The second half of Judges contains stories that are filled with disobedience of the Law, and show just how far away Israel has fallen from God. The last verse of Judges is a pretty good summary of the book: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what is right in their own eyes,” (Judges 21:25) Israel was supposed to be a holy nation, a chosen people of God, an example for everyone else, but over and over they chose to turn their back on Him.
God loves Israel; they are His children. Otherwise, He wouldn’t have sent judges to rescue the Israelites when they cried out to Him during their oppression (which was a result of their disobedience). We are loved just like the Israelites. God sent His Son, Jesus to die on a cross to save us, to wash away our sins. The real question is: do we love the Lord God back, with our heart and soul?
“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what is right in their own eyes.” Judges 21:25 ESV
Passage:
Judges 13-21
Discovered:
- Israel did evil and was handed over to Philistines for 40 years.
- An angel appeared to Zorah’s wife and told her if she avoided strong drink and would rescue Israel. They tried to thank the angel, but he told them to offer a burnt offering. He went up into heaven in the flame of offering.
- Samson, a son is born. The Lord blessed him.
- On his way to marry a Philistine women, he killed a lion by ripping it apart. A dew days later when he passed by the carcass, there was a bee hive and honey which he ate.
- At a feast, Samson challenged the men to a riddle in exchange for 30 linen garments and 30 changes of clothes to the winner. No one could figure it out so they coerced her to get the answer from him. In anger, because they had been devious, Samson went to Ashkelon, killed 30 men, paid his debt with spoils and returned home. His wife was given away.
- When Samson found out his wife was given to another, he caught 300 foxes, tied their tails to torches and burned the grain and olive orchards. He fled to Judah where they handed him over to the Philistines, but he broke his bonds/ropes and killed 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey. Samson judged Israel 20 years.
- Samson loved Delilah, the Philistines lords agreed to pay her if she could find the source of his strength. 1st ask: he told her to use fresh bowstring, but they were easily snapped. 2nd ask: use fresh ropes, but he broke free. 3rd ask: tie up his hair, that didn’t work either. 4th ask: she guilted him and he finally told the truth, cut/shave hair. Samson was captured, blinded and put in bronze shackles.
- To celebrate his capture, they brought they brought him out to entertain 3,000 Philistines. He begged for strength from the Lord and knocked down the building’s pillars, killing himself and 3,000 others.
- Micah, from Ephraim stole 1,100 pieces of silver from his mom and fearing the curse she put on the thief, he fessed up. She had 2 idols made from the money. A Levite came to Micah’s house and was invited to be his personal priest.
- Dainties sought out other land because they lacked faith to take their inheritance. On their way to take over Laish, they stole the idols and promoted Micah’s priest, Jonathan to be their priest.
- A Levite fetched his concubine from he father’s house after she ran away. While traveling back, they stopped at Gibeah, Benjaminite town instead of Jebus (foreign city). No one took them in until an old man from Ephraim took them in. Wayward men demanded to have the Levite, but instead were given his concubine. They raped and murdered her leaving her on the doorstep. The Levite took her body home, divided it into 12 parts and sent a part to each tribe.
- In response, Israel except Benjamin assembled to seek punishment. The Benjaminites refused to give up their brothers and 26,700 Benjaminites went to war against 400,000. 1st attack, Israel lost 22,000. 2nd attack, Israel lost 18,000, after fasting they were told by God to attack a 3rd time: all but 600 Benjaminites survived.
- Israel realized they all but destroyed a tribe, so worked to find brides to them.
Help me to remember:
without You, we are quick to make poor decisions, to stray way from your Law.
Lord, I ask that . . .
I am surrounded and encouraged by others to walk in your ways, serve and love You with my heart and soul.
Heavenly Father, I am thankful for . . .
my King of Kings.
