Posted on 19 June 2010 by Doug
“The Lord Looketh on the Heart”
Can you guess what this word means? After giving your best guess, if you wanted to know the correct definition you could go to the Bible Dictionary*. Guessing at the definition of an unfamiliar word is like making decisions based only on our own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 says: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Just as we would turn to a trusted source to learn the correct definition of an unfamiliar word, we need to trust the Lord and seek his will to make correct decisions in our lives.
This lesson contrasts the experiences of two men, Saul and David, to teach the importance of trusting the Lord and seeking his guidance when we make decisions. If we learn as we should from today’s scriptures, we will resolve to trust in the Lord rather than our own understanding.
OVERVIEW:
1 Samuel 9–11; 13; 15–17
- Saul seeks guidance from Samuel and is anointed to be king.
- Saul offers a burnt offering without the proper authority.
- Saul disobeys the Lord in the battle with the Amalekites and is rejected as king.
- The Lord chooses David as king.
- David slays Goliath in the strength of the Lord.
Here is the handout for this week’s lesson: Old Testament Lesson 22.
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Posted on 12 June 2010 by Doug
God Will Honor Those Who Honor Him
Each of these images has something to do with whom we honor and whom we try to please.
1 Samuel 2:30 tells us whom the Lord will honor—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.
This lesson discusses the blessings that come from honoring the Lord.
OVERVIEW:
1 Samuel 2–3; 8
- The sons of Eli honor themselves above the Lord.
- Eli honors his sons above the Lord.
- Samuel honors the Lord.
- The Israelites honor the world.
Here is the handout for this week’s lesson: Old Testament Lesson 21.
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Posted on 4 June 2010 by Doug
“All the City … Doth Know That Thou Art a Virtuous Woman”
The book of Ruth happens the same time as the Book of Judges. It was probably written by Samuel. It serves as a transition between the period of the Judges and Israel’s scattering by forecasting the scattering and gathering of Israel. Ruth is an ancestor of David and Jesus. The scripture also emphasizes how we should take care of new converts.
One of the messages of the Old Testament is that God prepares great mothers for great children. In this lesson we get an discerning look at three remarkable Christians who are women and mothers: Ruth, Naomi, and Hannah. The book of Ruth provides a great contrast to the wickedness of Judges. There are wonderful lessons her about the things that matter the most.
OVERVIEW:
- Ruth 1–2. After her husband dies, Ruth goes to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law, Naomi. In Bethlehem, Ruth works in the fields of Boaz, who treats her kindly.
- Ruth 3–4. Ruth lies at the feet of Boaz, and he promises to marry her. They marry and have a child.
- 1 Samuel 1; 2:1–2, 20–21. Hannah is blessed with a son, whom she lends to the Lord as she promised. She is later blessed with more children.
Here is the handout for this week’s lesson: Old Testament Lesson 20.
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Posted on 29 May 2010 by Doug
The Reign of the Judges
The period of the Reign of Judges covers a period between 159 and 319 years, from the death of Joshua until the prophet Samuel. Israel is not united. Judges rule much like among the Nephites. There were 12 judges, although only one was actually a judge. They were more like heroes or leaders. But the book of Judges is not a history of Israel during this time, but rather stories that show the cycle of apostasy and repentance among the Israelites. Some of those mentioned are types of how Israel was. And some were called to deliver Israel during their times of repentance. Some of the judges lived at the same times as others. Some judges were only to certain localities, and were not to Israel as a whole.
OVERVIEW:
- The strength of righteous parents and the consequences of forsaking their ways
- Gideon–the strength of faith in God
- Samson–the strength of covenants and the consequences of breaking them
Here is the handout for this week’s lesson: Old Testament Lesson 19.
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