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.
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 one there is much to encourage me, but I also read of divisions in the church. In chapter two, there was encouragement, but chapter three 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 64 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 two (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.
Fascinating photos and history. Could you imagine living in the ancient times of the Bible? Wow! Thank you for your prayer, this morning, dear David, and for John 1. Praying love and healing for all saints, this early morning, and feeling the blessing of God in prayer and peace of His Presence. Wishing all a wonderful day.
For the love of Christ compels us…
2 Cor 5:14 BLB
Selah – How Deep The Father’s Love For Us [with lyrics]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKDujmtyAVk
Thank you Beverlee for the powerful song!!! Yes, “How Deep the Father’s Love for us” !!!
My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers, February 4:
“Paul said that he was overpowered, subdued, and held as in a vise by “the love of Christ.” Very few of us really know what it means to be held in the grip of the love of God. We tend so often to be controlled simply by our own experience. The one thing that gripped and held Paul, to the exclusion of everything else, was the love of God. “The love of Christ compels us….” When you hear that coming from the life of a man or woman it is unmistakable. You will know that the Spirit of God is completely unhindered in that person’s life.
“When we are born again by the Spirit of God, our testimony is based solely on what God has done for us, and rightly so. But that will change and be removed forever once you “receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” (Acts 1:8). Only then will you begin to realize what Jesus meant when He went on to say, “…you shall be witnesses to Me….” Not witnesses to what Jesus can do— that is basic and understood— but “witnesses to Me….” We will accept everything that happens as if it were happening to Him, whether we receive praise or blame, persecution or reward. No one is able to take this stand for Jesus Christ who is not totally compelled by the majesty of His power. It is the only thing that matters, and yet it is strange that it’s the last thing we as Christian workers realize.
“Paul said that he was gripped by the love of God and that is why he acted as he did. People could perceive him as mad or sane— he did not care. There was only one thing he lived for— to persuade people of the coming judgment of God and to tell them of “the love of Christ.” This total surrender to “the love of Christ” is the only thing that will bear fruit in your life. And it will always leave the mark of God’s holiness and His power, never drawing attention to your personal holiness.”
Bless you Beverlee, for the quote!
Very interesting but very true, thank you for continuing to do this blog of reading through the bible. This is round three for me reading with you and I continue to learn something each day. Thank you for heeding God’s call to do this blog, I have learned so much and am blessed to walk with you each day, its how I start my day. Blessings to you David.
MIchele
I had to turn back the reading of today because it seemed so recently that we (or I) studied it. I could not believe I had the right blog page – it seemed so familiar!? Anyway, thanks for the quote from Oswald J. Chambers, Beverlee. It is so thought provoking and true. God’s blessings of strength and love be with all today.
Praying for our children that they will seek the Lord more earnestly.Thank you pastor David!
Dear David & Ron,
I don’t understand why I don’t receive your Blogs regularly. Again, today, I had to look up today’s Blog on google. I receive your Blog a couple of days and then five days will go by and there is nothing. This has gone on for months. I tried signing up again and ‘it’ said that I am already signed up. 🙂
I’ve had problems and so have others, perhaps try and talk to your server…..I found that my server was way off on the left (so to speak) and this blog was on the right (so to speak) some where in the technology part, someone straightened everything out! Works great! I believe the networks get glitches from time to time…..keep doing what you are doing, things will fall into place…
blessings and have a have a great day and thank you for sharing!
there you go Christina! others have given their experiences also…perhaps try their methods……
Frustrating, I’m sure. I have put,”100Words.ca; A daily Walk Thru the Bible.” Under my “Favourites” and I have never had a problem having it come up. Just a suggestion.
I have it in my Favourites Bar, too, Donald, and just click on it first thing every morning.
Thank you for your faithfulness. To read and meditate on the words of Scripture is an amazing gift you give us. I thank the Lord that he is giving you the strength to do this day by day.. .
https://youtu.be/h0yVmVDCBrs
hope this works out; if not; please Google “AIN’T IT JUST LIKE THE LORD”
On reading Judges, it appears the Fathers did not pass on to the next generation all that the Lord had done to get them to the Promised Land.
Pastor David bless you for the links you provided…a great lifter upper!! Your prayer, and explanations!!
So good to to join together with you Pastor David , Ron and David: also thank you bloggers for your input and prayers. Blessings and love to all!