Judges 3:9-31 Because Israel began serving idols and had forgotten the Lord their God, the "anger of the Lord was kindled".  The Lord "sold" Israel into the hands of Cushan-rishathaim of Mesopotamia for eight years. Finally, Israel woke up and "cried to the Lord."

The first judge called to deliver Israel was Othniel. This was Caleb's nephew and son-in-law. "And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him."  Othniel led Israel in battle against Cushan-rishathaim and prevailed by the Spirit of the Lord. Israel was at peace for 40 years while Othniel lived. 

After Othniel died Israel "again did evil in the sight of the Lord".  This time the Lord sent Eglon the king of Moab against Israel.  For 18 years Eglon ruled.  When Israel finally had enough and cried out to the Lord, he raised up "a deliverer for them, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamin.. "  Ehud was very clever but we are not told that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him.  Ehud was left-handed. He made himself a dagger and hid it on his right thigh. He was sent to offer a tribute to the king of Moab. Eglon was "a very fat man."  Ehud managed to be alone with Eglon and came close enough to him to draw the dagger and plunge it fully into Eglon's belly. Then, leaving it there he went out, locked the door behind him and got away.  It took the king's servants a little while to figure out there was a problem.. but finally they unlocked the door and found him dead. 

Ehud then led the Israelites into battle agains the Moabites and struck down 10,000 "robust and valiant" men. This time the nation was "undisturbed for eighty years." 

The third judge was Shamgar," who struck down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad and he also saved Israel." 

A hundred forty- six years into the occupation of the Promised Land.. and Israel continued to fail the test.. they continued to do evil. These first 3 judges were able to give temporary peace to the nation, but they did not succeed in turning the hearts of the people back to the Lord in the way that Moses and Joshua had done.  

One day.. the Scriptures remind us.. there will be a greater victory for Israel.. when the King will come.. not with a sword or a dagger.. or an ox goad.. but with the Word of His mouth..  and He will rule over all the earth and every nation will exalt Him! Then there will be Peace for 1000 years.  What a glorious Day that will be!

Father in heaven,  let us learn the lessons we need to hear from Your Word.. let us learn to cry out to You.. to look to You alone for deliverance from evil and from the evil one.  Let us look to You and be ready for the coming of our True Judge, Jesus Christ the Lord.. our King forever!  We wait on You and know that You see us in our trials and in our failures.. and You wait for us to cry out to You.  We know that You do hear us and You will grant us peace even in the times of trouble.  Thank You Father! Amen. 

 Judges 3:1-8

 Chapters 1and 2 give us an overall view of the times of the judges.  Beginning in chapter 3 we get more details from this unknown writer.  Verses 1-8 sum up the main problem which Israel had.. they failed the test.  "Now, these are then nations which the Lord left, to test Israel by them.. " 

A generation after those who had fought for the promised land, there was a new generation who did not know how to fight. They were surrounded by Philistines, Canaanites, Sidonians, and Hivites. The Lord tested Israel "to find out if they would obey the commandments of the Lord, which He had commanded their fathers through Moses." 

But.. instead of fighting and fearing the Lord and keeping His commandments.. the people compromised and took the easier road.. they intermarried with them; they gave their daughters to the sons of the enemy.. "And the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth." 

"Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.. "  

What kind of people are we?We are surrounded by people who have no knowledge of the One True God.. people who think that God does not exist.. or that He doesn't care.. people who do what is right in their own eyes and feel no remorse or regret... Do we stand apart as servants of the Lord.. do we pass the test?  Or are we more like the Israelites than we care to admit?  How many churches today have compromised the clear Truth of the Word of God and intermingled with those who do not believe in a Holy God who declares that evil is evil?  Too many.. even 1 is too many.. they have not passed God's test. 

Paul warned Timothy to watch out for those who "accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. "  Preach the Word.. "reprove, rebuke, exhort.. " Paul tells Timothy and we are reminded that every pastor and every believer must be constantly in the Word of Truth! "Be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.. " 

Father, may we be strong and courageous in the midst of unbelievers who would have us accept what is unacceptable in Your eyes.  Help us to have discernment and wisdom.. help us to teach our children and grandchildren how to walk with You.. how to fight the good fight.. how to stand firm in Your strength. We arm ourselves with Your Holy armor.. truth, righteousness, peace, salvation, faith, and the Holy Spirit who fills us and works in us all that You have purposed for each of us according to Your will. Our surrender is to You, the Lord God Almighty and we trust You to fight for us.. and we.. with Your help.. will not forget our God. Amen!

 Judges 1-2  After Joshua and those of his generation died things changed quickly for the people of Israel. They had scattered to their various places.. each tribe responsible for defeating the enemies and possessing the land God had given to them.  But, most of the tribes failed to accomplish what they needed to do.  The result was disastrous.. they lived along side Canaanites and Amorites and eventually forgot all about the Lord and began worshipping idols. 

"And the anger of the Lord burned against Israel and He gave them into the hands of plunderers who plundered them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies around them, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies." 

Over and over again the people would cry out to the Lord and He would send them a judge to deliver them. And then over and over again they would not listen to the judge, turning back to their idols. The result was a nation under constant attack.. and a people dominated by the enemy. 

It only took 2 generations for the promise of a godly nation .. A nation who had a God that would fight for them.. to become a idol worshipping, evil nation who did not even know "the Lord nor yet the work which He had done for Israel." 

We have seen that in our own land haven't we? A generation that stood for what was right.. that fought for freedom and justice for all.. is dying out.  We see a new generation that does not know the Lord and has lost sight of what is right or wrong.. that welcomes foreign ideas and ungodly ideals.  Lord help us!

Father in heaven, raise up men and women from this current generation that will stand up for Truth. Bring forth  Christian boys and girls who will tell of the gospel of Jesus Christ and who will lead the nation back to righteousness and justice. Send Your Spirit upon Your church today we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Acts 27 -28 These two chapters take us through Paul's journey to Rome. "And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they proceeded to deliver Paul.. "  Once again, Paul is being moved.. not by his own volition, but by others.. according to the plans that the Lord chose for him.  Paul had no way of knowing how this trip would pan out... but he knew he would stand before Caesar eventually. 

From port to port Paul was taken north and west. The winds were "contrary".. the weather unstable.. and the voyage dangerous.  But, Paul was treated with kindness, finding favor with the soldiers who guarded him. In return, Paul ended up saving their lives as the ship was breaking up and the sailors intended to abandon them. A fourteen day nor'easter drove the ship to the small island of Malta. 

Paul encouraged his captors, testified of God's presence and promises, and helped everyone.. all 276 people on board the ship that broke up into pieces.. arrived safely onto the island. 

At Malta Paul ministered to those in need, healing the father of Publius, the leading man in Malta.  He also prayed for healing for the rest of the people who came to him.  Three months later, they finally set sail for Rome.  "And when we entered Rome Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him."  It was two more years that Paul stayed in Rome, renting his own quarters, and "welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all oneness, unhindered." 

Father in heaven, we give You thanks for taking Paul on this journey and keeping him safe so that he could write the letters that we cherish as Your Word.  Words that teach us, rebuke us, correct us, and encourage us.. Words that welcome us and open our eyes and hearts to the Truth of the kingdom of God and to the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for this salvation "sent to the Gentiles" so that we could listen and believe. Father, we pray that this Word of Truth will continue to change lives and hearts to the glory of the Lord Jesus and to the praise of Your Great Name. Amen. 

 Acts 25  Two years.. Paul was kept in prison in Caesarea under Felix.. and then Felix left and Festus was appointed in his place. Two years.. and the Jews in Jerusalem still tried to kill Paul, asking that Festus bring Paul to Jerusalem so that he could be attacked and killed on the way.  But.. Festus was two smart for that.. and set up another trial in Caesarea. 

The Jews brought their accusations. Paul gave his defense. The Jews couldn't prove their charges. Paul refused to be returned to Jerusalem.  Given no other solution, Paul appealed to Caesar, to the ultimate judge in Rome. Festus agreed, "You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go."

A few days later, King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea and wanted to hear Paul for themselves.  It became a show of pomp and circumstances!  The Who's who of Caesarea all came to hear Paul defend himself before the king. 

( A little history which I find interesting - This would be Agrippa II, the son of Agrippa I who was the one that ordered James killed and Peter imprisoned and ended up eaten by worms..  Agrippa II was the brother of Drusilla, who married Felix. Bernice was the sister to both Drusilla and Agrippa II.. but also his close companion...and rumored consort. Herod Agrippa II had no children, so was the last of the Herodian kings. After him all of Israel was absorbed into the Roman territory. ) 

Neither Festus, Agrippa, or Bernice found Paul guilty of any crimes. They agreed that Paul could have been set free except for the fact that he had appealed to Caesar. 

Chapter 25 gives us a detailed transcript of Paul's speech before Festus, Agrippa, and Bernice. Paul begins by acknowledging that Agrippa was well aware of the "customs and questions among the Jews.."  He told of his upbringing and his life as a Pharisee.  He told of how he had persecuted the Christians up until the day he met Jesus on the road to Damascus.  He told how God had given him a mission..  that he was appointed by Jesus  to go to the Jewish people and the Gentiles.. "to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me." 

Paul spoke openly and clearly.. testifying "both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place..."  Again, when Paul got to the part where he spoke of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, he was stopped .. this time by Festus who thought he was "out of his mind".  But, Agrippa was not of the same mind.. his reply shows some small bit of interest.. "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian."  

Paul's answer, "I would to God, that whether in a short time or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains."  Although there is no evidence that Agrippa ever believed in Jesus, I feel certain that Paul never stopped praying for him!

Father in heaven, it is our prayer that the Word of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news of Your grace... be heard by both small and great.. that their eyes will be opened so that they will turn from darkness to the Light, from the dominion of Satan to the Kingdom of our God forever.  Send forth workers into the harvest field today so that the lost will be found, the sinner forgiven, and that Jesus Christ will be exalted in every nation according to Your great will and love. We ask this in the Name above all names, Jesus our Lord, amen 

 Acts 23-24  Once again the Lord moves Paul from one place to another.. even testifying to him directly that he would go to Rome as His witness. 

Paul was brought before the Council of the Jews by the commander, Claudius Lysias. That ended up in a mess as the Pharisees and Sadducees began arguing about theological beliefs... the resurrection, angels, spirits etc.  Then, Paul's nephew heard about a plot against him.. 40 Jews who took an oath to kill Paul the next day. Coming to Paul and telling him of this plot, the young man was sent to the commander also. This brought about a nighttime trip for Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea.

 Paul was taken by the soldiers to Antipatris  and then to Caesarea where he was housed in Herod's Praetorium, the judgement hall.  He would be held there until the Council came from Jerusalem to make their case against Paul before Felix. Felix was a governor or procurator of the region of Judea under the emperor Claudius. 

When the Jewish Council came to make their case against Paul they brought a Jewish lawyer, Tertullus to present the case. This man used flattery and half truths against Paul.  Felix allowed Paul to speak. Paul truthfully gave testimony that he had done nothing that he had been accused of.. he did not violate the Law, he did not desecrate the temple, and he did not cause a riot.. in fact he hadn't even spoken to any of those making accusations against him!  But, Paul said, "This I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law, and this is written in the Prophets; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked."

Paul spent 2 years imprisoned by Felix who would call him often to talk to him and held out for a bribe of some kind. 

Two years.. Paul was in prison but allowed some freedom.  His friends were allowed to minister to him. He would testify before Felix and Drusilla.. and later before Festus, King Agrippas and Bernice, his wife. Apparently most resources think that  Paul didn't write any of the epistles there in Caesarea, but I wouldn't be surprised if he had written other letters. Paul would have been in his 50's during this time. He had many friends in that area. The Lord had Paul there at that time for His own purposes. Someday we will hear Paul's stories about what the Lord did for him during those quiet days. 

Father in heaven, we know that You give us times of waiting and times of moving in our lives. We know You have planned our steps, so help us when we are in those times to just keep trusting! We serve You, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and we put our hope in You, just as Paul did.  We know there will certainly be a resurrection for the righteous and the wicked.  We pray that we will be complete and ready to stand before You on that day. Cover us, Lord Jesus, with Your righteousness for we have been made clean by the blood that You shed on the cross. Thank You! You are our Hope. Hallelujah and Amen!

 Acts 21 Paul and his friends set sail for Syria.  Luke gives us the exact route and number of days and even who they stayed with during this trip. All along the way people warned Paul about going to Jerusalem.  He knew without doubt that he was walking into a place of bondage and persecution.  His response?   "For I am ready not only  to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

Paul was able to encourage the church at Jerusalem with the good news of what God was doing throughout Asia and Europe. But.. it didn't take long before the Jews began to cause trouble and Paul was arrested. He was able to speak to the Jews and give his testimony about coming to know Jesus on the road to Damascus. But, when he spoke about going to the Gentiles...the people would no longer listen and started throwing things at him. 

Tied up by the Romans, Paul revealed his Roman citizenship and had to be released from his chains while a trial was set up with his accusers.

I wonder how I would have responded in Paul's place?  When godly people begged Paul to stay away from Jerusalem he still went. Would I go anyway?  We are cautiously concerned  for those who are sent where they know it may be dangerous.. but if we knew they were absolutely going to suffer would we beg them not to go? Do we have the courage to walk into a place of danger.. even if we believe that the Holy Spirit is telling us to go?  I confess that I have trouble walking into any place that  is new to me.. let alone a place where I have been warned about!  God chose Paul to do what he was called to do.. knowing that he would follow through no matter what. 

 God chooses each of us for what He has prepared us for.. what He has made us for.. what He has called us to do.. and He will equip us for that work.  Thank God for His grace and goodness!

Father, grant us the courage to obey Your voice and to walk in Your ways.. no matter what lies ahead. In Jesus' name we ask this. Amen.