Charles E. Stolfus Chronological Study of the Bible Lay Institute Spring 2018 The Judges and the Monarchy 9. The Time of the Judges The Nation Fails the Conquest of Canaan Introduction • The Beginnings • The Age of the Patriarchs • The Exodus out of Egypt • The Wilderness Wanderings • Camped at Mt Sinai • Journey to the Promised Land • Camped on the Plains of Moab • The Conquest of Canaan The Period of the Judges • This period is described in the Book of Judges and Ruth • The period runs from c. 1380 BC--Joshua died at the age of 110 in 1383 BC (cf. Josh. 24:29) --to c.1050 with the annointing of the first King Saul o Samuel (c. 1105- 1030 BC) was the last of the Judges and was the one directed by God to annoint Saul • This period is characterized by the type of political and spiritual rulers leading the Nation—the Judges o The Hebrew for Judges means “deliverers” or “saviors” o 13 Judges are identified as ruling during the period covered by Judges (Eli and Samuel make for a total number of 15 Judges) o This covers approx. 350 years between the conquest of the Land under Joshua and the anointing of the first King Saul in c. 1043 BC • This period is characterized by moral and spiritual decline and apostasy. As such, it stands in sharp contrast to the period of Conquest under Joshua: Josh. 21:43 So the LORD gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed it and lived in it. 44 And the LORD gave them rest on every side, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers, and no one of all their enemies stood before them; the LORD gave all their enemies into their hand. 45 Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass. Judges Of Israel Length Of Rule Verses 1. Othniel 40 years (Judg 3:9-11) 2. Ehud 80 years (Judg 3:15-30) 3. Shamgar Unknown (Judg 3:31)(Judg 5:6) 4. Deborah/Barak 40 years (Judg 4:4-5:31) 5. Gideon 40 years (Judg 6:11-8:32) 6. * Abimelech 3 years (Judg 9:1-57)(2 Sam 11:21) 7. Tola 23 years (Judg 10:1-2) 8. Jair 22 years (Judg 10:3-5) 9. Jephthah 6 years (Judg 11:1-12:7) 10. Ibzan 7 years (Judg 12:8-10) 11. Elon 10 years (Judg 12:11-12) 12. Abdon 8 years (Judg 12:13-15) 13. Samson 20 years (Judg 13:1-16:31) 14. Eli 40 years (1 Sam 1:1-4:18) 15. Samuel 12 years (app) (1 Sam 2:18-4:1)(1 Sam 7:2-8:1) Until Saul made king *It is questionable whether Abimelech should count as a Judge 5 Reasons Are Cited For The Defection From God 1. Israel failing to completely drive out the Canaanites (Judges 1:19, 21, 35) 1:19 Now the LORD was with Judah, and they took possession of the hill country; but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley because they had iron chariots. 2. idolatry (Judges 2:12) 2:12 and they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; thus they provoked the LORD to anger. 3. intermarriage with the Canaanites Judges 3:5, 6) 3:5 And the sons of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; 6 and they took their daughters for themselves as wives, and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods. 4. failing to follow the leadership of the Judges (Judges 2:16-17) 2:16 Then the LORD raised up judges who delivered them from the hands of those who plundered them. 17 And yet they did not listen to their judges, for they played the harlot after other gods and bowed themselves down to them. They turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do as their fathers. 5. turning away from the Lord after the death of the Judges (Judges 2:19) 2:19 But it came about when the judge died, that they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not abandon their practices or their stubborn ways. While there were 15 total Judges during this period, 7 cycles of God’s dealings with the Nation are highlighted in this book (sin to salvation progression; Judges 2:11-19): the moral defection of the people (Judges 2:11-13) 2:11 Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Baals, 12 and they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; thus they provoked the LORD to anger. 13 So they forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtaroth. 2. the Lord is angered and raised up a foreign nation to oppress and punish the Israelites (Judges 2:14-15) “14 And the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He gave them into the hands of plunderers who plundered them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies around them, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. 15 Wherever they went, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had spoken and as the LORD had sworn to them, so that they were severely distressed.” 3. the Nation cried out to God for mercy (Judges 2:18b) “. . . for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them.” 4. The Lord listened to the cries of the people and raised up a deliverer for the people (Judges 2:18a) “2:18 And when the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; . . .” 5. When the Judge died the people lapse into disobedience again (Judges 2:19) “2:19 But it came about when the judge died, that they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not abandon their practices or their stubborn ways.” I. Incomplete Obedience: The Failure to Finish the Conquest of Canaan (Judges 1:1-3:6) A. The setting: • Joshua had taken the nation into the land and had led them to a spectacular victory • After a Central Campaign, a Southern Campaign, and a Northern Campaign Joshua had divided up the Land and had charged the 12 Tribes to finish the Job of occupying the Land and in finishing the job of driving out the occupants • During Joshua’s lifetime and the lifetimes of the Elders who helped him lead the Nation the nation had walked in obedience. (Judges 2:7) Joshua 2:7 And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of the LORD which He had done for Israel. B. The Consequences of Israel’s continued disobedience: 1. During the final days of Joshua’s life the Nation had begun to compromise. At one point God visited the Nation in the form of the Angel of the Lord and rebuked them for their failure to fully obey God in occupying the Land and in failing to remain wholly devoted to the Lord. The Nation then made a half-hearted attempt to obey the Lord. (Judges 2:1-6) 2:1 Now the angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim. And he said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land which I have sworn to your fathers; and I said, I will never break My covenant with you, 2 and as for you, you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars. But you have not obeyed Me; what is this you have done? 3 “Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; but they shall become as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.’” 4 And it came about when the angel of the LORD spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, that the people lifted up their voices and wept. 5 So they named that place Bochim; and there they sacrificed to the LORD. 2:6 When Joshua had dismissed the people, the sons of Israel went each to his inheritance to possess the land. • Joshua finally died, along with the Elders. 7 And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of the Lord which He had done for Israel. 8 Then Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of one hundred and ten. And they buried him in the territory of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. • The new generation was now “leading” the Nation. (Judges 2:10) 2:10 And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel. B. The Disobedience of the Nation Described • Israel had been charged and warned under Moses to completely and utterly drive out the Canaanites and the occupants of the Land: Ex. 23:24 “You shall not worship their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their deeds; but you shall utterly overthrow them, and break their sacred pillars in pieces. Deut. 4:25 “When you become the father of children and children’s children and have remained long in the land, and act corruptly, and make an idol in the form of anything, and do that which is evil in the sight of the LORD your God so as to provoke Him to anger, 26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you shall surely perish quickly from the land where you are going over the Jordan to possess it. You shall not live long on it, but shall be utterly destroyed. 27 “And the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you shall be left few in number among the nations, where the LORD shall drive you. 28 “And there you will serve gods, the work of man’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. 29 “But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. 30 “When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days, you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. 31 “For the LORD your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them. Deut. 7:2 and when the LORD your God shall deliver them before you, and you shall defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. Deut. 12:2 “You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. Deut. 20:17 “But you shall utterly destroy them, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, as the LORD your God has commanded you, HOWEVER: Following the death of Jushua and the Elders the nation of Israel failed to completely obey the Lord: • Judah and Simeon: (1:19) “19 Now the LORD was with Judah, and they took possession of the hill country; but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley because they had iron chariots.” • Manassah (1:27-28) “27 But Manasseh did not take possession of Beth-shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, or the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, or the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; so the Canaanites persisted in living in that land. 28 And it came about when Israel became strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but they did not drive them out completely. • Ephraim (1:29) 29 Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites who were living in Gezer; so the Canaanites lived in Gezer among them. • Zebulun (1:30) Judg. 1:30 Zebulun did not drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, or the inhabitants of Nahalol; so the Canaanites lived among them and became subject to forced labor. • Asher (1:31-32) Judg. 1:31 Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Acco, or the inhabitants of Sidon, or of Ahlab, or of Achzib, or of Helbah, or of Aphik, or of Rehob. 32 So the Asherites lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land; for they did not drive them out. • Naphtali (1:33) Judg. 1:33 Naphtali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, or the inhabitants of Beth-anath, but lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land; and the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath became forced labor for them. • Dan (1:34-36) Judg. 1:34 Then the Amorites forced the sons of Dan into the hill country, for they did not allow them to come down to the valley; 35 yet the Amorites persisted in living in Mount Heres, in Aijalon and in Shaalbim; but when the power of the house of Joseph grew strong, they became forced labor. 36 And the border of the Amorites ran from the ascent of Akrabbim, from Sela and upward. C. The author then describes the principles of operation during the Period of the Judges including God’s responses 1. The principles described: a. Israel sins and forsakes the Lord Judg. 2:11 Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served the Baals, 12 and they forsook the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; thus they provoked the Lord to anger. 13 So they forsook the Lord and served Baal and the Ashtaroth. b. In God’s anger He delivers them into the hands of their enemies 14 And the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and He gave them into the hands of plunderers who plundered them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies around them, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. 15 Wherever they went, the hand of the Lord was against them for evil, as the Lord had spoken and as the Lord had sworn to them, so that they were severely distressed. c. God hears their cries and raises up deliverers (the “Judges”) 16 Then the Lord raised up judges who delivered them from the hands of those who plundered 2. them. 17 And yet they did not listen to their judges, for they played the harlot after other gods and bowed themselves down to them. They turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the commandments of the Lord; they did not do as their fathers. 18 And when the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those w to oppressed and afflicted them. d. When the Judge died the people of Israel turned away from the Lord and became worse than before 19 But it came about when the judge died, that they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not abandon their practices or their stubborn ways. Because of Israel’s persistant sin, God sovereignly refused to enable the Israelites to finish the job of driving out the Canaanites (Judges 2:20-23) 2:20 So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He said, “Because this nation has transgressed My covenant which I commanded their fathers, and has not listened to My voice, 21 I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, 22 in order to test Israel by them, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk in it as their fathers did, or not.” 23 So the LORD allowed those nations to remain, not driving them out quickly; and He did not give them into the hand of Joshua. 3. God then used the persistant presence of the enemies of Israel to test Israel (Judges 3:1-6) Judg. 3:1 Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to test Israel by them (that is, all who had not experienced any of the wars of Canaan; 2 only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, those who had not experienced it formerly). 3 These nations are: the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonians and the Hivites who lived in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath. 4 And they were for testing Israel, to find out if they would obey the commandments of the LORD, which He had commanded their fathers through Moses. 5 And the sons of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; 6 and they took their daughters for themselves as wives, and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods. II. A Selected History of the Time of the Judges (Judges 3:7-16:31) Four Cycles Where the Judge was Good (Judges 3:7-8:32) A. Othniel vs the Mesopotamians (Judges 3:7-11) Othniel:8 yrs oppression/40 yrs rest B. Ehud and Shamgar vs the Moabites (Judges 3:12-31) Ehud: 18 yrs oppression/80 yrs rest Shamgar: not given/not given C. Deborah vs the Canaanites (Judges 4:1-5:31) Deborah: 20 yrs oppression/40 yrs rest D. Gideon vs the Mideonites (Judges 6:1-8:32) Gideon: 7yrs oppression/40 yrs rest 1 The People Finally Remember YHWH--The Cycle of Sin, Servitude, Supplication is Repeated: 6:1-6 2 YHWH’S People Are Prepared Spiritually: 6:7-32 The people are Reminded of Broken Covenant: YHWH sends the people a prophet to remind them that they are suffering because they have broken the covenant 6:7-10 The Servant Is Prepared to Follow: 6:11-24 (1) YHWH commissions a cynical Gideon to deliver Israel from Midian 6:11-16 (2) YHWH confirms to a doubting Gideon that it is He who is speaking in peace 6:17-24 The People Are Prepared to Follow: 6:25-32 (1) When YHWH ordered Gideon to tear down the idols of his father and build an alter and sacrifice to Him, He did so timidly 6:25-27 (2) Nicknaming Gideon ‘fighter of Baal’ His father protects him and encourages the people to let the true God fight here 6:28-32 The Enemy is Defeated: 6:33--8:21 YHWH confirms for Gideon and the People His Defeat of the Midianites through Them: 6:33--7:15a (1) The people from the east enter the land and Gideon sends for all in Israel to gather and fight 6:33-35 (2) Once again out of personal doubt Gideon seeks confirmation from God of His will 6:36-40 (3) With so many men available YHWH cuts the number from 32,000 to 300 so that they will see YHWH as the cause of victory 7:1-8 (4) YHWH gives fearful Gideon confirmation that he will be victorious in the battle with the Medianites 7:9-15a The Battle is Won: The battle is described as one which God supernaturally won and allowed Israel to clean up on with the dead leaders 7:15b-25 Gideon Calms the Ephraimites: Gideon calms the anger of the Ephraimites by proclaiming their deeds in capturing the kings as greater than his deeds 8:1-3 The Enemy is Complete Eliminated and its protectors Disciplined by Gideon 8:4-21 (1) Running into discouragement at Succoth and Penuel who refuse to be a part of God’s working, Gideon promises that they will loose their lives later 8:4-9 (2) Zebah and Zalmunna are captured by Gideon 8:10-12 (3) Succoth and Penuel are provided for in a talionic way for their evil against YHWH 8:13-17 (4) Gideon seeks personal revenge by killing Zebah and Zalmunna 8:18-21 The End of Gideon’s Reign: 6:22-32 a) Although Gideon refused to stand in YHWH’s place as king, he did error in erecting an ephod which Israel later worshiped 8:22-27 b) Midian was defeated and the land was in peace for forty years while Gideon lived like a king, died at an old age and was buried in his fathers Joash’s tomb 8:28-32 Three Cycles Where the Judge was Evil (Judges 8:33-16:31) Tola and Jair vs the influence and legacy of Abimelech (Judges 8:33-10:5) Abimelech: ruled over Israel 3 years Tola: Judged Israel 23 years Jair: Judged Israel 22 years Abimelech: Even through God mercifully offered an opportunity for those sinning to repent, He also allowed their continued evil to come upon them 8:33--10:5 1 Cycle Repeated--People Sink in Sin: When Gideon was dead after the forty years of peace, Israel forgot God’s deliverance and sinned again returning to Baal 8:33-35 2) A Sinful Man, Abimelech, Rises to Lead a Sinful People: 9:1-6 a) Formulating his father’s flirtations, Abimelech has his mother’s family and Shechem appoint him as king 9:1-4 b) Killing all of his brothers, save Jotham, Abimelech is pronounced king in Shechem 9:5-6 3) An Opportunity for These Sinful People to Choose: Jotham stands on the mount of blessing (Mt. Gerizim [Dt. 27] and in a parable questions integrity and prophecies judgment 9:7-21 4) The People Choose Evil: Abimelech reigned three years 9:22 5) God Allowed Evil to Reign Upon An Evil and Rebellious People: 9:23-57 a) God’s Allowance of Evil to Work: God allowed an evil spirit to come between Abimelech and his people so as to bring back upon them their evil 9:23-25 b) The People of Shechem Rebel: The Shechemites join themselves behind a man named Gaal who encourages rebellion from Abimelech to Hamor 9:26-29 c) Abimelech Defeats the Military of Shechem: Under the sneaky protection of Zubul, his lieutenant, Abimelech ambushed Shechem and Gaal 9:30-41 d) Abimelech Defeats the Common People of Shechem: Abimelech completely defeated, slew and raised the city the next day 9:42-45 e) Abimelech Defeated the Leaders of Shechem: Abimelech burned alive all of the leaders and their families in Shechem 9:46-49 f) Abimelech (the Strong) was Killed (by the Weak)--Talionic: Abimelech died in an attempt to capture Thebez by a strong woman and the sword of his armor bearer g) The People Are Left Floundering: With the death of Abimelech all of the men of Israel left the battle 9:55 h) God’s Principle in Dealing with These Evil Ones: God used men to bring about evil upon the evil--Abimelech and Shechem 9:56-57 6 A Period of Peace for the Nation: 9:1-2 a) Tola’s Reign for 20 years as Judge: After the evil of Abimelech, Tola arose to deliver Israel for 23 years 10:1-2 b) Jair’s Reign for 22 Years as Judge: Jair and his 30 sons reigned with influence for 22 years 10:3-5 F. Jepthah, Ibzan, and Abdon vs. the Philistines and the Ammonites (10:6-12:15) Jephthah: 18 yrs oppression/ judged Israel 6 years Ibzan: Judged Israel 7 years Elon: Judgeed Israel 10 years Abdon: Judged Israel 8 years Jephthah: As sin continued to infect the nation and its leaders (Judges), YHWH allowed more evil to reign in the midst of deliverance 10:6--12:15 1 A Spiritual Battle Reoccurred, Was Clarified and Decided Upon: 10:6-- 11:28 a) Israel Returned to Sin and Idolatry: Israel once again turned from serving YHWH to the gods of the people surrounding them 10:6 b) God Gave the Nation into Servitude: 10:7-8 (1) God once again allowed Israel to be sold into bondage--this time to the Philistines and the Ammorites 10:7 (2) Israel became greatly afflicted for 18 years--especially by the Ammorites 10:8 c) Israel Repented of Their Sin (Negotiated with YHWH) and YHWH Had Mercy [Based upon His Covenant]: 10:9-16b (1) Israel Repented and confessed their idolatrous sin to YHWH 10:9 (2) YHWH reminded the nation of his historical deliverance of them in their past and his refusal to help them in their rebelliousness 10:11-14 (3) Israel confessed sin and took steps toward upright living toward YHWH 10:15-16a (4) YHWH responded to his people’s great need as a loving father with hurt child 10:16b d) Lining Up for Battle, Israel Humbly Asked Jephthah to Lead Them: 10:17--11:11 (1) Israel and Ammon came together for battle, but Israel did not have a leader 10:17-18 (2) Israel had to humble itself to ask Jephthah to lead them even through they had done evil to him 11:1-11 e) Reminder the War Is YHWH’s: In letters sent to the king of Ammon, Jephthah presented their possession of the land as that which YHWH gave from the Amorites 11:12-28 2 The Physical Battle Was Fought and Won over Ammon by Israel and Jephthah through YHWH 11:29-33 a) By the empowering of the Holy Spirit Jephthah lead Israel against Ammon 11:29 b) Jephthah vowed to YHWH to give whatever met him at him first if he won the battle 11:30-31 c) The Lord enabled Jephthah to win against the Ammonites 11:32- 3 Internal Sin Continues to Plague the Nation: A Painful aftermath of the War with Ammon affects Jephthah and Israel due to poor leadership by Jephthah 11:34--12:6 a) Jephthah mournfully fulfills his vow to YHWH with his daughter 11:34-40 b) Jephthah is confronted by Ephriam for not including them in the battle 12:1 c) Jephthah and the men of Ehriam fought only to slay 42,000 from Ephriam 12:2-6 4 Jephthah’s Death: Jephthah died after judging for six years 12:7 5 Transition--A Period of Three Continual Judges: 12:8-15 a) Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel 7 years yet had his children marry out of the faith 12:8-10 b) Elon, of northern Zebulun, judged Israel for 10 years and died 12:11-12 c) Abdon the Pirathonite judged Israel 8 years with experience of wealth and royalty 12:13-15 G. Samson vs the Philistines (13:1- 16:31) Samson: 40 years oppression/ Judged Israel 20 years Samson: In spite of a sinful people and leadership, YHWH kept his word to deliver his people 13:1--16:31 1 Sin and Servitude--Israel Returns to Evil and Bondage: Israel once again pursuing evil is placed in bondage to the Philistines for 40 years 13:1 2 A Promise from YHWH in Samson: YHWH promises and gives a deliverer to Israel through Manoah and his wife named Samson 13:2-14 a) YHWH appeared to Manoah’s wife to announce the birth of a son through them who would be separated to God to defeat the Philistines 13:2-5 b) Manoah’s wife reports the message of YHWH to her husband 13:6-7 c) YHWH confirmed his word to Manoah and his wife through the acceptance of a burnt offering 13:8-23 d) A son is born to Manoah and his wife whom they call “Sun” and grows up with God’s enrichment 13:24 3 Through corruption and suffering many of the consequences of sin, Samson is used by YHWH to deliver Israel from the oppressive rule of the Philistines 13:25--16:31 a) The Spirit of God Works in Samson: The spirit of God began to work in Samson 13:25 b) Many Philistines die by Samson’s hand but not uprightly--rather through acts of anger and jealousy with personal hurt 14:1--15:8 (1) Leaving his people, Samson fell in love with a Philistine and asked his parents to arrange a marriage (God’s permissive will) 14:1-4 (2)When Samson and his parents go to arrange the wedding, Samson secretly breaks part of his Nazarite vow 14:5-9 (3) Samson, boasting through a riddle of his conquest of the lion, is betrayed by his fiancee, looses the bet and his wife 14:10-20 (4) In jealous violence Samson destroyed the corps of the Philistines only to loose the life of his and wife whereupon he slaughters more Philistines 15:1-8 Betrayal and Deliverance: Those of Israel tried to deliver their judge in fear over to the Philistines, but God strengthened Samson to be victorious and to judge for 20 years 15:9-20 Humiliation of Philistines: Though in Philistine Territory for relations with a harlot, Samson humiliated their defense by carrying away their gates 16:1-3 Suffering and Death: Though Samson suffered for breaking his vow, many Philistines died with Samson for YHWH 16:4-30 (1) Loving a Philistine more than his vow to YHWH, Samson allowed her to interfere with his vow to YHWH and suffered servitude 16:4-21 (2) At a banquet where the Philistines acknowledged their god, Dagon, for their victory Samson was enabled by YHWH to overcome them 16:22-30 Burial of Samson: Samson was buried with his fathers as a victorious and tragic judge 16:31 Outlines of the 7 Major Judges from Bible.org III. Spiritual Depravity of the Nation: A Selected History (Judges 17:1-1:25) A. The Idolatry of Micah and the Danites (Judges 17:1-18:31) B. The Crime of Gibeah and War against Benjamin (Judges 19:1-21:25) IV. The Book of Ruth A. The Setting Ruth 1:1 Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. • Elimelech and Naomi encounter famine in the land of Israel • They journey to Moab in order to survive. • Elimelech dies • Namoi’s 2 sons take wives and then they die • Naomi hears that “God has visited His people by giving them bread” (1:6) and she and one of her daughters (Ruth) return to Israel • God appoints Boaz as a “kinsman-redeemer” to save Ruth • Boaz receives Ruth in his field, a romance blossoms, and finally Boaz redeems Ruth • God rewards Ruth and Boaz with a child • This child furthers the line of the Messiah B. Major Themes • God’s Plan of Redemption extends beyond the Jews to the Gentiles (Ruth is a Moabite) • Ruth demonstrates that women are co-heirs with men in God’s salvation grace • Ruth is an example of the excellent woman of Proverbs 31 (cf. 3:11, “. . . all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman”) • Ruth describes God’s sovereign and providential care of seemingly unimportant and insignificant people o “God had visited His people” –stopping the famine(1:6) o Ruth “happened to go to the field of Boaz” (2:3) o “the Lord enabled Ruth to conceive” –as Ruth and Boaz married(4:13) • Ruth along with Tamar (Gen. 38), Rahab (Josh. 2), and Bathsheba (II Sam. 11-12) stand in the Messianic line • Boaz is a type of Christ becoming Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer Bible facts you should know about this amazing Bible book!

TWIRL AROUND AND BOW-ABIGAIL RANI HONG-AUTHOR My sweet three-year-old daughter gladly accepted her role as flower girl in a wedding recently. On the day of the wedding she put on her little ivory dress and twirled with glee. She could not stop twirling and spreading her gown like the feathers of a peacock. After scattering flowers from her basket down the aisle, she became quite aware of all the “oohs and ahhs” she was receiving. She was beginning to believe how exceptionally   beautiful she looked. My daughter’s “internal cuteness” quotient began to sky-rocket. At first, she would curtsey and thank everyone for the compliments. After a while though, she simply nodded her head in agreement as if to say “I know, yeah, I know that already.”  As her mom, I began to feel palpably embarrassed. Humility whirled right out of that ivory dress. So often, as women, we twirl in the applause of others and bow down like a puffed up peacock. We place our significance in the swing of our hips or in our latest fashion statements. Certainly God made women stunning. That’s why Adam exclaimed, “Woah, man!” before he named us “wo-man,” right? God delights in His creation of men and women, but surely our Father also becomes disappointed when our own “internal cuteness” barometer sky-rockets. We may or may not be endowed with external beauty from the world’s perspective, but we all harbor the potential to become prideful in something—kids, career, cars, cooking, decorating, etc. We can find infinite reasons to become puffed up in our own hearts, but we can also determine to re-position our hearts toward humility. Scripture reminds us of a woman named Abigail who remained humble, while simultaneously being known for her “beauty and intelligence” (1 Samuel 25:3). It is rare for a woman to harbor both beauty and humility, but what a rare sight to behold the combination of both. This is one of the reasons why Abigail is worth a view. Her story unfolds between the biblical timeline of David anointed as king and actually being crowned as king of all Israel. During this time period, David and his men were protecting an extravagant estate of a man named Nabal, Abigail’s husband. Because Nabal was so wealthy, Abigail surely had luxuries, land, and jewels galore—every natural reason to be vain, except for the fact that her husband, Nabal, proved to be a renowned fool. The Bible recounts that he was a “mean and surly man”  (1 Sam 25:3). Even his name literally means “fool.”Well, this “fool” picked a fight with the anointed king of Israel, David. David requested that Nabal offer provisions in exchange for protecting his estate, but Nabal ungratefully mocked David and refused him. So David steamed up a plan to show Nabal just who he was messing with by killing his entire household. One of Nabal’s servants who discovered David’s plan pleaded with Abigail, “Now therefore, know and consider what you should do, for evil is plotted against our master and against all his household; and he is such a worthless man that no one can speak to him”  (1 Samuel 25:17). Knowing her husband was hardly a man of reason, Abigail considered what she could do in order to rescue her family. She remembered who David was to become, so Abigail hurried to meet him in the night, dismounted from her donkey, and fell on her face before David. Abigail bowed herself to the ground, fell at his feet and said, “On me alone, my lord, be the blame. And please let your maidservant speak to you, and listen to the words of your maidservant”  (1 Sam 25:23). Abigail did not paint up her peacock eyes and twirl about with stunning stilettos. She did not use her difficult marriage as an excuse to not  help her husband. She did not flee responsibility. She did not even hope David would end her husband while she had the opportunity to flee. She did not quit. She did not allow emotions to take over. She considered. She discerned, and she made a move. Abigail’s move was to bow down. She humbly stooped before the God’s anointed king, trusting him to rescue. Abigail opted to apologize on behalf of her family. She gracefully reminded David of his rightful position as future ruler of Israel and encouraged him not to tarnish his own reputation for a fool. She said, “And when the LORD does for my lord according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you, and appoints you ruler over Israel, this will not cause grief or a troubled heart to my lord, both by having shed blood without cause and by my lord having avenged himself”  (1 Samuel 25:30). David decided to relent not because Abigail was gorgeous, but because he agreed with her discerning insight into his kingdom position. He praised her for saving him from vengeful murder. So, I’d say Abigail deserves to take a bow for that intervention! She discerned how to rescue her household and a future king from sin. That is wielding femininity to the glory of God. Bravo, Abigail! Encore, ladies… Let’s take a cue from Abigail. Women today have the same potential to provoke men, children, even leaders toward godly choices in decisive moments of need. Because humility disarms anger, we would be wise to bow low before God and listen for how He might use us to redeem an otherwise hopeless situation. Humility not only disarms anger, it positions God to gift us with wisdom so people really listen to your suggestions. So go ahead and twirl about in your God-given beauty, but bow low in humility so that God can infuse you with discernment for the hard times in your life. He still gives women insight so we can participate in the redemption of marriages, ministries, families, jobs, and femininity. •  Where do you turn if you cannot depend upon your husband? … Turn to the King of Kings, Jesus. He still saves! •  Do you know of anyone holding hostility? Do you want to prevent them from sin? •  Take time now to ask God for a humble heart to help disarm resentment or revenge. Listen for any instruction or ideas from Him as to how you might practically progress this person or situation toward peace.   Check out the full story of Abigail inside Wielding Femininity to the Glory of God  or download now from iTunes, Nook, or Kindle. By Rani Yangad  with Shabby Chic Ministries

“You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind” (Ephesians 2:1-3).   Have you ever heard someone use the phrase, “The ways of the world?” The Apostle Paul used that phrase (translated above as “Course of this world.” The phrase indicates that the way the world works is not the way God works. It means that our cultures fall short of God’s ideal. It means that the way in which we carry ourselves in contrary to the ways of God. Notice the order that Paul uses when he expounds on this. Paul notes that we are dead in our “Trespasses and sins.” Then later he defines that as the, “Passions of our flesh” and calls us, “Children of wrath.”   But, what is most important is that right in the middle of these descriptions Paul gives us the source of this evil. He says that living like this follows the “Prince and power of the air.” What is he talking about? He’s talking about Satan.   Now, most people don’t knowingly worship Satan as if they think about him and says things like, “Praise Satan” for this or that. Worshipping Satan is different. Satan’s activity is designed to get you to disobey God in some way and thus, by not obeying God, you are, in effect, obeying Satan. The apostle John supports this idea when he says, “The whole world lies in the power of the Evil One” (I John 5:19). Thus, the world is under wrath, as Paul says in verse three, “…like the rest of mankind.”   Thank God that though we live in the world, Jesus says we are, “Not of the world.” Our behaviors and who we obey are different from mankind. The way not to obey Satan is to cherish God’s word and submit yourself to Jesus.   Memory Verse   “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4-5).   Application   How is your behavior, in general? Do you feel that your life is lived in obedience to Jesus Christ? How can you ensure that you are obeying the the Lord each day? Take a spiritual inventory of your daily life and determine to bring great obedience to bear in your life.

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:2-4).   This morning I watched a video of a Hindu woman being burned alive because she attended a Christian prayer meeting. Then my social media feed showed me an image of a Chinese church being bulldozed to the ground by the government.   Did you know that there are more Christians suffering persecution right now than at any other time in human history? From our comfortable homes in the West, we sometimes see these images but can’t really identify with what our brothers and sisters are going through elsewhere in the world.   The Apostle Paul was no stranger to persecution. The Lord said of Paul, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:16). Yet, Paul pressed on to share Christ, counting everything he lost as, “Garbage” (Philippians 3:8) for the sake of knowing Christ.   Though Paul was suffering in prison when he wrote the book of Colossians, he asked his readers to pray for three things: Pray for evangelism (“Open to us a door for the word”), Pray for the persecuted (“On account for which I am in prison”), and Pray for his speech (That I may make it clear”). Paul wanted people to pray about his persecution, but twice he asked them to pray for evangelism, that he would have opportunity to share Christ, even in his suffering.   What do you pray for?   Let’s follow Paul’s model in praying for evangelism and praying for our brothers and sisters that they would bear up under the pressure and have opportunity to exhibit Christ to others, even in their difficulties. And perhaps too, you may pray to join them in suffering for Christ; “Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries” (Philippians 1:27-28).   Memory Verse   “Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries” (Philippians 1:27-28).   Application   Make a commitment to pray for the persecuted church. Dedicate yourself to seek opportunities to share Christ, no matter what the difficulty or threat may be.

“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments” (Colossians 2:1-4).   There are two things in Colossians that Paul refers to as a “mystery.” One is the indwelling of Christ in us through the Holy Spirit. The other, mentioned in today’s passage, is Christ himself, the incarnation of the Son of God as a human being. And what comes to us as a result of this mystery? Paul refers to the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.   We sometimes think of the Bible having all the wisdom and knowledge we need. In one sense that is true. But the Bible, as inspired and important as it is, is not the object of our worship. Jesus rebuked the Jewish leaders for mistaking devotion to scripture as devotion to God. “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39). It is Jesus himself that holds all, “The treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Paul emphasizes this for an important reason: “That no one may delude you with plausible arguments.”   Most people do not know Jesus. Most people are not familiar with the historical evidence from scripture about Jesus’ identity. They often have their own ideas about Jesus, but those ideas fall short of describing the reality of Jesus. They think Jesus was a good man, or a good teacher, or a uniquely spiritual man. But Jesus is much more than these. He is God in human flesh.   Have you ever had a conversation with a Mormon or a Jehovah’s Witness about Jesus? Their ideas about Jesus are wrong because they are not based on scripture. Have you heard a Buddhist or Atheist talk about Jesus? They also have wrong views about him and thus they cannot come to him. They have all kinds of arguments that lead them in the wrong direction. And, sometimes, they can be persuasive. Paul notes that such arguments can be “plausible.” They can sound right but not actually be based in reality. But knowing Christ and having his indwelling presence can help us overcome so called plausible arguments, that we might share the truth of Christ with others.   Memory Verse   “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17).   Application   Jesus reveals himself in scripture. How can you be prepared to correct others about Jesus in a humble way?

“Make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:25-27).   When you think of eternal life, what comes to your mind? For most Christians, we think of Heaven, or the New Heavens and New Earth. We think of the place where God will have us living, and the loved ones we will spend time with. We even think of seeing Jesus face-to-face. But would it surprise you to know that this is not the emphasis of the New Testament? Notice how Paul defined the, “Hope of Glory.” He calls it a “Mystery.” What is that mystery? It is, “Christ in you.”   Remember what Jesus said to his disciples when he was preparing to die? “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7). Jesus was speaking about the Holy Spirit. As a man, Jesus could occupy only one place at a time and interact with only a limited number of people. But the Holy Spirit could occupy all of them and direct and commune with all of them. And this is true for every Christian throughout history, today, and into the future. This is what Paul refers to when he talks about Christ in you . Christ is in you through the Holy Spirit who indwells the Christian.   If you have the Holy Spirit, you have Christ. If you have Christ, you have the Father. This is the great mystery of the faith. You will never be alone. For all of eternity the Spirit of Jesus (Philippians 1:19) will indwell you and fellowship with you.   Memory Verse   “ will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you” (John 16:14).   Application   Since you have the knowledge of the Spirit living in you, how should you conduct your affairs? Though you cannot see Jesus right now, you have his Spirit in you. How does this bring you comfort and purpose?

“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:19-20).   There are four important words in this passage that we should not fail to pay attention to.   Fullness of God Reconcile Peace Blood   In some ways, a few people might find this revelation offensive. Why is blood needed to bring people together? It’s a modern view of reconciliation that we negotiate, forgive, and forget without something being exchanged. We ignore the offense when we decide to forgive, but require nothing more. But this is not a biblical concept. Reconciliation and peace don’t just happen. They require a sacrifice to make atonement for the wrong committed. It requires blood. And Jesus paid that price for us in the shedding of his blood for our sin.   And, did you catch who we are reconciled to? Our passage says that it was to, “Reconcile to himself.” In other words, Jesus was paying the price of his own blood to he could reconcile you to himself. He took the initiative, not us. He sought reconciliation, not us. He sought peace, not us. He didn’t ignore our sin and forgive it without payment. He took our sin upon himself to reconcile us to him. And that payment was his blood.   Think of it. The person in whom the whole fullness of God lived, reconciled and made peace through the violent, painful, shedding of his very own blood.   Memory Verse   “In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation” (II Corinthians 5:19).   Application   Have you been offended by someone? How can you reconcile yourself to that person through Jesus’ shed blood? Have you offended someone? How can you reconcile yourself to that person through repentance and the acknowledgment of Jesus’ shed blood?

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be borne will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:35-37).   This account from the book of Luke tells us part of the story of Jesus’ birth. How the angel Gabriel came to Mary to announcer the coming of Jesus. While we tend to focus on the incarnation of Jesus, there is one statement that we sometimes miss, or misquote. Gabriel said to Mary, "Nothing will be impossible with God" (Luke 1:37).   Gabriel didn't say all things are possible with God. This is a falsehood. There are certain things that God cannot do. He cannot violate his own nature. He cannot lie. He cannot be surprised. He cannot be tempted. He cannot grow or be added to. By saying that God cannot do certain things, we don’t mean that he chooses not to do them, rather, we mean that he does not have the ability to do them. God does not possess the ability to lie. Yet, there is a twist to this truth, based upon Gabriel’s words to Mary.   Gabriel's turn of phrase tells us something very important. He said this about the incarnation of Jesus, when God became a man in Christ. Suddenly, certain things God could not do, he became able to do. He could be hungry. He needed shelter. He could perspire and even smell bad. He could be surprised.   Gabriel's statement didn't mean that God could do anything. It meant that God was enabling himself to do more than what an omnipotent God was limited to do. Omnipotence? Limited? Yes, you read that right. By limiting himself to the rules of his creation, Jesus was to gain a realm of experience that was not possible while he remained omnipotent.   Now, here’s the kicker: Because these things became possible for him, he is someone we can identify with. We know he understands our troubles by his experience of them. He was no longer a God, "Up there." He became a God who was right here, for me. And for you.   Memory Verse   “He had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-18).   Application   Consider the limitations of God’s character and how he has shared the experience with us of being human. Pray and ask the Lord to reveal more of himself to you so that you might share in his holiness even more.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:1-4).   I had a conversation with a young Christian woman who expressed something I thought I’d never hear. She was afraid of heaven.   “Why would you be afraid of heaven?” I asked her.   “Because it goes on without any end. It’s horrifying to think that I’ll be doing the same things over and over without any end or anything new.”   This young woman expressed a fear that some people have about eternity. In our normal lives as they are now, we experience things linearly. We have one experience, it ends, then we move on to another experience, and it ends, and the cycle continues. There is closure. We are used to things ending. But it heaven, life will continue with no end for hundreds of trillions times trillions times trillions of never ending years. It’s hard for most people to contemplate just how everlasting heaven really is. Some are even afraid of being bored, doing the same things, with no end in sight.   Should you fear heaven?   I think hell is more terrifying. Imagine suffering in pain for hundreds of trillions time trillions times trillions of never ending years. There is nothing to do, there is only eternal punishment for rejecting the eternal God.   But heaven is different. And we have no need to be afraid of it. The new heaven will have no tears, no pain, and no fear. Why? Because we will be in the forever presence of the one living and loving God and scripture says, “Perfect love casts out fear” (I John 4:18).   Does heaven frighten you? There is no need to be afraid. Eternal joy and satisfaction in Christ will be the new normal and we shall never tire of it.   Memory Verse   “To him be the dominion forever and ever” (I Peter 5:11).   Application   If you are in the unusual position of being afraid of heaven, then take your fear to God in prayer, who wants to clear you of your fear. Express to him your trust in his goodness and his intentions for your forever life. Read Revelation 21:1-4 again—dwell on it—and pray through it, thanking God for what he will do. Your fear will begin to melt away.

“When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!” (Judges 7:18).   What makes the judge, Gideon, so famous in scripture? It’s that he defeated a vast army of tens of thousands with only 300 men. However, if you follow Gideon’s situation carefully you will see a man struck with doubt and fear whom the Lord transformed into a leader.   In Judges 6:15 Gideon said, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” Essentially, Gideon was saying, “Who am I?” Then the Lord revealed himself to Gideon in a miracle of fire consuming a sacrifice. Gideon’s response was to bow in fear of the Lord.   Later, Gideon famously tested the Lord with a fleece, asking for it to be dry, then wet. He received further confirmation that the Lord had called him to deliver Israel from its enemies. His response was to begin obeying the Lord’s command. However, Gideon still had some doubt. So the Lord sent him to the edge of the enemy camp where he heard an enemy soldier recount a dream revealing that Gideon would strike down his enemies (Judges 7:9-15). Gideon’s response was first to worship, then he and his 300 men arose to defeat the Midianites. Then end result was that Gideon went from protesting and saying, “Who am I?” to leading with the battle cry, “For the Lord and for Gideon!”   Notice the responses the Gideon had to the Lord. First he feared, then he obeyed, then he worshipped. Only through obedience and worship did Gideon see his victory.   What battles do you face right now? How are you responding to the Lord in your situation? Do you obey and worship or is your response something else?   Memory Verse   “This is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it” (II John 1:6).   Application   Write down the battles you are facing right now, especially those that seem hopeless to you. Then pray and commit these to the Lord asking for his direction that you might obey where he leads. Then worship him and see what he will do.

“Go to the exiles, to your people, and speak to them and say to them, Thus says the Lord God,’ whether they hear or refuse to hear” (Ezekiel 3:11).   Did you know that the success or failure of your witness for Christ is not for you alone to bear? In fact, you will never find a passage of scripture that guarantees if you share your faith with someone they will receive Christ as Lord. There is no such promise. But, we are still commanded to share our faith. God calls us to share the Gospel whether people willingly hear or refuse to hear.   Dr. Bill Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, used to say, “God wants you to share the Gospel and leave the results to him.” This removes a great burden from us! Suddenly, it is not our burden to bring someone to Christ. It is only our burden to share our faith, and only in the power of the Holy Spirit. Sharing in the power of the Spirit doesn’t guarantee people will come to Christ, but it does guarantee that they are responsible for what they have heard. As for you, leave the results up to God.   As for sharing your faith, do you know what to share with someone to ensure they have actually heard the Gospel? This is a critical point. Most Christians try to share at some time or another, but don’t really know what to say or how to approach a person. But by getting a little training and using effective tools like the Four Spiritual Laws or the JESUS Film, you can effectively share the news about Jesus and you have a greater chance of seeing results. You can learn to share your faith with tools you can find at https://bit.ly/2x2NWVy .   Memory Verse   “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (I Peter 3:15).   Application   Make a list of people that you want to share your faith with. Your list can include neighbors, family, friends, people you work with. Begin praying that the Lord will open a door of opportunity to share with them, then watch for times when you can tactfully introduce Christ into the conversation. Then, using an effective tool, see what God will do.

“If the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us?”   Here are some words that you may have heard before. “Where is the Lord?” It’s the question we ask when God doesn't fulfill our wishes. We wonder why God doesn't prosper us. We question his existence when we experience suffering to any degree. We doubt his love when tragedy falls upon us.   Gideon had these words for a God, but left out the history of his people. They had abandoned God to walk their own way, giving themselves to sin and idol worship. His own history was the answer to his question. God seems far away, or not there at all, when we are suffering from the due punishment of our sins.   What is interesting in this passage is how the Lord answered Gideon. He didn't say to him that it was israel’s fault. He simply declared how he was going to use him to save Israel. When God decides to save, he doesn't recount all the details of our sin, he simply moves to save. He is gracious to us.   What trouble are you in today? What is of your own making? Of what are you oppressed? Our greatest oppression is that of our own sin. And God’s act of salvation was to bear our sins on the cross, through Jesus. Jesus is the answer to our question, “Where is God when ___________ (you fill in the blank).   Memory Verse   “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (II Peter 3:9).   Application   Remember that the Lord punishes sin, but does so, so that we might come to repentance. Review your troubles. What is of your own making that requires repentance? Bring that to the Lord in confession.