July in Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, and Psalms

1. Judges 13 - 16
2. Judges 13 - 16
3. Judges 17 & 18
4. HAVE A HAPPY 4th!!!
5. Judges 19
6. Judges 20
7. Judges 21
8. Ruth 1 & 2
9. Ruth 3 & 4
10. 1 Samuel 1
11. Psalm 113
12. 1 Samuel 2
13. 1 Samuel 3 & 4
14. 1 Samuel 5 & 6
15. 1 Samuel 7 & 8
16. 1 Samuel 9
17. 1 Samuel 10
18. 1 Samuel 11
19. 1 Samuel 12
20. 1 Samuel 13 & 14
21. 1 Samuel 15
22. 1 Samuel 16
23. 1 Samuel 17
24. Psalm 144
25. 1 Samuel 18 & 19
26. 1 Samuel 20
27. Psalms 5 & 6
28. Psalm 59
29. Psalm 133
30. 1 Samuel 21
31. Psalm 34

June in Joshua and Judges

1. Joshua 1

2. Joshua 2

3. Joshua 3 & 4

4. Joshua 5 & 6

5. Joshua 7

6. Joshua 8

7. Joshua 9

8. Joshua 10

9. Joshua 11 & 12

10. Joshua 13

11. Joshua 14

12. Joshua 15

13. Joshua 16& 17

14. Joshua 18

15. Joshua 19 & 20

16. Joshua 21

17. Joshua 22

18. Joshua 23

19. Joshua 24

BIBLE STUDY TOOLS: Joshua Chapter Titles

20. Judges 1

21. Judges 2

22. Judges 3

23. Judges 4

24. Judges 5

25. Judges 6

26. Judges 7

27. Judges 8

28. Judges 9

29. Judges 10 & 11

30. Judges 12

Put Judges Back on the Shelf

Congratulations! You are done with another book!

Judges 19-21: Concubine Atrocity and the War with the Tribe of Benjamin

LINK: Judges 19-21  

BACKGROUND

Here is our second story in the appendix to Judges. I wish I had a "dislike" button for you to press for it. In these chapters, the bottom line is that there was no central authority like a king and everyone did what was right in his own eyes (21:25). This led to gross injustice (the concubine rape and murder) and anarchy (war on Benjamin).

Concubines were not according to God's will (Genesis 2:24), but they were an accepted part of Israelite society. They were considered a "lawful" wife who was only guaranteed food, clothing, and marital privileges (Exodus 21:7-11; Deuteronomy 21:10-14). They were there to provide sexual pleasure, help in the household, and provide more children who would not be part of the inheritance. They were nothing more than "chattel."  Sometimes they were taken if the legitimate wife was barren.

Treating guests in the Middle East was part of a man's honor.  That is why the man in Ephraim was willing to give the Levite's concubine and his virgin daughter away to the wicked men in the town. The man of Ephraim and the Levite were just as wicked for allowing abuse and murder to occur. This story is so sick, but it puts an exclamation point on how far God's chosen people had fallen!

Cutting up the concubine was the Levite's call for action against the town of Gibeah, but he was just as guilty of murder as the men of the town! After a victory on Benjamin's side, the LORD told the Israelites to go up against them again, but they were defeated. This caused the Israelites to weep and fast and present burnt and fellowship offerings to the Lord (20:26), and the LORD told them to go out and that this time they would win. Consequently, they defeated the Benjamites (20:35).

The men of Israel realized that almost all from the tribe of Benjamin had been eliminated. There were still 600 soldiers hiding in Rimmon (20:47), but where would the wives come from since the men of Israel had sworn to not give them wives? Instead of seeking the Lord, they killed the men of Jabesh-Gilead since they did not participate in the oath. This freed up 400 virgins to give to the remaining Benjamites. The remaining 200 Benjamites were left to kidnap women at Shiloh. This way the remaining tribes would not be violating their oath, and the tribe of Benjamin would go on, but at what cost? Double DISLIKE!

I do not like these stories because the treatment of women is atrocious! The Levite should not have treated his concubine this way. As goes the home, so goes the nation!

It is amazing that the beautiful love story of Ruth took place during this same time of moral degradation! It is a redemption story of light and hope in a world of darkness and despair just like Jesus is light and hope in our world of darkness and despair. Stay tuned. Persevere through this story, and you will be rewarded. Weeping may last for a night, but there will be a shout of joy in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

REFLECTION/APPLICATION

As horrible as this story may sound, atrocities like this happen every day in our world today. Women, especially, are "chattel" in many countries. We need to open our eyes and pray for the Prince of Peace to reign in the hearts and lives of all people groups of the world. He is our only hope.

Pray for the oppressed women of the world. 

PRAYER

Jesus, reign. Protect the innocent. Thank You for being our hope and light in this dark world. Amen.

Judges 17 & 18 - Idolatry of Micah and Migration of the Danites

LINK: Judges 17 & 18

BACKGROUND

It is universally agreed upon that the events in Judges 17-21 happened before Judges 1-16. This is an "appendix" to the time of the Judges. This is indicated in that Micah's priest, Jonathan, was a grandson of Moses (18:30). There is also a grandson of Aaron in the narrative (20:28). In addition, the ark is at Bethel (20:27-28). Some commentators believe that these events took place during the time of the first judge, Othniel.

This section consists of two stories:

1) Micah's Idolatry and the hiring of Moses' grandson as his priest and the tribal idolatry of the Danites (Ch. 17-18) 

2) The tragedy of the Levite's concubine and the subsequent civil war against Benjamin (Ch. 19-21).

Both stories illustrate the total moral failure of Israel! Not a pretty picture, and I dread writing these two posts. I cannot wait to get to the happy story of Ruth!

Micah's Idolatry - Judges 17

Micah stole 1,100 shekels of silver from his mother. She offered a curse to the unknown thief, but she blessed when she found out it was her son. In this chapter alone, Micah broke the First, Second, Third, Fifth, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth commandments!  A private shrine was not permitted in Israel according to Deuteronomy 12:1-14. There was only one place of worship in Israel and that was at the Tabernacle!

I would say that Micah's family was quite dysfunctional. Why wouldn't there be consequences for a child who stole from and lied to his own mother?

The young Levite, Jonathan (18:30) was not qualified to be a priest for Micah (Numbers 3:10). Levites were to assist the priests in the Tabernacle of God (Numbers 3:6-13; 8:17-18), teach the Law to the people (Nehemiah 8:7-9; 2 Chronicles 17:7-9; 35:3), and be involved in the music and praise of Israel (1 Chronicles 23:28-32; Ezra 3:10).  It is believed he was not in one of the cities assigned to the priests and Levites because people were not supporting the tabernacle with tithes and offerings as commanded by God (Number 18:21-32; Deuteronomy 14:28-29; 26:12-15).  Instead of obeying God, he became a priest for hire and led in the worship of idols. Micah had the true God thrown in among all the other false gods. How this must have grieved God!

Migration of the Danites - Judges 18

The Amorites and Philistines were pushing the Danites out of their inherited land (1:34-35; Joshua 19:40-48; Judges 13:1; 14:4; 15:11). Instead of trusting God for this land, the Danites traveled north looking for more territory and stumbled upon Micah's priest in the hill country of Ephraim.  When the "priest" gave them the LORD's approval for passage northward (Who was Jonathan listening to??), they persuaded him to come along with all Micah's household gods. Micah lost all his gods and priest in the end.

It was not the Lord's will for the Danites to conquer land out of their allotted territory, and the result was that the conquered town of Laish became "Idolatry Central" until their captivity (18:30-31; 1 Kings 12:28-30).

REFLECTION

This moral failure of Israel reminds me to pray for the moral failure of my country! If you are reading according to the Bible Book Club schedule, this reading and the next are couched around a day off to celebrate the 4th of July. What a perfect day to pray for your country even if you do not live in the United States.

The Sunday before the 4th of July marked the annual "Call 2 Fall" on our knees in prayer for the USA. Here is the reasoning behind it:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

The first requirement on the path to renewal is to "humble ourselves," to fall on our knees and faces before the Lord in repentant prayer.  Over and over the Scriptures teach this.   

Second, our history records it.   Our founding fathers sensed the need for a "Call 2 Fall" in view of the monumental struggle we were engaged in with Britain.    The First Continental Congress called for a day of public humiliation, fasting, and prayer throughout the Colonies on July 20th, 1775 just after war broke out.  James Warren wrote Samuel Adams: 

In addition, colonial America and the early years of our republic experienced what observers have called Great Awakenings, which began with God's people humbling themselves in repentant prayer and led to others becoming followers of Christ. 

Third, our nation needs it. Ponder the past decade.  From 9/11 to war to natural disasters to financial and moral collapse, we are witnessing what happens when a nation turns away from God.  In view of the monumental challenges of our times, do we not find ourselves in a similar situation as that of ancient Israel and early America?  Consequently, we are sensing the need to return to simple but powerful truths like: 

• God is sovereign.  He is holy and He is love.

• We are sinners.  We are saved from His severity of His wrath toward sin only by the fierceness of His love in Christ.

• When we drift away in disobedience, we experience His discipline.  His judgments are just.

• The pathway back must begin with:

• A humility and brokenness before the Lord.

• A desperation to find the face of God.

• A heart cry for the mercy of God.

• A desire to turn from our sinful ways.

• A resolve to return to the ways of God. 

This is what the ancient words of Scripture are calling us to do when we speak of a "Call 2 Fall."  

Three million people on their knees at once, supplicating the aid of Heaven, is a striking circumstance, and a very singular one in America. May the blessings of Heaven follow in answer to our prayers... 

(2023 Update: the website doesn't seem to work beyond the home page now, but it is www.call2fall.com)

APPLICATION

Pray for your country today!

PRAYER

God, heal our land from the moral depravity and idolatry we see all around us. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Judges 13 - 16 - Samson

 

LINK: Judges 13 - 16 

BACKGROUND

Here we go again! Judges 13 is the seventh sin cycle! I am sure you have the pattern memorized by now: sin, servitude, supplication, salvation, silence. Except there is no evidence in Scripture that Israel actually cried out in supplication to God for deliverance this time around.

Judges 13-16 tells the sad story of Samson. He was a man budding with potential, but his life was marked by missteps.

The angel of the LORD visited his parents and gave two predictions:

1) He would be a Nazirite from birth to death (13:5,7)
2) He would begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines (13:5)

We already learned about the Nazirite vow in the background on Numbers 6, but here it is for a quick reference:

The Nazirite vow could be taken by people who wanted to commit themselves totally to God by consecration and separation to Him. It could be taken by either a male or female. There were many prohibitions connected with it. The two most notable ones were abstaining from fermented beverages and not cutting your hair which was in direct opposition to some pagan rituals that required shaved heads. We will hear quite a bit about the hair component of this vow when we read about the life of Samson in Judges 13-16.

The Spirit of the LORD was on Samson (13:5). The Spirit would come and go with people in the Old Testament, but it stays with us all the time if we believe in Jesus. It seems like the Spirit only affected him physically. It did not seem to have any effect on him spiritually. What was up with him wanting a Philistine wife? His directive to his parents to "Get her for me as my wife" (14:2) seems like the ranting of a spoiled only child rather than a judge of Israel!  What about being a Nazirite who was totally committed to God?

Marrying a Philistine woman was:

1) Against God's law (Exodus 34:15-17; Deuteronomy 7:1-4)
2) A disgrace to his family since they were the hated enemy of Israel

The Philistines were the "sea people."  They had migrated in the twelfth century B.C. from Greece to the coastal plain of Canaan. Samson was born in Zorah, a city in the Danite area that bordered Philistine territory. Samson judged Israel for twenty years of the forty-year domination of the Philistines (15:20). The Philistine oppression during this time was believed to be from 1095-1055 B.C. with Samson's term as a judge occurring from 1075-1055 B.C.

The second prediction about Samson would begin the work of the deliverance of Israel, but it came at the cost of his life and after God had allowed him to be humbled. The prayers of Samuel (1 Samuel 7) and the conquests of David (2 Samuel 5:17-25) would finish the job Samson had started.

REFLECTION 

Samson had a weakness for women of the Philistine persuasion, but God in His sovereignty allowed this weakness to be the thing that would lead him into a confrontation with the Philistines and the beginning of their downfall. Something that God wanted to happen all along.

It always floors me that Samson, with his mistakes, is still listed in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11:32-34:

 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel, and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

God can use a person of faith despite their weaknesses. He can use you and me for His purposes too!

Hallelujah!

APPLICATION 

The whole time I read this story today, I thought of the 1949 Cecil B. Demille epic starring Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr! This genre of movies was often on Saturday TV when I was growing up. I still visualize blind Samson pushing against the pillars and crushing all those Philistines!  Sometimes it is really good to see the Bible portrayed in this way. Hollywood does not always get all the details right, but it is still fun. Maybe your application can be watching the film! 

How have you had missteps, been humbled, and then seen God do amazing things in spite of you? 

PRAYER

Set us apart LORD and use us for Your glory. We realize that we are such imperfect vessels and cracked pots. But You choose to use cracked pots for Your glory, and I thank You for that! Amen.

Judges 10 - 12: Many Judges and Jephthah's Rash Vow

LINK: Judges 10-12 

BACKGROUND

Israel had peace for forty-five years under the leadership of the judges, Tola and Jair, but then the sons of Israel repeated the same old sin cycle:

SIN: They did evil, served other gods, and forsook the LORD (10:6)
SERVITUDE: The LORD's anger burned so they were oppressed by foreigners (10:7-9)
SUPPLICATION: They cried to God, repented, and God pitied them (10:10-18)
SALVATION: God sent a deliverer/judge (11:1-12:7)

In this case, salvation came through Judge Jephthah. In Judges 11:23-26, he had three arguments against the Ammonite king's claim that the Israelites had stolen the land of Gilead from them:

1) Gilead was the land of the Amorites. So, they could not have stolen it from the Ammonites. 

2) Israel's God had given the land to them, and the Ammonites should be satisfied with the land their god, Chemosh, had given them. 

3) No one had contested this since Gilead's conquest 300 years before!

The arguments did not work, but the Spirit of the LORD came on Jephthah, and he had victory over the Ammonites, but his rash vow to the LORD led to being obligated to give his daughter as a burnt offering. So sad!

The Ephraimites were jealous and angry that they were not invited to the battle against the Ammonites. Jephthah responded by slaughtering 42,000 of them. Ephraimites could be identified because they pronounced the Hebrew sh as a single s. "Shibboleth" is the word for stream.

Jephthah died after ruling for six years. Then, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon ruled for a total of 25 where they entered into a period of 

SILENCE in the "Sin Cycle."

REFLECTION/APPLICATION

I made a rash vow to the Lord in the summer of 1980, and it was like a noose around my neck for many years (until 1990!) because I could never keep it!  My zeal got the best of me. Do not make rash vows!!!

I should have heeded the directive from James:

 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment. (James 5:12) 

PRAYER

Protect us LORD from making any kind of vow to You. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Judges 9 - Abimelech's Ambition

LINK: Judges 9 

BACKGROUND

For photos of Shechem including remains of the temple mentioned in this chapter, see HERE.

In this chapter, Gideon is called by his other name, Jerub-Baal, which means "Let Baal contend against him"(6:32). Abimelech was Gideon's son through a concubine. So, his half-brothers probably shunned him. He recruited his mother's relatives to kill all his half-brothers but one, Jotham, Gideon's youngest son.  Abimelech seemed to be one who craved power, or maybe he was bitter toward them because of being shunned. We do not know for sure, but he was crowned King of Shechem. Jotham's "calling to account" for the murder of his brothers and the crowning of Abimelech in the parable was brave. Abimelech was a worthless "bramble king," and the curse came true by the end of this chapter.

After three years, the Shechemites revolted against the new king by interrupting the caravan trade route through their city. This hurt Abimelech by not allowing him tributes and tolls. Furthermore, they exalted a new leader, Gaal, which led to Abimelech attacking and defeating Gaal and his company. In addition, he ambushed the Shehemites in their fields. The fire did "come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon" (9:15) because the cedars represented the leaders of the city who supported Abimelech originally.

The scattering of salt was symbolic of a sentence of infertility so that the land would remain barren forever (Deuteronomy 29:23; Jeremiah 17:6; 48:9). According to archaeologists, Shechem was destroyed in the 12th century. King Jeroboam I, who reigned from 931 - 910 B.C., rebuilt it, and it became the Northern Kingdom's capital (1 Kings 12:25). 

(Looking up 1 Kings 12 made me VERY EXCITED about next year in Bible Book Club. I worked on the schedule all weekend. I am such a Bible NERD. But I digress.)

What goes around comes around though, and Abimelech lost the kingdom eventually when the woman from Thebez dropped a millstone on his head. What a humiliation to be killed by a woman (2 Samuel 11:21)!

REFLECTION

Ambitious Abimelech would not let anything stand in the way of his desire to be king. He wanted power, probably to make up for the inadequacies he felt as a shunned half-brother.

This reminds me of a quote from a lesson called "Taming Temptation" from Leadership Essentials by Greg Ogden:

What must Christian leaders guard against?
Since the health of the Christian community reflects the health of its leaders, leading disciples are a primary target of the evil one. Satan will attempt to separate leaders from the source of their life, their connection with the living God. When Christian leaders are not grounded firmly in their identity in Christ, they are particularly susceptible to the lure of money, sex, or power to fill the deficit. (p. 137)

Abimelech obviously was not a believer. So, he had no identity in Christ, but there is a lesson for us that if we want to rise to be in any position of influence, it cannot be because we are doing it to fill a void inside of us. It has to be because we know who we are in Christ, and He places us in those positions, not because we force ourselves into them to fill the void. I have worked with people like this in leadership, and it is so tough!

Ogden goes on to say:

 Our identity, our sense of value and worth, is where Satan will most likely launch his attack. Jesus entered the wilderness with His identity secure. He knew his value because of the place he had in the Father's heart.  

Because of this, the devil could not tempt Jesus with power. He had no ambition but to see the Father glorified, and this should be our ambition also.

"Therefore, we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him" (2 Corinthians 5:9). AMEN!

APPLICATION

Have you fallen prey to selfish ambition?  Pray about any areas where you are trying to take control instead of letting the Lord guide and direct and exalt.

I heartily recommend doing this book with a couple of friends. We are doing it with our leadership team for our ministry right now.

2023 Update: Another application is concerning your identity; I love the Cycle of Grace. It is what I talk about above, and it has been the drum that I have tapped for over forty years, but this Cycle gave me a visual for it that I teach all the time now and lead nine-month cohorts exploring it more deeply. 

Here is a 1-hour video with a PowerPoint and handout for it:

Living in the Cycle of Grace 

The Cycle of Grace Handout

PRAYER

Lord, guard us from selfish ambition. Help us to be honest with ourselves. Uncover areas where we are not secure in our identity in You and may be susceptible to the enemy's wiles in this area. We pray this in the name and identity of Jesus. Amen.

Judges 6 - 8 Gideon and the Midianites

LINK: Judges 6-8

I am covering the whole story of Gideon in one post, but your reading is spread out over three days. Enjoy!

BACKGROUND

After peace for forty years, Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the sin cycle started all over again. This led to suffering at the hand of the Midianites which led to deliverance through God's fifth judge, Gideon.

Gideon was to "go in the strength he had" and conquer the Midianites. He had his doubts, and he needed extra confirmation through the sign of the fleeces, but he obeyed God even when it meant reducing his original army from 32,000 down to 300. Facing incredible odds, the victory could only be attributed to the Lord and not to any strength on the part of Gideon and his small band.

Do you remember who the Midianites were from our genealogies back in Genesis 25? They were the descendants of Midian who was Abraham's son by his concubine Keturah. Abraham sent them away from Isaac to the land of the east. They had become camel-riding marauders by the time of the judges.

Gideon did not finish well. He made an ephod (garment) from Midianite gold, and it became an object of worship to the Israelites and a snare to Gideon and his family. In spite of this, they enjoyed the last period of peace in the book of Judges. After Gideon's death, Israel went back to idol worship, and one of Gideon's offspring, Abimelech, became a key player in the next downward spiral of Israel.

REFLECTION

I always marvel at this story. Gideon was from the weakest family in Manasseh and was the youngest of that tribe. Gideon was not a warrior but a common farmer who had to thresh his wheat in the pit of a winepress for fear the Midianite raiders might come. Yet, God called him to deliver Israel from a formidable foe! Gideon seemed like such an unlikely choice.

Gideon was hesitant, had many excuses, and was even afraid, but eventually, he went forward in obedience once he was convinced of God's calling on his life. It was looking promising when we read that even though he was only a farmer, he would have an army of 32,000 men! Maybe there was room for confidence against the formidable Midianites.

Nope.

God does something here that always blows me away: He cuts the army down to 300 men with only pitchers, bowls, and trumpets. God showed that victory was only because of the LORD! The only reason this weak farmer could do anything was simply because God was "with him" (Judges 6:16).

This is not the first time we have seen God using the weak to overcome the strong:

Moses versus Pharaoh
Joshua versus Jericho
Tribes of Israel versus "Giants" in the Promised Land

And in the future, we will read the story of the little shepherd boy, David, against the giant warrior, Goliath.

It is a familiar theme . . .

God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong. 

(1 Corinthians 1: 27)

because it is . . .

Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit (Zechariah 4:6)

that the work of the Lord is accomplished.

So, maybe you are feeling a little like Gideon; God is calling you to a God-sized task, and you are feeling too small and ordinary to take it on. Just remember . . .

at the end of yourself, there is God.

That is all you really need to know.

APPLICATION (written in 2008 on the verge of a big trip)

Are you hesitant to take on something bigger than yourself? Do you feel too "ordinary" to be used by God? Are you afraid? I am feeling all of the above as I go on this trip (cannot go into detail about it, email me if you want to know more and please pray!) Yet, I am utterly convinced of God's call. So, I go forward with a small "army," a mustard seed of faith, and a BIG God. That is all I have got, but it is really all that I need!

2011 Update: The trip in 2008 was amazing, and it led to the beginning of some great things God is doing there! Now, three years later, we are on the verge of the same kind of trip to another place! Praying for the courage of Gideon again!

2014 Update: That trip was even more amazing. We went on faith to a place with nothing planned, and God ordered our plans, and we just prayed. He is doing amazing things there now! 

What about you? Talk to Him about it.

PRAYER

Lord, teach us to walk in obedience to Your call on our ordinary lives. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Judges 5 - Deborah and Barak's Song

LINK: Judges 5

BACKGROUND

War resulted when Israel chose to follow new gods (5:8; Deuteronomy 32:17). The victories of Judges 4 are recounted in this song. It was a praise proclamation of the powerful God of Israel to surrounding nations!

Here this, you kings! Listen, you rulers!
I will sing to the LORD, I will sing;
I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel. (5:3) 

This was a victory hymn that was common from the 15th to 12th centuries B.C. in this Middle East. This hymn has a five-part pattern:

1) Heading (5:1)
2) Praise (5:2-11)
3) Mustering of the tribes (5:12-18)
4) Defeat of the enemy (5:19-30)
5) Concluding prayer of cursing and blessing (5:31)

The last verse calls for love of God rather than choosing to follow new gods:

So may all Your enemies perish, O LORD!
But may they who love You be like the sun
when it rises in its strength. (5:31)

The choice was pretty clear for Israel, and it is pretty clear for us: love the LORD above all else!

REFLECTION




The victories of God caused Deborah and Barak to break into song. It had been a long time since I have just lost myself in songs of praise; Teala (in the picture) invited me to come to her house last Sunday and just listen to music and praise. It was amazing. What a wonderful time.

APPLICATION 

God is winning battles on our behalf all around us, and we rarely stop and give him pure praise. Set aside pure praise time this week. Since I did this all afternoon Sunday, I have been trying to set aside time every day when I listen to music or sing without doing anything else but focusing on the One who is our warrior!

PRAYER

We sing a song of praise to You today, most high God. Amen.

Judges 4 - Here Comes the Judge: Deborah Leads the Charge

LINK: Judges 4

BACKGROUND (written in 2008)

How appropriate that I would be reading about Deborah when one of my best friends in all the world, Deborah, just left to go back to Idaho after two fun days together! This friend is aptly named because she is a Godly and brave woman who is an excellent leader! 

2011 Update: I am on vacation with her AGAIN on the same day as her story comes up in the Bible Book Club!

2015 Update: I just went on a snow-showing/cross-country skiing/yurt trip with her in February of this year! 

2023 Update: I went through spiritual direction training in the same city as my friend, Deborah. So, I was able to stay with her every other month for two years. It was so much fun and good for our friendship.

Deborah is a great example of a woman in leadership that God uses to do great things!

Barak asked Deborah to go with him in battle. Some commentators believe this was an unfitting response to a command from God. Yet one particular commentary has a different take on this:

His somewhat singular request to be accompanied by Deborah was not altogether the result of weakness. The Orientals always take what is dearest to the battlefield along with them; they think it makes them fight better. The policy of Barak, then, to have the presence of the prophetess is perfectly intelligible as it would no less stimulate the valor of the troops, than sanction, in the eyes of Israel, the uprising against an oppressor so powerful as Jabin. (Jamieson; Fausset, Fausset, Brown, Brown: A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments)

Regardless, it comes out well in the end for him because Barak is listed in the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11:

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions. quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. (Hebrews 11:32-34)

Regardless of what was behind Barak's response, we have a wonderful example of a woman in leadership in the person of Deborah. In addition, we see another woman helping to finish the battle, Jael! Deborah's prophecy from 4:9 was fulfilled by two women.

REFLECTION/APPLICATION

What are some things you can learn about leadership from Deborah's life?

PRAYER

Lord, give us the strength to face battle with the faith of Deborah. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Judges 3 - The Spirit of the LORD Comes Upon Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar

LINK: Judges 3

BACKGROUND

The remaining nations are listed in addition to the two reasons why they remained. They remained in order to . . .

1. Test the Israelites in their faith and obedience
2. Train this new generation for warfare

Israel's slide into idolatry had some steps. First, they lived among the inhabitants when they should have obeyed God and expelled them. Next, they intermarried with them. Lastly, they worshiped their gods.

The gods mentioned in this chapter are Baal and Asherah. Baal was the most worshipped god of the Canaanites often cast as a bull. He symbolized strength and fertility and was the god of agriculture. Asherah was the goddess of the sea and was the female complement to Baal. She was often worshiped by means of wooden pillars and poles. Archaeologists have uncovered many Baal idols in Israel.

"The Hivites are thought to be the Horites who were previously associated with the Upper Mesopotamian kingdom of Mitanni. The Horites who were best known in Joshua’s time were the Gibeonites" (Joshua 9: 7, 17). (Walvoord, Zuck; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 1:384)

Judges 3:7-16:31 begin Israel's series of cycles that I explained in the post under Judges 2: sin, servitude, supplication. salvation, and silence. Salvation was always by means of a judge sent by God. The first one is Othniel who had a rich spiritual heritage in that his uncle was Caleb!

"The Spirit of the LORD came upon him" will be a key phrase for many of the judges. It was a "temporary and spontaneous increase of physical, spiritual, or mental strength" (Life Application Bible, p. 381).

The next two judges were Ehud and Shamgar. Ehud was called a deliverer because he delivered Israel from the Moabites giving them eighty years of peace. The Moabites, Amorites, and Amalekites were nomadic tribes that lived southeast of Canaan. They were famous for their military skill and raiding abilities. Shamgar saved the Israelites from the Philistines with an ox goad which was a long stick with a flat piece of iron on one side and a sharp point on the other. Archaeologists have found ox goads that were eight feet long!

REFLECTION

The Holy Spirit was temporary and spontaneous in the people of the Old Testament. I am thankful that the Spirit of God is living inside of us on a permanent basis because of our faith in Jesus Christ. He indwells us at the moment of salvation, and we are given spiritual gifts to use for the glory of God. Our job is not to grieve or squelch Him through disobedience but yield to Him on a moment-by-moment basis!

APPLICATION

Print off the picture of the YIELD sign below and put it in a prominent place to remind you to yield to the Holy Spirit on a day-by-day, moment-by-moment basis.

PRAYER

These are some Holy Spirit affirmation verses I pray on a daily basis from Face to Face: Praying the Scriptures for Intimate Worship by Kenneth Boa:

Filling of the Spirit

Holy Spirit, control me and fill me today:

I was once darkness, but now I am light in You, O Lord. May I walk as a child of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), learning what is pleasing to You (Ephesians 5:8).

As I walk in You, O Spirit, I will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to You, and You, Holy Spirit, desire what is contrary to the flesh; for you oppose each other, so that I may not do the things that I wish. But if I am led by You. I am not under the law (Galatians 5:16).

Since I live in You, Spirit, may I also walk in You (Galatians 5:25).

Fruit of the Spirit

Holy Spirit, may your fruit grow in me:

But your fruit, O Holy Spirit, is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things, there is no law (Galatians 5:19-23).

I want to glorify the Father by bearing much fruit and so prove to be Christ's disciple (John 15:8).

Judges 2 - Israel's Sin Cycle

LINK: Judges 2

BACKGROUND

Because the people did not obey by driving out all the inhabitants (weeds), they would be thorns in their sides and their gods were to be a snare.

Judges 2:6-3:6 continues the narrative of Joshua 24:28-31. It is a survey of all the things that will be described in detail in Judges 3:7 - 16:31 that follow a predictable pattern:

1. Sin - They fell into sin and started worshiping other gods
2. Servitude - God gave them into the hands of their plunderers and sold them into the hands of their enemies
3. Supplication - Israel cried out to God for deliverance
4. Salvation - The Lord delivered them by raising up a judge who delivered them from their enemies
5. Silence - The land had rest until the judge died and the cycle started all over again!

God often used oppression to bring his people back to Him just as He warned He would in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28.

REFLECTION

What an exhausting cycle! I just cannot understand it. Why didn't they just obey and be a holy nation through whom the whole world would be blessed as promised to Abraham in Genesis 12?

We know that the blessing of the whole world would only be fulfilled in the coming of the Messiah, Jesus!

It is easy for me to throw stones at the Israelites until I realize that I have been trapped in a cycle of sin and servitude many times in my life! Let's thank the Lord that because of Jesus "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

APPLICATION

Are you caught in a cycle of sin? Claim 1 John 1:9 and "confess and press" on. If you are in bondage to a cycle of sin, try praying through Praying God's Word: Breaking Free from Spiritual Strongholds by Beth Moore. I have found it a very powerful tool for getting to the root of persistent sin issues in my life and use it on a regular basis.

The Immanuel Approach may also be helpful. 

PRAYER

Lord, I praise You for the forgiveness that we have because of the blood of Jesus Christ. Please help us to confess our sins to You and press on. Lord, break the cycle of sin in our life. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Judges 1 - Incomplete Conquest Leads to Weeds

LINK: Judges 1

INTRODUCTION TO JUDGES

Judges is a book that begins with the death of Joshua and ends with the coronation of Saul and the beginning of the monarchy. The Hebrew word sopet (judge, deliverer) meant more than our contemporary meaning of this word. It was a general term for leadership containing executive (including military) and judicial aspects of governing.

The book of Judges recorded Israel's continued disobedience through His appointed leaders leading to an earthly kingship. It records their disobedience and worship of the Canaanite gods that prevented them from experiencing God's blessing and complete conquest of the land. It covers a period of approximately 350 years ending with the coronation of Saul in 1050 B.C. 

BACKGROUND FOR JUDGES 1

Joshua 1 begins with "after the death of Joshua." There were still Canaanites left to expel from the land, and Judah was selected to expel them. This follows with the blessing in Genesis 49:8. Judah was the preeminent tribe and the tribe through whom Jesus would come. Judah selected Simeon (both children of Leah) and they captured Jerusalem and the cities south by God's hand.

With many conquests there were also many 'half victories" in that Israel did not take full possession of some areas and put the people into forced labor. Thus, "the Canaanites persisted in living in that land" (Judges 1:27). These were the seeds of Israel's undoing. Stay tuned.

REFLECTION (written in 2008)

WEEDS!

I absolutely hate them! I have such a lovely yard, but weeds keep on popping up everywhere. I sat in my hammock in the backyard yesterday, and I noticed that if my dear husband does not stay on top of them and pull them out at the root, they overtake the yard. Right now, he is just too busy to deal with them. So, they flourish. (I suppose I could pull them, but I always end up with a pulled-out back when I do that, but I digress).

Israel did not pull out the weeds of Canaanite worship at the roots according to God's command. You see this in Joshua 1:19, 21, and 27-33:

19: Now the Lord was with Judah, and they took possession of the hill country; but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley because they had iron chariots. 

21: But the sons of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem; so the Jebusites have lived with the sons of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.

27: But Manasseh did not take possession of Beth-shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, or the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, or the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; so the Canaanites persisted in living in that land. 

28: It came about when Israel became strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but they did not drive them out completely. 

29: Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who were living in Gezer; so the Canaanites lived in Gezer among them. 

30: Zebulun did not drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, or the inhabitants of Nahalol; so the Canaanites lived among them and became subject to forced labor. 

31: Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Acco, or the inhabitants of Sidon, or of Ahlab, or of Achzib, or of Helbah, or of Aphik, or of Rehob. 

32: So the Asherites lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land; for they did not drive them out. 

33: Naphtali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, or the inhabitants of Beth-anath, but lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land; and the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath became forced labor for them. 

(New American Standard Bible:1995 Update. LaHabra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995)

Living among weeds blocks the loveliness of the yard. In a garden, they can ruin the crop. This is what happened to Israel's "garden." The purity and beauty of worship of the one true God would be marred by the weeds of worship to the false gods of the Canaanites. 

APPLICATION

Where are your weeds? Are you nipping them at the root as they crop up in the garden of your life, or are you letting them flourish through laziness or neglect, or are you just too busy to deal with them? They could be the weeds of pride, laziness, bitterness, addiction, negativity, wrong thought patterns, idolatry, etc.

Weeds do not disappear on their own. They also do not go away by doing a surface chop. You have to deal with them at their root. Sometimes that requires backbreaking effort on your knees.

So . . .

Start pulling!

You'll be glad you did. :)

One great place to start pulling is with Beth Moore's book Praying God's Word: Breaking Free from Spiritual Strongholds.

You might need healing prayer. The Immanuel Approach has been effective for many. 

PRAYER

Here is a "weed pulling prayer" from the "Quiet Walk e-devotional" from http://www.walkthru.org/:

Because we can be delivered from bondage to sin, offer your praise for the Lord's goodness: 

O Lord, how manifold are Your works! 

In wisdom You have made them all. 

The earth is full of Your possessions . . . 

May my meditation be sweet to Him; 

I will be glad in the Lord (Psalm 104:24, 34). 

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin: 

He is despised and rejected by men, 

A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. 

And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; 

He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. . . .

All we like sheep have gone astray; 

We have turned, every one, to his own way; 

And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all 

(Isaiah 53:3, 6). 

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord: 

Reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, 
but alive to God in Christ Jesus  
(Romans 6:11). 

As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for greater faithfulness with your time and whatever else is on your heart.  

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:

The Lord God is a sun and shield;  

The Lord will give grace and glory;  

No good thing will He withhold  

From those who walk uprightly.  

O Lord of hosts,  

Blessed is the man who trusts in You! 

 (Psalm 84:11-12).