Judges

Judges 19-21

Daniel C Snaddon — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:16:40 -0500

Despite the teaching of sociologists this world is not becoming better and better, but rather growing worse and worse.

There is a shocking breakdown of morality, a complete collapse of morals: pornography, homosexuality, rape, child abuse, murder, adultery, and lawlessness.

Then in the professing church there is a “form of godliness whih denies the power and presence of God.”

In recent years there has also been an invasion of demons into our Western culture which has resulted in disastrous and tragic incidents.

The Lord reminds us, brethren, that “we are in the world, but not of it.” John reminds us that “we should not love the world, neither the things of the world. He that loveth the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” He also said, “he who doeth the will of God abideth forever.”

The last chapters of Judges have been described as the cesspool of the Bible.

The sex crimes committed by the sons of Benjamin caused the pagans around them to blush in shame and disbelief.

The spirituality of the nation was at a low ebb. Even the leaders were delinquent.

Malachi, a Levite who was set apart to care for the holy things of God. He took a second wife, a concubine, who no doubt conformed to the practice of the world around, but was totally displeasing to God. This action was “sin” in God’s eyes and it triggered off a series of sins which affected the whole nation. The Levite sinned, the concubine lost her life. The village of Gibeah, the tribe of Benjamin, the people of Tabish Gilead, and the Shiloh, yea, all Israel suffered because of the sin of one man.

Old Testament (Joshua-2 Kings)

Alfred P Gibbs — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:36:41 -0500

Lesson 58: Joshua—Call And Commission
Joshua 1:1-18
Golden Text: Joshua, 1:9

We are now introduced to the new leader of Israel whose history we shall follow for the next eight lessons. I. His Preparation. He had a long period of preparation. This is true of all God’s servants. He must be faithful in the little things of life before he can be entrusted with the greater responsibilities. 1 Timothy 3:6, 10.

1. A courageous soldier; Exodus 17:13. Cp. 2 Timothy 2:3; 1 Timothy 6:11, 12.

2. A devoted servant; Exodus 24:3. He who would lead must first serve. Cp. 2 Kings 3:11; 1 Timothy 3:10; John 13:12-17; Proverbs 15:33; Mark 10:45.

3. A true worshipper; Exodus 33:11. Cp. John 4: 23, 24.

4. A faithful witness; Numbers 14:6-9. He stood out against the popular opinion and witnessed for God. Cp 2 Timothy 1:8-12; 4:1-5; Romans 1:14-16; Proverbs 14:25.

5. Taught in the Word; Exodus 17:14. Cp. 2 Timothy 2:15; Titus 1-9

6. Spirit filled; Numbers 27:18. Cp. Ephesians 1:13; 5:18; Gal 5:22-23.

7. Divinely appointed; Numbers 27:18-23. Cp. John 15:16, etc. Note his name—Joshua means “Jehovah, Saviour;” translated “Jesus.” Hebrews 4:8, and a wonderful type of Christ.

II. His Commission; Joshua 1:1-18.

1. The charge from God; Vs. 1-2.

2. The promise; Vs. 3-4. Note that personal appropriation was essential. They must possess their possessions. So with the Christian—he has “all things;” 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; and “all blessings,” Ephesians 1:3; but only enjoys that which he appropriates himself. See Genesis 14: 17, 18 “Arise and walk through the land.”

From the Editor’s Notebook: Historical Books, Judges

W Ross Rainey — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:36:18 -0500

From the Editor’s Notebook

W. Ross Rainey

Highlights on the Historical Books of the Bible

Judges: The Book of Rebellion And Restoration

Key Word: Declension.

Message: God’s favor and faithfulness midst failure and faithlessness.

Key Verse: 21:25 — “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

Introduction

The book of Judges has been referred to as “a philosophy of history” (see Prov. 14:34), one of its chief lessons being “the folly of forsaking God.” Sin, sorrow, suffering and salvation are key words which sum up the years covered by the book, 300 to 450 years embracing the various estimates of the time period covered. Judges takes its name from the history of the 15 (some say 13, others 14 — the difference being whether or not Shamgar and Eli are counted) judges raised up to rescue and rule Israel, the book serving to record not only the various judges (“saviours,” RV), but the details of seven apostasies, seven servitudes, seven cries to God, and seven deliverances. The book is like a “Dark Ages” of the Old Testament, yet there are many bright spots in it, and it is well to remember that of the time period covered only 100 years were spent in unfaithfulness to God — and that’s 100 too many, of course!

Judges 3:5-11