1 Samuel: He Will Do Whatever is in My Heart and Mind

May 18, 2025

Explore the tension between self-identity and divine authority through Frodo's journey. Discover the moral failures of ancient Israel's priesthood and their impact on spiritual accountability. Embrace the joy of surrendering personal desires to align with God’s will. Delve into the importance of love and truth in exhortation, fostering openness within the faith community. Finally, grasp the urgency of trusting God and passionately surrendering to His plan without needing all the details.

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INSIGHT

The Tyranny of Self-Will

Our culture now values self-will and autonomy over obedience to God.
Clinging to self-will is like holding onto the ring of power, which consumes and enslaves us.

ANECDOTE

Eli's Sons Exploit Temple Women

Eli's sons exploited women serving at the temple and committed sexual abuse under religious authority.
Samuel grew up witnessing this corrupt environment, not a holy one.

ADVICE

Practice Loving Exhortation

Take the spiritual responsibility to exhort, meaning to confront and awaken others in love.
Exhortation is not just advice but moral confrontation risking relationship for someone's soul.

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The Return of the King

J.R.R Tolkien

In 'The Return of the King', the third and final volume of 'The Lord of the Rings', Frodo and Sam face their most daunting challenge as they journey through Mordor to destroy the One Ring. Meanwhile, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli navigate the Paths of the Dead, and the armies of Rohan and Gondor prepare for the Siege of Minas Tirith. The book concludes with the destruction of the Ring, the defeat of Sauron, and the aftermath of the war, including the return of the hobbits to the Shire and Frodo's eventual departure to the Undying Lands.

Dante's Inferno

Dante Alighieri

Charles Eliot Norton

Inferno is the first part of Dante Alighieri's epic poem, The Divine Comedy. It narrates Dante's fictional journey through the nine circles of Hell, guided by the ancient Roman poet Virgil. The poem is an allegory representing the soul's journey towards God, starting with the recognition and rejection of sin. Hell is depicted as a realm of those who have rejected spiritual values, with punishments fitting the sins committed. The journey is a spiritual rescue mission initiated by Beatrice, who represents divine revelation and guides Dante through his spiritual growth and eventual readiness to leave sin behind[1][3][4].

Malachi

Andrew E. Hill

This commentary, part of the Anchor Yale Bible series, offers a thorough and detailed analysis of the book of Malachi. Andrew E. Hill places the book in its historical context, interpreting its original meaning and providing insights for modern readers. The book includes a fresh translation, notes, and comments, along with photographs, line art, and maps to enhance understanding. Hill's approach is characterized by a 'believing criticism' that balances critical tools with an orthodox appreciation of the Bible, aiming to ascertain the authorial intent of the text. The commentary also includes discussions on the liturgical use of Malachi within Judaism and Christianity, and it provides a wealth of detail on theological, literary, and grammatical terms[1][2][3].