As we read through the Scriptures we need to keep the structure in mind. As we read narratives we need to keep what story came before the one we are reading and what story will come next. We need to connect the different scenes together because remember, the Bible is not written for historical purposes but for theological purposes. Many times as we connect the dots of the structure the theology of God will become clearer. Take the reading today for example.
Today we read 1 Samuel 13-15. Chapters 13 and 15 are very similar in that God is rejecting Saul because of his unfaithfulness and disobedience. They sandwich chapter 14 which highlights Jonathan and his faithfulness and trust in God. I will be looking at chapter 15 in the teaching time Sunday, so I do not want to go into to much right now. But take a look at chapter 13, where Saul and the men are quaking in fear because of the Philistines. They have forgotten the promises of God, His faithfulness to His people, and as a result of the fear and lack of trust they disobey God and commit an act of unbelief in the sacrifice. Then Jonathan shows up in chapter 14 full of faith and trust in God and as a result, he and his armor-bearer kill 20 men and drive fear in the heart of the fleeing Philistines. As a result of Saul’s fear, the faithful Jonathan almost has to die, and notice Jonathan is even faithful to the point where he knows he might have to die because of his own father and he faithfully says, “then kill me” because Jonathan has placed God first in his life. Who does the relationship between Saul and Jonathan remind us of? This is just one example form the reading today, of the theology of sin and God and faith that can be found as the structure and connectedness of the stories is in view.
Today we read 1 Samuel 13-15. Chapters 13 and 15 are very similar in that God is rejecting Saul because of his unfaithfulness and disobedience. They sandwich chapter 14 which highlights Jonathan and his faithfulness and trust in God. I will be looking at chapter 15 in the teaching time Sunday, so I do not want to go into to much right now. But take a look at chapter 13, where Saul and the men are quaking in fear because of the Philistines. They have forgotten the promises of God, His faithfulness to His people, and as a result of the fear and lack of trust they disobey God and commit an act of unbelief in the sacrifice. Then Jonathan shows up in chapter 14 full of faith and trust in God and as a result, he and his armor-bearer kill 20 men and drive fear in the heart of the fleeing Philistines. As a result of Saul’s fear, the faithful Jonathan almost has to die, and notice Jonathan is even faithful to the point where he knows he might have to die because of his own father and he faithfully says, “then kill me” because Jonathan has placed God first in his life. Who does the relationship between Saul and Jonathan remind us of? This is just one example form the reading today, of the theology of sin and God and faith that can be found as the structure and connectedness of the stories is in view.
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