Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Trying to Love Two Women" (The Oak Ridge Boys)

Hey there friend and welcome to Tuesday!  Today on Tuesday's Musical Notes we visit our Country cousin...He's got a place in the southern-most part of Notesland where the tea is sweet and cold and the pecan pie is so good you'll be smilin' 'til the cows come home. Our cousin only listens to both types of music that (he thinks) exists...Country AND Western! So let's put on some Ariat's and Stetson's and get ready to two-step with the Papaw's of Country Music (affectionately and respectfully, speaking)...ladies and gentlemen give a ring-tailed tooter for the Oak Ridge Boys!!!

 "Trying to Love Two Women" by the Oak Ridge Boys - from the March 30, 1980 album Together

While only spending 1 week at #1, "Trying to Love Two Women" spent 12 weeks in the Billboard Us Hot Country Songs charts.  It's a modern-day song about the juggling act a man has while trying to keep two women happy in respective relationships.  Ultimately he determines his results are a tired mind and wonders if it really is worth all the trouble.  

"Trying to Love Two Women" was the third #1 single (out of 17 total #1s) from the band whose roots go all the way back to 1943 when they were formed as Wally Fowler and the Georgia Clodhoppers and began performing in the Oak Ridge area of Tennessee.  The 1943 incarnation was formed as a Southern Gospel quartet and eventually changed their name as well as a few band members, to the Oak Ridge Quartet.  Their manager at the time determined that "Quartet" was a bit out of date for their newer sound and transitioned them to their final moniker, The Oak Ridge Boys. Counting the current lineup the Oak Ridge Boys have had 32 vocalists over the course of their 78 years.  

The lineup that recorded today's featured song has been singing together since 1973.  William Lee Golden (joined in 1964), Duane Allen (joined in 1966), Richard Sterban (joined in 1972), and Joe Bonsall (joined in 1973) have been the formula for the band's road to success, including crossover hits "Elvira"(1981), "American Made"(1982), and "Bobbie Sue"(1983).    They also were a huge part of the resurgence of country music in the 80s that featured bands like Alabama, Sawyer Brown (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Thank God for You" (Sawyer Brown)), and Restless Heart.   

Popular modern culture seems to applaud the kind of behavior perpetrated by our song today even though polygamy is illegal in the United States.  "As long as everyone's happy and feelin' good vibes, what's wrong with it?" Despite modern culture's permissive attitude,  we find that even though God allowed such relationships to exist in the Bible and He even sometimes allowed good things to happen because of such relations.  But having multiple partners, lovers, wives, spouses, etc. was the plan that usually brought about disastrous results.  

Let's take a look at an example of such a relationship.  While the overall outcome was good, sometimes the relationships were a bit sketchy between Elkanah, Hannah, and Peninnah the focus of another great story from the Bible. 

1 Samuel 1-3 New American Standard Bible/The Amplified Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel

Our story begins with a man who is trying his best to love two women.  Remember, the culture of this time encouraged men to take more than one wife.  This afforded the man a better opportunity to have a son, thus keeping the family genealogical line going.  I don't know about you, but as a father of all girls, I can't for a moment think of how having a son could have possibly made my life better or more complete.  While some nations continue this practice, we live in a time where this prevalent male-dominant attitude is diminishing. 

If I may for a moment have an editorial comment.  From creation, men and women were always intended to have differing roles in the makeup of a family.  These differing roles complement each other and afford balance to the relationship thus making it strong.  

Our current Western mindset has brainwashed young couples into thinking that they cannot make ends meet with only 1 income.  This is a lie from the pit of hell.  Believers especially should rely on the security that comes from God's providence to meet their needs, not the false sense of security that having 2 jobs will provide everything a couple may desire.  The difficulty is that we have to remember what the difference between a want/desire and a true necessity may be and allow that to drive the financial decisions for our families.  Not to mention the impact on children within the family.  They need THEIR mom or dad to raise them, not someone else. This completes Tuesday's Musical Note's editorial commentary...And now back to our story...

Elkanah is described as a good guy.  He goes to worship regularly and takes care of his wives.  But there is a difficulty in his life.  His wife, Peninnah, has provided children for him. His wife Hannah, whom he loves more, has not. This causes tension between the two women Elkanah is trying to love.  I don't know about you, but I get the impression that Elkanah decided to stay out of the conflict between the two women.  "Trying to please two women, you can't please yourself..."  He does, however, express his inclination towards Hannah by giving her double portions when going to sacrifice at Shiloh which is where the tent of meeting and ark of the covenant was located.    Ultimately, Elkanah's favoritism towards Hannah causes her childlessness to fuel Peninnah's ridicule.   Seems like I've heard something like this occurring before...(Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Jealousy" (Natalie Merchant))  

The problem becomes so dramatic that on one of the trips to Shiloh, Hannah pours her heart out to God in the presence of the priest Eli.  She begs for a son to bless her family and makes the commitment to dedicate the boy to God.   Culturally, women were to be absolutely quiet while attending church at this time.  Hannah was so distraught her lips moved...horror of all horrors!!!  Eli noticed her outpouring of grief and thought her drunk because she abandoned the cultural norm.  Hannah assured Eli that she was not drunk, just broken-hearted.  Her sincerity and respect for the aging priest caused a change of heart in Eli so much so that he gave her a blessing that the subject of her prayers would come to pass.  

You guessed it!  Hannah becomes pregnant and has a boy that she names Samuel.  After Samuel is born, Elkanah prepares to go on his annual trip to Shiloh.  Hannah determines that she will not make this trip, but will fulfill her commitments when Samuel is weaned.  When Hannah and Elkanah present the boy to Eli, what was the result?  The Bible says that the worship of God occurred.  Imagine God being worshiped over the birth of a child who would be dedicated to Him.  

The first part of chapter 2 begins with Hannah's song of rejoicing.  It is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible and is very reminiscent of another passage that celebrates a newborn Son, a Son who would also dedicate His life to God's work and purpose.  Perhaps Mary drew inspiration from Hannah's song when she sang her Magnificat...(The Gospel of Jesus according to Dr. Luke, chapter 1, verses 46-55 NASB/AMP/KJV)

After Samuel is born and given to Eli, we don't hear much more about Hannah, Elkanah, and especially Peninnah.   Samuel does indeed become dedicated to God for the entirety of his life.  More on that in future Musical Notes.

By looking at Elkanah's attempt to love two women there are some conclusions to which we can arrive.  1) When you're trying to love two women there will be tension even if the two women aren't aware of each other. "...sometimes the pleasure ain't worth the strain..."  2) Trying to love two women comes with a cost that is far more precious than any resource.  "...One's got my money, the other's got my heart..."  It cost Elkanah his son.  While there isn't any illumination in the narrative about how Elkanah was feeling at this loss, one would think that giving up the son from the woman he loved had an impact on him.  3) When you're trying to love two women, one of them will always be the favorite. "...at best it's only half-good, a man can't stock two shelves..." .   4) Regardless of what God allows,  ultimately His plan will always be the plan that is successful so why not listen and do what He has to say?  The alternative?  "...it's a long old grind, and it tires your mind..."

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by loving You,

randy

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Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Don't Give Up" (Peter Gabriel featuring Kate Bush)

So it is Tuesday and what do we find?  A note in a blog of a musical kind.  Pithy and profound combined into one, there is no blog like it, not any, bar none.  Begin now to read it and you will soon see, there are depths to some songs that we never thought be. 

So it is Tuesday and here it begins.  A song with some sadness yet encouragement wins.  Reflecting the time of then and of now.  We'll break it all down, just trust us, somehow.  With a song and some pause to ponder its meaning.  Today's Notes will unpack and do all the gleaming. 

So it is Tuesday and away we should go.  As we start, get ready, there is much more below.   Soak it all in and drink from this cup.  Take advice from the 80s and please don't give up...

"Don't Give Up" by Peter Gabriel featuring Kate Bush from the May 19, 1985 album So (video by Godley & Creme)

"Don't Give Up" by Peter Gabriel featuring Kate Bush from the May 19, 1985 album So (video by Jim Blashfield)

The Dust Bowl of the mid-1930s served as the inspiration for some creative endeavors.  One such endeavor was the photography of Dorothea Lange who chronicled the poverty and desperation of the folks who suffered through the horrors of this tragedy in her 1973 book In This Proud Land.

Images such as "Migrant Mother" (shown to the left) from the book served as the foundation for Peter Gabriel's (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Big Time" (Peter Gabriel), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "In Your Eyes" (Peter Gabriel)) songwriting on the economic times that were going on in England under Margaret Thatcher, which became today's ballad, "Don't Give Up".

England's economy was not the reference point by which Gabriel had planned for the song.  It was originally intended to come from the focus of American Roots Music with the song's female portion of the duet featuring Dolly Pardon (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "9 to 5" (Dolly Parton), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Jolene" (Dolly Parton)) Dolly turned the song down. This caused the perspective of the song as well as the female encourager to transition.  Enter Gabriel's friend and recording artist Kate Bush.  

"Don't Give Up" was released as a single in October of 1986 from Gabriel's #2 album So.  The song became the second single released from the album in the UK (peaked at #9) and the fifth single in the US (peaked at #72).   

Gabriel would go on to record "Don't Give Up" with Paula Cole (Secret World Live) and Ane Brun (New Blood) thus covering his own song on different projects.  It has also been covered by Willie Nelson and Sinead O'Conner (once again Dolly was asked but wasn't available), Bono and Alicia Keys, and other duets whose proceeds went to charitable organizations.  

In case you missed it, there is a theme that boldly resonates throughout the haunting sounds of "Don't Give Up".  It is a theme of encouragement even when things are not in your favor.  It is a theme that equally resonates throughout one book of the Bible particularly.

Ruth New American Standard Bible/ The Amplified Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel 

We find our great Bible story today framed around the time of the Judges.  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Here Come the Judge" (Dewey "Pigmeat" Markham)  As you may recall, this wasn't the best of times for the nation of Israel.  To make matters worse for the family of Elimelech, his wife, Naomi, and their sons Mahlon and Chilion, there began to exist a "Dust Bowl" moment in Israel.  This famine forced them to move from Bethlehem in Israel to Moab.  Don't Give Up 'Cause You Have Friends...

"...Moved on to another town, tried hard to settle down, for every job, so many men, so many men no one needs..."

Once there, even worse situations determine to devastate this family.  Elimelech dies leaving Naomi a widow.  This forces Mahlon and Chilion to accept the responsibility for the family and take wives of the local folks.  If you remember, the Israelites and Moabites, while distantly related in the past, really didn't like each other very much in the present.  Don't Give Up You're Not Beaten Yet...

Fortunately, the boys marry good wives, Orpah, and Ruth, and begin the task of building a life.  10 years pass and again tragedy strikes Naomi's family as both sons die, leaving her alone with no support as well as leaving Orpah and Ruth as widows.    Don't Give Up I Know You Can Make It Good...

Naomi determines to go back to Bethlehem of Judah and begins her trek by saying goodbye to Orpah and Ruth.   Both girls had gotten attached to their mother-in-law and were planning on accompanying her back to Israel.  Noami chides both of them to stay among their people.  Orpah acquiesces to the request, yet Ruth remains vigilant in her desire to stay with Ruth.  "Your people shall be my people, and your God shall be my God"  Don't Give Up You Still Have Us...

Naomi is so depressed upon her return that she even changes her name to Mara (a derivative that would become Miriam or Mary, meaning "bitter").  She doesn't languish too long as the famine has receded but is not over.  She and Ruth will need sustenance and, being an older woman, Mara (Naomi) is no longer physically able to go around and glean the leftovers (intended for the poor) by those gathering the harvest.  Ruth engages in providing for their little family by getting what is left of the grain in the field.  There is no guarantee that there will be grain left and what Ruth is about to do can be substantially dangerous.  Don't Give Up We Don't Need Much Of Anything...

Providentially, Ruth happens into the field of Boaz, a distant relative of Elimelech's.  We'll come to some more about Boaz in a moment, but for now, Boaz was a wealthy patron and seemingly righteous man.  Mara (Naomi) hears about where Ruth had been gathering grain and praises God as she realizes the proximity of the familial connection and the opportunity this poses for Ruth to no longer remain a widow.  With some coaching from Mara, Ruth places herself in a position of favor with Boaz, who determines that he will redeem the family as a kinsman-redeemer. (One who assumes the land of a deceased male relative and responsibility for that relative's family)  But Boaz is not the closest family member by which Mara and Ruth may be redeemed.  Don't Give Up 'Cause Somewhere There's A Place Where We Belong...

Boaz organizes a town hall meeting to settle things with the other relative.  He lays out the fact that Ruth is a part of the redemption price and the other relative declines as not to jeopardize the inheritance of the family he already has.  Boaz marries Ruth and they have a son, Obed.  The relationship between Ruth and Naomi continues to be so strong that Naomi serves as the nurse to Obed, thus Naomi relinquishes the name of Mara and is the envy of the women of Bethlehem.  Don't Give Up Please Don't Give Up...

While theologians differ as timelines are a little fluid, in the final lines of Ruth, Boaz is noted as the son of Salmon.  Most believe this to be the husband of Rahab of Jericho whom we've discussed previously. Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Bad Girls" (Donna Summer)  With the genealogy presented, Obed, Boaz and Ruth's son, was the grandfather to King David.  Boaz would have been his great grandfather and most consider Rahab, the prostitute was David's great, great grandmother.  Don't give up 'cause I believe there's a place, there's a place where we belong...

Later on, this grandson of Ruth's would go on to write words that have provided encouragement to millions around the world.  His message in these words?  Let's read one, shall we?

The Lord is my shepherd,

I will not be in need.

He lets me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness For the sake of His name.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever.

One need only open our eyes and we are quick to see situations that would cause distress.  In this proud land of unbelief, it is very easy to become dismayed.  This however is the viewpoint of those who have not come into a relationship with God through Holy Spirit's pleading and Jesus' sacrifice.  Those who are redeemed realize that God continually reminds us...Don't give you, you have friends. Don't give up, you're not the only one.  Don't give up no reason to be ashamed.  Don't give up you still have us.   Don't give up we're proud of who you are.  Don't give up you know it's never been easy.  Don't give up 'cause I know there's a place.  There's a place where we belong.   That place is not this world.  That place is with God.  It's called heaven.  It's a place where we belong, but we must receive Jesus' gift of redemption to obtain it.  It is only through Jesus that we can be restored.  It is only through Jesus that we inhabit the place where we belong, and if we drown out the noise of this world and listen intently, we can hear the continual confirmation and encouragement of God saying..."don't give up".

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by loving You,

randy

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Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Here Come the Judge" (Dewey "Pigmeat" Markham)

It's Tuesday and Here Come The Notes!!!

Welcome to Tuesday!  It's Novelty Song day here in Notesland!  You know, those songs that are not all that deep, musically or lyrically, but get stuck in the consciousness of our world because they are so odd, or just downright funny?  

Musical acts like Roger Miller, Ray Stevens, and Jim Stafford, have taken their talent and musical stature and occasionally written humorous and fun satirical lyrics that they set to equally odd and fun to listen to music. In fact, some of these particular artist's biggest hits were novelty songs.  Roger Miller's "Dang Me" (#7 Billboard's Hot 100),  Ray Stevens, "The Streak" (#3, Hot 100), and Jim Stafford's "Spiders & Snakes" (#3) are all emblematic of great songwriters who every once in a while, stretched the boundaries of popular music and made fun songs that will last forever.  We confess a love for these kinds of songs...

You know that we also love countdowns, here at Tuesday's Musical Notes, so here goes:  100 Greatest Novelty Songs - digitaldreamdoor.com - Most recent update April 11, 2008 - edited by Lew

Novelty acts have a special place in my memory.  As a college student, so ever diligent to expand my education and musical tastes, I would listen to American Top 40 with Casey Kasem on Sunday evenings from 7-10 pm. There was usually a Domino's Pizza and 2 liter Coke involved with a variety of friends while we patiently awaited this week's #1.  (shout out to Ernie, Ned, Matt, Billy, and Chase, and posthumously David) At 10 pm, Casey was "reaching for the stars..." and the pizza was gone, but the night wasn't over.  A most delightful personality, Dr. Demento came on.   For the next 2 hours, this DJ of dementia would spin novelty songs from all decades.  In fact, the Dr. Demento Show is where some of Weird Al Yankovic's songs were played for the very first time.  

The Dr. Demento Show featured musical and comedy acts like Spike Jonze and Weird Al Yankovic who have been pioneers of parody and novelty songs.   These artists have inspired generations of comedians to stretch their acts past the proverbial joke and add music to their repertoire...

"Chick-Fil-A" - Tim Hawkins

But for today we explore the world of a lesser-known, yet equally impactful novelty song artist from the 60s...ladies and gentlemen, Pigmeat Markham!

"Here Come the Judge" title track from the 1968 album by Dewey "Pigmeat" Markham

Dewey "Pigmeat" Markham was best known as an entertainer.  It is suggested that he played the Apollo Theater in Harlem more than any other act.  He also had multiple appearances on the Ed Sullivan show. His act eventually drew the attention of Chess Records where he would record several hit comedy recordings.   While his "bread and butter" came from this comedy act, he also achieved minor prominence as a singer, dancer, and actor.  In the 60s and early 70s, he recorded 19 albums.  From 1945 to 1969, he released 7 singles.  Of those 7 singles, today's featured song was the only one to make the Hot 100, peaking at #19. 

"Here Come the Judge" was probably buoyed by the fact that it also became a catchphrase for the skit comedy, Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In.  It was first introduced on the show in a skit featuring entertainment legend, Sammy Davis Jr. (the right Honorable Samuel Davis Jr.), (Judge Sammy Davis Jr. - Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In). The skit became so popular that it led to Markham being invited to perform the Judge character himself on the show for the 1968-69 season. ("Judge Won't Allow Divorce" featuring "Pigmeat" Markham - Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In)

Hmm...when you listen to the recording of the song, something seems even more familiar than the catchphrase "Here Come the Judge".  There is a good reason for this familiarity.  The song is widely considered to be an ancestor to Hip Hop with its drum lick and beat and was heavily sampled for the #32, 1991 song "Rush" by Big Audio Dynamite II.  ("Rush" by Big Audio Dynamite II from the June 1991 album The Globe).  

The song provides a humorous context for the lack of integrity and corruption seen in those who are tasked with determining the outcomes between differing parties.  This is not a new perspective on those who would be just short of ruling the populace.  In fact, there are some great stories that would lead us to believe that this mistrust could be founded by the mistakes of some judges we read about in the Bible.

Judges 1-21 New American Standard Bible/The Amplified Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel

Most children are told the Bible story of the judge of Israel named Samson. Gideon's story has also been the background for many a bedtime Bible story.  Interestingly enough there were 12 total judges in this book that details their leadership during troubled times for Israel. Remember, in the Bible 12 signifies the perfection of government or rule. (Investigate the number 12 in the Bible, you might find some other interesting groups of folks.) Each of these judges would have unique stories of their own. Some of their stories received detailed elaboration, while others were seemingly left in obscurity outside of Jewish tradition.  

The Judges of Israel ruled during a time of tumult and desperation.  Joshua had died and the nation had not completed its mission of taking over the Promised Land.  Enemies began attacking and the people, who were "each one doing what was right in their own eyes", finally recognized they needed help from God.  God raised up these rulers for a specific time and generation over the course of 336 years.  (For perspective, The United States of America has been in existence as a nation for only 245 years) 

So who were these folks?  They were ordinary people, whom God ordained with extraordinary tasks in a very dark time in Israel's history.  They weren't the Avengers of their day.  They were just folks who needed to know God, trust God, follow God and wait for God to show Himself to them in unimaginable ways.  It is important to note that the "Spirit of the Lord" comes upon these judges as God empowers them to do their jobs. (More about this in a bit) Some did a great job, others did the job then messed up, and others did their job, messed up, and were redeemed.  Here's a great article that touches on each of the Judges:  "Who Were the Judges of Israel?" - by Ryan Nelson - Mar 2, 2020 - overviewbible.com 

"...and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him (Othniel)...", "...so the Spirit of the Lord covered Gideon...", "...now the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah...", "...and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him (Samson)...", "...and the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him (Samson)...",(x3) (add those references up and it makes 7 times in the book of Judges (NASB) that Holy Spirit is mentioned aiding these folks. Yup, there's that numerology thing again!) These people encountered Holy Spirit just like the artisans who fashioned the articles for the tabernacle.  They were imbued with God in the form of Holy Spirit to do all things as God commanded them to do.  They were only able to defeat their given enemies by this power.  The moment they began to rely on their own strength, wisdom, and power is the moment things went awry, or as we call it in these parts..."haywire"

The judges were given Holy Spirit's incredible power 1200-1300 years before Jesus promised to send Holy Spirit to believers. The Gospel of Jesus according to John, a fisherman turned disciple, Chapter 14, verses 16-17, NASB/AMP/KJV  Believers, on this side of Pentecost, have the same power that the rulers of judges did.  We also have been saved to do specific things.  The apostle Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus, chapter 2, verses 8-10 NASB/AMP/KJV

We face an enemy of some sort every day, but if we will know God through Holy Spirit dwelling in us, trust God by believing Holy Spirit as He dwells within us, follow God through Holy Spirit's power as He leads us, and wait for God as Holy Spirit provides patience, we will defeat those enemies every day, and every time.  

We can only have this power as we believe that Jesus died to repair our (individual) relationship with God.  We also believe that Jesus is alive today in the presence of God preparing a place for us and acting as a mediator on our behalf to God.  And we tell everyone we can about how God is the ruler of our life because of His love, how Jesus is the sacrifice for our life through His love, and how Holy Spirit's indwelling leads us through this life by the power of His love.  We then demonstrate all of this by how we love God and love others.  In doing this, we will have the extraordinary power to face the ordinary challenges of this life by declaring..."Here Come the Judge, here come the Judge, everybody knows that here come the Judge..."

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by loving You,

randy

 

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Promised Land" (Chuck Berry)

Chuck,  Chuck...it's Marvin...your cousin Marvin Berry...you know that new blog you lookin' for?  Well, click on this!!! Welcome to Tuesday and the only blog (at least the only we know) where you get a dab of diminuendo, a pinch of pizzicato, and a sprinkle of sostenuto mixed well with a full measure of the fifties, spice from the sixties and seventies, a little bit of ego from the eighties, and some New Kids from the nineties. Add to the recipe an occasional ode to the oughts, a twitch toward the teens, and then we'll have a dish set to take on the twenties. Want a bite?

With all the ingredients above we are here to celebrate Tuesday and tunes, music and a message, and rhythm and reminiscing!  Welcome to Tuesday and another edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes!  So where do we begin?  Why not start in Norfolk, Virginia? Our tour guide for today's Tuesday trip?  You know him...he's Marvin's cousin Chuck...Chuck Berry!!!

"Promised Land" by Chuck Berry from the November 1964 album, St. Louis to Liverpool (video from 1965)

and a bit older with his iconic move

"Promised Land" by Chuck Berry from the November 1965 album, St. Louis to Liverpool (video from "Sound for Saturday", 1972

Rock-N-Roll legend Chuck Berry (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Johnny B. Goode" (Chuck Berry)) spent 20 months in prison (Chuck Berry is arrested on Mann Act charges in St. Louis, Missouri - history.com), prior to the release of today's featured song.  The song was written during that stay and Berry used maps from the prison library to sketch out the path that the song details.  It is a song about finding one's way to the "Promised Land" of California and the cross-country trek it took to arrive there.    

Berry's version of "Promised Land" would peak at #41 on Billboard's Hot 100, but would be reclaimed by several artists in later years whose covers have a modicum more of success.  Elvis Presley (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Suspicious Minds" (Elvis Presley))  released "Promised Land" as the title cut from his January 8, 1975 album, where it fared much better than the original by peaking at #14. More recently (well, 24 years ago), it was used in the Columbia Pictures/Amblin Entertainment release Men In Black which came out on July 2, 1997, 

"Promised Land" - tunnel scene from Men In Black 

Elvis wasn't the only musical icon to utilize "Promised Land".  From July 1971 through July 1995, The Grateful Dead (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Touch of Grey" (The Grateful Dead)) performed the song 425 times in their concerts, AND "Promised Land" appears on almost 50 of the Dead's live albums beginning with Steal Your Face in 1976.  I wonder if Chuck Berry got royalties off of those performances?  If he did, he could have well afforded several round trips to the Promised land.

Tuesday's Musical Notes began as a topical blog featuring a variety of subjects and how the Bible expounded on those themes.  We have become convicted that our world doesn't know the great stories in the Bible by which these topics are explored.  To do our part in communicating these great truths,  we began a journey on April 9, 2019, through the great stories of the Bible in Genesis with Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Beginnings" (Chicago). When you get a chance check out that post or any of the following "Great Stories of the Bible" blogs. Maybe just find your favorite tune on Tuesday in the archives to the left of the page.  466 songs are featured over their so you might need a rainy day or Monday to get through several...thanks for checking them out!

A brief recap, if we may, of what's been the most recently said.  Moses dead.  Joshua led.  Jericho fled. Israelites spread. Ai dread. Israelites pled. God led. Ai shred. Enough said.

Today we find our way in the beginning conquest of the Promised Land...and no, we ain't talkin' 'bout California!

Joshua 9-24 New American Standard Bible/The Amplified Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel

After Ai was defeated, the word about the Israelites taking over the land began to spread.  The reputation was so dramatic that a group of people called the Gibeonites deceived the Israelites into a treaty to avoid destruction.  This would come back and be a regret for the Israelites, but they kept their word and utilized the Gibeonites as servants.  

Joshua now commands the leaders of each tribe of Israel to take their people and go into the Promised Land and take over what God has already given them.  Here are a couple of maps to give you a perspective of what some of the turmoil in the Middle East is all about.  Note the differences in God's Promised Land and the actual modern-day boundaries.  

With this land that God had promised to Abram, the Israelites were given a gift that they did not deserve. The remainder of the book of Joshua tells of the division of the land among the tribes and their attempts to overtake these regions.  Some of the tribes succeeded fairly well, others, not so much.  

As is the history of this bunch, they didn't obey God fully. The Israelites did not completely remove the inhabitants of the land they were to take over.  This results in tumult as they find themselves seduced to the dark side (sorry, May the 4th be with You!). The Israelites eventually succumb to the temptation of the remnants of the people they were supposed to remove. In the long term, this resulted in idol worship and other atrocities because they didn't obey God and follow His plan.  

The Israelites are reaffirmed in the paths of God.  Joshua continued to diligently lead his family and the new nation during this conquest time.  After many of the cities had been taken, and Joshua had gotten old, he calls all of the tribal leaders back to him and recounts Israel's history to them.  A practice I fear that many in the west have lost...but I digress.  This remembering of God's providence and goodness to Israel will be short-lived.  There are however seeds planted among some of the leadership that will survive through the coming dark times. 

I don't know about you, but I draw great comfort in my own Spiritual walk when I see how patient God was with the Israelites.  This does not come from a place of arrogance (Oh, look at those crazy people, I didn't sacrifice my kids to idols...blah, blah, blah), but comes from gratefulness to God for being as longsuffering with me as He was with the Israelites.

He gave me a gift I did nothing to deserve.  I don't remain faithful to the path that He lays before me. But, He reaffirms His pathways to me constantly and reminds me of our history together.  (His salvation, my repentance, acceptance, and obedience) He continues to provide through Holy Spirit's discipline, guidance, and leadership over my life.  My part?  Continue to repent, continue to beg Holy Spirit to make me more like Jesus, and continue to LOVE people, believers, and those yet to believe.  And in so doing, this poor boy will leave this home with His promised land on my mind...

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by loving You,

randy