JUDGING JUDGES
Today’s Reading: Judges 1 & 2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
The Roman Cardo at Beit She’an National Park, Israel. Around 1100 BC, Canaanite Beit She’an was conquered by the Philistines, who used it as a base of operations for further penetrations into Israel proper (Judges 1:27). During a subsequent battle against the Jewish King Saul at nearby Mount Gilboa in 1004 BC, the Philistines prevailed. 1 Samuel 31 states that the victorious Philistines hung the body of King Saul on the walls of Beit She’an. Portions of these walls were excavated on Tel Beit She’an recently. King David was able to capture Beit Shea’an in a series of brilliant military campaigns that expelled the Philistines from the area, pushing them back to their coastal strongholds of Ashkelon, Ekron, Gath, Gaza, and Ashdod. During the Iron Age II period, the town became a part of the larger Israelite kingdom under the rule of the Biblical kings David and Solomon (1 Kings 4:12 refers to Beit She’an as a part of the district of Solomon).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Judges 2:10
When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel.
This is one of the saddest verses in the Bible. It should be a warning to us that our faith in God is only one generation away from near extinction. We must invest heavily in the supreme task of communicating the Word of God to future generations (Crossroads wants to help – click here to check out the “KidSpace” channel at Crossroads360.com).
These two chapters are an overview of what is to come for Israel. Judges tells us of seven cycles of moral corruption from within and subjugation from without by the nations around them. After 40 years of victories under Joshua, Israel now suffers defeat after defeat, also deliverance after deliverance. The very last verse of Judges provides the answer to this inconsistency of serving the God of their fathers. Judges 21:25 tells us that “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” At first glance it sounds good, but this is spiritual anarchy. This is a recipe for disaster. We must do what is right in God’s eyes according to His Word to us.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, You’ve given me the desire to read Your Word daily so that I may know what is right in Your eyes. Again and again I pray for the grace to hear Your voice as I read, and then walk in the light that You provide for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen! (as I pray this, I’m thinking of 1 John, chapter 1. Click here).
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I confess that I felt somewhat discouraged in reading today’s chapters. So I thought, “I’ll turn to the next book in our readings, which is 1 Corinthians.” In chapter 1 there is much to encourage me, but I also read of divisions in the church. In chapter 2, there was encouragement, but chapter 3 tells me that people are people. There was envy, strife, and they were behaving “like mere men.” God’s mercy and forgiveness was given over and over to Israel when they repented and cried out to Him. I’ve cried out to the Lord agaIn and again since I first decided to follow Jesus 62 years ago as a 16-year-old. He’s forgiven me and restored me. I’ve done an overview of Judges, and I discovered that the people were living right before God most of the time. That gives me reason to be hopeful. Again, the first chapter of 1 John is my “go to” chapter for my life. Here it is again (click here), and then I’ve taken the time this morning to read 1 John chapter 2 (click here). I’m greatly encouraged now. Judges 2:22 gives the reason God placed Israel in the midst of the ungodly world. It was a test! I pray for grace to pass any test that comes my way. I can testify to the power of Christ, that while I may not be graded at 100%, I definitely am passing my exams, because of Jesus.
Yours for a passing grade, perhaps even honours (I study God’s notes – His Word – daily, and there I find the right answers),
David
Beit She’an theatre.
in my area we have a Member of the Legislation (MLA) and he puts in a phrase where he can that reads “we need to be kind to others” or “let’s remember to be kind ot others” this man is a Christian, he used to have a Ladies Wear business with his parents and I believe that if a son/daughter can get along with parents in a business, that person must have something going for them! A few years ago at a funeral this man attended and I went up and asked what brought him here and he replied “I went to school with the deceased” this was a very young mom/wife who left this earth much to early, anyway, that comment really surprised me, again, I remember thinking this guy has something going for him….yes, he does have something going for him he is a believer! I continue to pray for our leaders and I trust that God’s Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!…
One must truly wonder how the antichrist will garner so much praise and attention in this world …
Our thoughts and prayers are with all whose lives under persecution for the Name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Without our Lord Jesus it is impossible to win the battle against terrorism. Terrorism is an expansion of gang mentality with fear and brutality as their allies. We long for your return Christ Jesus…
Blessings brothers and sisters
So true, David.
I thought that generation was told to teach their children all the rules and regulations as in the following quote.
Deuteronomy 6:7
And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Blessings fellow saints.
Jesus, as I look into your word, keep me on your paths of righteousness. Thank you Father that you know I am weak, but You are strong; i pray you keep me from all wrong!
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Thank you Lord God. That you will never leave me or forsake me!
Yes, how sad and yet the revelation of how easily man can be swayed/ deceived.
Thank you Rev. David for the scriptures in 1st and 2nd John. What a confirmation of who Jesus was and is. ” He is all I need”
Thank you Reynold for the great pictures. During the visit with “the Journey of Hope” I recall sitting on those steps while shortly after our arrival, Nizar Sheheen welcomed us to Israel.
The ominous clouds in the first picture present spectacular scene.