Our first two days conclude our readings in the book of Judges, with the history of Samson, the rest of it being omitted as simply throwing strong side-lights on the conditions of Israel at that time, interesting because of that; but if we must omit any, let us omit some of these side-light pictures, rather than the great main lines, which show the development of God's work with the holy Seed. The history of Samson is exceedingly unsatisfactory,—a man who seemed to be almost wholly selfish and sensuous, and totally unworthy; yet is he set before us as an example of faith. Sometimes there are great sinners who have great faith, and Samson seemed to be one of them. Not this alone, but he was one whom God could use. He seemed to be the best instrument at hand at that time, and God uses the best instruments at hand; for it was not Samson alone who was involved, it was the people of Israel and the nation of the Philistines as well. Keeping these thoughts in mind will help us to solve some of the problems of Scripture.
We omit the book of Ruth. It only takes a few minutes to read the whole book,—a wonderful love story, literally true, and full of type and promise for the future. It will be seen that the actors in it are a part of the family from which our Lord Himself sprang.
The book of Samuel opens a new era for Israel. Through their transgressions and departing from God, they had been brought very low,—poor slaves to the Philistines; and they were willing to listen to the voice of the new prophet that God raised up from a child through the devoted mother Hannah. We need not take time to dwell upon it; the record itself is very plain. There is one incident, however, which is worthy of mention, regarding the ark of the Lord. Israel had been instructed regarding its holiness. It was not to be shown as a common object to all the people; and when they slighted God's commands, they suffered for it. The Philistines knew nothing of all this. To them the ark was a god among other gods. So when they put it upon a new cart and sent it away with milch kine, they were following the best light they had; and while they were not blessed because of it, judgments were withdrawn from them.
Our reading brings us down to the time when Israel is asking a king.
The week closes with the beautiful psalms 24, 25, 26. The last part of 24 is prophetic of the ascension of our Lord, after His resurrection. The two psalms which follow are echoes of true Christian experience.
