One Year Bible Readings and Commentary for Tuesday, May 10th

Click Here to Listen to the Readings

Click Here to Read 1 Samuel 8:1-9:27

Israel Requests a King

The fact that Israel wanted a king shows a lot about where their hearts were at. They wanted a king so they could be like the other nations around them. They wanted a king because they weren't trusting in the KING. Unfortunately Samuel's sons were not cut out of the same cloth as he was. They only worsened the situation and spiritual climate of the Israelites. The Lord only tells Samuel to let Him work it out, but also to warn the Israelites about actually getting what they wanted in a king.

Though Samuel warned the people about the consequences of having a king and their loss of freedom, they still wanted a king. But the people would not listen and the Lord said, "I will give them a king!"

Saul Meets Samuel

We read of the divine encounter between Saul and Samuel. Saul came from a wealthy family from the tribe of Benjamin. While Saul went to find his father's lost donkeys, his servant told him about a seer/prophet who might be able to help them. Meanwhile, the Lord told Samuel that the next day he would meet the next king of Israel. When they finally meet and Samuel tells him what the Lord had told him, Saul is a little overwhlemed. He cites that Benjamin is the smallest tribe in Israel and his family is one of least in the tribe. 

Saul's words seem almost contradictory, as the first verses describe his dad, Kish as a wealthy and influential man. And for his part, Saul is described as very tall and the most handsome man in Israel. Before Saul left, Samuel gave him the royal treatment, perhaps a taste of what was to come. At the edge of town, Samuel told Saul to send his servant ahead. while he had some things to share with him. 

We can imagine Samuel saying: “Look Saul, you have a lot going for you. You have the image, you are a humble man, and you will have the support of the people. But if you don’t give your heart to serving God, and submit to Him as your king, you will never be a fit king for Israel.”

Click Here to Read John 6:22-42

Jesus the Bread of Life

When Jesus showed the signs of God's kingdom coming through him, his ultimate goal was move the people's focus off of the sign and on to what it meant. In this case, the topic of Moses providing manna in the wilderness came up. The problem is they portrayed Moses as providing manna in the wilderness, instead of giving the credit to God. God provided the manna to teach the Israelites that He would provide for their needs.  

Jesus uses this metaphor of bread to point out he was the "true bread from heaven". Jesus fed the 5,000, but they all would get hungry again. Jesus wanted them to understand their soul needed nourishment too. The bread Jesus multiplied provided food for the day, but the bread Jesus would give them eternal life. 

Jesus makes a shocking statement when he says, "I am the bread of life". Jesus is once again claiming to be God. After all any human who said, "I am the bread of life", you might think needed psychological help. But the reality was some people would accept Jesus as the Son of God, and others would clearly and categorically reject him. Jesus then intimates that the Father had given him certain people who would believe in him and receive eternal life and others would not. 

A question you might ask yourself is where are you getting your daily spiritual nourishment from? Is Jesus the bread of life for you, or are you eating the junk food the world offers? 

Click Here to Read Psalm 106:32-48  

Click Here to Read "Proverbs 14:34-35'

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