Judges 2:18-19 ‘Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD had compassion on them as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them. But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.’(emphasis added)
Our pastor has asked us to use the Book of Judges as our focus for prayer and study this week. For me it has started with a bang! I read the first four chapters and admit to being a bit dazed at all the violence and the seeming inability of the Nation of Israel to “get it”.
But I know that we have never been asked to pursue a study that did not offer both inspiration and real world application, so I prayerfully asked God to guide me in this work.
I found a site “Jesus Plus Nothing” which has a 10-part study on the Book of Judges which I am beginning today. As usual, I will supplement this study with other references and scripture and hope, as always, to be enriched in His Word.
The author of the study, I Gordon, has left a brief, “who am I” note which helped me to be comfortable to use his site as a resource. He offers the use of the site free of charge to anyone who uses it for God’s glory and his beliefs, as stated, are ours. He also has a dry humor which comes in handy in such a serious work.
Mr. Gordon has promised that his study of the Book of Judges is a study of promise, not despair and I embark on this journey with him in expectation that he will keep that promise.
Our first two promising statements follow:
Caleb was given Hebron, which means ‘communion’. It is hard to commune with God when you knowingly have one foot in the world, and half-heartedness isn’t exactly great for any relationship. But wholeheartedness in your walk and relationship with the Lord leads to fellowship and communion.
Judges 1:22-25 ‘Now the house of Joseph attacked Bethel, and the LORD was with them. When they sent men to spy out Bethel (formerly called Luz), the spies saw a man coming out of the city and they said to him, “Show us how to get into the city and we will see that you are treated well.” So he showed them, and they put the city to the sword but spared the man and his whole family.’
Another bright spot came in the house of Joseph’s triumph over the city of Luz. When you look up the meanings of the names, it is quite instructive. Joseph ‘add thou Jehovah’ took Luz ‘perverse’ and called it Bethel ‘the house of God’. So it is with our own lives, in that through grace, that which was perverse has been captured for the Lord and turned into the house of God. And this God continues to do as we, like Joseph, look to unto Him.
I have quickly gone from plodding through to excitement in this week's study. I promise to share some of the highlights here.
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!
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