Judges 17 We are introduced to a man named Micah. It seems that Israel is so far from God that they don't even understand right from wrong.
The first thing we learn about Micah is that he stole from his mother 1100 pieces of silver. He heard her utter a curse about this, but when he told her that he took it, she blessed him! Then, when he returned the silver she makes this statement, " I wholly dedicate the silver from my hand to the Lord for my son to make a graven image and a molten image, and they were in the house of Micah."
What confusion and apostasy!
Micah makes a shrine and takes his idols and sets up a place of worship. He makes his own ephod, the holy garment meant for a priest and then to top it off, he enlists a Levite from Bethlehem to be his own priest. He thinks he is doing so well that the Lord will bless him!
Chapter 18 For the second time these words were written, " In those days there was no king of Israel" ( 17:6; 18:1) Because there was no king, every man " did what was right in his own eyes." And because there was no king, the tribe of Dan decided it was finally time to find their own land. Now, this was not true, because they had an inheritance described in Joshua 19. They just wanted something different. They sent 5 men out to spy out the land. These men happened to stop by Micah's house and recognized the voice of the Levite. They asked him to inquire of the Lord for them. Whether he actually knew the Lord or not, we do not know, but he told them that they were going the right way, the way the Lord approved. They found a quiet peaceful place with some people who were far away from others that might fight for them, and decided that they would come back and take it.
The army of Dan consisted of 600 armed men. They headed back to Laish to take it for themselves. They stopped back at Micah's home and took his idols, his ephod, and his priest! When Micah came after them, he could not do anything. For they were too strong for him. They went to Laish and overcame it, burnt it down, rebuilt it and made it their own. Then they set up the idols there.
This passage shows just how far the people of Israel had strayed from the Lord. They did whatever they wanted to and called it right. This reminds me of our own nation. Men and women today want to call their actions right, ignoring the Word of the Lord that condemns such actions as sin. Just because you want to live your own way and do your own thing, doesn't mean that God approves.
The Lord judges sin. He condemns those who are wicked, those who do not keep His commandments and ignore and reject His Word. Molten and graven images are not the only idols! Whenever men choose to worship anything except the One True God, the way that He has proscribed... they are choosing condemnation on themselves. Israel would ultimately pay the price for their sins of idolatry.. they would go into captivity. God will keep His Word . He will do what He says He will do. And that includes destruction of the wicked.
Father in Heaven, forgive us our sins! Turn our hearts back to the Truth and to You and bring Your Kingdom here. Oh Lord, may our nation repent from the ways we are going. May our leaders fall to their knees and beg forgiveness. Break those stubborn hearts that want their own way. It is wrong!
It is sin. Let us recognize the Truth of Your Word.. and acknowledge You as God and King forever.
Help us we pray. Amen.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Judges 13-16 The story of Samson. There are so many unusual things that happen in this passage. It seems to be more than just a story of another judge.
The people of Israel were not faithful to God. They were "doing evil", worshiping idols and forgetting the commandments and covenant. Therefore, they were given into the hands of the Philistines. For 40 years the Philistines ruled over Israel. God sent " the angel of the Lord" to a barren woman from the tribe of Dan and told her she would have a son. This son was to be a Nazarite from birth. She could have no wine, no grapes, and no unclean things. At first the husband and wife were not sure who this angel was, but later it was confirmed to them that this was the Lord's angel. When Samson arrived and grew up, he was anointed with the Spirit of the Lord. There is no indication that Samson worshiped God, or that he even acknowledged God, yet he was chosen by God and given extraordinary strength by the power of the the Holy Spirit.
Samson made many foolish decisions during his life. He was determined to marry a Philistine woman. That turned out terribly! She and her family ended up being burned up. Samson went to live in a cleft of the rock of Etam. He stayed there until Judah was threatened by the Philistines. They came to get him and took him to the Philistines. At that time he killed 1000 men with the jawbone of a donkey. And, here we hear his first prayer, " ... he called to the Lord and said, 'Thou hast given this great deliverance by the hand of Thy servant, and now shall I die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised ?'" ( 15:18) God split the rock and gave him water.
Samson met Delilah after that and was badgered by her until he finally was " annoyed to death" and told her the secret of his strength. She immediately used it against him and he was taken by the Philistines and blinded and made into a joke. However, God was not through with Samson. IN 16:28 we read Samson's second recorded prayer, " O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just one more time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. "
Again God answered Samson's prayer. Samson was given extraordinary strength and he pulled down the house killing over 3000 Philistine lords and ladies who were there.
Samson was considered a judge of Israel for 20 years. We are not told how this helped Israel at all. Yet he was chosen by God and his story told in this book for a purpose.
Father, help us to hear and learn from Samson's experiences. Help us to understand the power of prayer and the blessing of obedience to Your Word. We need deliverance from the evil one in our lives and in our land. May we be set apart for Your plans and purposes, strengthened by Your Spirit, and ready to give our all to You. Keep our hearts pure and our hands clean. We are Yours, Lord, amen
The people of Israel were not faithful to God. They were "doing evil", worshiping idols and forgetting the commandments and covenant. Therefore, they were given into the hands of the Philistines. For 40 years the Philistines ruled over Israel. God sent " the angel of the Lord" to a barren woman from the tribe of Dan and told her she would have a son. This son was to be a Nazarite from birth. She could have no wine, no grapes, and no unclean things. At first the husband and wife were not sure who this angel was, but later it was confirmed to them that this was the Lord's angel. When Samson arrived and grew up, he was anointed with the Spirit of the Lord. There is no indication that Samson worshiped God, or that he even acknowledged God, yet he was chosen by God and given extraordinary strength by the power of the the Holy Spirit.
Samson made many foolish decisions during his life. He was determined to marry a Philistine woman. That turned out terribly! She and her family ended up being burned up. Samson went to live in a cleft of the rock of Etam. He stayed there until Judah was threatened by the Philistines. They came to get him and took him to the Philistines. At that time he killed 1000 men with the jawbone of a donkey. And, here we hear his first prayer, " ... he called to the Lord and said, 'Thou hast given this great deliverance by the hand of Thy servant, and now shall I die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised ?'" ( 15:18) God split the rock and gave him water.
Samson met Delilah after that and was badgered by her until he finally was " annoyed to death" and told her the secret of his strength. She immediately used it against him and he was taken by the Philistines and blinded and made into a joke. However, God was not through with Samson. IN 16:28 we read Samson's second recorded prayer, " O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just one more time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. "
Again God answered Samson's prayer. Samson was given extraordinary strength and he pulled down the house killing over 3000 Philistine lords and ladies who were there.
Samson was considered a judge of Israel for 20 years. We are not told how this helped Israel at all. Yet he was chosen by God and his story told in this book for a purpose.
Father, help us to hear and learn from Samson's experiences. Help us to understand the power of prayer and the blessing of obedience to Your Word. We need deliverance from the evil one in our lives and in our land. May we be set apart for Your plans and purposes, strengthened by Your Spirit, and ready to give our all to You. Keep our hearts pure and our hands clean. We are Yours, Lord, amen
Monday, June 22, 2015
Judges 9-12 There is a contrast here between 2 men. Abimelech, the son of Gideon and Jephthah, the son of Gilead. Abimelech was the son of Gideon's concubine and grew up apart from the rest of his 70 brothers. When he was old enough he conspired with his mother's family to take over. He killed all of his brothers, had himself made king, and caused much trouble. He and his mother's relatives received judgement for their evil ways. He ended up killing them and he ended up dying when a millstone was thrown on his head.
Jephthah was the son of a harlot and lived apart from his father's house also. But, he was called back when the Ammonites fought against Israel. Instead of bitterness, this man knew the Lord. He was filled with the Spirit of the Lord and had victory because of the Lord's hand upon him.
Both men had similar backgrounds, in that they were separated and shunned by their families. One reacted with bitterness and hatred. One turned to the Lord and became a leader.
When we look at our nation today, we see many who make the choice to be bitter and angry and to spew their hatred onto others, even onto their own families. But, we who know Christ, must be more like Jephthah. We must turn to the Lord and trust Him. We must be filled with His Spirit and walk in His ways.
Father, once again we turn our eyes and hearts to You. Save us we pray. Sanctify us through and through. May we rise up and come to the aid of our nation. Fill us with Your Spirit and give us victory over evil. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Jephthah was the son of a harlot and lived apart from his father's house also. But, he was called back when the Ammonites fought against Israel. Instead of bitterness, this man knew the Lord. He was filled with the Spirit of the Lord and had victory because of the Lord's hand upon him.
Both men had similar backgrounds, in that they were separated and shunned by their families. One reacted with bitterness and hatred. One turned to the Lord and became a leader.
When we look at our nation today, we see many who make the choice to be bitter and angry and to spew their hatred onto others, even onto their own families. But, we who know Christ, must be more like Jephthah. We must turn to the Lord and trust Him. We must be filled with His Spirit and walk in His ways.
Father, once again we turn our eyes and hearts to You. Save us we pray. Sanctify us through and through. May we rise up and come to the aid of our nation. Fill us with Your Spirit and give us victory over evil. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Judges 4-8 Two more judges are raised up to deliver Israel from enemies. Deborah and Gideon both were used by God to answer the prayers of the people. Yet, each time Israel returns to their evil ways, making and worshipping idols. Even Gideon, who saw first hand how the Lord delivered Israel and gave them victory over the Midianites, ended up doing a foolish thing. He used the spoils from the victory to make a golden ephod that became an object of worship and a snare to the people.
Gideon ended up having many wives and 70 sons! He lived to a ripe old age, but as soon as he died the people went back to Baal and " did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies on every side;" ( v34)
How often do we have to learn the same lessons as Israel? We see God answer prayer and bless us with His grace and mercy... then turn around and serve the worldly nature. We forget that we have been set free! Free to leave behind those things that will snare us and make us forget our wonderful Lord who has saved us. We must diligently turn our eyes towards Him every day! If we get too busy, or let things.. or people... keep us from reading the Word or spending time in prayer, we too will be swept up in the snares of this world.
Father , help us! Make Your Presence known. Come and fill us with Your Spirit and lead us in Your ways. May Your Name be honored, here and now, in each of our lives. Let Your Kingdom be here and come in fulness. Let Your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Gideon ended up having many wives and 70 sons! He lived to a ripe old age, but as soon as he died the people went back to Baal and " did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies on every side;" ( v34)
How often do we have to learn the same lessons as Israel? We see God answer prayer and bless us with His grace and mercy... then turn around and serve the worldly nature. We forget that we have been set free! Free to leave behind those things that will snare us and make us forget our wonderful Lord who has saved us. We must diligently turn our eyes towards Him every day! If we get too busy, or let things.. or people... keep us from reading the Word or spending time in prayer, we too will be swept up in the snares of this world.
Father , help us! Make Your Presence known. Come and fill us with Your Spirit and lead us in Your ways. May Your Name be honored, here and now, in each of our lives. Let Your Kingdom be here and come in fulness. Let Your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Judges 3 The writer tells us that the Lord allowed the Philistines, Canaanites, Sidonians, and the Hivites to remain in the promised land for the testing of Israel and for the training of Israel. The training was to teach them war. The testing was to find out if they would obey His commandments.
Israel failed. They began to intermarry with those that they were forbidden to marry. Then they began to serve their gods. God did exactly what He said He would - He gave them, "sold them into the hands of Cushan-rishathaim". After 8 years, Israel finally cried out to the Lord and He sent a deliverer, Othniel, Caleb's nephew.
For 40 years, Othniel governed Israel and they had rest, but after his death they failed again. This time Moab took over Israel for 18 years, then when they cried out to the Lord, He sent Ehud from the tribe of Benjamin to deliver them. Ehud killed Eglon , the king of Moab, and led Israel in victory over the army of Moab. This time the land was at rest for 80 years.
A third judge was Shamgar. He single-handedly killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad, saving Israel.
We are not told how long it was that he led Israel, but after he died, they again turned to evil ways.
Two things we can learn from this - First, without a godly leader nations fail and then fall. Second, the only hope we have as a nation, or an individual is to cry out to God! What is amazing is that God hears! And He delivers us! Failure after failure; generation after generation ; God hears those who cry out to Him and He has mercy on them.
Father, You are our deliverer! You are always faithful and true. Thank You! We want to be faithful to serve only You all the days of our lives and to teach our children the importance of serving You too. Fill us again with Your own Holy Spirit and lead us in Your paths. Let Your will be done in our lives and in our nation. Send a deliverer, a man of God to lead our nation back to You. We ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Israel failed. They began to intermarry with those that they were forbidden to marry. Then they began to serve their gods. God did exactly what He said He would - He gave them, "sold them into the hands of Cushan-rishathaim". After 8 years, Israel finally cried out to the Lord and He sent a deliverer, Othniel, Caleb's nephew.
For 40 years, Othniel governed Israel and they had rest, but after his death they failed again. This time Moab took over Israel for 18 years, then when they cried out to the Lord, He sent Ehud from the tribe of Benjamin to deliver them. Ehud killed Eglon , the king of Moab, and led Israel in victory over the army of Moab. This time the land was at rest for 80 years.
A third judge was Shamgar. He single-handedly killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad, saving Israel.
We are not told how long it was that he led Israel, but after he died, they again turned to evil ways.
Two things we can learn from this - First, without a godly leader nations fail and then fall. Second, the only hope we have as a nation, or an individual is to cry out to God! What is amazing is that God hears! And He delivers us! Failure after failure; generation after generation ; God hears those who cry out to Him and He has mercy on them.
Father, You are our deliverer! You are always faithful and true. Thank You! We want to be faithful to serve only You all the days of our lives and to teach our children the importance of serving You too. Fill us again with Your own Holy Spirit and lead us in Your paths. Let Your will be done in our lives and in our nation. Send a deliverer, a man of God to lead our nation back to You. We ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Judges 1-2 Israel begins to dwell in the land that God promised, but before they could settle down they had to conquer those still living there. God would drive out the inhabitants, but they had to participate - they were to go in and fight. But, Israel didn't do what they were supposed to do....
They failed to drive out the Canaanites in Manasseh's territory, Ephraim's territory, Zebulun's territory, Asher's territory, Naphtali's territory, and Dan's territory. They allowed the inhabitants to stay. They made them slaves, but they failed to do what God had commanded.
The Lord confronted Israel, " I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land which I have sworn to your fathers; and I said, ' I will never break my covenant with you, and as for you, you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars' But you have not obeyed Me; what is this you have done?" ( 2: 1-2) Because of their failure to obey fully, God said He would no longer drive out the enemy but allow them to be a "thorn in" their sides.
Joshua died and the leaders of that generation died also. "... and there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel." ( v10) Sadly, Israel did not prepare their children for the future. They did not teach them the Word of God, the commandments of God, or the Truth of God. The false gods were all around them, because of the failure to obey God's command to rid the land of them. And Israel fell right into the trap of idolatry.
What are the things that we have allowed to stay in our lives? The people or things that tempt us to forget God's Word and turn to idols? We are also commanded to "drive out" the evil influences from our lives. This is not a passive activity. We are sanctified by God, but we have a responsibility to put away those things that hinder us from the holiness He wants for us. Just as Israel was to drive out the inhabitants of their promised land, we are to drive out the influence of our culture... ".. do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind". We need to fight! We must take action!
We also need to heed the warning here... if we do not teach our children the Word of God; if we don't make every effort to bring them into the knowledge of the Lord.. we will leave a generation that will not keep His ways, who will turn to the idols of our culture and will end up slaves to them. It happened to Israel.. it continues to happen now.
Blessed God and Mighty Lord, help us we pray! Forgive us for allowing any outside influences into our lives and families. Drive them out Lord! Strengthen us by the filling of Your Spirit, to will and to want Your perfect holiness and purity... to want You alone. Thank you for saving us, for giving to us Jesus Christ our Lord and Your Holy Spirit, our guide, our refiner. We worship You alone. Have Your way in us. In Christ we come, asking these things in His Name. Amen.
They failed to drive out the Canaanites in Manasseh's territory, Ephraim's territory, Zebulun's territory, Asher's territory, Naphtali's territory, and Dan's territory. They allowed the inhabitants to stay. They made them slaves, but they failed to do what God had commanded.
The Lord confronted Israel, " I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land which I have sworn to your fathers; and I said, ' I will never break my covenant with you, and as for you, you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars' But you have not obeyed Me; what is this you have done?" ( 2: 1-2) Because of their failure to obey fully, God said He would no longer drive out the enemy but allow them to be a "thorn in" their sides.
Joshua died and the leaders of that generation died also. "... and there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel." ( v10) Sadly, Israel did not prepare their children for the future. They did not teach them the Word of God, the commandments of God, or the Truth of God. The false gods were all around them, because of the failure to obey God's command to rid the land of them. And Israel fell right into the trap of idolatry.
What are the things that we have allowed to stay in our lives? The people or things that tempt us to forget God's Word and turn to idols? We are also commanded to "drive out" the evil influences from our lives. This is not a passive activity. We are sanctified by God, but we have a responsibility to put away those things that hinder us from the holiness He wants for us. Just as Israel was to drive out the inhabitants of their promised land, we are to drive out the influence of our culture... ".. do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind". We need to fight! We must take action!
We also need to heed the warning here... if we do not teach our children the Word of God; if we don't make every effort to bring them into the knowledge of the Lord.. we will leave a generation that will not keep His ways, who will turn to the idols of our culture and will end up slaves to them. It happened to Israel.. it continues to happen now.
Blessed God and Mighty Lord, help us we pray! Forgive us for allowing any outside influences into our lives and families. Drive them out Lord! Strengthen us by the filling of Your Spirit, to will and to want Your perfect holiness and purity... to want You alone. Thank you for saving us, for giving to us Jesus Christ our Lord and Your Holy Spirit, our guide, our refiner. We worship You alone. Have Your way in us. In Christ we come, asking these things in His Name. Amen.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Romans 15-16 Paul comes to the end of his letter to the Romans, summing up his message with a reminder of the grace of God to both Jews and Gentiles. "Accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God." Paul writes.( v7)
Christ came to "become a servant to the circumcision" ; He confirmed the Truth of God's promises through the prophets; and He came to bring hope to the Gentiles, showing mercy to all. (v8-12)
Paul's prayer is this, " Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." ( v13) What a great prayer of blessing!
Paul greets, by name, many believers in Rome and sends greetings from his friends. His final prayer is this, " Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to the obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever, Amen." ( v25-27)
Father in heaven, all glory and honor and praise we give to You. Thank You for giving us hope in Christ Jesus. Thank You for manifesting the mystery of Your mercy and grace to all who will come to obedient faith. You "establish" us. You " accept" us. You justify and save us. Thank You .
Fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit, with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in hope. Amen!
Christ came to "become a servant to the circumcision" ; He confirmed the Truth of God's promises through the prophets; and He came to bring hope to the Gentiles, showing mercy to all. (v8-12)
Paul's prayer is this, " Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." ( v13) What a great prayer of blessing!
Paul greets, by name, many believers in Rome and sends greetings from his friends. His final prayer is this, " Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to the obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever, Amen." ( v25-27)
Father in heaven, all glory and honor and praise we give to You. Thank You for giving us hope in Christ Jesus. Thank You for manifesting the mystery of Your mercy and grace to all who will come to obedient faith. You "establish" us. You " accept" us. You justify and save us. Thank You .
Fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit, with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in hope. Amen!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)