May

May is here. This year that means not only flowers and springlike weather, but also accounts of the kings of Israel and stories of some of Paul's problems with the church at Corinth.

The Old Testament readings this month begin with 1 Samuel. Chapters 20-31 close out the life and tragic death of Saul. These chapters make for gloomy reading. Saul's fall away from god is coupled with mental instability, to the point that, in desperation, he finally consults a medium and then commits suicide. The bright spot here is that Saul is unable to poison the strong friendship between his son, Jonathan, and David. David does not appear to have many other friends at this time, and some of the psalms reflect fear and loneliness.

Second Samuel tells us the story of David's kingship. You will discover that he is a very complex person. While David is remembered later as Israel's ideal king, it is obvious that in addition to some exceptionally good qualities, he also has some major character flaws. Note especially how David's own inability to curb his predilection for women results in a household that is anything but harmonious. In many ways, his sons continue the pattern of passion and lack of self-control that marked his life. Nevertheless, you will detect something in David's heart that is good and praiseworthy, a core of faithfulness and trust that is exemplary and draws God's love: he is, after all, a "man after [God's] heart" (1 Sam. 13:14).

As 1 Kings opens, Solomon follows David to the throne. Solomon comes to be known as the model of wisdom in Israel. Chapter 3 gives us two stories that display his discernment in graphic detail. Under Solomon, there is peace and growing prosperity in the land. Major building projects, including a temple to the God of Israel, are instituted. But over time, Solomon's use of forced labor angers his people, and his enjoyment of royal luxury annoys them. Solomon's great wisdom does not prevent him, however, from unwisely leaving a dangerously divided kingdom to his son Rehoboam.

It is not long before the Northern tribes break away to establish their own kingdom under Jeroboam. Notice that he is from Ephraim, a very influential tribe that often rivaled Judah for pride of place among the twelve tribes. This kingdom arrogates to itself the name "Israel." The remaining tribes in the South come to be known as "Judah." Since the Northern tribes are larger and enjoy a better geographic situation, they very quickly come to be much more important in terms of the social-political realities of the day. Their allegiance to the God of Israel, unfortunately, is not very steady. One indication of this is that they set up sanctuaries at Dan and Bethel to keep people from going to Jerusalem. Another is the constant temptation to participate in Baal worship.

"God or Baal" is the real issue in the latter chapters of 1 Kings as we read about the conflicts between Elijah and King Ahab. Look carefully at Elijah. He is the prototype of the prophet in Israel. Thus, when we are told of the Transfiguration in the Gospels, it is Moses and Elijah who appear to Jesus. Moses represents the law; Elijah, the prophets. To understand the problem with Ahab and Jezebel, it is important to realize that their intention was not to deny Israel's God, Yahweh. Rather, they wanted to worship both God and Baal. They wanted to have a portfolio of gods on their side to cover any possible eventualities.

This is a typically polytheistic approach to religion and it is perfectly understandable to many millions of people, but it is at the same time diametrically opposed to Israel's faith: "If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him" (18:21). This is the challenge of Elijah on Mount Carmel, and it is crucial to the basic message preached later by all the prophets - and the apostles of Christ as well. Before leaving this story, ask yourself what false gods there are in our own generation and whether we, too, need to listen to Elijah.

Most of our New Testament readings this month will be in 1 Corinthians. The Corinthian Christians had great potential, but they had many problems too. You will notice a tone of distress, and sometimes anguish, in Paul's writing. (This distress is even stronger in 2 Corinthians.) An underlying difficulty was pride. Divisions were deep and sharp, and scandals sometimes rocked the church. It is refreshing to realize that some beautiful passages in the letter are composed as Paul is trying to bring relief to a not-so-pleasant situation. You may think of his description of the words of institution for the Lord's Supper in chapter 11, or the wonderful hymn on love in chapter 13.

There is not enough space here to deal in depth with the comment that Paul makes about women being "silent in the churches" (14:34), but you will certainly notice it! This appears to be a comment for the very messy Corinthian situation, rather than a command for all congregations at all times. In fact, even in Corinth, there are times when Paul approves of women speaking publicly - even in an authoritative role (11:2-16).

Finally, 1 Corinthians contains a compelling witness to the hope and assurance that Christ's resurrection offers. If you are wondering about your faith, if you feel a questioning tug within you about whether faith in God really makes sense, read chapter 15 again. There Paul reminds us that the last word in this mysterious and sometimes disastrous world is spoken by God. "Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 57).

From The Year of the Bible by James E. Davison