Reflections on Judges 19-21

On November 3, 2016 By BrianIn OT Reflections

Our passage today reveals the depths of depravity to which Israel had sunk, and serves as a fitting reminder of the sinfulness of man.

Depravity – This entire passage reveals the depths to which Israel has fallen. Assault, rape, murder – this is not a cheerful story. The story of the Levite in Gibeah has obvious parallels with the story of Lot in Sodom. It is a sad reminder of the depravity of man. Man is sinful, and in great need of a Savior!
Moral relativism – The book closes with the phrase: “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” They did what they wanted to do, rather than what God wanted them to do. We see this early in the book, escalating as the book continues, and reaching its climax with Gibeah’s atrocities. In what ways do you see this same approach in our society today? Do you see this approach in your life?

Reflections on Judges 17-18

On November 1, 2016 By BrianIn OT Reflections

Today’s passage focuses on the way Israel twisted their worship to fit their own ideas.

Idolatry – Micah’s mom ironically dedicates some money to the Lord to make a carved image which the Lord had clearly forbidden in the second commandment. Micah then sets it up in a shrine, making one of his sons a priest. Later Micah makes a Levite his priest, concluding that now the Lord will prosper him. Micah apparently thinks that he is worshipping God acceptably, but he is not worshipping as God has commanded. Are you worshipping God in the way God commands or have you made up your own way of approaching God?
Idolatry Spreads – What begins with Micah spreads to the entire tribe of Dan. Our personal actions have consequences beyond us. Our sin spreads to others. How have other people’s sin tempted you to stray? What sins in your life do you need to address before you lead someone else astray?

Judges 17-21: Right In Our Own Eyes

On October 31, 2016 By BrianIn OT Studies

(17) In one sentence, summarize the story of Micah and his mom.

Which of the Ten Commandments did they break and how?

How is their story a good example of “do-it-yourself” religion?

Give some examples of “do-it-yourself” religion in our world today.

(18) How does Micah’s idolatry spread to a whole tribe?

Again, which of the Ten Commandments did the Levite and the tribe of Dan break and how?

(19-21) Chapter 19 relates horrible events that first mirrors the story of Sodom, and then gets even worse – all of it now taking place in Israel! How does Israel respond in chapter 20?

What small glimmer of godliness is found in chapter 20?

What problem does Israel now have in chapter 21? Did they seek the Lord’s direction to address the problem? What did they do?

(17-21) What editorial comment does the writer make four times in this passage (17:17:6, 18:1, 19:1, 21:25)?

Why is that significant? How does it relate to Israel’s wickedness in these chapters?

What application is there for us today?

(17-21) What editorial comment does the writer use as a bookmark for these chapters (17:6, 21:25)? Why is this a good summary of these chapters?

In what ways do you see this in our country and world today?

When are we tempted to live this way? Why?

Reflections on Judges 13-16

On October 27, 2016 By BrianIn OT Reflections

Our passage today focuses on Samson. He was a man used mightily by God despite his many moral flaws. Note:

Disobedience – The list of Samson’s sins is long. God told Israel not to intermarry with the inhabitants of the land, but Samson did anyway. As a Nazirite, he was not to go near a dead body (Numbers 6), yet he scraped honey from the carcass of a lion and ate it. He slept with a prostitute. He acts out of anger and vengefulness. He often seems to have a complete disregard for the commands of God. What about you?
Wisdom – Samson often seems to lack in wisdom. He fails to see the potential problems of marrying a Philistine. He foolishly tells his wife the riddle. Later, he foolishly tells Delilah the secret of his strength. Are you making wise choices?
Faith – Despite his failings, Hebrews 11 includes him as an example of faith. Samson apparently trusted God to help him as he fought the Philistines. He looked to God to help him bring the house down upon the Philistines even though it meant his own death. Are you walking by faith?
God’s Sovereignty – Samson’s life points clearly to the truth that God can make use of even our shortcomings for his purposes. Though it was wrong for Samson to marry a Philistine, God used it as an opportunity for Samson to fight them (see 14:4). God used Samson flaws and all, and he can use us flaws and all. That is not an excuse for us to be complacent – who knows how much more God might have used Samson if he had been given over completely to God. But it should encourage us to know that God can bring good even out of our moral failures, and that God can use imperfect people like us.

Reflections on Judges 11-12

On October 25, 2016 By BrianIn OT Reflections

Our passage today focuses on Jephthah. Consider:

Lack of peace –Jephthah delivers Israel from the Ammonites, but then we see him leading some of God’s people to fight against another tribe of God’s people. As a result, 42,000 people die. How sad when God’s people fight among themselves. Are you fighting with another of God’s people? Is there strife, conflict, bitterness, anger between you and another? What will you do to seek peace?
Rash words – Before Jephthah goes to fight the battle, he utters rash foolish words that cost him the life of his only child. Our words may not usually have such dire consequences, but we too speak words without thinking that hurt others. When have you spoken such rash words? How might you be more careful to guard your tongue?

Judges 11-16: Learning From Samson

On October 24, 2016 By BrianIn OT Studies

(13) A whole chapter is given to Samson’s parents. What details are given, and what do those details tell us about their relationship with God? Be specific.

In what ways should we follow their example?

What does Manoah want to know about their child (v8)? How is this a good example for us? Where would we find the answers?

(14) Describe Samson’s attitude in v1-3. How does this compare to our culture’s attitude? Be specific.

What does v4 teach us about human choices and God’s sovereignty? How might this encourage you as you look around the world today?

(14-16) Many details of Samson’s life are given in these chapters. From those details, what character flaws do you see in Samson?

How do these character flaws lead Samson into trouble?

In what ways do you see these same character flaws in our culture today?

(14-16) From the details given about Samson, what good character traits do you find in him?

In what ways should we follow his example?

(13-16) What part does the Spirit play in Samson’s life (13:25, 14:6, 14:19, 15:14)?

Despite Samson’s many imperfections, God still used him. How does that encourage you?

At the same time, Samson’s end is tragic. What warning do you find here for your life?

Reflections on Judges 9-10

On October 20, 2016 By BrianIn OT Reflections

In our passage today, God raises up Tola and Jair as judges. One man raises up himself – Abimelech. Observe:

Self-exaltation – God raised up judges to help the people of Israel. Abimelech raised up himself to the harm of God’s people. Abimelech’s story is a sad affair of murder, betrayal, and fighting. Are you trying to exalt yourself above others – no matter who you have to step on to get to the top? Or will you follow God’s direction in I Peter 5:6 and humble yourself before the Lord, that he may exalt you?
True Repentance – After Tola and Jair, the cycle continues: the people rebel and God sends enemies as punishment. The people again cried out to God, confessing their sin, but they did not change their ways. So God did not help them. Are you confessing your sins, but not turning from them? We must repent from sin not just in word but in our actions. From what sin in your life do you need to truly repent?

Reflections on Judges 6-8

On October 18, 2016February 23, 2017 By BrianIn OT Reflections

Again, Israel is oppressed because of their sin. When they cry out to God, God raises up a man named Gideon. Note:

God’s presence – When God calls Gideon, Gideon responds that he is a nobody – how can he save Israel? God responds – “But I will be with you.” Gideon is indeed a nobody, but with God he can do all that God calls him to do. We too are nobodies on our own, but with God we can do all that he calls us to do. What is God calling you to do?
Fear – God tells Gideon to break down the altar to Baal. Gideon obeys, but he does it at night because he is afraid. Do you hide your relationship with Christ because you are afraid of what others will think? Are you willing to take a stand for Christ for all to see? God is with you. When God calls you to take a stand for him, be strong and courageous like Joshua – not fearful like Gideon.
Trusting God – Gideon calls an army together to fight the Midianites. An army of 32,000 shows up. God whittles it down to 300 men. Why? Lest Israel trust in themselves rather than God to bring about deliverance. And with 300 men the Midianite army is routed, and Israel is saved. Are you trusting in yourself to get you through your problems or are you trusting in God to help you? Either way, you may have work to do, but who are you trusting in to bring success?

Judges 6-10: Learning from Gideon

On October 17, 2016 By BrianIn OT Studies

(6) How does Gideon respond to God’s call for him to save Israel v15)? When have you felt this way?

What assurance does God give Gideon (v16)? Why does this assurance make all the difference?

(6) God tells Gideon to tear down the altar to Baal. When does he do it, and what does that tell you about Gideon?

Can you identify with Gideon? When are we tempted to hide our good deeds or our relationship with God?

(6) Gideon calls an army together, and then seeks another sign. What does this tell you about his faith?

Should we lay out fleeces before the Lord?

(7) How does God whittle Gideon’s army down to 300 men? Why?

When are we tempted to boast in ourselves instead of God?

(7) Gideon’s army surrounds the enemy, but again Gideon is afraid. What does God do to give him courage?

How can we find courage from God to overcome our fears?

(7-8) How does God defeat the Midianites? When have you seen God bring victory using your weaknesses?

(8) The people want to make Gideon a king. How does he respond? Why are we prone to look to men instead of God?

What does Gideon ask for and receive? Why is this a problem?

Later Gideon names one of his sons Abimelech which means “my father is king.” What does this suggest? Why are we so tempted to rule over others?

In summary, what major lessons can we learn from Gideon’s life?

Reflections on Judges 3-5

On October 6, 2016February 23, 2017 By BrianIn OT Reflections

Our passage tells of four judges today: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, and Deborah. For all but Shamgar who is only mentioned briefly, we see the cycle that was mentioned in chapter 2. The people sinned, God sent others to oppress them, the people cried out, God sent someone to deliver them, and they had rest. Note:

God’s judgment – God warned the people of what would happen if they rebelled against him. But again and again, they chose to rebel anyway. God judged them. God is a holy God who takes sin very seriously. Do you take sin in your life seriously?
God’s mercy – God heard Israel’s cries, and he raised up judges to deliver them from their oppressors. God is just – punishing sin, but he is also merciful – delivering those who call upon him. Have you called upon him for the mercy that is available to you through Jesus Christ?
God’s faithfulness – Whether in judgment or mercy, God is acting faithfully to the covenant he made with Israel. He promised judgment for sin, and mercy if they returned (see Deuteronomy 28), and God kept his promise. While Israel often acted faithlessly, God remained faithful. How has God been faithful in spite of your faithlessness?