Judges 20 - At War with Benjamin

Judges 20

And the Lord struck Benjamin before Israel, so that the sons of Israel destroyed 25,100 men of Benjamin that day, all who draw the sword.

Message: At War with Benjamin

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 19 was messy. It started with the Danites wanting their own land. Then idolatry and then a Levite and his concubine getting into problems with some unwholesome men. This resulted in the concubine's death and body parts distributed all over the land.   

Chapter 20 begins with a a large group of people gathering as one to the lord at mitzpah. There are 400,000 men there, and the leaders are standing among them. They are in the land of Benjamin. The Israelites ask about the wickedness that has occurred and the Levite responds and explains the situation of his concubine being raped and then him cutting her up and sending her parts to 12 places.  The people of Israel agree to go up against Gibeah. So the gathered of about 10% of the men to go against the people of Gibeah. They ask for the worthless man that came against a Levite, in order to put them to death and remove the wickedness from this area. But the people of Benjamin disagreed, and instead chose to wage war against the sons of Israel, though the odds were not in their favor. 

3 times it mentions the people came together as one. The atrocity of sin mentioned in the last chapter stirred the sons of Israel to now come together - as one. 

The sons of Israel, ask the Lord, who should battle in the Lord, says Judah. The sons of Israel go to battle, but after each day, they asked the Lord if they shall continue for their our losses of life. But each day the Lord says to continue, and then after the second day, he says they will now conquer. It took a while, but Israel set an ambush and eventually 25,000 of the tribe of Benjamin were slain. 

It is unfortunate that the tribe of Benjamin has now turned completely against God. 

Summary: The sin of Gibeah is addressed, but at a heavy cost and a loss of many men on both sides, but mostly in the tribe of Benjamin. 

Promise: The Lord at times does drastic things to rid His people of sin. 

Prayer: Lord, you will eradicate and deal with sin. Either you deal with sin with me personally or you do among your called ones, but you also do it among people at large. Sin is not tolerated. Sin is something people continue to choose. I do pray for Your mercy Lord and that it would continue and you would continue to pull your remnant close to You. Bring many to salvation, but it is hard that so many continue to abandon You and find solutions outside of You God. 

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Proverbs 10:14 - Experienced help wanted

Proverbs 10:14

Wise men store up knowledge,

But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand

Message: Experienced help wanted

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: For the wise man, knowledge is stored up and retrieved for later use. Scripture memory is an example of this. We memorize scripture so that we can access it at times and repeat it to remind us of the promises of God. It can encourage myself and others as well. As I hire people, the thing we are looking for in people is experience and people that have knowledge that they have retained after working on different vehicles over a period of time. But this applies to many different disciplines. We pay a premium of people who can think at a high level and possess this type of knowledge. This is knowledge retained and helps a person to be wise. Knowledge is a treasure. This is what we look for in teachers, in any profession. People have this knowledge train others that do not have the knowledge. 

One of the problems I have right now with one of my employees is this person sits in their office and rarely gets out of the office to see what is going on outside of her world. She expects people to come to her. She is guarded over what she is willing to do. She restricts all that she wants to do. She is gaining knowledge my guess in some areas of her life - dieting, nutrition, exercise, raising kids -- but her work as our employee is quite limited. She does not apply herself well. And in the process she has little experience and knowledge in how to do things. Yet, she collects a large paycheck. The system protects her. I am in the process of providing her a letter of expectations in hopes that it will spur on to greater efforts. 

The contrasting idea in this verse is the "mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand." This is the person that does not gain through experience. The King James Version says it is near destruction. It is like a house getting ready to fall. This is a person that often doesn't think before speaking and simply let spews of their mouth whatever they are feeling at the time. People say things an then express some sort of apology following for what they said, hoping that the apology makes null and void what was said. People act impulsively and then regret for it often brings destruction on themselves as well as those near. 

Prayer: O God, you are rich in mercy and your ways are great. Help me to remember always the importance of being consistent in my life to continue to be motivated, diligent in all of my activities in life - to gain experience wherever I go and be a help to those in need. Guard my tongue from quick words and saying things improperly. Guard my heart. 

 

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Judges 17-19 - Israel Becomes Sodom

Judges 17-19

All who saw it said, “Nothing like this has ever happened or been seen from the day when the sons of Israel came up from the land of Egypt to this day. Consider it, take counsel and speak up!” (19:30)

Message: Israel Becomes Sodom

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: 

Judges 17 - Micah of Ephraim is on the scene with his mother with 1100 pieces of silver taken from her now back with him. Mother appreciates this. She dedicates the silver to the Lord but then has her son make a graven image. 200 pieces were taken for the image to be made by the silversmith. Micah made his son the priest with the idols. Note: no king at this time in Israel and "every man did what was right in his own eyes." Once again, people need a king to help them know what to do. A Levite from Judah came to stay with them. Micah promises 10 pieces of silver annually if he will stay. Micah believes with the Levite with him the Lord will prosper him. 

Judges 18 - The Danites, sons of Dan, are seeking an inheritance for themselves. They send out 5 men and came to Micah to lodge there. They recognize the Levite and question him. They ask the Levite if their way is to be prosperous by the Lord and he confirms this. They came to Laish and the Sidonians had no ruler. They believe this is the land to possess. So 600 men of war from Danites set out. They came to the house of Micah. The five men who were spies make a remark about the graven images being present. With the 600 men standing by they took the graven image from Micah. The priest is alarmed but goes with them as they say that is better to be with many rather than just one. But then those in the house of Micah overtook the sons of Dan. Micah and the men are bothered, wondering why the priest and the images have been taken from him. They arrive in Laish and burn the city, now calling the name of the city Dan. They set up the graven image. 

Judges 19 - once again, the chapter begins with a reminder that Israel has no king.  A Levite takes a concubine from Judah. Four months later, she leaves him. The Levite goes back to get the concubine. The father convinces him to stay another day as he is preparing to leave each morning. This goes on for six days and then he leaves. He and the concubine head to Jebus. But these are not Israelites so they go on to Gibran but no one took them in. They end up in a remote area of Ephraim. An older man offers to house them. But then some worthless fellows show up at the man’s house, and want to have sex with the Levite. The owner tries to dissuade these men from this wicked act. The concubine comes out, and the man raped her repeatedly. He tries to have the concubine go with him, but she does not move from lying at the threshold of the door. Ends up cutting her into 12 pieces And sending those pieces throughout the territory of Israel.

Kind of an unsettling set of chapters here. Idolatry is a common theme and also sodomy. All is done without a leader this stressing the importance of good leadership. But even the Levite does not conduct himself in an honoring way. Chapter 17 and 18 mention idolatry and yet people try to speak in a way that the Lord God approves by invoking his name. Overall I continue to see the impacts of allowing the Canaanites and the worlds ways to impact those called by God. We can clearly be impacted by the ways of the world if we are not careful. And we try to cover ourselves by invoking his name. 

I think we dance with danger but we can’t help but getting impacted by it. No matter who we are as even the Leviticus priest was callous. We must continue to surround ourselves with good people - good teaching - daily discipline in God’s word. God needs to be present in every part of our life. 

I am sitting in a doctors office patient room right now. On the wall is a vision statement of the practice and mission statement and 4 core values. The statements seem like common sense in a way. And yet they align everyone. Thus it seems important that they probably have this posted to remind themselves and their patients of these goals. They want to be accountable. This is who they are and want to be. 

In the same way I need to align myself with environment that extol my Christian beliefs. And I need daily reminders to stay on course. 

Summary: once again people did right in their own eyes , idolatry occurred as did sodomy and murder. 

Promise: be consistent with spiritual disciplines. 

Prayer: O Father - you provide me with so many different ways in which I can each day confirm in my life what is most important. Thank you for instilling in me a desire to get in the word and studying for understanding and application. Thank you for helping me be healthy and strong and taking care of myself. You have made me the way you have for a purpose and I have a responsibility to live at a high level in my life. In so many ways, my wife is easy. I see people experiencing challenges in their lives and struggles. I noticed in my life when things are hard and makes everything in life a little bit more difficult. I’m blessed and I thank you God for blessing me. Help me to not be so selfish as I know there’s a continual tendency in me train me to be more of a giving person and helping others.

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Proverbs 10:13 - Not knowing can hurt

Proverbs 10:13

On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found,

But a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.

Message: Not knowing can hurt

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: Still thinking about verse 12 as it was convicting to me. A lot was said to me personally, from that verse. I am shocked at what a person of hate I can be at times (my inside voice) as I sit as judge and jury over many. 

Verse 13 now at first glance is a verse that I think we used in raising kids to justify spanking. Spanking is an interesting idea. For the rod, we called the TLC but I don't think we did a good job with it in that way. Instead, it was a device that inflicted pain that was just not our hand. Maybe it got the point across, but I am not sure. I think our youngest got the brunt of it growing up. I despise a lot of my parenting in those days - as I focused too much on respect and behavior, had little grace and didn't engage in enough humor. It remains a huge regret in my life. Like the previous verse, I felt like my hatred was too great toward behavior that I did not like in others. 

This verse contrasts the discerning with those who lack understanding. Discerning is to show good judgment and understanding. The King James Version uses the word understanding in both phrases, comparing one who has understanding to one who is void of understanding. The one with understanding merits wisdom, while the other who is void of understanding receives reproof or even rebuke or some sort of unwanted attention befalls him. 

The manner in which we can conclude a persons understanding is through their actions or behavior. When our children act improperly toward one another it was concluded that they liked understanding and showing respect and therefore needed a TLC/rod. It is somewhat similar to the riding whip for a horse or a choke collar with a dog. They are to encourage correct behavior and yet in the process they come with some sort of pain.    

Wisdom is the ideal here. Wisdom is taking information and then understanding and placing it into action in a way is appropriate for differing situations, having good understanding of what is right and wrong, knowing the decision to make in even strenuous conditions. It is learning from the past. It is doing the right thing. 

In my role of manager, I believe I am expected to be a person that has a lot of wisdom. I have a lot of experience in many different areas and can see the big picture of it all and can therefore make recommendations on how things are to work. 

We need to expect correction when we don't know. 

Prayer: O God, forgive me first of all for improperly exercising the rod toward my children. I know in your grace you cover me. And I am thankful those occurrences were not often. Lord, help the pain that people receive when people act foolishly move those individuals to right living. Lord, we need to be people that make good decisions, act wisely, and glorify You God. Again, help me to accept correction. Thank you for teaching me your statutes. 

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Judges 16:23-31 - Samson Victorious

Judges 16:23-31

Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.”

Message: Samson Victorious

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: Following Samson's capture by the Philistines, his eyes were gouged out or put out and thus he lost his sight. The Philistines want to make sure that even if he recovers his strength he will not be effective. Following his capture, his captors celebrate. Verse 20 makes mention that "the Lord departed from him." To his captors they saw it as their doing, but from God's perspective, his capture was of the Lord, His discipline. Thus, two things are going on, God's sovereignty on display through the free will of man. But I wonder if this description of the Lord departing him is the idea from Samuel based upon what he sees. Or perhaps the phrase departed refers to His strength. 

In verse 23, the Philistines then pay homage to their god - Dagon, a prosperity god. They followed this by having Samson come out to them and amuse them. They mocked his strength by having him stand between two pillars. 

But as they are amused by him, he does something as a prelude to showing his strength. He leans against the pillars of the house or temple. And then he calls on the Lord to give him strength. He understands that His strength comes from the Lord. His focus though is on avenging himself and yet he is willing to die in the process. “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he bent with all his might so that the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it." The temple falls and the Philistines fall and Samson falls. But hopefully God is glorified. Samson dies and the conclusion is he was involved in judging Israel for 20 years. 

Summary: The Philistines ridicule Samson but Samson implores God's strength one last time and bring the temple down.

Promise: God uses imperfect people. 

Prayer: O God the Father, please root out the imperfect ways in me. Let your Word instead shine in my life and may I be a person that is constantly modeling you in my life and living according to your promises. Help me to stand firm before others, not backing down from the Word of God. Help people to see who you are clearly. Lord, you are real and your way is the best. May people keep seeing this. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 10:12 - Loving through Unmet Expectations

Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirs up strife,

But love covers all transgressions.

The Message: Loving through unmet expectations

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: Hatred and Love. They stand on opposite lines, opposite spectrums. The language here is always interesting. The choice of words. Hatred stirs up. When I think of stirs I think of chocolate milk. It is simply where my mind goes. Starting with the pure white milk and then adding chocolate powder or syrup and suddenly the white milk is no longer white and pure, but instead it is impacted completely by the dark color of chocolate. It stirs and discolors that which is pure. 

But it moves beyond this to "stirs up." I find this definition, "Stirs up" generally means to cause a strong emotion or reaction, or to disturb something, often intentionally. Stirring up starts with a substance that isn't in conflict and it stirs up conflict. This represents me so often. I am doing fine, but something comes along to stir me up and suddenly produce something very different in me that is agitated, angry, upset, in conflict. 

This verse starts with Hatred as the active agent. Hatred comes along and stirs up strife. Strife is discord or disagreement. 

Interesting. Hatred and strife are both unfavorable dispositions. I do not want to hate and I do not want to have strife in situations and yet, in this verse both work off one another. It is like in the nature of discord or disagreement hatred is the result of strife. 

NIV - Hatred stirs up Conflict

NLT - Hatred stirs up quarrels

Good news - Hatred stirs up trouble

Literal - Hatred awakens contentions

It is as if, hatred is one thing, standing alone, communicating a contempt for something, a dislike, but then everything stirs up strife. Ellicott says, "Hatred rakes up again old feuds which have slumbered." Joseph Benson says, "they imagine faults where there are none, and aggravate every small offence." 

This interesting. It is as if there is a past feeling that is dormant and in this instance it is stirred up and awakened. It was laying asleep, but now it is up again. 

Yowza. I see this all to often. I suppose I am such an emotional creature, with expectations. Especially in relationships. I have this high expectation in other people and how I think they should be acting. I project on them they way I think they should be and in the process, when they don't meet that expectation, I grow sour and disappointed. However, I don't hate them. I just loathe their decisions. Why can't they choose an alternate way. Often times, or lately it seems it comes down to work. There is something they are expected to do. Almost like a common sense that is present and instead they choose a different way. I brandish them as not meeting that expectation and strife stirs up. I have a problem. And I can't seem to get myself away from it. It just lies there and everyday it stirs up again. I hate the action, but yes, it moves beyond a hatred to then producing strife in me where now my interactions with that person is filled with strife or disagreement. I try to recognize the positive, but keep struggling with that.

The contrasting element of this verse is somewhat simple - love covers all transgressions. I don't know why in me, but I seem to focus more on the negative side of things rather than this - lover covers all sins. Love covers all troubles, vices, offenses. Love comes in the door. Ellicott says, "Love covers up and refuses to look at any wrong done to it." Joseph Benson states, "willingly forgives and forgets the injuries and offences of others, and so prevents contention and mischief." Love does the opposite of stirs up conflict, it prevents the conflict. I suppose currently I don't want to let the offense off. But I need to do that. I need to forgive. But it is hard when I feel so justified. It is almost like love becomes more real when it can look past offenses and does not raise up contention. This is when love is really real. I can love others that have different beliefs. I can love my kids when they often don't go the right way, follow God in the way they should. I need to do more of this - love when my approval hasn't been met. 

I admit Lord I struggle. 

Prayer: It has been 2 months since I did one of these Proverbs Father. My goal, as you know, was to do one a day, but that does not happen. I guess one is better than none. Father, this one is a tough one for me. I see the promise, the contrast, and yet, I admit a big struggle in feelings of justification in allowing strife to remain present rather than simply allowing love to cover it. I try to forgive but struggle in the forgetting. And then it rears its ugly head again. Help me with this Lord. That I may love no matter what. At times at work, I need to call attention to problems, but help me to not let it upset the relationships I have. Help me to pick myself up and remain positive and happy and have joy. Not only when everyone is on the same footing as me, but when there are differences. I need to accept and love and keep having joy. Give me Your strength God because I don't have it. 

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Judges 16:1-22 - Samson Defeated

Judges 16:1-22

21 Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze chains, and he was a grinder in the prison. 22 However, the hair of his head began to grow again after it was shaved off.

Message: Samson Defeated

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: Verse 1 begins the continued weakness of Samson, after his nameless wife from Timnah is killed, as he travels to Gaza and upon arrival "saw a harlot there, and went in to her." It is 3,000 years ago and nothing has changed since then - harlots remain. 

The people of Gaza heard Samson was there and waited at the gate of the city to kill him. At midnight, he picked up the gates of the city and carried them up to the top of the mountain (v. 3). 

Then a curious story is told. He is found out to have an admiration for another harlot - Delilah. The plot toward him is set to discover the source of his strength. Delilah asks him and he tells her a tale. However, thinking it is the truth, she sets a trap for him only to find out that it does not hold him and he breaks through. This occurs 2 more times (v. 4 -14). The Philistines want him and they have corroborated with Delilah to discover this. 

Delilah asks again, but this time implores him by speaking of her love and how can love be present if there are lies. After being pressed, Samson is said to be annoyed or vexed. He is torn - love on the one hand, fear on the other. He lets his guard down though and gives in and she takes the information to use against him. Not sure where her loyalty resides. And yet Samson had the evidence over and over previously, that each time he shared with her non-truth, she attempted to use it against him. And yet, he does not learn and gives in to the grip that she has on him. He reveals to him the truth and she once again tells the Philistines - her payment is money. She is a harlot at heart who shows clearly her main ambition is money and acquiring it, at whatever cost that requires. Samson however has not a quest for money, his quest is lust. This is an interesting point I think in life - two of the biggest temptations or dangers of life here are mentioned: lust and money. These are two of the biggest inhibitors to quality of life for all people. 

The scripture states that without Samson's hair, "the Lord had departed from him." The Philistines seize Samson and throw him into prison and yet in verse 22, his hair begins to grow again. Good can be restored in a prison, just as Paul wrote many letters from prison. 

Summary: Samson continues to show his problem with lust, dealing with Delilah who has a quest for money. The Lord disciplines Samson as he ends up in prison. 

Promise: We must fight our sinful desires and not simply give into them. 

Prayer: O Lord God, you are merciful and good. Your ways are always right and true. You created me and understand my nature and my temptations. You are good and your precepts and commandments are what I need to live a life that is pleasing to you. Your word states, "You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed (Ps. 119:4)" and yet Lord our vices get in the way of this often as we surrender instead to them. Forgive me Lord for letting lust and the greed for more money take the place of your priorities and your precepts. Change my heart Lord. Help me to be more like you every day God. Thank you for this instruction and these verses today that remind me more and more of your right ways.  

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Judges 15 - Samson Avenges Himself on the Philistines

Judges 15

Then Samson said,

“With the jawbone of a donkey,

Heaps upon heaps,

With the jawbone of a donkey

I have killed a thousand men.”

Message: Samson Avenges Himself on the Philistines

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: As I continue to study Joshua and now Judges, one thing that stands out is while God used these men and worked his will through them, many of the men he used were not necessarily men of piety that I am to emulate. It also makes sense that in the last 20 years, there have been biblical like TV shows chronicling these individuals and to good reason, they lived sordid lives. They had difficulty often with temptations from women that we have today. They did not stay true to God's ways but entered into relationships with people of the world. On one level, their imperfect ways is encouraging for me, for I am far from perfect. Somewhere in Joshua I recorded that certain leaders from tribes allowed the non-Israelites to remain in the land. 

The Philistines are one of those groups that remained. Samson's first wife, Timnah, was a Philistine, though he later abandons her. 

This chapter begins with a back and forth of fighting fire with fire. It starts with Samson approaching the abandoned wife, Timnah, bringing a gift of a young goat, and wanting to sleep with his wife. But the father intercedes with the idea, "That ship has sailed but I can offer her younger sister." Samson doesn't like that idea. He therefore plans an attack, grabbing foxes, torches between the tails, end to end, lighting fire to the torches and releasing the foxes to run and burn themselves and the all of the crops. Naturally, the people did not like this. They find out the reason for him doing this is vengeance toward his wife and her father for not getting what he believes is his. The Philistines then kill the father and daughter. Samson did not like that and responded by striking many people and then hid in a cleft of a rock (1-8). Samson's remark, "As they did to me, so I have done to them" (v. 11). 

The Philistine go to Judah but Judah shows up to Samson wondering why the Philistines have been come to them with anger when the Philistines rule over them. Samson agrees to allow Judah to tie him up and hand him over to the Philistines. But the Lord was not done with Samson. His death probably loomed so the Spirit of the Lord came upon him (v. 14) and used a jawbone from a donkey to kill a thousand men. He goes to the Lord for provision of water and the Lord makes a way for him to have water and his strength returned to him. 

There is a good way to serve the Lord and a not so good way. I am not to emulate this episode in Samson's life. There is also the reminder, that God's will is to be done, no matter what the circumstances appear. God is in control. I think he obviously prefers Godly people, but either way he will carry out his purposes. His plan is bigger than we can see. 

Summary: Samson and the Philistines fight fire with fire. Eventually, Samson prevails, but only because of the Spirit of the Lord giving him the power. 

Promise: The Lord redeems us and uses us despite our sin. 

Prayer: You are Lord of All, God. I believe we need to be a people that honors you at all times, but your ways will occur whether we are faithful in all the areas we need to be. You choose your people to be your people. You have a purpose in that. I admit, it is not always clear. Maybe it seems clearer today amongst many because of the morality of the day, but there continue to be men of God that falter - struggling with sexual sin and/or other types of vices in their lives that often cause hurt and pain to many around them. I am not to condone that behavior and yet the work you have done through them is not null and void. Our culture does get caught up in cancelling them and everything they did and have done, but you still do great deeds through people who sin. I pray that people would see that your will is to be done. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Judges 14 - Samson Breaks His Vow

Judges 14

However, his father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord, for He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines. Now at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel. - verse 4

Message: Samson Breaks His Vow

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: This chapter starts with Samson traveling to Timnah. Timnah is not far from Zorah, 4 miles SW. He saw a woman there that looked very good to his eyes and he wants her (v.3). She is a Philistine. This would be a great disrespect to Monoah, his father, and those around him. It was the father’s business to arrange a marriage and the amount of the dowry. To marry a Philistine is not advisable. But verse 4 records that this marriage is of the Lord. The author of this book of Judges remarks a larger purpose present in this marriage. That God will do something because of this marriage. He has a divine purpose even though by appearance the marriage does not seem to be of the Lord. In 2 Kings 6:33 are the words, "Behold, this evil is from the LORD." God can use evil for His Glory, to carry out his purposes. 

Samson heads to Timnah with his parents. A lion comes upon Samson, but the author states, "The Spirit of the Lord" came upon Samson and he tore the lion in two (v. 6). These words again about the Spirit of the Lord mean that this individual, at this time Samson, will do something that is not possible for a simple man to do. The phrase has been used at other times, with Jephthah and Gideon, to name a few. He spoke to the woman of Timnah. She looks good to him. He later would come for her and coming back saw the lion he had killed and bees were around. He took the honey from the bees, giving some to his parents, but not telling them where it came from (v. 9). Numbers 6:6 says, "All the days that he separates himself to the LORD he shall not go near a dead body." Numbers 6:3 also states, "he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar made from wine or strong drink and shall not drink any juice of grapes or eat grapes, fresh or dried." Samson and his family had been told to keep a Nazarite vow to be set apart from the Lord for a special purpose (Numbers 13:4-5). And with that came stipulations that he would need to abstain from things. He broke that by going to the carcass of the lion and taking bee from it. And then broke it again, during the ceremony (14:10, 14:12) and feast refers to weeklong drinking party. 

Samson gives a riddle and his wife reveals the secret of it. Thus, showing her disloyalty to Samson. Following this, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Samson once again to kill 30 of the men of Ashkelon given their clothes to the men that had solved the riddle (though the answer was given to them by Samson's wife). And then Samson loses his wife, as his wife's father gives Samson's friend to be her husband. 

Ultimately, in these verses we see the power of God and the work of the Spirit of the Lord in a man that had been given a vow but often broke it, but God still used him for his purposes. God works in unlikely people, but He still works out things for his good purpose. 

Summary:  Samson goes against the way of God multiple times but God consecrated him for a purpose and the Spirit of the Lord continue to come upon him to do His work. 

Promise: Our sin does not thwart God’s ability to work out His good plan, but it is better for us if He works out His plan through our obedience, not our misdeeds.

Prayer: O God, we are a people that fail you continually. We act in ways that are not becoming. And yet you continue to provide for us in ways we don't deserve. You bless me so much Lord despite the sin that we commit. Samson broke his vow and I know that I break vows as well. I ask and hope in me that I would be a person that would honor you. I am not sure if I made number one even this past weekend, as I celebrated with my classmates our reunion. I wrote that I want them to be in heaven, but bringing you up was not prominent in my speech. Instead I let someone else parade her views, her idolatry of fitness before me in the name of beauty. Lord, I do not know sometimes what is the best way or what I need to do. I am confused. I suppose I am like Samson. Bring me back to you, to wait on you. I need to trust in you. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Judges 12 and 13 - The Birth of Samson

Judges 12 and 13

For behold, you shall conceive and give birth to a son, and no razor shall come upon his head, for the boy shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines. - Verse 5

Message: The Birth of Samson

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: In verse 1 of chapter 12, the men of Ephraim are bothered with Jephthah. He fought the Ammonites as the "Spirt of the Lord" came upon him and he subdued them "before the people of Israel" (11:33). The men of Ephraim wanted to go. This is reminiscent of chapter 8 when the men of Ephraim came also to Gideon bothered that they were not called when he fought Midian. Jephthah remarks that he did try to call them and they refused, but what is done is done. Ephraim continues to be bitter rather than celebrating the victories. Jephthah then conquered Ephraim. And eventually 42,000 died. I am not sure if the Lord was over this work Jephthah had done, but no reason to think he was not. Jephthah is recorded in Hebrews 11:32-33 as someone who by faith conquered kingdoms. He judged 6 years (12:8). And yet I am not sure the Hebrews verse gives the idea that any of those individuals were flawless as I don't think Jephthah was. He did exercise faith, but he might have also done things uncharacteristic of a man of faith as others might have done, but that's okay. God works in many different people's lives. 

I think of Ravi Zacharias. A man who was celebrated as a leading apologist and could debate well often and an evangelical minister, but following his death in 2020 it was discovered he a sexual harassment issues for many years of his ministry and just like that, all of his works were silenced. Definitely can't excuse his sin, but does that nullify all of his work? Can Ravi still be called a man of faith? 

The chapter ends with the mention of 3 more judges: Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon. Ibzan had 60 children and married them all. Jephthah had 1 child. Some are increased, others diminished; all is the Lord’s doing. Ibzan judged 7 years. Elon judged 10 years. No children mentioned. Abdon had 40 sons and judged 8 years. 

Chapter 13 begins with a familiar word, "the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, so that the Lord gave them into the hands of the Philistines forty years." After many years of having judges, the people once again acquiesce into the ways and manners of the people among them and start looking less like a servant of God and more like the people of the Word. The entire chapter chronicles the announcement of Samson to his father Manoah by an angel of the Lord. He would grow up and be blessed by the Lord (13:24). 

It is interesting as this entire chapter chronicles the angel of the Lord's announcement and the surprise of his father Manoah and all that the father wants to do in response of this announcement for the angel of the Lord. These angels of the Lord are often quite interesting in our Bible. Manoah was reluctant to believe. In many ways, like Gideon who wanted confirmations as well. But like Gideon, it did not matter with God - he was going to make it happen even through the questions of a person. He has a plan - a sovereign plan for people. It is a reminder once again that God works and He works often through imperfect people. And that is okay. 

Summary: Jephthah conquers Ephraim. Judges Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon follow. Then Israel does evil in the sight of the Lord and the angel of the Lord announces to Manoah and his wife the birth of Samson. 

Promise: People need to see that we believe in the Lord. But it is rarely a perfect belief. But let them sill see - our children and those around us. 

Prayer: God, you remind me in these verses to keep fighting the fight and keep continuing the faith. It is one of perseverance and endurance but it is rarely perfect. There are questions and it is important to pray through those questions, for your will in me and for me to know you better through life. I do pray for your intervention - your providence. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

TABLETALK - February 2019

2019 looks at the history of Old Testament Israel showing that the failures and successes of the Israelites led to the coming of Jesus, the Savior who redeems us from sin and empowers us by His Spirit to bear spiritual fruit in obedience to Him. 

January 2019 (October 25, 2024 - January 23, 2025) - Joshua 1-14 - How the Lord brought Israelites into Canaan

February 2019 (January 24, 2025 - July 6, 2025) - Joshua 15 to Judges 11 - God calls his people to finish driving out the inhabitants of Canaan, but they fail. God disciplines them and saves them from destruction. 

Territory for Judah (Joshua 15) - Joshua describes to Judah boundary lines for property for the clan of the tribe of Judah, providing over 100 cities in this region. 

Dividing the Remaining Land (Joshua 16, 17, 18, 19) - Land continues to be divided among the many tribes of Israel. 3 1/2 tribes thus far, and in this section of scripture, the remaining 8 1/2 tribes. 

Designating Cities of Refuge (Joshua 20) - Cities of refuge are now designated in Canaan as a refuge for those individuals that unintentionally take another person's life. 

Our Promise-Keeping Lord (Joshua 21) - God keeps his promises and comes through on all promises. He never fails and provides land for all the tribes of Israel, culminating here in cities given from each tribe to tribe of Levi. 

The Unity of God's People Under True Worship (Joshua 22) - Arriving home, the 2 1/2 tribes build an altar, first misunderstood its purpose, then understood as a witness between them and the Lord, on the other side of the Jordan. 

An Exhortation to Faithfulness (Joshua 23) - Joshua tells the people as he is aging that they need to cling to the Lord and not serve other gods. God will keep fighting for us as we do this. 

Joshua's Farewell (Joshua 24) - We are not live for God half-hearted but completely. All other forms of faith are basically the same but we are to serve the Lord our God.

Trouble in Canaan (Judges 1) - Judah takes over now after the death of Joshua and lands continue to be inhabited. The goal was taking over these lands but often people remained as Israel let obstacles stay rather than trusting in God for their conquest. 

A Tragic Cycle (Judges 2) - The Lord's plan was the destruction of the Canaanites, but the people after Joshua let them remain and God agreed and kept them around, challenging the people to serve the Lord and not alternate gods or desires. 

The Model Judge (Judges 3:1-11) - God tests Israel to prove they are a people relying and depending on Him. They serve other Gods and Othniel delivers and judges them and the land has rest for 40 years. 

Ehud and Eglon (Judges 3:12-30) - For 18 years, God disciplines Israel under the hand of Eglon. After crying to the Lord, the Lord delivers Israel through Ehud and they have peace for 80 years. 

Deborah and Barak (Judges 4:1-16, 5:1-5,21) - Once again, Israel does evil in the sight of the Lord. After being sold over to the king of Canaan, Deborah and Barak team up to deliver Israel from that king. 

The Glory of Jael (Judges 4:17-24; 5:24-31) - God worked through Jael to destroy an enemy of the Lord. 

The Lord Calls Gideon (Judges 6:1-32) - The people are recorded once again as doing evil in the sight of God. God disciplines then and then provides Gideon to correct them though Gideon is stubborn in His trust of God. 

Gideon and the Fleece (Judges 6:33-40) - Gideon needs God once again to confirm Himself to him. He requests again confirmation that He will do what He has said He will do. 

Gideon Defeats Midian (Judges 7) - God defeats Midian through Gideon by reducing the army to 300 men so there will be no temptation to boast and God will get the victory and praise for the defeat. 

Gideon's Short-Lived Revival (Judges 8) - Gideon continues through Midian and takes down two more kings, and yet their are signs of idolatry. The people have restoration for 40 years, then Gideon dies, and the people go back to worshipping idols. 

Danger from Within (Judges 9) - After the death of Gideon, his son Abimelech basically erects himself as king, slaying the his siblings, though one son Jotham remains, but discord erupts and Abimelech and the people of Shechem eventually period because of their sin. 

Jephthah Rises to Lead Israel (Judges 10-11) - Israel declares they have sinned and Jephthah rises to lead Israel. He makes a vow to the Lord and honors it by his only child and daughter being barren, a curse somewhat among the people to not have any offspring. 

The Disappearance of Honor - Showing respect or having great esteem is honor. Lord, we are concerned that honor is not held in high value today. It seems that it is attacked from every side, in the world and at home. Help men show honor to their wives, parents to their children and children to their parents, employees to their employers, citizens to their leaders. But not simply people, we have a tendency to dishonor the importance of church and institutions. We are prone to questioning rather than accepting, thinking the worst rather than the best. Make dishonor present in our hearts, homes, and churches O God, honoring You every day, every moment. 

What is Honor - Lord, I am reminded in wedding vows, it states to honor our spouse as we are to honor you God. In addition, in the Bible I learn to honor father and mother (Ex. 20:12), the elderly (Lev. 19:32), rulers (I Peter 2:17), church leaders (I Tim. 5:17) and others who serve Christ faithfully (Phil. 2:29). We also honor the Sabbath Day (Is. 58:13) and marriage (Heb. 13:4). [We also honor our country every time we pledge allegiance to it or sing the national anthem. Men returning from war count this as a great act as they fight each day for their country.] We believe in honor God so we control our bodies in such a way as to honor You God. Help me to honor, to esteem and treat others with respect because of who they are and what they have done. I am to place high value, price, and quality and enhance reputations. It is the wise and righteous who will receive honor (Prov. 3:35, 11:16) and honor is not fitting for a fool (Prov. 26:1). When I was in college, church had a special honor. College freshman would wake up each morning and not go to church, but dress like they did go to church because they knew church was important, even if they didn't attend [We can fake honor; we must have our heart in it for it to be true]. People dress up and put on their best clothes to show their honor toward something, like attending church, going to a dance, being at a wedding. We take time to prepare ourselves in the best possible way. [At a wedding is that commitment to honor your spouse, to set them apart as important. You don't simply do this when two people live together. We come together today in front of witnesses to make a commitment to one another, that will last. That each of you will do everything in your power to make sure this stays whole. You will work hard for each other, but also as necessary in the community, earning money. You will be a team, committed to each other. You will understand that God is your creator and you commit your days to follow Him. And you will work hard to clear out anything in your path that might get in the way of this. It is not simply making some things important. It is also making some things not important. In reading my Bible each day, I am not only doing it for myself, but to say, my focus comes from God. Romans 12:10 says, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love, give preference to one another in honor." We are to outdo one another in showing honor. There is no one that will do a better job in this world of showing honor and love to each of you than each of you. This is not about feelings.] This purpose in honoring others in turn honors God. He made us in His image. By honoring others and honor God we proclaim His name above all other name in our world. 

Honor and Its Decline - George Grant - Shakespeare's writings encompass honor. Has the notion of honor declined in our thinking, as a virtue in our lives? Honorable people with honorable intentions seem to be under attack. Epistemology or the theory of knowledge or defining knowledge, what it is, how we acquire it and justify it; distinguishing between belief or opinion. Epistemology danger is separating truth into upper and lower stories or Platonic universals vs Aristotle particulars (universals are the abstract, eternal, and perfect Forms or Ideas that exist independently of the physical world. These Forms are the ultimate reality, and physical objects are merely imperfect copies or participations in these Forms). Examples: Roe v Wade - the universal scientific fact of human life (lower story) separated from the rights and protections of personhood (upper story). Obergefell v Hodges - the historical definition of marriage between man and woman (lower) set aside for a newly social construct (upper). Honor is universal. Unchanging standards have now changed. 

The Fifth Commandment Root of Honor - Rev. Kevin D. Gardner - In Romans 1:18-32 is a list of offenses by those who do not acknowledge God any longer and in that list in verse 30 is "disobedient to parents." The 5th commandment is the first commandment regarding our duties to our fellow man. Our first authority is God and then our second are those authorities he sets up. And the first authority is the family. This is where we learn to obey all other authorities. [In not respecting government leaders, is this partly a breakdown of the family and learning authority.] Author looks at different Westminster Shorter Catechism words that look at our duties in our various relationships - sometimes inferior, sometimes superior, sometimes equal. For our Superiors we show others the honor due to them - reverence, prayer, obedience, imitation of godly virtues, maintaining their dignity (WLC 127). For those inferior - love, prayer, instruction, rewards, correction and protection (WLC 129). To equals - recognition of their dignity, deference, and rejoicing in their advancement (WLC 131). By showing honor to each other we show honor to God. Help me honor people in this way God. 

Experiencing Honor and Dishonor - Matthias Lohmann - I immediately think of my brother when reading this lesson as he is very good at giving God the praise and glory anytime someone appreciates the words that come out of his mouth. When a complement comes his way he voices, "Praise God." He is giving honor where honor is due. That's the point of this article. We should be proud to accept praise when we do things well, not dismissing it because then we are dismissing the good work that God is doing in our lives. He is using me as His vessel. But we also need to be careful that we are not being praised for sinful behavior. Love honor and live for it, giving praise to God always for the great work He continues to do through us. 

Honoring One Another Online - Matt Smethurst - “Honor everyone” (I Peter 2:17). 1. Take (typed) words seriously. Lots in Proverbs and elsewhere about our words (“fountain of life”). This includes typed words that sometimes words we hide behind. 2. Humanize the other tribe. People with their words are still people. It seems one of the hardest parts of life is dealing with differences in one another. And whether those differences are perceived mistakes and then how to relate to people. 3. Give the Benefit of the Doubt. The temptation to slander others, other human beings, is perhaps one of our biggest dangers and most common place sins that we experience in life. We must remember every person has dignity and worth. 4. Encourage Liberally - "Outdo one another in showing honor" (Romans 12:10). Assume the best, seeing the best, and identify the best in others. 

The Blessing of Honor - Thomas Brewer - People don't treat one another well. There is lack of respect. Employees toward their employers is not honorable. Treat people the way they should be treated; esteem them appropriately. We honor God because He is God. As image bearers of God, all men and women deserve honor. Honor can be lost and gained (Job 14:21; Prov. 3:35). Honor brings blessings as in honoring our father and mother brings long life (Ex. 20:12). Honor is associated with riches, life, and wisdom (Prov. 21:21). Treat people well, esteem them, and we will be quicker to get a promotion. We are to outdo each other in showing honor (Romans 12:10). 

Honoring Marriage - Harry L. Reeder III - "Let marriage be held in honor among all" (Heb 13:4). God first spoke of it Genesis 2:24 (thus it is a creation mandate) thus we are to promote marriage. It is covenantal. He describes the church as His bride and Christ as the bridegroom. 

 

Honoring Parents - Grant R. Castleberry - Honor in Hebrew, kabod, means heaviness or weight - a person is to be heavy in one's life. The first relational 10 commandment is to honor our parents. Cursing our parents was death (Ex. 21:17). Honor parents, even through disagreements. Honor them after they have passed away. We honor our parents by valuing what they deem important. 

What is Honor is Lost Altogether? - R. Albert Mohler Jr. - History consistently speaks of honor (Augustine, John Calvin, Berger). A world without honor has no virtue. 

Jesus Dishonored and Honored - Anthony L. Carter - The focus of civil rights is human dignity. This is essential in honor. In crucifying Jesus, we did not show Him honor. And his dishonor resulted in His exaltation. Honor is Jesus Christ the Lord. Jesus is Lord. He is in ultimate honor (Acts 5:31). 

Honoring God - David W. Hall - When we honor someone we treat that person more important ourselves. Honor God with our income (Pr. 3:9), our bodies (1 Cor 6:20), and with humility (Pr. 15:33). The result of losing honor is recited in Romans 1. 

Honoring God in the Pulpit - John MacArthur - Honor God by preaching the word (2 Tim. 4:2). Just like today, the gospel message was rejected and people opposed the message - often violently. He had meet fierce resistance (2 Tim. 3:11), stoned (Acts 14:19), attacked, beaten and jailed (16:22-23). He spoke boldly and without apology. The message triggered antagonism. If a riot started, he moved on. He said God commands repentance (Acts 17:30-31). Don't downplay or deviate. Honor God with the Gospel. 

Amen to the Glory of God - I Corinthians 1:15-20. Paul defends his ministry - he is to preach the gospel, of the cross. The wisdom of this world is foolishness. 2 Corinthians 1:15-20. Paul faced criticisms. He assures his people that he comes to them to encourage them, by the gospel being preached and they also being involved in his ministry. The message of the gospel is not ambiguous, but emphatic. Any religion is it seems filled with 'yes' but also 'no.' [I was thinking of this yesterday that as we examine scripture, there are challenging texts in which we continue to try to understand and comprehend their meaning. From the outside looking in, it seems these myriads of faiths are coming up with their conclusions and standing by them. And yet staying close to the original gospel. This seems okay to me. There are differences. People are seeking understanding, making conclusions and living by them. And yet there is only one true meaning of these words - and so many are claiming 'yes' but it may be 'no.'] The problem results when the true meaning of the gospel is compromised by raising up the notion that faith alone is insufficient for God's acceptance. We must be careful of those faith systems that compromise this true meaning by raising up the traditions of men, at times elevating man's interpretations. Thus, choose faith alone, Christ alone, grace alone - seek the "Amen." 

Dealing with Controversy - Titus 3:9: “But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.” “Boy, that Facebook debate really changed my mind. Said no one ever.” How does a Christian handle controversies or prolonged disagreements? I need to beware of foolish controversies and things that are not about the Gospel, jawing with others about things that really don't matter. Keep me away from the temptation of me thinking I can reason well, that I am cool, even logical in ways towards things that don't matter in regards to spiritual things. My words and those of others can sometimes simply be noise - free me God from this noise so that my conversations are about good things. I need to choose Christlikeness. Help me to bring it back to the gospel, to things that matter most. Make me a wise person O God. 

Doers not Hearers Only - James wrote his letter to Diaspora Jews who had become Christians (1:1). They were a people that began to believe that merely listening to the reading of the Law was enough for them - at first to be a proper substitute for temple sacrifices but eventually enough to remain God's people. But to not practice what they are hearing is therefore a form of deception. The Word causes people to bear fruit. Thus, be a doer and go forward with what you are hearing. It is like someone that looks in a mirror to see how they look and then walk away and forget what they have seen. May I learn to practice what I hear. 

Weaponize your Quiet Time - We need to eat and drink of scripture every day. Squeeze everything you can out of it. God's truth is not meant to be hoarded in our lives. To weaponize is to give away the truth God teaches us in our personal study of the Word. Pass it on to my sons and daughter. Pass it on to fellow Christians. Hand others truth. 

Knowing God in All Your Ways - Live "before the face of God." "In all your ways, acknowledge the Lord" (Prov. 3:6). God in us needs to transform us. 

Giving Time, Talents and Treasures - "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Give by caring for fellow church members. Invest our time in others. Where our time goes, there our hearts will be also. Deacons of weddings, hospitality, college ministry, sound, childcare, and more. Take our possessions and earnings and give them bountifully to others. 

Our Witness on Sundays - We are inundated with temptations to engage in other activities on the Lord's day. Since the 1st century, weekly the Lord's day has been called holy. It is a corporate gathering to celebrate and proclaim Jesus' resurrection, His victory over death and salvation He accomplished for all who believe. When we don't attend church it tells the world that even if Jesus rose from the dead, it has little impact for us. When we prioritize church we are demonstrating the Lordship of Christ, telling the world that Jesus is our Lord. We are showing the world our citizenship is in heaven. When we attend church together we are acknowledging that this world is passing away and we practice what we will be doing in heaven, assembling together with believers to praise our living God. Sunday will either be the day set aside for God for His people to rest (4th commandment - remember the Sabbath to make it holy) and worship or it will be just another day of the week. 

What is Baptism? - Guy M. Richard - Jews had some kind of familiarity with the concept of baptism. As it is mentioned in the New Testament, there are no objections because they all appear to understand what Jesus is talking about. In 2 Kings 5 Naaman went and baptized himself 7 times in the Jordan - "wash" in verse 10 and "baptize" in verse 14 are used interchangeably. Hebrews 9 looks back at the temporary rites and practices of the ceremonial system, the ritual washings for clean and unclean people. Thus, baptism meant cleaning or purification to wash and render clean or pure before God. In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus commands his followers to make disciples of all nations and peoples and to mark them out with water baptism. In Acts 2:38 would-be followers are to "repent and be baptized." Baptism is replacing circumcision. Circumcision did not earn God's acceptance, but marked people out as one in right standing with God. It marks us off as belonging to the Lord. Thus it is a sign and seal of the inward washing of all our sins and thus being counted righteous in God's sight only through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Judges 10 and 11 - Jephthah Rises to Lead Israel

Judges 10 and 11

So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you take me back to fight against the sons of Ammon and the Lord gives them up to me, will I become your head?” - Verse 9

Message: Jephthah Rises to Lead Israel

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: After Abimelech dies, 2 judges are mentioned - Tola and Jair. Tola judges for 23 years. Jair judges for 22 years. Not much is said of them but they are mentioned. They are part of the history. It is mentioned that Tola arose to save Israel. 45 years pass. A generation. The good news during this period is nothing bad happened. No news is good news. Things were rotten under Abimelech but now things are good. These two judges were good men, good leaders. 

Then verse 6 states, "The sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord." These same words have been said before - in 2:11, 3:7, 3:12, 4:1, 6:1. This has not been mentioned for 4 chapters. It was not mentioned under Tola and Jair. But now the people have fallen back into idolatry. The problem is they "exchanged the truth of God for a lie. (Romans 1:25)" They served other gods. They broke God's commandment to have no other Gods (Ex. 20:3). Today I think those gods are comfort, safety, riches, entertainment, health. Even a freedom from problems and trials. Anything that robs our personal quality of life I think at times is greater than what God speaks of in His word. I need those things in my life. I do. All of us do. In those times, the problem was they aligned themselves with the non-chosen people and the gods they worshipped. The people of the land that I saw previously that remained in the land - the Canaanites. But their are others. It is like we assimilate ourselves with the world and its ways. It is hard to stand out and be different and easier just to go along. 

Because of this falling away by the people of Israel (people of God), "the anger for the Lord burned against Israel" in verse 7. He sold them or as it says in Romans "gave them over." They were afflicted and crushed for 18 years. They had it good for 45 years, but now for 18 years they were embattled. 

"Then the sons of Israel cried out" (verse 10) stating they had forsaken the Lord. They were proud for a while, not admitting their sin. It took a revival of their hearts a while to occur. But here is the problem - God let them know that it isn't a formula. They turned on God and he rejects their plea. He tells them to go to the gods they have joined forces with. He says to them, "let them deliver you in the time of your distress." Look, you serve those gods, so rather than running to me now you are in distress, maybe you should run to them. Maybe this is a test. Maybe God is trying to test them to see what they will do. 

How do they respond? Verse 15, "We have sinned." That's it. They recognize their sin. Good for Israel. This is the right respond of people and what we are looking for, what God is looking for - people that recognize their sin. 

Yesterday, I read an article about Islam. They do believe that Allah will forgive sins (Sura 39:53). But Christ is not recognized. Instead, Sura 7:8 states: “As for those whose scale will be heavy with good deeds, only they will be successful.” Jesus is missing and as such, the atonement is missing. Even in the Old Testament, burnt offerings or atonements are mentioned. This seems to be missing from Islam. 

Are people simply bothered that bad things have happened or do they really have a desire for God? It almost seems like that what is occurring here. 

Chapter 11 begins and Jephthah enters. Verse 1 he is called a valiant warrior. Gideon was called the same in 6:12 although it was said of him, "The Lord is with you." 

The sons of Ammon are mentioned here. I am not sure what to make of these people. They seem to be adversarial in chapter 10 to Israel. Israel's evil ways in 10:6 includes serving the gods of the sons of Ammon. The Lord's anger resulted in Israel being sold into the hand of the sons of Ammon (10:7). Israel's 18 years of affliction took place in Gilead, a land of the sons of Ammon (10:8). The Lord mentions to Israel delivering them from people that included the sons of Ammon (10:11). But the author then mentions at the end of 10 that the leaders in Gilead would raise up for Israel someone to fight against the sons of Ammon (10:18). 

In Chapter 11 Jephthah is born as a Gileadite. But not by Gilead's wife, like his brothers, but by a harlot, which resulted in the brothers sending Jephthah away from them. Then these sons of Ammon are mentioned again as fighting against Israel (11:4). The elders of Gilead in response believe Jephthah to be the answer to lead the people (Israel not mentioned here) against the sons of Ammon (11:6). Jephthah is surprised he has been chosen (11:7). But the leaders confirm that Jephthah is the one to lead all the inhabitants of Gilead (among with I think the sons of Israel are as well) against the sons of Ammon (11:8). Jephthah makes a point that the Lord must be with him in this fighting and leading (11:9). Jephthah makes a statement to recognize that to defeat the sons of Ammon the Lord must be with him, and then the elders of Gilead would make him a leader. Back in 8:23 Gideon responded to leadership that God is the true leader of the people. But there the people make him head (11:11). 

Jephthah sends a message to the sons of Ammon wondering about the strife between them. The sons of Ammon respond that taking our land by Israel is the problem. Jephthah responds they didn't take the land, just wanted to pass through it and did not get permission. Since they were unwilling the Lord possessed all of the land of the Amonites through fighting (11:21). The Lord did this for the people of Israel (11:23). The sons of Ammon however rejected these words from Jephthah (11:28). 

Then the text mentions the Spirit of the Lord coming upon Jephthah (last mentioned towards Gideon, the previous judge in 6:34) as he heads to the son of Ammon (11:29). Jephthah then makes a vow to the Lord (11:30). If God will, then he will offer up "whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me" as a burnt offering to the Lord (11:31). The burnt offering shows a person's complete devotion to God. It is offering a spotless animal as atonement. And so the sons of Ammon were subdued (11:33). 

The chapter ends with a conversation between Jephthah, regarding his daughter. He returns from the battle and is greeted by his daughter with her celebrating his return (dancing with musical instruments) (v. 34). He remembers his vow, tears his clothes because he she is the one that has come out to greet him, not what he wanted because his vow to the Lord is to sacrifice the one who comes of the door first to greet him (v. 35). The daughter trusts her father though and tells him to do as he has vowed (v. 36). The vow the daughter and Jephthah agree to is not a burnt offering which is not allowed - see Leviticus 18:21; 20:2; Deuteronomy 12:31-32; 18:10-12. Instead the vow that is described as her not having any relations with man. I saw a Bible commentary online that said, "He was willing to give up his only hope of grandchildren and perpetuation of the family line, enduring a social stigma, in order to obey God."

Jephthah kept his vow, though the scripture renders the vow as a burnt offering. It seems possible that the burnt offering is a translation error. Burnt offerings are animals, not people. The daughter coming out was God-ordained. Thus, there is a little problem here with the text possibly. If he adheres to sacrificing the life of his daughter then he breaks the rules of the Law prohibiting sacrifice of humans. If he does what he did then the burnt offering described was wrong. And verse 29 starts with the Spirit of the Lord coming upon him. The bottom line though to me is he kept the promise for a sacrifice. 

Summary: Israel declares they have sinned and Jephthah rises to lead Israel. He makes a vow to the Lord and honors it by his only child and daughter being barren, a curse somewhat among the people to not have any offspring. 

Promise: Our promises to God are more important than societal and even religious traditions. We should be true to God, admitting our sin. 

Prayer: O my Lord, Father, Hashem - you are the one I respect and revere. I need to trust in You and I want to trust in You and be true to how you have called me to live and be. Thank you for these readings and that these records are preserved and the examples remain timeless. You continue to send leaders to instruct us and guide us, but ultimately it is only You that saves and You provide your Son Jesus to atone for my sins, forgiving me for all eternity. I confess I am a sinner. Lord, there are many in my life that I pray would see this - their sin and then the relationship with you that follows. Jephthah reminds me follow You true. What situations in my life would cause me to make a vow? To make a promise to You in order for you to get me out of a jam? I am not sure. But I can keep my word. When I take on a responsibility I can follow through on it and this is something I need to improve on. 

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