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    April 5th Chronological Bible Readings

    Judges 16:1-18:31
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    In Judges chapter 16 verse 3 we continue to see Samson’s strength – “But Samson stayed in bed only until midnight. Then he got up, took hold of the city gates with its two posts, and lifted them, bar and all, right out of the ground. He put them on his shoulders and carried them all the way to the top of the hill across from Hebron.”

    Judges_16_3_at_midnight_took_the_doors


    And then we get to the famous story of Samson & Delilah.  In verse 21 the Philistines finally overpower Samson by cutting his hair – a symbol of Samson’s relationship with God.

    Judges_16_the_philistines_overpower_him


    Commentary on Judges chapter 16 is at this link.


    Judges chapter 17 & 18 are sad chapters to read!  In these chapters we see how far a Levitical priest had wandered from his original call to serve God – by accepting money, idols, and position in Micah’s house.  And we see how far the tribe of Dan had wandered from God’s plan for the tribes of Israel by killing the citizens of Laish – a city that did not fall under God’s judgment due to serving idols or wickedness – and Laish was outside the geographical boundaries of the tribe of Dan.  Unfortunately, we see Dan’s tribe worshiping idols.  Verse 6 in chapter 17 stood out to me – “In those days Israel had no king, so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”  This verse certainly seems to be building up to the kings of Israel that will soon be coming.  But, this verse also indicates to me the importance for each of us to have a king – so that we don’t just do whatever seems right in our own eyes.  Fortunately, today, we have Jesus Christ as our king.  He is the best king we could ever hope for.  Do you consider Jesus to be your king?


    An image is below for Judges 18 verses 22 & 23 – “When the people from the tribe of Dan were quite a distance from Micah’s home, Micah and some of his neighbors came chasing after them. They were shouting as they caught up with them. The men of Dan turned around and said, “What do you want? Why have you called these men together and chased after us like this?””

    Judges_18_22_following_the_danites


    Worship God: Today’s readings in Judges reminded me of the Tait song “Lose this Life:”



    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCLX8OKsWlM

    Have you lost your life? Click here and find it forever!


    Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” Judges 17:6 NIV


    Prayer Point: Pray that Jesus is your King. Pray that you will do as Jesus sees fit in His holy eyes.


    Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

    God bless,
    Mike

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    2 responses to “April 5th Chronological Bible Readings”

    1. Ramona Avatar
      Ramona

      Judges 17:1-18:31
      Reading today’s Old Testament passage reminds me that things are pretty much the same today as they were 3-4 thousand years ago, nothing new under the sun. Here we have pictured some family dynamics that have gone awry. We have a son who has stolen from his mother and the return of the money, under threat or fear of a curse, is seen as time to get “religious” and honor the son who stole it. As we read on, we find out that the son’s mother is a grandmother because this man Micah has a son; what a godly example he is for his offspring, NOT.
      Superstition, and superstitious have permeated Israel, not only is the God who protected them in the desert, the God who brought them out of Egypt with a might hand not served, he is looked on as one of many gods to be manipulated, a god that can be transferred from one person to another. When a nation falls into this kind of thinking, the children and other family members are used as a means of protection by the head-of-household, or the ones with the biggest posse and the greatest forth of strength. Three times, we read that either the son (1 time) or the priests (twice) were set-up to be “protection” for grown men. (17:5, 10; 18:19). Is this not what Abraham and Isaac subjected their wives too but magnified?
      Whether we actually install our children as priests and give them a title as father, when we instruct our children to tell the Bill Collector on the phone that we are not in, when we stand back and send our children to the front of the line so that people will give them preference and force “mercy and grace,” we are setting up our children to be proctors like Micah and the men from Dan. When God moves from being our protector, our provider, our strong tower, when God moves from being a personal God to just a god, our children and relationships become a tool to be used to get what we want. We in effect, like Micah, like Dan establish our own religion build our own idols, even if it is not metal or stone, and offer up our children, spouses, and “friends” and other relationships on the alter of our fears.
      Love desires to benefit others at the expense of self – for God so loved the world …; Lusts desires to benefit self at the expense of others. What is it? Do we love or lusts? Some very tough questions that I need to answer.
      Grace and peace,
      Ramona

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    2. Tabitha Avatar
      Tabitha

      This passage today just shows me how much truth is in the old saying, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” People (especially in the US) just act however they want to. When you speak of God and of His ways you are ridiculed and mocked. So sad. People do what is right in their own eyes. Although I want so many to be saved, even so, come Lord Jesus.

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