Month: February 2013

We were reading today in the early chapters of 1 Samuel; and in particular, the death of Eli and his two sons.

We were struck by the emphasis on the fact that Eli had not restrained his sons. He knew what they were doing; yet did nothing about it.

There were tragic consequences to his failure. The ark was taken by the Philistines, the Philistines were victorious over the Israelites, Hophni and Phinehas died, and Eli also died.

It was a reminder to us to not be careless in our attitudes and actions towards our offspring.

I was reading in the book of Ruth (one of my favorite books of the Old Testament), and was struck by the goodness and uprightness of Boaz.

This, as we are told in the opening verses of the book, was in the time of the Judges of Israel. A time when the little phrase “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” features prominently. The setting may be in the time of Ehud or Shamgar.

I was reading in chapter 2, and was struck by the little things that are noted of Boaz. His greeting to his young men; his care for this young stranger who had come to glean in his field; his kindness to her; his instructions to his reapers. In every way he exhibits the qualities of a good man.

We are living in a similar time; when anarchy and rebellion are prominent features of most societies. How good it would be if the same sort of things could be said of us.