THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

February 15, 2023

LIFE IN THE FOLD

I cannot tell you the number of times that I've read the Bible and thought, "I've never noticed that before!" Even though I've read that particular story of passage of scriptures in the past, there's always something new that God reveals to me through His Word and it's always fresh. There is always something that I learn, which makes the Bible absolutely fascinating!

I have been reading 1 Samuel, which I mentioned in last week's devotional. I knew that Saul's son, Jonathan, and David were the best of friends. They truly had a God-given bond between them and loved one another.

I had always imagined them being around the same age, and thought that was how it was. But reading through the story this time, I realized that Jonathan had to have been several years older than David. I had never noticed that before!

In 1 Samuel chapter 13 we read that Saul was 30 years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty-two years. Some translations of the scriptures say that after Saul had reigned for two years over Israel, he chose 3,000 men. He took 2,000 men with him and sent 1,000 men with his son, Jonathan. Jonathan and his men attacked and defeated the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba.

At some point after that, Jonathan and his armor-bearer fought and defeated the Philistines again, with the Lord's help. (1 Samual 14) Saul went on to have other military successes.

In chapter 15, we see where the Lord rejects Saul as king of Israel, due to Saul refusing to obey God's commands. But he had been king for several years before this happened.

It wasn't until chapter 16 that God tells Samuel to go anoint a son of Jesse in Bethlehem to be Israel's next king. Jesse had lined his sons up for Samuel to look over and each time, the Lord told him, "This isn't the one that I have chosen." Finally, Samuel asked if Jesse had anymore sons. Jesse replied, "There is still the youngest. But he's out in the field watching the sheep and goats." When David appeared before Samuel, the Lord said, "This is the one; anoint him."

Many scholars and commentators agree that David was likely between 10-15 years old at this time -- most believe that he was probably around 15 years old. He didn't actually become king until he was 30 years old (2 Samuel 5:4) So he waited around 15 years (more or less) between the time of his anointing and actually serving in that position.

Researchers (who are much smarter than I am!) estimate that there was about 27 years between the time that Saul became king and the time when God rejected him and told Samuel to anoint David. Many believe that there would have been approximately 27 years between Jonathan and David's ages. Due to their research they believe that David would have been born around the time that Saul was anointed as Israel's king.

I find this fascinating, because I had always pictured Jonathan and David as being the same age, whenever I heard their story of close friendship.

But I get it! When I was younger, I often had friends who were several years older than me. Now that I'm older, I have close friendships with people who are younger than me. I'm 57 years old, so that would be like me being close friends with a 30 year old. That puts things more in perspective.

My sister, her daughter, two of her daughter-in-laws, another nephew's (son of a different sister) wife, and I get together and go out for dinner sometimes. Even thought the youngest is in her mid-twenties and the oldest in her low-sixties, we thoroughly enjoy being together and have a great love and appreciation for one another. We laugh, talk, share stories of family issues, joke, eat and have a good time together. We don't think about age differences and that has no affect on our friendship.

Friendship and love transcends how young or old a person is. We can form bonds, regardless of how many years separate us. God can bring people, of all ages, into our lives and give us a special friendship with that person. When I was younger, I tended to always have friends who were older than me. Now that I'm older, I still have friends older than I am, but also have many friends younger than me. There are no age boundaries with love and friendship!

I love John 15:12-15: "This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me."

Jesus calls us His friend! When we accept Him into our lives and obey His commands, there is a bond of love and friendship that is forged between us. He shares with us what is on His heart. He listens to us, and desires that we listen to Him in return. Through His Word, God shares His heart, His secrets, with us. Each time we read His Word, He opens up our understanding and reveals things to us. It's not like a book that you've read before and you already know everything that is going to happen. The Word of God is living and can speak to us every single time we read it! As we mature spiritually, our understanding increases and our relationship with God develops and grows, so that He can open our eyes to more and more truths that are written in His Word.

We are friends with God, who is ageless! He has always been and always will be! You cannot put a number on Him to age Him, because God has no beginning and no end. He created the heavens and the earth. He forms each baby when they are in their mother's womb. He knows our stories and each detail of our life is recorded in His book, before we take our first breath. He knows each galaxy and planet and stars.... even those not seen by human eye. He declares His glory through every sunrise and sunset. He sees each sparrow that falls. God knows each person that has ever lived, lives now, or will ever live upon earth.... He knows their name, how many hairs are upon their head, knows their every thought, hears their every word. There are things about God that our minds cannot even comprehend! So many details that He takes care of that we are unaware of. Yet He chooses to call us friend!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

Sometimes noticing something new in a scripture isn't about just missing it the first time. Many times, it is about your maturity in your relationship with God.

A new Christian might gloss over some of the long descriptions of Song of Solomon. But someone who has grown to really understand how Jesus compares our relationship with Him to a marriage might read it differently. It becomes a symbolic description of how Jesus pursues us, even when we are filled with sin, and He cleans us up even though we continue making mistakes. And eventually, we join with one heart and share a desire for the world to come to know Him.

Two different new Christians might read the same scripture and get something very different from it. And the same for those who have spent decades in church learning. It isn't always because they miss something or mis-read it, or even because they are using different translations. Often it is because they have different history, different personalities, and different needs.

Please be slow to correct someone who sees something different in a scripture. They might also be right. And don't put your Bible away just because you finished reading it. Continue reading and learning from new perspectives.

ON THE MENEWE:

Stuffed Cabbage Soup

In a stock pot brown ground beef; drain, then put back into the pot. Add chopped onion, minced garlic, and seasoned salt; cook until onions are translucent.

Add in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and 4 cups of the chicken stock. Bring back to a simmer.

Stir in chopped cabbage and cook on medium/low for 20 minutes, until cabbage is wilted and softened.

Stir in rice and cover until rice is cooked.

Stir in remaining chicken stock, as needed, until desired consistency is reached.

To make this in a slow cooker, brown ground beef on stovetop; drain.

Add all ingredients, except rice to slow cooker.

Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours.

Add rice and cover. Allow to sit for 5-7 minutes, or until rice is cooked to your liking. Add more chicken stock, if needed.

**I would probably wait and add the cabbage a little later after it has been cooking for a while, but if you're going to be gone for the day, it would be fine to add it in at the beginning.

*NOTE: This soup makes a lot! You can freeze it, but do so before adding in the rice. It also reheats really well, if you just want to eat on it during the week and keep it in the fridge. Or you could half the recipe, unless you are feeding a family or don't want a lot of leftovers.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

With Valentine's Day having been earlier this week, it brings up memories of past Valentine's Days.

When I was a kid, at school we would always make either decorate shoe boxes for our Valentine's box; or we would make one out of a paper plate and a paper heart-shaped doily. It was a big deal choosing which Valentine to give to which classmate. Then it was fun to open all of my Valentine's and read them. We would have a big party at school with cupcakes and cookies and games. Great memories!

When I became and adult and was single, the day was.... just another day.

But now that I'm married, it's a day that I enjoy celebrating with my love! Jon is my special gift from God and I love getting to celebrate him and our love!!

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

Don't shine so others can see you.

Shine so that through you others can see Him (Jesus). - C.S. Lewis

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org