18 August 2010
Psalm 119:145-176; Judges 18:16-31; Acts 8:14-25; John 6:1-15

Jacob’s prophecy concerning his son Dan and his descendants was that he would be a serpent in the way, a viper on the path (Genesis 49.17) and here we see that the Danites were a treacherous and untrustworthy people. Micah is an Ephraimite, a brother tribe, and the Danites here steal his idols and his priest. This passage speaks poorly both of the nation, which seems to be unraveling from brotherly affections, and of the state of the religious life and leadership of the nation. The “priest” of Micah is willing to abandon all for an offer to serve a greater flock and the grandson of Moses is willing to be used as a priest for this same tribe and establish a worship center there in spite of the fact that God had not authorized such a center. The nation is adrift and not moving in a good direction.

The crowds are going to Jerusalem for Passover and on the way Jesus does signs and teaches the people in such a way that His fame is spreading and people outside the city are beginning to follow Him. Here we see that the disciples, particularly Philip, lack the faith or understanding of Jesus to know Him fully. Jesus asks the question “where” and Philip gives an answer related to “how.” Clearly there is no where to buy bread but Philip is concerned with money. Seeing this sign, many believed Jesus was the prophet like Moses who was to come. Just as Moses had been able to miraculously provide food for the Israelites in a desert place, so Jesus has done for these and they are forming right judgments although they have a way to go to really know who he is. At this moment they are getting warmer in their understanding, moving towards a right understanding.

I wonder if Peter and John were thinking about that day that John recorded in the fourth chapter of his Gospel when they went to Samaria when Philip called for help. On that occasion Jesus had spoken of praying for workers for the harvest for the harvest was plentiful and the workers were few. They have spent a few months or longer seeing the harvest in Jerusalem and now they are called out to the harvest Jesus had seen that day when the whole town came out to the well and then embraced Him as Messiah. Here they see that the Samaritans too can receive the Holy Spirit. These people were originally part of the nation but got separated early on, claiming to be the true Israel and possessing only the books of Moses (Genesis-Deuteronomy). It seems, therefore, fitting that they would be the first group outside Jerusalem to come back to the true fold of God, those who accept Jesus.

I will hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.