should be working. If God set a rule for the Temple my two sons have surely broken it. My heart aches, my anger boils, and well, I just don't feel well. 

I have talked with my sons about the things they do wrong. Each time they laugh in my face and walk away.  I don't believe they have truly accept the Almighty as the true God. How I pray for them. How I wish they would change. But in all these years of their lives, neither one has given their dedication to the Almighty. All they do is find ways to mock God.

I know, I know I should punish them. 

I--can't bring myself to carry out any punishment, though. Men from the city have reported the crimes my sons have done and how they mislead the people and teach them to sin against others. 


The people believe Hopni and Phinehas because they are my sons. I warned those two: the Lord will judge them for the wrong things they do. But for the sins they commit  against the Lord and his Temple, no one can intercede for them. Did they listen to me. Noooooo

One day when I sat in the Temple, an angel came to me dressed like a man. He wasn't happy. He said, "Did I not clearly show Myself to Moses when he lived in Pharaoh's house in Egypt? Didn't I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest. Didn't I give to your family line all the offerings made by fire for food? 

"You have chosen to honor your sons more than Me, Eli, by making yourselves fat with the best of the offerings from My people. They should have been given to Me as an offering. 

"Those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me, I will despise. Your sons Hophni and Phinehas will one day die, both of them and I will raise up a faithful priest who will do what is in My heart and mind. Anyone who is left in your house will bow to this faithful priest."

When he finished speaking, He left. I began to sweat and my heart thumped.  I knew I should talk to my sons and punish them, but I didn't. Instead I went back to my work hoping my sons would turn from their wicked ways.

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1. Who is the priest at this time?

2. What may Eli upset?

3. What did he do about it?

4. What did Eli do wrong?

5. Who visited Eli?

6. What did the visitor tell Eli?

7. Did Eli change? Did his sons change? 

8. What do you think will happen next?

Sweet Baby Samuel

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 1

From Hannah's Journal

Can you hear my baby? He is sleeping. His little chest rises and falls with each tiny breath. Baby Samuel is a gift from God.


Oh, look. He moved his hand. He opened his fist to let us see his tiny fingers. Excuse me, I must pick him up. 


"Hannah, Hannah, where are you?"


"I'm in here with Baby Samuel."


My husband, Elkanah, peeked around the corner. "It's time to leave for the Temple. Are you ready?"


I hugged my little baby. "Not yet. I can't take Samuel until he can walk. The priest need to be able to take care of him. No, not yet. Baby Samuel needs to stand tall when he appears before the Lord."


Elkanah nodded and pointed his eyebrows down. "Do what you think is best; You can wait until Samuel is able to walk and stand before the Lord. But, remember, you promised you would give him to the Lord."


Baby Samuel stretched then yawned. His little heart beat like raindrops patting against the tent. "Just think, Samuel, some day you will do great things for the Lord." I hugged him close. His soft breath tickled my neck. 


It seemed only days before Samuel could sit. He chewed on his fingers and anything else he could shove in his mouth. Poor baby cried when his teeth broke through his gums. 


Most of the time baby Samuel giggled and explored. He laughed when his older cousins tickled him. Sometimes, while standing at my cooking pot, I'd watch him staring at the other children and wonder what he was thinking. His eyes moved with the children's movements. He seemed to study their moves then try to imitate them. He seemed to care about others around him.


Soon Samuel took a first step then many more. He toddled a few steps and fell, picked himself up and toddled some more. I had to keep any dangerous objects away from him--what a curious little boy.


Feasts and celebrations past. Samuel learned to run after the other children and join in some of their games. He could stand tall and speak words. And the questions! Every wakening second he either asked a question or furrowed his brow as he thought about an answer. 


At this time, God let me know Samuel could go to the Temple to serve him. I packed a few of his things, the needed gifts for the priest and walked with Elkanah to the Temple. 


You might ask, did I feel sad? Did I cry? Well, only as a proud mother would. God gave this little boy to our nation to serve Him. Sure I will miss him, but I also know young Samuel will be here at the Temple serving the Almighty God.


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1.  Why did Hannah need to take Samuel to the Temple?
2.  Why did Hannah wait?
3.  Why did Hannah later take Samuel to the Temple?
4.  What promise did Hannah make (hint, read last week's story here. 
5.  What did you learn from today's story?


photo courtesy of christianimageresource.com