READING FOR MARCH 7, 2025: 1 SAMUEL 7, MATTHEW 25, PSALM 18:1-6 1 SAMUEL 7 Securing the ark, repenting from sin, putting God first, defeating the enemy.
The action starts with the men from Kiriath-Jearim going southwest to Beth-Shemesh to pick up the ark. Eleazar was consecrated to watch over the ark, so we get the impression that Kiriath-Jearim was better prepared to follow God’s instructions. The ark remained there safely for 20 years. At this time, the people mourned, which was an appro-- priate response to this time both of loss to the Philistines and God’s judgment. From this position of weakness, they were in a better position to listen to Samuel’s message of restoration. This included returning to the Lord with ALL their heart and removing any other objects of worship. This must be our approach if Jesus is truly our Lord. Then Samuel gathered all of Israel at Mizpah for a ceremony of repentance and assertion of Samuel’s leadership. The Philistines used this opportunity of Israel’s gathering at Mizpah to attack them. Fearful, the people asked Samuel to intercede for them with the Lord, which he did. God came thundering to the rescue, which led to the Israelites rushing out of Mizpah to the victory.
Samuel memorialized this victory by placing a stone near Mizpah he named “Ebenezar.” This means stone of help. This word is used in third verse of the hymn Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing: “Here I raise my Ebenezer here by Thy great help I've come.” Indeed, God did deliver Israel from the Philistines all the days of Samuel’s tenure. Peace was also enjoyed with Israel’s long-term foe, the Amorites. Putting God first led to great results for Israel, as it will for us today. Samuel started making an annual judging circuit from Bethel to Gilgal (not on map) to Mizpah and back to his home in Ramah, which he continued for the rest of his life.
MATTHEW 25
The Parable of Wise and Foolish Virgins. Jesus builds on the then-common practice of a bridegroom fetching his betrothed from her home to then process back to his home for the wedding feast. Along the way, invited folks would join in the procession to the feast. In this case there were ten virgins planning to join. This parable refers directly back to Jesus’s warning in Matt. 24:42 which is repeated almost verbatim at the con-- clusion of the parable: “Be on alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour” (Matt.25:13). To external appearances all the virgins appeared alike, considered pure in behavior and equipped with needed lamps. What was the problem with the foolish virgins? Hear the bridegroom’s final devastating statement: “I do not know you” (vs.12). They were shut out because they didn’t have a personal relationship with the bridegroom.
READINGS FOR MARCH 7, 2025 CONTINUED: MATTHEW 25, PSALM 18:1-6 They represent the unsaved who cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Do we have a vital born-again relationship with Jesus?
The Parable of the Talents. Jesus casts Himself in the role of a master going on a journey. He entrusts three servants with differing amounts of talents: five, two, and one. The servant with five talents immediately set to work increasing his amount; the one with two did the same. The servant with only one feared taking any risks and hid his talent. Note Jesus gives us a hint His second coming might be delayed by his saying the master stayed away a long time. When the master finally returned, He praised those who doubled their investment. Their reward was greater responsibility and entrance into the master’s joy (kingdom of heaven). He scolded the risk-adverse servant; called him wicked and lazy; gave his talent to the servant with ten; and cast him out into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Too harsh? The fruit of our lives reveals the abiding state of our souls. Hear Jesus: “I am the vine. You are the branches, he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:5-6). DO WE STAY CONNECTED TO JESUS AND RISK FOR HIM WHATEVER HE HAS GIVEN US?
The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. This is really a hybrid parable, containing some direct instruction. It is like the preceding parable in that it emphasizes the outward deeds of a person reflect the inner condition of the soul. Jesus casts Himself in the role of King but also as hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, and in prison. Only those who ministered to Jesus in these needy conditions entered into the kingdom of heaven. Those who did not were escorted into eternal fire. But literally who are these needy people? Jesus said they are “brothers of His” (vs.40). Remember what Jesus said earlier: “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matt.12:50). Although it is always good to help anyone in need, this passage likely refers to helping Christians in need. This view agrees with the following verses: 2 Corinthians 11:9, 1 John 3:17-18, James 2:15-17, and Romans 12:13. Whom do we know among our Christian family who could use a touch from us today?
Psalm 18:1-6 This is song David wrote for a choir director. It is a song of praise describing what God is to him: his strength, his rock, his fortress, his deliverer, his refuge, his shield, his salvation, and his stronghold. David praises God for answering his call. (How often do people ignore our calls, texts, emails or we do likewise to others? Not our Lord.) David praises God for hearing his personal distress cry, even though the universe God rules from His Temple is vast. (Try getting a response from the leader of any organization.) No wonder Noah offered a sacrifice immediately upon emerging from the Ark. No wonder Moses wrote a praise song immediately after crossing the Red Sea. No wonder Joshua piled up memorial stones after crossing the Jordan. No wonder the one leper came back to praise God for healing. The greater wonder was where the other nine were. Does God ever wonder where we are when we fail to offer Him praise for who He is and what he has done for us?
