Tag Archive | Bible

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 96

Apr5

    Day 96 —  We have been reading the Bible daily for a quarter of the year and have begun a new month. Praise God! What have you learned about God? About yourself?

   Day 96 – Judges 19 – 21 (A very bad incident, civil war, and kidnap)

Wow, can it get any worse? Today’s reading, the last in Judges, shows how morally low people can get without the knowledge of God.

Chapter 19 tells a story about a Levite that parallels the story of Sodom in Genesis 19. A Levite’s concubine runs away to her father and he goes after her. After several days, the father allows him to take her away. On the way home, they stop in a town of the tribe of Benjamin. An old man advises him to spend the night INDOORS!  The reason is that the town is full of craving homosexual men! Like at Lot’s door in Sodom, these men demand that the old man send the Levite out so they can “have their way with him.” The Levite sends out his concubine instead and they ravish her all night so that she dies at his doorstep. (Can you believe it??)

He loads her body on his donkey and goes home, where he cuts it in pieces and sends one to each of Israel’s tribes. (Gag!)  In Chapter 20, the tribes muster soldiers to go after Benjamin to destroy them all. After two costly defeats, they use an ambush technique we saw Joshua do against Ai, and nearly wipe out all the Benjaminites – only 600 left. 

Remorse then hits the other eleven tribes, and in Chapter 21, they devise a plan to give these 600 min, wives to carry on the line. They notice that one city in Israel did not send soldiers to fight. So they go and kill all the men and married women, and steal 400 virgins for the men of Benjamin.  But, alas, there are still 200 wifeless men! What to do??

They hear of a festival in Shiloh. They wait in ambush (a different kind) for the young women to come into the vineyards dancing… and grab 200 of them.  With these new wives, the 600 of Benjamin return, rebuild their towns, and live in them.

The last verse in Judges says it all. “In those days there was no king in Israel (and) everyone did what was right in their own eyes.”  

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 95

Apr4
    Day 95 —  We have been reading the Bible daily for a quarter of the year and have begun a new month. Praise God! What have you learned about God? About yourself?

   Day 95 – Judges 16 – 18 (Samson, Delilah, His sacrifice, Levite, & Dan)

These chapters show the spiraling down of Israel’s morality caused by their lack of knowledge of God and His ways.

In Chapter 16, Samson lusts after two Philistine prostitutes, used for the most part to try to capture Samson, who has been plaguing their nation. It’s not until Delilah beguiles him four times that he gives up the source of his strength.  (Did this mean he did not actually “look” strong?) When Samson finally tells the truth that his strength is in his never-cut hair as part of the Nazirite status, God gives him over to the Philistines, who gouge out his eyes, mock him with women’s work, torment and imprison him.

But in prison, Samson’s hair began to grow. On a festive occasion, the Philistines were honoring and sacrificing to their god, Dagon, claiming that “it” gave Samson into their hands. They brought Samson out as entertainment. Perhaps they mocked him, tormented him, or just looked at his pitiable form and felt very brave.  Samson, who had been humbled, was about to be “lifted up” by God. It would mean his life.

He asked a young boy to lead him to the center columns of the temple, where Philistines were involved in pagan worship below and in the gallery above.  Then Samson “looked” up to God instead of himself and asked just once more to have strength.  For vengeance, yes, but also to do what God had called him to – defeat the Philistines. God answered. Samson pushed on the massive columns, and the entire temple fell, killing thousands of Philistine worshipers… and Samson.

In his lustful, self-centered ways, Samson squandered God’s calling and gifts. In a night, he lost his hair, his strength, his eyes, and the presence of the Spirit of God.

I wonder how I am using God’s giftedness to me. Is it for my own pleasure, to glorify myself, cause others to look at and praise me, instead of God? Am I taking my calling (intelligence, ability to teach and write) for granted?  How can I jump to the “end” of Samson’s example and be willing to give my life in God’s service if HE, and not me, will be magnified?

Chapters 17 and 18 tell a sad story of Israel’s further decline into sin. 17:6b  says, “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”  First, there is Micah, from the tribe of Ephraim, who stole silver from his mother. When he confessed, she forgave him and took some of the returned silver to make a carved metal image to worship (as the LORD). Micah added an ephod and other household gods and “ordained” his son to be a priest. When a discontented, traveling Levite from Judah passed by, Micah bribed, then “ordained” him as a “real” priest in his house.

Then, five able men from the tribe of Dan came by Micah’s house. (They were not content in the land God had assigned to their tribe and were “spying out” a better place. This faux priest told them their mission would be successful, and off they went.) Sure enough, way up north near Sidon (Lebanon), they found a very nice city and its surroundings.  After reporting it to their tribe, an army was sent, and they conquered it, naming the new place, Dan. (This was not an area originally designated by God for them to conquer.)

Grateful to Micah’s “priest,” for the favorable words, they returned, bribed him, threatened Micah, and took the “priest” as their own to Dan. Later, they ordained a line of priests from their own tribe, who served until the day of captivity.

Hint: things get worse!

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 94

Apr3

    Day 94 —  We have been reading the Bible daily for a quarter of the year and have begun a new month. Praise God! What have you learned about God? About yourself?

   Day 94 – Judges 13 – 15 (Samson, good & bad)

Chapter 13 begins with the people of Israel doing EVIL in the sight of the LORD. So, the LORD gives them over into the hand of the Philistines for 40 years.

The Philistines occupied five cities near the Mediterranean coast: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron. It’s possible that they were oppressing Israel from the West at the same time as yesterday’s reading about the Moabites and Ammonites on the East of the Jordan River – a pincer or squeeze situation.  

God raised up a Danite judge, Samson, who is probably the most familiar (and possibly the worst). His story begins with a barren woman whom the Angel of the LORD promises a son. And he is to be a Nazarite from the womb. (Numbers 6:2-8 details the Nazarite prohibitions about eating grapes, cutting hair, and touching dead bodies – all of which Samson fails.)  Samson’s parents seek to train him up in a godly way, and at first, we see the LORD blessing him and stirring him to service.

In Chapter 14, Samson oddly seeks a Philistine woman as his wife. His parents object, but verse 4 reveals that this was of the LORD, as an opportunity against the Philistines. (His ways are mysterious, for sure!)  On the way with his parents to make the marriage deal, a roaring lion came at Samson. Empowered by God’s spirit, he tore the lion to pieces with his bare hands. Several days later, as he returned for his wedding feast, he saw the lion’s carcass in which a swarm of bees had set up house.  He swiped a handful of their honey to enjoy on his journey.  Later, he thinks up a riddle to ask as a way to get “loot” from his Philistine family. 

"Out of the eater came something to eat.
Out of the strong came something sweet."

None of the guests could guess the riddle, and since they didn’t want to lose 30 costly garments, they threatened his bride to find the answer. Afraid, she obeyed, and Samson was tricked.  He knows what they did, and IN ANGER, with the Spirit of the LORD on him, he struck down 30 men of Ashkelon and took their spoil.  Thinking Samson would not return, the bride’s father gave her to the “best man.”  After all, a feast had been prepared. Can’t let it go to waste!

Chapter 15 tells how Samson returned after a cooling-off period to claim his wife and consummate his marriage, only to find his wife had been given to another. Furious, he catches 300 foxes, ties their tails together, and lights a torch between them. The foxes run wildly through the fields of ripe grain, burning it all with the olive orchards.  In retaliation, the Philistines burned his wife and her father. For that he killed all of them. 

Later, the Philistines came to Judah searching for Samson to kill him. The men of Judah gave him up!!!  As the Philistines requested, they bound Samson with new ropes and turned him over to the enemy. 

However, when they roared with glee, the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon Samson, and he burst the robes as if they were straw on fire. They melted off his hands.  With those hands, he took the jawbone of a freshly dead donkey, and with it, he killed a thousand Philistines. 

After all that killing, he was thirsty and called out to the LORD.  Graciously, the LORD split open a rock and poured out water so Samson could drink and be refreshed. 

A flawed hero, full of arrogance, but still used by God. Gives US hope, doesn’t it?

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 93

Apr2

    Day 93 —  We have been reading the Bible daily for a quarter of the year and have begun a new month. Praise God! What have you learned about God? About yourself?

   Day 93 – Judges 10 – 12 (8 more “bad” judges, Jephthah’s vow)

I know it’s been only a few weeks since we witnessed Moses leading Israel on the East side of the Jordan, and conquering the kings/nations that opposed them there, but did you realize it’s been 300 years??? (11:26)

Chapter 10 tells of two more Judges that arose to “save” Israel from their enemies (which they were supposed to have driven out)!  Tola, a grandson of Dodo, from the tribe of Issachar, and Jair from the Trans-Jordan tribes.

After these two died, “Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the gods of Syria, Sidon, Moab, Ammon, and Philistia.” They left God and God’s anger flamed against them. He allowed these people to oppress and crush Israel for 18 years. The severely distressed people of Israel cried out to the LORD, admitting their sin. This time, God told them to go to the gods they worshiped and ask THEM for help.  But Israel persisted in their confession and repentance, pleading to be delivered.  And God pitied their misery.

Chapter 11. This is when Jephthah, a mighty warrior, rose to lead Israel to war against their enemies. (God did not appoint him but allowed it.) Jephthah led a successful military campaign. Israel re-took the land they’d lost to the intruders. HOWEVER, before going to war, Jephthah made a very terrible vow. He vowed that if the LORD would cause him to be victorious, the first thing that came out of his house on his return would become a sacrifice. He, of course, expected it to be an animal. (In his house? Yes, some were kept in a barn-like area beneath the living quarters.)

When he returned victoriously, his only child, a daughter, came out of his house to celebrate his wonderful victory, and Jephthah was horrified.

LET’S STOP HERE.

First, the LORD in no way allowed human sacrifice. Deuteronomy 18:10.

Second, Leviticus 5:4-6 allows a person to escape a “rash” vow, that would cause him to sin. He can confess his sin and bring a lamb or goat to the priest for a sin offering. The priest will make atonement for him…..and he is released from the vow.

Obviously, Israel was so far from knowing The Law given to them through Moses, that Jephthah felt he HAD to go through with his vow.  He gave his daughter a two-month reprieve to grieve her loss of the opportunity to marry. When she returned, he “did with her according to his vow that he had made.”

Chapter 12 continues with Jephthah’s brief “rule” as judge, foolishly warring against the Israelites of another tribe. After six years he died.

Next, Ibzan judged Israel for seven years and died.

Elon judged Israel for ten years and died.

Abdon judged Israel for eight years and died.

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The first verse in the next chapter says, “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, so the LORD gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.”  Little did they know that they were about to get their WORST Judge of all.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 91 & 92

Apr1

    Day 91 & 92—  We have been reading the Bible daily for a quarter of the year. Praise God! What have you learned about God?  About yourself?  (Note: SUNDAY’s readings are combined with MONDAY’s)

   Day 91 – Joshua 6 – 7  (Midian & Gideon)

In Chapter 6, the “cycle of sin” repeats.  After 40 years of “rest” under Deborah, “The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD gave them into the hand of Midian seven years.”  And Israel was brought very low because of Midian.

When the people cried out to the LORD, He heard and sent a prophet to admonish them. 

Then “the angel of the LORD” visited the fearful, doubtful Gideon and called him a “mighty man of valor.”  This story shows the immense patience that God will show towards one of His chosen servants, as first Gideon, whines and complains, then doubts the presence and words of the LORD.

First, Gideon had to pull down his father’s idols and sacrifice to the LORD. Then God was patient with the man through the two nights of fleece laying out, testing God which Israel was never to do., On top of that, in Chapter 7, God won the victory as Gideon obeyed. The Midian army took flight and even started killing each other! Gideon called back the men he’d sent home to chase the enemy across the river and kill the two princes of Midian. Hooray! But wait. So high did Gideon go, and so low would he, Gideon had to reduce the size of his army from 32,000 to 300 men, and he had to go against the huge Midianite army with NO SWORDS, only pots and torches. AND… the powerful Name of the LORD.

Of course, God won the victory, as Gideon obeyed. The Midian army took flight and even started killing each other! Gideon called back the men he’d sent home to chase the enemy across the river and kill the two princes of Midian. Hooray! But wait. So high did Gideon go, and so low will he sink in tomorrow’s reading.

Happy Resurrection Day! Jesus has RISEN!

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    Day 92 – Joshua 8 – 9  (Gideon & Abimelech)

Chapter 8 tells more about Gideon, and it’s not good. He tries to mop up after the Midianite victory, but his fellow Israelites won’t even help him by giving his exhausted men bread to eat. He swears to get even after he catches the enemy kings, and he does.

But power and glory go to Gideon’s head, and when Israel wants him to “rule over us,” he first denies their request, saying, “The LORD will rule over you.” The Next thing we know, however, is that he’s collecting golden earrings from them and making an ephod. (NOTE: This was supposed to be ONLY for the High Priest of Israel.) Soon, the Israelites were worshiping it. (Sheesh!!) But God was gracious and allowed forty years of peace in the days of Gideon.

After Gideon dies, the people turn wholeheartedly again to worshiping false gods.

In Chapter 9, Abimelech, one of Gideon’s 70 sons proclaimed himself their ruler and proceeded to kill all of Gideon’s many sons (except Jotham, the youngest one, who escaped). He killed them all on a single stone, so perhaps this was an “offering” to a false god. Jotham called out against Abimelech, predicting his downfall by fire.

And it happened just as the boy predicted; after Abimelech warred against many cities, killing thousands, he came to Thebez. The people there fled to the tower, but he set it afire. A woman threw out a millstone, which crushed Abimelech’s skull. He ordered his armor-bearer to kill him so it wouldn’t be known that a woman had done the deed. But, alas, the Bible said A WOMAN did it. And so the curse of Jotham came to pass.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 90

Mar30

    Day 90 —  Now that we’ve passed Day 66, we have established a “habit.” So, CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the third month so far! Praise God!  We are studying the eighth book in our Bible reading!

   Day 90 – Judges 3 – 5 (Nations to test Israel, Four judges)

In Chapter 3, God uses pagan nations to “test” Israel. He wants the generations who had NOT fought to know war and be able to fight. He left five towns of Philistia and six areas of Canaanites. But the people did what was evil, intermarried with them, and began to serve their gods.

So, God “sold” them into the hands of the king of Mesopotamia. After eight years, Israel cried out in the oppression, and God sent the first “judge” to deliver them. Othniel of Judah, Caleb’s younger brother, led the people to war and prevailed against this king. God gave them 40 years of rest.

After Othniel died, the people again did evil in God’s sight, so he sent Eglon, the king of Moab, to defeat Israel. After eighteen years, Israel again cried out to God, and He sent the left-handed Benjaminite, Ehud, to deliver them. Verses16-26 tells a fun but gory account of how he did that! Then Moab was subdued for 80 years, and Israel rested.

Shamgar prevailed against the Philistines and saved Israel for a while.

In Chapter 4, Ehud dies, and again, Israel is ruled, this time by Jabin, a Canaanite king. At this time, Deborah, a prophetess, judged Israel.  She called Barak to come rescue Israel, but the cowardly (?) man refused to go unless she came along.  She does, but the war is determined won, when another woman, Jael, kills the enemy’s commanding officer, Sisera. With this win, Israel found the courage to fight with Canaanite King Jabin until he died.

The entirety of Chapter 5 is Deborah and Barak’s song of victory.  It accounts for the war and the victory, and praises God. It even honors Jael, the woman who “saved the day.”   And Israel rested for 40 years.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 89

Mar29

    Day 89 —  Now that we’ve passed Day 66, we have established a “habit.” So, CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the third month so far! Praise God!  TODAY, we begin the eighth book in our Bible reading!

   Day 89 – Judges 1 – 2 (Mopping up, but failing. idol worship and judgment, pleas and rescue)

Chapter 1 begins where Joshua left off, although it is written by a different author. The large tribe of Judah wants to obey God and drive out all the Canaanites in their land. They enlist the tribe of Simeon—living in the middle of Judah territory—and go to war. God gives them victory, even in Jerusalem (but they soon lose that city again). Then, the Judahites help Simeon fight the Canaanites still in their section of land.

All the other tribes fight the pagans in their areas, but every time (except for Issachar), they put the enemy to “forced labor” but are unable to drive them out ultimately.

Because of this, in Chapter 2, God tells them He will not continue to drive out their enemies. Instead, the people they allowed to remain will become “thorns in your sides,” and they will go further beyond toleration to actually serve them.” These useless gods will become “snares” to them.

There is a brief review of the end of Joshua’s life. and the sad proclamation that a new generation rose up “who did not know the LORD or the work He had done for Israel.”  This shows that fathers in the families disobeyed God at the very core of their lives, for they were instructed to teach their children the law of their God, speaking about it when they rose up, went out, ate, and slept. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

But Israel went farther, beyond toleration, to actually serving those idols. They abandoned the LORD their God and went after other gods. And the LORD was angry and let them be plundered by surrounding enemies to the point that they could no longer stand.

Then, out of mercy, God raised up “military leaders” (judges) who temporarily saved them out of the hands of the plunderers.  Safe again, Israel went right back to their old sinful ways. God let their enemies afflict them until they cried out to him again.

The book of Judges records SEVEN such cycles of sin.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 88

Mar28

    Day 88 —  Now that we’ve passed Day 66, we have established a “habit.” So, CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the third month so far! Praise God!  TODAY, we finish the 7th book in our Bible reading!

   Day 88 – Joshua 22 – 24 (Eastern tribes, an alter, Joshua’s charge & challenge, Joshua’s death)

In Chapter 22, with the land settled and divided, it’s time for the armies of the Eastern two-and-a-half tribes to return to their lands and settle down.  Joshua charges them with the basis of the Covenant, to “love the LORD their God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to cling to Him, and to serve Him with all their heart and soul.”

These tribes received Joshua’s challenge and blessing and headed East, stopping at the border to erect a massive altar.  WHAT??  Rightly, the other ten tribes, plus the High Priest, come and confront them. They fear that God will judge them ALL if these eastern tribes are already worshiping at a place other than where God signifies.  But the eastern tribe allay their fears, saying the alter is NOT a place to worship, but only a memorial to reinforce that the eastern tribes are a part of the whole of Israel.  All outcry is calmed with this explanation.

In Chapter 23, Joshua—well advanced in years at 110—tells how faithful God has been to ALL his promises, even though Israel repeatedly fails Him. He says, “You know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you.”

  • Therefore, be very strong to keep and do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses.
  • Don’t turn aside from it to the right or left.
  • Don’t mix with the nations remaining among you or even mention the names of their gods.
  • Don’t swear to their gods, serve them, or bow down to them.
  • Cling to the LORD your God just as you have done to this day.
  • Be careful to love the LORD your God.

In Chapter 24, Joshua reviews Israel’s history from Abraham’s first call to this day in detail, and concludes with these thoughts.

  • Now therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and faithfulness
  • Choose this day whom you will serve.
  • As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

And the people answered, “we also will serve the LORD, for He is our God. Joshua contradicts them, saying they are NOT able to serve the Lord, but they double-vow that they will.

Then Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being 110 yeas old.  They buried him in his own inheritance.  And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua and of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the LORD had done. Finally Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the High Priest dies too, and his son, the righteous Phinehas becomes High Priest.

Then the chapter and the book close with a rightful conclusion to Genesis 50.  The bones that Joseph made his brothers promise they would carry out of Egypt and bury in the promised land are finally buried at Shechem, in the piece of land that Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor. (Near the very place Joseph’s brothers kidnapped him and sold him to slavery in Egypt.)

God is faithful always and honors those who serve him.

END of Joshua. And a new, spiraling down period of Israel’s history – JUDGES.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 87

Mar27

    Day 87 —  Now that we’ve passed Day 66, we have established a “habit.” So, CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the third month so far! Praise God!

   Day 87 – Joshua 19 – 21 (Land allotments, Refuge cities, Levite cities)

Chapter 19 continues assigning land allotments to the tribes of Israel. Small-sized Simeon is placed within Judah’s allotment. Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan are settled, with Dan’s area changing from the seaside to the northern mountains when they lost to them.

Joshua finished distributing the portions of land and then chose his own place. He asked for a city in Ephraim, rebuilt it, and settled there—almost dead-center in the Promised Land.

Next, actual cities were designated by name for “Refuge Cities.” Three cities on the west side and three on the east side of the Jordan River, equally spaced out in the land. (Chapter 20)

In Chapter 21, forty-eight named cities with their surrounding pasturelands throughout the land were designated for the Levite tribe.  And so the LORD gave Israel all the land he swore to give to their fathers. Then He gave them rest on every side.”

“Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.”

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 86

Mar26

    Day 86 —  Now that we’ve passed Day 66, we have established a “habit.” So, CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the third month so far! Praise God!

   Day 86 – Joshua 16 – 18 (Ephraim & Manasseh, Complaints, Benjamin)

In Chapters 16 & 17, Joshua and the men continue to divide up the land of Canaan for each tribe, small or super large. Joseph’s tribe is split into Ephraim and Manasseh. Half of the Manasseh tribe had already inherited land on the EAST side of the Jordan, but on the WEST, the other half was lumped together with Ephraim. They did not like that.  Joshua let these tribes figure it out between themselves. And so the WEST half-tribe seems to have gotten a very large area, running from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

Sadly, all the Canaanite people were NOT driven out for both Ephraim and the two halves of Manasseh. (These Canaanites were very strong and had iron chariots.)  They remained a source of pagan influence, even though the tribes forced them to do forced labor.

In Chapter 18, Joshua and Israel set up the Tabernacle at Shiloh before the remaining land was allotted.  Joshua was annoyed with the remaining tribes. “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the Land, which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?”  He told them to take three men from each tribe and spy out the remaining land. Joshua would then allot those places to the remaining seven tribes.

So the men went “up and down in the land” and wrote descriptions.  Then they returned, and Joshua used the “lot” to determine who should go where. Benjamin was between Judah (in the South) and Ephraim/Manasseh in the North, bordering on the North side of Jerusalem. (Judah had the South side.)

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(We will see tomorrow that Simeon—a very small tribe—was also allotted their portion within Judah, whose allotment was too large for them, at that time.)

Much later in Israel’s history, we will see these tribes facing off against each other in a kind of Civil War when Solomon’s son tore the kingdom in two. (The 9 in the North were called Ephraim or Israel, and the 3 in the South were called Judah.)