After completing our 3 1/2-year cycle of readings in the Torah, we’ve decided to continue with the historical books that follow, beginning with Joshua. We’ll read first about the conquest of the Canaanite tribes, then examine the disappointing time of the Judges – punctuated by the exploits of Gideon and Samson – and the turmoil that led up to the anointing of Saul as King.
David is anointed king of Judah, while Saul’s son Ishbosheth is made king of Israel. Their conflicting reigns illustrate the internal spiritual struggle that takes place when we hear the gospel but “self” tries to maintain control.
The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple – first by the Babylonians in 587 B.C. and later by the Romans in 70 A.D. – are marked by Jews each year at the Fast of Ab. It is a time of mourning and deep reflection on the sins that brought God’s judgment on them, and points us all toward the path of repentance.
For Christians, the fast can be a time of thanksgiving for the forgiveness provided by Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross.
In fact, the medieval Jewish commentator Maimonides said that all these fasts would cease in the times of the Messiah:
Zechariah 8:19 – “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.”
This begins the new book of 2 Samuel. When an Amalekite turns up in David’s camp, he brings news of the Israelite defeat and the death of Saul and Jonathan. He also gives David Saul’s crown and bracelet in an attempt to ingratiate himself. And he reveals that he killed Saul at his request before the Philistines could torture or further desecrate his body. But David executes him instead, and writes a lament for the fallen leaders.
King Saul’s reign ends in tragedy as Israel’s army is routed by the Philistines, and Saul takes his own life under confusing circumstances. The body of Saul and his sons are desecrated and hung up in a Philistine city. The men of Jabesh-gilead, remembering Saul’s saving them in the early stage of his kingship, take down the bodies, burn them and bury the bones.
Zechariah 8:19 – “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.”
The Fast of Tammuz begins a three-week season of mourning and repentance. The first fast reminded Jews of the day when the wall of Jerusalem was breached by the Babylonians in 587 B.C. (and later by the Romans in 70 A.D.) The Fast of Ab three weeks later designates the complete destruction of the Temple and Israel carried off into captivity. The focus of this season is on the idolatry that brought God’s judgment upon them, and a search to rid ourselves of any idolatry within ourselves.
The medieval Jewish commentator Maimonides said that all these fasts would cease in the times of the Messiah. So Zechariah’s prophesy points to God’s final victory, which as believers we celebrate from our position as “seated with him in the heavenlies.”
The Philistine leaders don’t trust David to join their invasion of Israel, so he and his men are sent back to Ziklag. They find a disaster – the Amalekites have burned their homes and captured their wives and children. In his greatest moment of despair, David “encourages himself in the Lord.” God assures him he will prevail, and David and his men defeat the Amalekites, recover everyone alive and distribute the extra spoils to those who had aided him in Israel.
When the Philistine army invades, Saul needs a word from God on what to do. But God is silent. So instead, Saul seeks out a medium, someone who can conjure up the dead. He asks her to summon the dead prophet Samuel. But Samuel’s message is devastating for Saul, and predicts defeat and death.
We're starting to renew our in-person meetings as the pandemic winds down. Sunday Big Group meetings, the Buckner Tuesday Bible study and Pete's Friday Bible study are currently meeting in person. (A Zoom option is also sometimes still available).
Our church community gathers throughout the week at different places on The Block, a neighborhood between downtown and the Lakewood area of Dallas, Texas, near the corner of Beacon and Columbia Ave. We'd love to have you join us!
If you can’t make it to The Block, you can listen to podcasts from the archive by our late elder, Ole Anthony, recorded at his daily Morning Bible Studies, available here.
Sundays
Note: There are no Sunday Morning meetings
Potluck Meal: We gather together for a potluck meal at 4 p.m. Sunday at The Lair, our community restaurant, located at 5644 Columbia Ave., downstairs.
'Big Group': Then we all gather from 5 - 6 p.m. Sunday for worship, singing and Bible study at the home of John and Joysanna Rutledge next door at 5640 Columbia Ave., upstairs. Contact John Rutledge jhnrutledge@gmail.com or call (214) 385-0230.
Spanish-language Bible Study
There is a Spanish-language Bible Study led by Pete Evans, Sundays at 8 p.m. Contact Pete at pete@trinityfi.org or call (214) 738-3349.
Tuesdays
Bible study at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Gary and Judy Buckner's home at 5632 Columbia Ave. Contact Gary Buckner, buckner.construction@gmail.com or call (214) 682-8007.
Fridays
At 7 p.m. Fridays, Bible Study taught by Pete Evans at 5640 Columbia Ave., downstairs. Contact Pete Evans, pete@trinityfi.org or call (214) 738-3349
Saturday Brunch - Pending
We're hoping soon to re-instate our Saturday brunch from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. in The Lair, our community restaurant located at 5644 Columbia Ave. Stay tuned!
E-mail us: blockoncolumbia@gmail.com