{"id":3193,"date":"2020-03-20T14:17:40","date_gmt":"2020-03-20T03:17:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/?p=3193"},"modified":"2020-03-20T14:17:40","modified_gmt":"2020-03-20T03:17:40","slug":"god-sees-the-heart-22-03-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/?p=3193","title":{"rendered":"God sees the heart 22-03-2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

1 Samuel\u00a0 <\/span>16: 1-13 God sees the heart<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

(Lent 4)<\/i><\/p>\n

I Samuel 16: 1-13<\/p>\n

Psalm 23<\/p>\n

Ephesians 5: 8-14<\/p>\n

John:1-41<\/p>\n

Paul Kelly, an Australian singer and song writer, penned these words, which could summarise this passage:<\/p>\n

\u2018from little things, big things grow\u2019<\/p>\n

(and yes, it is the jingle used for an insurance ad!)<\/p>\n

This passage of Scripture delights children, and expands the heart of the underdog.<\/p>\n

In our of our children\u2019s Bibles, there is a picture of a later episode, when King Saul kits David out in armour\u2026David\u2019s tunic is too long, and the helmet goes right over his face so he cannot see\u2026not the equipment he needs!<\/p>\n

It is a passage that reminds us that God sees the little\u2026and the big, the powerful\u2026and the insignificant<\/p>\n

And<\/p>\n

That all have a purpose\u2026for we are all part of God\u2019s family.<\/p>\n

Back to the story.<\/p>\n

Seven of Jesse\u2019s sons are lined up, strapping lads\u2026but not one of them has been deemed suitable as the future King.<\/p>\n

The other one, outside, overlooked, too young to merit a look in- is the successful choice\u2026God\u2019s choice.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not much of a sports person (so this cancelling of sporting events is not a hardship for me), but I do like watching the Olympics, especially the Winter Olympics.<\/p>\n

I enjoy seeing sports we were not created for-ice skating-if we were meant to skate, we would have blades on out feet, and if we were meant to jump off slopes to ski-we would have long, narrow feet!<\/p>\n

BUT I do enjoy it when the underdog wins (remember Steven Bradbury?\u00a0 <\/span>There was even a reference to him in Joy\u2019s Ordination Service last week), or is at least able to compete.<\/p>\n

Remember Eddie the Eagle, daring to do the ski jumps?\u00a0 <\/span>Back in 2016 a movie was made of Eddie\u2019s life and his determination to be an Olympian.\u00a0 <\/span>It was a good little film about following your dreams etc-but it still didn\u2019t convince me to see skiing as my calling!<\/p>\n

I prefer the Para-Olympics, for they are the real heroes, in my book.<\/p>\n

Dare to tell someone their life is over, or that they cannot \u2018do \u2019something\u2026and see what happens!<\/p>\n

The richness of the Invictus Games.\u00a0 <\/span>Sadly, they may be cancelled this year (they are scheduled to be played in the Netherlands in May).<\/p>\n

Back to David.\u00a0 <\/span>Where is he?\u00a0 <\/span>Out with the sheep.<\/p>\n

Now, we need to put aside any romantic notions we may harbour about shepherds\u2026take off our \u2018Heidi\u2019 glasses\u2026these are not the Swiss Alps!<\/p>\n

Shepherding was a dangerous job: there were lions and bears.\u00a0 <\/span>The shepherd\u2019s crook was not only used to rescue sheep stuck in crevices or on ledges\u2026the crook was also a weapon, used to fight off predators.<\/p>\n

David\u2026yes, I know the passage mentions David\u2019s good looks, \u201che was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes , and was handsome\u201d (a bit Mills and Boon) but that wasn\u2019t the reason for his choice by God (remember that Samuel had thought Eliab would have been chosen, \u2018But the Lord said to Samuel, \u201cDo not look on the outward appearance or on the height of his statue, because I have rejected him, for the Lord does not see as mortals see\u2026\u201d)<\/p>\n

David was a brave soul.<\/p>\n

Used to danger, defending the herd, being courageous.<\/p>\n

BUT<\/p>\n

Perhaps also chosen because as a shepherd he would have earned to be watchful, alert, and\u2026gentle.<\/p>\n

In Judaism, one of the reasons Moses was chosen by God to lead his people out of Egypt was because of his care of the flock.<\/p>\n

In the Midrash (a form of ancient Jewish commentary on the texts, often stories which \u2018fill in the gaps\u2019).\u00a0 <\/span>The standard explanation for Moses and David being shepherds is that taking care of sheep was a prelude and, in a way, a training ground, for leading the Israelites.\u00a0 <\/span>In the Midrash Exodus Rabbah<\/i> (2:2) God observes the leadership capabilities of both Moses and David through their shepherding skills.\u00a0 <\/span>Regarding Moses, the Midrash famously tells how a little lamb ran away while Moses was tending Jethro\u2019s flock:<\/p>\n

\u2018When Moses was feeding the sheep of his father-in-law in the wilderness, a young one ran away.\u00a0 <\/span>Moses pursued it until he reached a ravine where it found a well to drink from.\u00a0 <\/span>When Moses reached it, he said, \u2018I did not know that you ran away because you were thirsty.\u00a0 <\/span>Now you must be weary.\u2019\u00a0 <\/span>He carried it back.\u00a0 <\/span>Then God said, \u2018Because you have shown pity in leading back one of the flock belonging to a man, you shall lead my flock, Israel.\u2019(Exodus Rabbah<\/i>).\u00a0 <\/span>Similarly, regarding David, the Midrash states that he kept the big sheep penned and let the little ones graze first, allowing them to eat the softer vegetation.\u00a0 <\/span>Next, he released the old sheep to graze on the medium vegetation, and finally the strongest sheep were released to graze on the toughest vegetation.\u00a0 <\/span>God then declared, \u201cWhoever knows how to take care of sheep, each one according to its strength, he is the one who shall come and shepherd My people.\u201d<\/p>\n

The connection between leadership and shepherding is also made in another Midrash, where many parallels are listed between the way God and Moses looked after the Israelites.\u00a0 <\/span>For example, a shepherd takes care of his sheep even if they run off, just as God and Moses did not abandon the Israelites during the forty years of wandering in the desert, despite their constant complaints and rebelliousness.<\/p>\n

Why not David as well?\u00a0 <\/span>We know, as king, he cared for his human flock, he did not abandon them.<\/p>\n

People who care about animals often make good and kind leaders.<\/p>\n

God chose David, who had a good, courageous, yet gentle, heart.<\/p>\n

God sees the heart\u2026rather than the outer appearance.<\/p>\n

Be good and compassionate folk-from your inner core\u2026from your very heart.<\/p>\n

And know that God still has a plan for you\u2026a unique set of instructions for your life\u2026even during these trying and troubling times.\u00a0 <\/span>Whether you are tall\u2026or small<\/p>\n

God, as your shepherd, will NEVER abandon you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Amen<\/p>\n

(for March 22)<\/p>\n

Next week I hope to write up something about Psalm 23, which was the Psalm set for this week.\u00a0 <\/span>It merits a sermon of its own, and I hope it will be a resource for hope and strength during the coming weeks. It is a Psalm very dear to many of you, a faithful, supportive friend.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1 Samuel\u00a0 16: 1-13 God sees the heart (Lent 4) I Samuel 16: 1-13 Psalm 23 Ephesians 5: 8-14 John:1-41 Paul Kelly, an Australian singer and song writer, penned these words, which could summarise this passage: \u2018from little things, big things grow\u2019 (and yes, it is the jingle used for an insurance ad!) This passage of Scripture delights children, and expands the heart of the underdog. In our of our children\u2019s Bibles, there is a picture of a later episode, when King Saul kits David out in armour\u2026David\u2019s tunic is too long, and the helmet goes right over his face so he cannot see\u2026not the equipment he needs! It is a passage that reminds us that God sees the little\u2026and the big, the powerful\u2026and the insignificant And That all have a purpose\u2026for we are all part of God\u2019s family. Back to the story. Seven of Jesse\u2019s sons are lined up, strapping lads\u2026but not one of them has been deemed suitable as the future King. The other one, outside, overlooked, too young to merit a look in- is the successful choice\u2026God\u2019s choice. I\u2019m not much of a sports person (so this cancelling of sporting events is not a hardship for me), but I do like watching the Olympics, especially the Winter Olympics. I enjoy seeing sports we were not created for-ice skating-if we were meant to skate, we would have blades on out feet, and if we were meant to jump off slopes to ski-we would have long, narrow feet! BUT I do enjoy it when the underdog wins (remember Steven Bradbury?\u00a0 There was even a reference to him in Joy\u2019s Ordination Service last week), or is at least able to compete. Remember Eddie the Eagle, daring to do the ski jumps?\u00a0 Back in 2016 a movie was made of Eddie\u2019s life and his determination to be an Olympian.\u00a0 It was a good little film about following your dreams etc-but it still didn\u2019t convince me to see skiing as my calling! I prefer the Para-Olympics, for they are the real heroes, in my book. Dare to tell someone their life is over, or that they cannot \u2018do \u2019something\u2026and see what happens! The richness of the Invictus Games.\u00a0 Sadly, they may be cancelled this year (they are scheduled to be played in the Netherlands in May). Back to David.\u00a0 Where is he?\u00a0 Out with the sheep. Now, we need to put aside any romantic notions we may harbour about shepherds\u2026take off our \u2018Heidi\u2019 glasses\u2026these are not the Swiss Alps! Shepherding was a dangerous job: there were lions and bears.\u00a0 The shepherd\u2019s crook was not only used to rescue sheep stuck in crevices or on ledges\u2026the crook was also a weapon, used to fight off predators. David\u2026yes, I know the passage mentions David\u2019s good looks, \u201che was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes , and was handsome\u201d (a bit Mills and Boon) but that wasn\u2019t the reason for his choice by God (remember that Samuel had thought Eliab would have been chosen, \u2018But the Lord said to Samuel, \u201cDo not look on the outward appearance or on the height of his statue, because I have rejected him, for the Lord does not see as mortals see\u2026\u201d) David was a brave soul. Used to danger, defending the herd, being courageous. BUT Perhaps also chosen because as a shepherd he would have earned to be watchful, alert, and\u2026gentle. In Judaism, one of the reasons Moses was chosen by God to lead his people out of Egypt was because of his care of the flock. In the Midrash (a form of ancient Jewish commentary on the texts, often stories which \u2018fill in the gaps\u2019).\u00a0 The standard explanation for Moses and David being shepherds is that taking care of sheep was a prelude and, in a way, a training ground, for leading the Israelites.\u00a0 In the Midrash Exodus Rabbah (2:2) God observes the leadership capabilities of both Moses and David through their shepherding skills.\u00a0 Regarding Moses, the Midrash famously tells how a little lamb ran away while Moses was tending Jethro\u2019s flock: \u2018When Moses was feeding the sheep of his father-in-law in the wilderness, a young one ran away.\u00a0 Moses pursued it until he reached a ravine where it found a well to drink from.\u00a0 When Moses reached it, he said, \u2018I did not know that you ran away because you were thirsty.\u00a0 Now you must be weary.\u2019\u00a0 He carried it back.\u00a0 Then God said, \u2018Because you have shown pity in leading back one of the flock belonging to a man, you shall lead my flock, Israel.\u2019(Exodus Rabbah).\u00a0 Similarly, regarding David, the Midrash states that he kept the big sheep penned and let the little ones graze first, allowing them to eat the softer vegetation.\u00a0 Next, he released the old sheep to graze on the medium vegetation, and finally the strongest sheep were released to graze on the toughest vegetation.\u00a0 God then declared, \u201cWhoever knows how to take care of sheep, each one according to its strength, he is the one who shall come and shepherd My people.\u201d The connection between leadership and shepherding is also made in another Midrash, where many parallels are listed between the way God and Moses looked after the Israelites.\u00a0 For example, a shepherd takes care of his sheep even if they run off, just as God and Moses did not abandon the Israelites during the forty years of wandering in the desert, despite their constant complaints and rebelliousness. Why not David as well?\u00a0 We know, as king, he cared for his human flock, he did not abandon them. People who care about animals often make good and kind leaders. God chose David, who had a good, courageous, yet gentle, heart. God sees the heart\u2026rather than the outer appearance. Be good and compassionate folk-from your inner core\u2026from your very heart. And know that God still has a plan for you\u2026a unique set of instructions for your life\u2026even during these trying and troubling times.\u00a0 Whether you are tall\u2026or small God, as your shepherd,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Leighmoor.Master","author_link":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/author\/leighmoor-master"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"Sermons<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"1 Samuel\u00a0 16: 1-13 God sees the heart (Lent 4) I Samuel 16: 1-13 Psalm 23 Ephesians 5: 8-14 John:1-41 Paul Kelly, an Australian singer and song writer, penned these words, which could summarise this passage: \u2018from little things, big things grow\u2019 (and yes, it is the jingle used for an insurance ad!) This passage…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3193"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3193\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3194,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3193\/revisions\/3194"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}