deeper to go

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

SDC13204Judges 21

The ESV Study Bible comments: “Israel’s apostasy had reached the depths, and the stage was set for the coming of a godly king, David, a man after God’s own heart with whom God would make an everlasting covenant. The sympathetic reader who has followed the whole narrative is left yearning for such a king.”  Yet the Bible reveals that when the people actually first chose a king, he was Saul, from the accursed Benjamite tribe. It appears that the apostasy in Israel had deeper to go still.

LORD, rescue us!

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civil war

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 20

This civil war between Israel and Benjamin was more than just an act of vengeance against atrocity.  It was a symptom of the disease that had affected the whole nation.  They had strayed from their relationship with the LORD and so it was inevitable that they would eventually turn against each other.  What strikes me is how difficult it was for Israel to defeat the Benjamites, even though they outnumbered them greatly.  When we stray from God, and disaster strikes, it is probably the LORD’s way of drawing us back to himself.  The way back is not easy. 

LORD, give us the courage to persevere on our way back to you.

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a rape and murder

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 19

The brutal rape and murder of the Levite’s concubine bears much resemblance to the story of Lot in Sodom. No doubt that was why this story was chosen out of all such that depicted the depths to which Israel had plunged.  It illustrates the depravity of us all, and our need for a Savior.  The entire book of Judges serves this purpose.

LORD, we desperately need you.  Come into our lives and save us from ourselves.

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organized apostasy

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 18

This passage continues the depressing story of Micah and the Levite that began in chapter 17.  The reader can see to what extent the Danites were moved by greed and resorted to violence and idolatry to get what they wanted.  The assumption was that ownership of the idols, the shrine, and the Levite would bring them good luck, and deter bad luck.  Their religion was manmade and cheap, and did not bear the slightest resemblance to that set up by Moses, even though the Levite was a descendant of Moses (30). It was organized apostasy.  It was further evidence that without strong godly leadership, the tendency of the people is to revert to animism.

LORD, thank you for king Jesus. Teach us to follow him, and stay away from organized apostasy.

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blessed by grace

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 17

Micah was not a judge, and his story does not chronicle God’s intervention in the lives of his people as do the stories of the judges.  Instead, Micah’s story illustrates what the spiritual atmosphere was like at the time.   “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6 ESV).  All around the world today there are those who only know the LORD as one god among many.  They think that he responds to manipulation, like the other gods do. They think that if they just hire themselves a priest, then the LORD will bless them.

Christians teach salvation by grace, which cuts both ways.  God intervenes in the lives of believers and saves by grace.  Blessings also come by grace, and not through an elaborate system of merit.  Those who think otherwise are as deluded as Micah was.

LORD, open our eyes to the reality of your sovereignty. We repent of our attempts to manipulate you.

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one last prayer

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 16

The Bible skips over Samson’s twenty years of judging over Israel, delivering them from the oppression of the Philistines.  It tells the story of his betrayal by Delilah, and his being blinded and losing his strength.  But he does have one last prayer, and with it he gets the strength to do more than he had done in twenty years of leading Israel.

LORD, teach us not to give up on you, even if we fail you.  Remind us that we are just a prayer away.

Posted in dependence upon God, discernment, perseverance, prayer | Tagged | 1 Comment

emotions and the Spirit

Posted on August 5, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 15

Rarely does the Holy Spirit work in our lives without an accompanying passion.  For Samuel, his anger over being betrayed by his would-be father-in-law set the stage for a miracle.  He picked up a fresh jawbone of a donkey and started wailing on Philistines who were trying to kill him.  He did not stop until a thousand of God’s enemies were defeated. 

LORD, give us faith to act upon the passion you put within us, no matter how hopeless the cause looks.

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seeking an opportunity

Posted on August 4, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 14

Samson’s parents could not understand why he would want to marry a Philistine woman.  But the Bible says he was not acting selfishly. He was “seeking an opportunity against the Philistines” (4).  When things don’t happen as we have planned, perhaps we should wait and see what the LORD is doing. He may accomplish more through our apparent mistakes than we imagine he can do through our successes.

LORD, we trust you to work out your divine plan when our plans seem to fail.

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obedience is enough

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 13

Manoah wanted to know the mission that his son would have, but the angel of the LORD would not tell him.  If Manoah and his wife had known the details of their son’s life, it would not have encouraged them to be faithful.  Our tendency is to be curious about the wrong things.  God wants us to be faithful in following what part of his will has been revealed to us.  The LORD’s instructions to Samson’s parents were simple: he was to be kept from wine, grapes, and unclean things.  God would do the rest.

LORD, keep us faithful to the task you have called us to, even when we do not know its outcome. Teach us to trust you.

Posted in faithfulness, obedience, trust | Tagged | 1 Comment

ear of corn

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 12

The animosity that appeared to have been abated by Gideon in chapter 8 has reared its ugly head again.  Now every time an Ephraimite seeks to cross over at the fords of the Jordon, he is met with a test. A guard either says “say Shibboleth” or holds up an ear of cord (which is what the word means in Hebrew).  The Ephraimites cannot pronounce the “sh” sound, so give themselves away.  This is a sad account, because the warfare that Jepthah wages is against another tribe of Israelite descent.  This is further evidence of the degradation of the people, who care little about each other, and the God who rescued them all from Egypt. How quickly they forget!

LORD, help us to love one another, and remember your faithfulness to us all.

Posted in conflict, consideration of others, family, fellowship, love | Tagged | 1 Comment