Posts tagged ‘Judges’
Lessons From Ruth
However, though the times were spiritually disconsolate, there were blessings for some people who had not cast God off. Because of that overall spiritual void though, it is understandable (yet still wrong), that Naomi (the mother-in-law of Ruth), felt completely abandoned by God after her husband died and then her two grown, married sons also died, leaving her and her two daughters-in-law widows. Naomi believed God’s hand was against her because of the deaths of the men (v 13). Isn’t that like us? When bad things happen, we are often tempted to think God has not only left us, but is punishing us for something. Certainly, He could be chastising us for unconfessed sin. Yet, the more we know about how God works (through Scripture), the more we know that this is not always the case (i.e. Joseph in Genesis).
Judges: How Low Can They Go?
Many of the 14 judges are simply named and only noting how long they judged. Not much more is provided. There are a few judges with whom the Scriptures elaborates and provides a great many details, like Deborah and Barak, Samson, Gideon and a few others. In almost all cases, the Lord reminds us that “the people did evil in the sight of the Lord” and it was usually the time between each judge. As soon as a judge dies, the people fell back into their evil ways so God raises another judge. As noted, this was before Israel had any human kings at all (and this statement also implies Israel did not see God as their King), and the people constantly did what was right in their own eyes. In other words, anarchy was the result.
Everyone Doing What is Good in Their Own Eyes
It is going to get really difficult for Christians as things progress toward the end. It’s just the way it is as revealed in Scripture. Christians are going to once again be the scapegoat for everything the world doesn’t like and they will not hesitate to take it out on us. What’s our recourse? Get and stay close to God! Read His Word daily. Commune with Him often. Seek to live as He would like us to live.The road ahead looks very bleak, at least for a while, until the Lord Himself returns. I believe we can have peace in the midst of the trials headed our way, but that peace will not happen accidentally. It will happen as we do what we need to do to draw and remain close to God our Father.
The Ups and Downs of Israel in Judges
Whose fault is this? Why did this new generation of Israelites grow up without knowing about God Himself or the things that He had done for Israel?! It is solely because parents did not instruct their children in this. If parents did not pass this wonderful information onto their children, how would the children have known? They couldn’t possibly know. This also tells us how lax the nation of Israel had become regarding the Law of God and the sacrifices. It appears there was a large vacuum where God was concerned in the very nation He created.
Joshua Calls Israelites on Failure to Obey
As Christians, we have something the Israelites did not have. We have the Holy Spirit living within us. He seals us unto the day of redemption and nothing can break that seal, not even our puny “free will” (Ephesians 4:30). God the Holy Spirit also empowers us to live a life whereby our words, thoughts, and actions bring great glory to God. Would you agree with me that even with the Holy Spirit within us, it is often difficult to live the life that God requires? Yet, we must persevere. As Paul says, we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Of course, Paul is not saying we must work for our salvation. He is saying we must work or cooperate with God as His character is being formed in us in this life. The results of our salvation are what need to work out in and through us. It is a process called sanctification that must happen for each and every Christian.
Bible Summary: Overview of the Old Testament
Together, the 37 individual books make up the entire Old Testament of the English Bible. In order to appreciate the chronological history of the Hebrew nation (prior to even becoming the Hebrew nation), until the Inter-testamental period, it is important to gain a solid understanding of each of these eleven chronological books; their themes, the period they cover and how they connect. Once these are understood, then the blanks can be filled in so to speak with the complementary, wisdom and prophetic books.
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