SCRIPTURE: Judges 17 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some idols and installed one of his sons as his priest. In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. A young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, who had been living within the clan of…
ignoramus = one who does not know
SCRIPTURE: Judges 16 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Then she called, ‘Samson, the Philistines are upon you!’ He awoke from his sleep and thought, ‘I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.’ But he did not know that the LORD had left him. [Judges 16:20] As I read this chapter, I sense in example of how not to follow the…
the golden rule
SCRIPTURE: Judges 15 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Then three thousand men from Judah went down to the cave in the rock of Etam and said to Samson, “Don’t you realize that the Philistines are rulers over us? What have you done to us?” He answered, “I merely did to them what they did to me.” [Judges 15:11] This chapter again…
a Jesus ‘dojo’
“In Japanese the word dojo means ”place of the way” and is used to describe a school or practice space for martial arts or meditation. Theoretically, a dojo could be created for any skill or discipline. You could have a knitting dojo, a cooking dojo, a karate dojo — or a Jesus dojo. The important…
grace greater than guilt
SCRIPTURE: Judges 14 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” (His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.) [Judges 14:3-4] This passage exposes the sinful character…
modern day Nazirites
SCRIPTURE: Judges 13 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The angel of the LORD appeared to her and said, ‘You are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son. Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean, because you will conceive and give…
burning with love
SCRIPTURE: Judges 12 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The men of Ephraim called out their forces, crossed over to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, ‘Why did you go to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We’re going to burn down your house over your head.’ Jephthah answered, ‘I and my people were engaged in a great…
an example worth following
SCRIPTURE: Judges 11 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “My father,” she replied, “you have given your word to the LORD. Do to me just as you promised, now that the LORD has avenged you of your enemies, the Ammonites. [Judges 11:36] I do find the response of Jepthath’s daughter – as sad as it is – somewhat inspiring. Her willingness to…
wounded love
SCRIPTURE: Judges 10 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: And because the Israelites forsook the LORD and no longer served him, he became angry with them. He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites, who that year shattered and crushed them. [Judges 10:6-8] God is not a cruel, vengeful God. He does not enjoy making people suffer. He…
dangerous connections
SCRIPTURE: Judges 9 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, `Come and be our king.’ The thornbush said to the trees, `If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of…