WINNERS AND LOSERS THE BOOKS OF RUTH AND I SAMUEL
By Frank Eiklor and Cecilia Contreras
LESSON 39 (Part 1)
INTRODUCTION
How important is it that we study the examples of the past in order to govern our behavior in the present? Take King Saul, who will be part of this chapter’s study. Most people believe Saul was a loser from the beginning. Yet he started out with all the attributes of a winner. His own failure to learn the lessons of the past may have set him up for a tragic fall from God’s heart and will. His life is worth studying in our desire to be faithful not merely in the beginning but also at the end of life.
We continue our study of God’s dealings with individuals and nations during Old Testament days as we learn by examples how we should live today. This study will take us through Ruth and the first 10 chapters of I Samuel.
THE BOOK OF RUTH
1:16, 17—Example—Ruth, a pagan, enters God’s circle of blessing by blessing the Jews.
2:10-12—Example—The effect and reward of a shining light.
4:15—Example—Value and esteem of a foreign woman’s godly character in a time of male supremacy and national pride.
THE BOOK OF I SAMUEL
1:11, 17,20,27,28—Hannah—An example of perfect and costly obedience.
2:1-10—Hannah—An example of returning worship to God for His goodness to her.
2:12, 17, 22, 25;4:11—Hophni and Phinehas—Example of twisted religious leaders paying with their lives for their own evil examples.
2:22-25, 29, 34,35; 3:13,18; 4:17,18—Eli—The extreme and tragic example of a father failing to restrain his evil children.
2:18, 26, 35; 3:1,10,17-21—Samuel—An example of a heart for God from youth until death.
2:29; 3:13—Eli’s death—an example of the price of disobedience.
4:5-8—Example—Pagans feared the God of Israel more than did the people of Israel (see also 5:1-5, 11) (see also 6:1-3, 5, 6).
6:9, 12—Example—Even cattle knew to obey and “praise” (v 12) the Lord—while Israel didn’t.
DANGER OF FAMILIARITY AND CARELESSNESS
6:19, 20—Example of horrific price Israel paid for carelessness toward God.
7:2-6—Example—A true “soul winner” expects repentance from those he guides to God.
8:1-5—Example—A godly man’s wayward sons become part of Satan’s plan to develop a wayward nation.
8:5-10, 18-20—Example of the Chosen People proving the depravity of the human heart by their choice of the world rather than God.
9:2, 21—Example of a humble beginning that would be destroyed by the trap of power and prestige (see also 10:6, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, 26, 27) (also see 11:12, 13).
10:2-6—Example of a God of specifics leaving those who seek Him no room for doubt.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
TEST YOURSELF
1) What areas of your life could others say, “This brother started so well, but I’m not sure how he will end?”
2) How has God used the gifts and talents He has given you? And how might those same blessings (if not kept surrendered to Christ) become your greatest weakness?
3) Who can you reach out to (who is going through difficult times) to encourage him/her to follow Christ? Who can you begin praying for today?
