April 3, 2023

Today we see the sixth judge through the ninth judge of Israel appointed. As you read chapters 9 through 11 think about someone you know that you may have enticed you to do wrong.

Chapter 9 –

Gideon’ polygamous ways led to problems. His son Abimelech had great aspirations to rule and in order to do so he deceived others and killed seventy of his brothers only leaving Jotham. This deed was carries out on top of a large stone since stones were used for sacrifice. This can only mean there was human sacrifice. The man literally sacrificed his entire family for political power.

Jotham stood on Mount Gerizim, the place of blessing when he received the news that Abimelech had been made king. He tells the people a parable about trees. He told the people Abimelech was to rule over them with total superiority which is illegitimate biblical rule.

God creates chaos in Israel. Abimelech caught most of the people of Shechem outside the gate and slaughtered them. What goes around, comes around maybe not today or tomorrow but it will revisit itself. Many of the people huddled in a tower for protection from Abimelech when a woman from above threw the upper portion of a millstone on Abimelech’s head and fractured his skull. Realizing the severity of his injuries he called on a follower to kill so no one could say a woman killed him.

Why did all this happen? Because God brought back Abimelech’s evil on his own head.

Chapter 10 –

Judge Tola’s name means ‘worm.” There is not much known of him other than that he was the son of Issachar. He was followed by Jair who had thirty son who most likely like Gideon he was a polygamist. With these two gone Israel repeated the cycle of worshipping false gods. They suffered for eighteen years they cried out once again for deliverance. However this time God said, I will not deliver you again. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen to deliver you. Let them deliver you. Desperate for help they cry out again and He says He will not deliver them but they repent and He once again delivers them.

Chapter 11 –

We see something interesting as we begin chapter eleven. Jephthah the Gileadite was a valiant warrior, but he was the son of a prostitute. Why do we need to know this – because as he story unfolds we will see our background dose not dictate our destiny.

Jephthah was driven out from his family and he lived in another country for a while but he was still valuable to the kingdom of God. He tries to make things right with Ammonites but to no avail. The king would not listen to him. God does give him the victory

He vowed if God gave him victory, he would offer he first thing that walked out of his home when he returned as a burnt offering. We find the first thing was his only child a daughter. There was his daughter, coming out to meet him with tambourines and dancing! She submitted to her fate.

April 2, 2023

Today we read from Judges chapter 6 through 8 about the fifth judge of Israel, a man named Gideon. I have always found Gideon to be an interesting study.

Chapter 6 –

Sadly once again Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, then the cried out in a desperate appeal for divine intervention. God reminds them through a prophet all He has done for them beginning with their deliverance from Egypt.

Normally wheat is threshed in a place where the wind will blow away the chaff but Gideon was threshing it in a winepress in order to hide it from the Midianites. Things were bleak, Gideon was hiding. Gideon was confused if God was with Israel where they suffering. He felt as though God had abandoned them. Gideon was most likely surprised when God tapped him to deliver Israel again. His first task was to tear down the altar of Baal. The people demanded that his father give him up for execution, that is how bad idolatry was in the country. Gideon had heard God’s promise of deliverance but he wanted further assurance. God gave him instructions but he wanted to test God with a fleece on two occasions.

Gideon was the perfect example of God I believe, help my unbelief.

Chapter 7 –

The time to fight had come but God had a surprise for him. You have too many troops. He tells him to send home the ones that are afraid, which reduces his forces by twenty thousand. He then tells him again he has too many and he is to take them to get a drink and he further divides them on how they drink.

God has promised that He will hand over the Midianites to Gideon and he tells him to camp near them and outlines His plan for their conquering. When Gideon first got the boost of encouragement, he first bowed in worship no doubt thanking God for the victory.

Let the church take notice, even when we do not understand everything and think the odds are against us, God calls us to watch Him work.

Chapter 8 –

The men of Ephraim were upset because they were called at the end of the battle rather than the beginning. Gideon told them the mopping up was equally important in battle. Gideon and his army soon grew weary of chasing down the Midianite kings so he asks for food from the city of Succoth. Gideon was not happy they would not help and promised to tear down their tower. He captured the two kings and on the way home he whipped the leaders of Succoth and destroyed their tower.

Gideon rejected the offer to become king yet he asked for the gold earrings from the spoil of battle. Unfortunately with the earrings he made an ephod and it became a spiritual trap for Israel. They became unfaithful yet again.

Eventually, Gideon died and immediately and the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshipping false gods in worshiping “baal of the covenant.”

April 1, 2023

Chapter 4 –

Once again Israel walked away from God so He gave them over to King Jabin of Canaan. He oppressed them for twenty years until they finally cried out for deliverance.

We are now introduced to Deborah, a female prophetess and judge. She was a leader in the civil arena. A person such as Deborah would seek God’s will for a specific scenario. She summons Barak to lead the army of Israel against Jabin’s army. Barak may have been a Levite since he was from the tribe of Levi. Through Deborah God told Barak what he was to do and how to go about doing the task at hand.

Barak resisted less Deborah go with him. Barak missed out on the blessing because he balked at obeying God. If God could not fine the right man then he would find the right woman.

Sisera, Jabin’s commander, had an unlimited amount of war equipment at his disposal. Deborah to Barak Go the is the day God has handed over Sisera to you. The victory was in his hand, he just needed to take it. The Lord threw Sisera into a panic before Barak’s assault. We see then Sisera runs to the tent of Heber the Kenite whom they had an alliance with. He wanted Heber’s wife Jael to lie for him saying he wasn’t there but instead she drove a peg through his head and reports what she ahs done to Barak when he arrives. God and men working in partnership against a common enemy is the principal behind spiritual warfare.

Chapter 5 –

Deborah and Barak sang a sone of victory and praise but the Lord was the hero in this battle as He is in all battles. Deborah is significant because she was a mother of Israel (5:7).

After recounting the victory the song praise Jael as the most blessed of women. By her actions she saved the life of her husband who thought it no problem to align with someone corrupt like Sisera. As a result the land was at peace for forty years.

March 31, 2023

Today ends the first three months of our endeavor to read through the Bible in a year, We begin today in Judges chapters 1, 2, and 3. We read about the wars after the death of Joshua, the warnings to the Israelites that went unheeded, and the first three judges of Israel Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar.

Chapter 1 –

After the death of Joshua the Israelites got off to a good start. They inquired to God about military steps and God responded with guidance telling them exactly what they were to do and how to do it. They marched against Debir, the city where the records of the Canaanites were kept. The would defend Debir vigorously.

Caleb told them whoever attacks and captures Kiriath-sepher would be given his daughter in marriage. Othniel rose to the occasion and defeated the city. In time he would also become Israel’s first judge.

Judah captured Gaza and its territory as the Lord promised but they still had to fight. The Lord was with Judah in their battles and enabled them to take possession of the hill country, but they could not drive out the people who were living in the valley because these people had iron chariots. What ws the problem here because later we see God defeating others with iron chariots – simply put it was their lack of faith while on the hill.

Verses 31 to 36 record a shift in Israel’s victory record that would lead to problems down the road:

• The Benjaminites did not drive out Jebusites,
• Manasseh failed to take possession of Beth-shean,
• Ephraim failed to drive out the Canaanites who were living in Gezer,
• Zebulun failed to drive out the residents of Kitron,
• Asher and Naphtali failed to drive out the residents of the land.

This is sad picture we see painted here.

Chapter 2 –

An angel of the Lord appeared and rebuked them because they had not obeyed the covenant with the Lord. They were not to make a covenant with the Canaanites but were to destroy their altars and their gods. If they were to do this, they were putting God against the gods of the Canaanites.

The angel warned them of impending judgement should they not follow the Lord. Their sin would boomerang back on them. The people wept and sacrificed along with repentance. During the lifetime of Joshua the people worshipped God but after his death things fell apart. The abandoned God and followed other gods.

In other words they did what was wrong in God’s sight. When they abandoned God He handed them over the enemy and disaster came upon them.

Verse 16 – 19 provide a summary of the book of Judges. Israel sinfully departs from the Lord, their enemies oppress them, the Lord feels sorry for them when they cry for help, He delivers them, He defeats their enemies, they return to idols. Every time the cycle repeats itself the people grow more wicked.

Chapter 3 –

This is the list of the nations (3:1) the God left in the land to test Israel, to determine if they would keep the Lord’s commands. God raises up a deliver to save them by means of appointing a judge. A judge was basically a civil ruler whom God selected to deliver His people and take vengeance against His enemies.

The first judge was Othniel and we see The Spirit of the Lord came on a man to enable him to fulfill the task. By the time Othniel had died Israel had gotten used to God’s goodness and they forgot about Him. When life got so bad, they called out to God (after eighteen years) who raised up another judge. This man was Ehud. He deliver Tribute (a tax) to king Eglon.

 The king, being excited to hear what Ehud said to him since he had received such a lavish gift did not know that the gift was sword stuck into his stomach. The message delivered was that God did not like him oppressing His people. Following Ehud as judge was Shamgar. He delivered Israel, striking down six hundred Philistines with a cattle prod.

March 30, 2023

Today we conclude our reading in Joshua with chapters 22 to 24. In those chapters we read about the eastern tribes of Reuben, Gad and one half the tribe of Manasseh. In addition we read of their return home and the death of another great leader in Joshua.

Chapter 22 –

With the land acquired Joshua sent the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh back home. They had crossed the Jordan and helped their brothers take the land that the Lord had promised them. Joshua blessed them and sent them on their way. But he also challenged them to faithfully follow the law.

When they arrived back across the Jordan, they built a massive altar but when the rest of Israel heard about it they were upset. They were concerned the only proper palce to worship was Shiloh and they feared they would suffer if the these two and one half tribes served other gods. The entire community formed together to go to war against them.

When the tribes on the east side of the Jordan heard these accusations they cried out, The Mighty On, God, the Lord! The Mighty One, God, the Lord! The repetition of three different Hebrew names for God was a away of making an extreme oath. After the explanation, the delegation of tribes from the west breathed a sigh of relief and returned satisfied with what they had been told.

Two things we learn here: do not act in a hasty manner, and the second is take a stand. Although we do not want to be hasty we should stand for what is right.

Chapter 23 –

The next two chapters address Joshua’s farewell address to the people. Many years had passed since god had given the land to Israel.

Joshua was now an old man and he tells them all God has done for them much as Moses did but there is more history that has taken place. He said, It was the Lord your God who was fighting for you.

He tells them that it was the Lord who delivered them by driving out powerful nations before you. He then warns the about intermarriage. There is no biblical prohibition about marrying someone of another race but there is about marrying one of a different religion.

Chapter 24 –

Chapter 24 continues Joshua’s farewell address. He makes a series of statements and the people respond.

I gave you a land that you did not labor for God reminded them all they had they had built homes, planted vineyards, they were given to them.

Fear the Lord and worship Him in sincerity and truth. Take Him seriously.

Choose for yourselves today; Which will you worship? As for me and my household, we will worship the Lord.

The people responded to Joshua by saying No! We will worship the Lord.

Chapter 19 –

Finally, Joshua received his personal inheritance. Like a good leader, he made sure all the people had received their territories before settling down in his own. The Lord agave him the city of Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim and now that was completed the remainder of the dividing up was completed.

Chapter 20 –

God told Moses in Numbers 35:9-34 Israel was to establish cities of refuge for anyone who accidentally would kill someone who did not have hate in his heart. The accused would stand at the entrance of the city gate and plead his case to the elders where they adjudicate the offence. If the accuser of the deceased one came looking for him, they were not to turn him over to them.

If he was found innocent, he was allowed to return home. They Israelites established six cities as cities of refuge.

Chapter 21 –

The tribe of Levi had no allotment of land since they served the Lord, He was their inheritance. Nonetheless they still needed a place to live. He families approached Joshua and the Israelite pf Gods promise.  Within the cities divided the Levites were to receive cities with their pasture lands. They received a total of 48 cities.

As a fulfillment of the promise the Lord gave them all that He had promised. Additionally, He gave them rest on every side. None of His promises failed to come to pass. This is great reminder that today we live in a land of broken promises but God always keeps His.

March 28, 2023

Today’s reading takes us through the additional allotment of land for Ephraim, Manasseh, and others. We find this information in chapters 16, 17, and 18.

Chapter 16 –

The tribe of Joseph was actually divided into two tribes from his sons, Ephraim, and Manasseh. They did not drive out the Canaanites but they remained in the land and served as forced labor. Why is this important? We will learn from the book of Judges that their failure to drive them out is setting Israel up for a fall because of their idolatrous practices.

Next comes Manasseh and in the midst of these verse we find five daughters of Zelophehad who had no inheritance because it went to the sons. They came to Joshua and pleaded their case and received an inheritance. This goes back to Numbers 17:4-5.

The descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim were so great they needed additional land. Joshua directed them to additional land but they were fearful of the Canaanites. The people feared the Canaanites but Joshua, but the courageous leader he was encouraged them to drive the Canaanites out of the land. Working together they could take and clear the land.

Chapter 18 –

Israel gathered at the tent of meeting where they met to offer sacrifices. The land was subdued before them but there was still several tribes who had no land. Joshua tells the land will not divide itself you must do something. I guess they expected Joshua do everything. He told them to select three men from each tribe to survey the land, bring back the surveys, and he would cast lots for their inheritance. Although God gives us things, He expects us to take them.

The land is surveyed, lots are cast, the land is divided, and the remaining tribes take possession of their land. Joshua was saying it is up to God who gets what portion. The remainder of the chapter and all of chapter 19 describe the allotment of the land to remaining tribes.

Chapter 19 – Verses 49  – 51

Finally Joshua received his personal inheritance. Like any good leader he made sure the people had received theirs before he took his allotment. With their leader now in his new home they divided the remainder up.

March 27, 2023

We read today a great deal of the taking of the land by the Israelites then the land is both divided and allotted as we see chapters 13 to 15.

Chapter 13 –

There was still much land to be possessed and Joshua had grown old but God promised top drive out the remaining people before Israel. Therefore, in light of God’s promises Israel was to divide the promised land as an inheritance among the tribes.

Verses 8 to 33 outline the apportionments as God directed. The only tribe to not receive an inheritance was Levi. Instead of a parcel of land for their inheritance it was God who was their inheritance.

Chapter 14 –

The following chapters through chapter twenty-one outline the division of the land among the tribes, providing specific details of cities and borders that was apportioned to each.

As the book of Joshua outlines the division of land among the tribes of Israel, it also includes an account of a special man and his inheritance. Caleb was from the tribe of Judah. He approached Joshua to remind him what the Lord had promised concerning him.

As you remember from a previous study and your knowledge Caleb along with Joshua were the only two spies who brought back a good report of the promised land. Only Joshua and Caleb did not die in the wilderness from disobedience.

Now eighty-five years old and still as strong as when Moses sent him out. So he asked Joshua to give him the land promised to him.

Chapter 15 –

Chapter 15 focuses on the tribe of Judah. As the biblical story unfolds Judah will become more and more prominent. This is because in Genesis, Israelite forefather Jacob prophesied that a kingly dynasty would arise from the son of Judah, eventually resulting in the Messiah (Gen. 49:9-10).

In the Old Testament much is made of family inheritance and passing down the favor of God from generation to generation as family is the foundation of society. Both physical and spiritual blessings were passed.

March 26, 2023

For Sunday we read from chapters 9, 10, 11, and 12 where we see the deception by the Gibeonites, a miracle where the sun stands still, and a number of kings defeated in fact thirty-one to be exact.

Chapter 9 –

Joshua and his people had made a name for themselves but mostly it was God’s reputation and fame that had become well known. Once the kings heard what happened at Jericho and Ai they formed an alliance to fight against Israel. Not everyone was up to fighting, especially the inhabitants of Gibeon. They wanted to live but knew their chances were poor so they acted deceptively.

They were made to believe they had traveled from a far land by the condition of their clothing, their sandals, and the moldy bread they carried with them. At first Joshua and the people were skeptical of them, thinking maybe they did live close to them. In the midst of their lies they did one honest thing ‘they came to make peace.’ Joshua believed them and made a treaty with them to let them live…and the leaders swore an oath to them.

This is a lesson for all of us to seek God first which in this case Joshua did not do so. Three days later he found out the truth and although the community complained about what had happened an oath had been made. If they broke the oath of peace, judgement would fall on them.

They were allowed to stay and became servants serving as woodcutters and water carriers for the whole community and for the Lord’s altar.

Chapter 10 –

The treaty between the Gibeonites and Israel had a ripple effect. Gibeon was a major city and it was only a matter of time until it was attacked. When that occurred the men of Gibeon called upon Israel to save them which again God encouraged them with these words Do not be afraid of them, I have handed them over to you. Nor Jericho rendition in this case the Lord sent hailstones on them from the sky.

We see some of the most amazing battles in the Bible outlined here. Joshua was committed to completing the work that God had given him but he needed daylight to complete the job. So he prayed that the sun and moon would stand still and the sun stopped in the sky for almost a full day. This took several other miracles to bring this about, and even more amazing was that God listened to a man.

Following the long day the five kings went into hiding but they could not escape. These verses outline the conquest of the promised land by Joshua and Israel. All went as God said it would go. God would deliver it if the people were faithful to do what He commanded.

Chapter 11 –

The southern area had been taken so it was time to look northward. The kings in the north had heard what had taken place so they decided to band together in yet another alliance. So they banded together until their armies were a multitude as numerous as the sands on the seashore. Again God says Do not be afraid a word we should all heed in all matters. In this case Israel was greatly outnumbered but He assures Joshua that by the time tomorrow, all the enemies would be killed.

This battle did not complete over night it waged on for some time. No city made peace with Israel except Gibeon as a result Israel defeats the nations and they take the promised land.

Chapter 12 –

This chapter offers a list of all the kings defeated by Israel in the promised land.