As many have noted, many of the stories are missing from The Bible mini-series. Producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey have done well at portraying the stories with a fair balance of biblical accuracy and dramatic interpretation; however, the scope of the entirety of God's Word is just too vast to include all of it in a mini-series. A society that thrives on 140-character tweets would lose interest before we even got to Daniel in the Lions Den.
What's important to remember is that the Bible isn't a series of stories. It is a story. Singular. It is the story of God's relationship with man. A relationship that was perfect until the created rejected and disobeyed the Creator. From that point on, the whole Book points to the coming Savior who would restore that relationship; who would renew the love story. That's what I'm hoping to see in the coming weeks.
Jericho - Rahab and Joshua
The battle of Jericho was one of many battles that brought the Israelites into the Promised Land. I loved Rahab's words, "You have a God who commands the winds and parts the seas. How can we fight a people whose God can do that?" Amen, Rahab. Here's the answer - you can't. "For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you the victory" (Deuteronomy 20:4).(/span>
The first question that came up from the movie was during this part. Someone asked, "Why did the walls fall?" I hope to find a possible answer as to why God chose this method to conquer Jericho. When I do, I'll post it in the comment section below.
Joshua: "If we obey the Lord, anything is possible!" Absolutely, Joshua!
Samson
Samson was a Nazirite known for his God-given strength. "The angel of the LORD appeared to [Samson's mother] and said, 'You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines'" (Judges 13:3-5).
Even with his incredible strength, we recognize as they said in the movie, "Our strength comes from God." The beauty of Samson's story comes toward the end. Samson messed up when he let his relationship with Delilah rule his heart over his vow to God. Yet when he sought God, repented of his sin, and asked forgiveness, the relationship was restored. God empowered him once again. From the movie, "Lord, if I'm yours, remember me now. Strengthen me once more."
Samson lost his eyes by the hands of the Philistines during his time of weakness. As awful as that is, there's something to it. After all, sometimes we see more clearly when we don't use our eyes.
The question from this part of the movie is this, "Is Samson a type - or a foreshadowing - of Christ?" Look for the answer as soon as it's available in the comment section.
Samuel
"God is our only King!" Loved that line from Samuel in the movie. The Old Testament prophets were a very no-nonsense group; Samuel lived up to this. I loved their straight-to-the-point comments.
God used Samuel to anoint both Saul and later David as the first two kings of Israel. The question was asked of me during this part of the movie, "Why did they pour oil on Saul?" I'll answer that later, too.
For now, remember this line from the movie, "What the Lord gives He can take away." God blesses and removes blessing according to His own sovereignty. Live grateful for what He has given.
David
The story of David in the movie was epic right from the beginning. I absolutely loved the part where Goliath yelled out for someone to fight him. As all the Israelite warriors cowered in fear, David stepped out and said, "I'll do it." God doesn't work through the strong and mighty of this world; He uses the small and ordinary to make known His power and majesty.
As David stepped out in faith to the battle before him, we all sat riveted as we waited to see Goliath fall. With God on your side, a small rock strikes a deadly blow.
David was a man of honesty, a man of integrity. Nothing showed this more than his refusal to kill Saul. David had already been anointed as the next king, yet he knew God had also anointed Saul. David knew better than to strike down God's anointed. As he said in the movie, "He's one of the anointed, it's up to God to decide his destiny."
As we all probably know, the lust of the eyes and the flesh brings down the mightiest of kings. David is no exception. Even then, after adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, God's mercy and forgiveness awaited David. Who can comprehend the vastness of God's unfailing love? His anointed fell and yet God is faithful.
Finally, the best line of the movie came at the end. "A king is never above his God. You were to rule in His name, not your own." Samson, Saul, even David - they all fell when they sought their own desires rather than those of God. God blesses and protects those who serve in His name, not their own.
So there you have it - a few of my key thoughts on The Bible series, episode two "Homeland." What did you think? What was your favorite part of the movie? What part would you like to discuss? Be sure to leave a comment below!
Other articles in this series:
The Bible Series - Beginnings (Episode 1)
The Bible Series - Hope (Episode 3)
The Bible Series - Mission (Episode 4)
The Bible Series - Passion (Episode 5)
First question: Why did the walls fall in Jericho? Why did God use that method to conquer Jericho?
ReplyDeleteThis was an exciting study for me...Here's what I came up with. The first use of the word wall (Hebrew:chowmah) is when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. God built walls of water on either side of the people as they crossed through on dry ground.
Rahab told the two spies that fear fell (Hebrew:naphal)on the people of Jericho when they heard of this miracle. They encountered the power of God through this miracle yet they let terror rule them rather than humble themselves before God. They put their trust in their rock walls (Hebrew:chowmah).
Joshua also encountered the power of God when pre-incarnate Christ appeared before him to tell him how to conquer the city of Jericho. Joshua's response was to fall (Hebrew:naphal) prostrate before the Lord. He humbled himself and asked God what He would have him to do.
So it boils down to this - When you encounter God, are you going to put your trust in the works you have done - the walls you have built? Or, are you going to humble yourself before Almighty God? God can build walls out of water and make walls of rock crumble - are you going to trust Him?
Another question that was asked during the movie, "Is Samson a type of Christ?" Types in the Old Testament refer to events and people who were a picture of something or someone to come in the New Testament. Yes, I believe Samson was a type of Christ. All references below are from the book of Judges.
ReplyDeleteBIRTH:
An angel announced his coming birth (13:3).
A foreign nation ruled Israel at the time of his birth (13:1).
God set him apart for special service (13:5).
LIFE:
God used him to bring freedom to the people (13:5).
His bride was Gentile (ch. 14).
He killed a lion. (14:6 - Jesus will conquer Satan who is pictured as a roaring lion.)
DEATH:
Betrayed for pieces of silver (16:5).
Gave his life to save his people (13:5).
Died with his arms outstretched (16:29).
What is the lesson of the type? Joseph is a type of Jesus' life while Jonah is a type of Jesus' resurrection. Samson is a type to foreshadow the purpose and manner of Jesus' death.
I was asked a third question during the movie - why did they pour oil on Saul and David when they became king? For the first part of my answer I'm going to quote from my study "Everything We Need: God's Path to Know Him Better." This study will release here on the blog within the next month or two. From the lesson "Know Jesus is the Christ"...
ReplyDeleteAnointing isn’t a common practice anymore but it was a large part of Jewish life during the years of the Old Testament. Both the religious and political leaders were anointed with oil as part of their ordination into office. “Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest” (Exodus 40:13). Not only the priests but also the king, “So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed [David] in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power” (1 Samuel 16:13).
And let me add here for this specific question, oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit in the Bible. The outer anointing of oil on the priests and kings symbolized the inner anointing by the Spirit of God.