1 Samuel 5-7 ; Proverbs 12:18-27 ; John 11:45-12:11 "General Johnston" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper Yesterday we stated that the Ark of God had no business in Philistia. As we come to 1 Samuel 5, we see that, after capturing it, the Philistines carried it to Ashdod – one of the five cities of the Philistines (cf., 1 Samuel 6:17). They placed the Ark in the temple of Dagon next to their statue (i.e., idol) of Dagon. Like all idols that man fash

1 Samuel 2:27-4:22 ; Psalm 64 ; John 11:1-44 "From Tannenkirch to Bad Riedlingen" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Acrylic on Panel Yesterday, we briefly addressed the man of God who foretold the downfall of Eli’s priestly line. In 1 Samuel 2:27-4:22, we now see that, through the demotion of Eli and the elevation of Samuel, God plans to shift away from the rule of judges to the reign of kings. We read in 1 Samuel 3 that “the boy Samuel ministers before the LORD under El

1 Samuel 1:1-2:26 ; Psalm 63 ; John 10:22-42 "Young Tylie" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper Today we come to the book of 1 Samuel, in which we will see the transition from the times of the judges to the kingdom period through Samuel the prophet (cf., 1 Chronicles 9:22). This book opens with the birth and dedication of Samuel. Each of the characters in 1 Samuel 1:1-2:26 is colorful, but Hannah is exceptionally beautiful for her commitment to the Lor

Ruth 3-4; Psalm 62; John 9:35-10:21 "Nathan at 12, II" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Watercolor on Paper Today in Ruth 3-4, we can see God working in the background to help this special family. Naomi, who understands her responsibilities to the law and to the customs of Israel, seeks to “find a home where Ruth will be well-provided for” (verse 1). Finding a home implies locating a place of settled rest – a place of refuge – which is the object of chapter 3. Coming back

Ruth 1-2; Proverbs 12:8-17; John 9:1-34 "Forest of Fire" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Acrylic & Gouache on Paper Today we come to the little book of Ruth. Having just completed the book of Judges with its repeated references to Israel’s continual apostasy and all the sordid evils recorded there, our hearts and minds are ready for some spiritual refreshment. Under the Holy Spirit’s superintendence and influence, we are blessed and encouraged as we read this beautiful l

Judges 20-21 ; Psalm 61 ; John 8:31-59 "Marienkirche Reutlingen" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pen & Ink on Paper Today we come to the last two chapters of Judges. The whole book of Judges reads like a completely decadent, post-modern novel that emphasizes people striving after their own materialistic desires. The book reveals the depths of depravity and the levels of violence contained in the human heart – full of brutality, the vicious finality of murder, and the bi

Judges 18-19 ; Psalm 60:5-12 ; John 8:12-30 "Carley Road Chicken House" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Oil on Canvas Yesterday, we stated the need to be extra careful not to miss verse 6 of Judges 17: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” We said that this verse summarizes God’s assessment of Israel during the entire period of the Judges, and that we would see this summary again. Well, notice that today’s readings in both Judges 18 and 19 beg