NO OTHER GODS
Suggested Reading: Judges 17-18
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Dan is a city mentioned in the Bible, described as the northernmost city of the Kingdom of Israel, belonging to the Tribe of Dan. The city is identified with the tel known as Tel Dan, or Tel el-Qadi in Israel. Following the division of the kingdom of Solomon in 930 BC, Jeroboam established a cult at Dan as an alternative to the Temple in Jerusalem. He placed a golden calf in the city and built a house of high places and an altar. The metal frame pictured here has been recently set up to help visitors imagine how Jeroboam's altar might have looked.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Judges 17:6
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
The book of Judges was probably edited from manuscripts written during the years when the Children of Israel still held to the belief that the God of Abraham was their King. It would appear that there was a godly king in Israel at the time this record was finalized. There was no revision of history which might have made the people look better. The good, the bad and the ugly are all here. These last five chapters of Judges are the most depressing in the entire Bible. This was because, “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” When the human family turns away from an objective standard of moral behaviour, disaster always follows. How often do we hear, in our time, statements such as, “If it feels good, do it” or, “I have my own beliefs,” etc. If we read these stories with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other, one cannot help but notice a similarity in human behaviour.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I realize more than ever that I need to follow Your unchanging standards for my behaviour if I am to truly live my life pleasing to You and as a good influence on others. I know that I need the prayer of the man of whom Jesus spoke who prayed, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” It’s so very true that, “All (including me) have sinned and come short.” Please lift me up higher in my conduct so that I may glorify You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Dr. Jerry Johnston is our Crossroads USA Executive Director, and also serves as one of the hosts of the 100 Huntley Street daily TV show. I’ve just read Not Suicide, the teen pocket-size edition of the book Why They Die. It is a shortened edition of the book published last Fall which is authored by Dr. Johnston and Don Simmonds, Crossroads CEO. The reason I read it once again is that Don was on TV from Dryden, Ontario, where 30 hockey teams from First Nations communities were having a hockey tournament. Don is a hockey coach and he was distributing the book on suicide to the players, as well as looking for ways to help. The story of the suicide of Don’s former goalie is in the book.
It occurred to me that even suicide becomes a reasonable choice in a culture that does not have a standard that is above what people think is right or wrong. I very much want this book to be placed in the hands of every high school student everywhere. I’m asking you to help accomplish this. Here’s how you can order a quantity.
Yours to take a stand for God’s standards and for life,
David
P.S. Here is a video from crossroads360.com where Jim Cantelon interviews Don and Jerry about the suicide prevention book, “Why They Die” (click here).
Stairs to what was the Bema - the High Place - in the ancient city of Dan.
Once a culture embraces it’s own standards for living and forsakes God’s highly established moral laws, decay will surely ensue. Romans chapter 1 was written as a warning of God’s judgement on a people who went their own way and set their own standards for what was right and what was wrong. In this period in Judges it was commented that “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes”, I’m afraid the same could be said for our culture today. I’m so pleased that we have a righteous and long-suffering Lord who desires that nobody should perish and has blessed us with this age of grace that all might have the opportunity to come to know Him.
It is disconcerting how suicide can become the next logical step for someone in a state of hopelessness and despair. Without intervention, lives are lost. It is an issue that confronts us all. Also, these last five chapters in Judges serve as a healthy reminder to place God first in all we seek and do. May we lift the spirits of those whom we come into contact today with the love of Christ and fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Depression and Suicidal tendencies hit our little world,when our former secretary disappeared off the scene and we found her in a fetal position curled up in hopelessness. We managed to convince her to speak to someone who could relate and we watched as our wonderful Lord used this Christian lady and an appointment with the right doctor to diagnose her condition.In her case she had a chemical imbalance and was prescribed some pills which turned her around emotionally. We also took her out to the woods where some small finches would perch on your hand and actually eat the seed right out of your hand.In this marvelously sweet piece of nature we watched her smile again. Her faith in Jesus came alive once more and the joy of the Lord became her strength!
I especially appreciated your commentary this morning. The past few chapters are pretty heavy reading (Thank-you for the link to listen as you read) but reading your perspective on them has helped bring better understanding of the reason they are included in scripture. I find it hard to understand all the violence and bloodshed!! So thankful that you’ve taken this challenge; it is a blessing!!
Thank God for your heart for those that are suicidal. For many years I have had a desire to help those who were suicidal come to know the love and the power of Jesus Christ to transform their lives. I know believers also struggle with thoughts and physical problems that cause can cause depression and suicid
Sorry, hit a button. … that can cause depression and suicidal thoughts. I am a high school teacher and have prayed for students that the Lord has brougt across my path over the years. Praise God he has preserved their lives, but I’m not sure whether hey have experienced the joy of salvation. Would love to do more for teenagers to give them the message of the hope that Jesus Christ gives them.
Thank you and God bless you
Dear David and fellow bloggers
These last few days Judges daily blog has been showing us quite clearly the similarities and consequences of those that want to part from God and follow thier own humen desires for their contetment
More than ever as Christians we have a major responsibility to let the Holy Spirit guide us in everything we do making by the love of JESUS CHRIST our Saveiour our teacher and our guiadance an impact on who ever we come across .
Judges was very depressing, today, I agree. I have been reading Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo, which I ordered from Crossroads, after seeing Todd on 100 Huntley Street, awhile back. I haven’t been able to put it down and highly recommend this book to everyone. It provides such reassurance about Jesus and heaven! Wishing everyone a blessed day!
thank you fellow bloggers, for your replies God’s Word is powerful. God must come first.