I have decided that I like routine. The same mundane routine. Sometimes I like surprises and sometimes I get bored, but all in all, I am a creature of habit. I look forward to routine. It is comforting to me to know what is coming next. I can kind of understand the Israelites' cycle. Their routine was doing what was evil in the sight of the Lord. It was their habit. You know how hard it is to start a new routine or break out of an old one. We seem to gravitate toward the familiar. If we have no motivation, nothing changes. I am trying to create a new routine. A routine of exercising on a more regular basis, take my vitamins more consistently, check things off my check list sooner, drink more water, eat more summer fruit, etc. But it is hard to stick with it everyday. My motivation is my health and a better outlook. You would think if Israel was being taken captive and living in bondage as much as they were, they would be motivated. But they needed a physical leader, a role model they could see, they were in the routine of worshiping images! So God would send a judge and they would do good for a while. The whole picture was to show us our need for a savior. We can only do good so long on our own without some supernatural help to give us the power and strength to persevere. He lives through us. So the story continues on in Judges. It has been extremely interesting so far. Let's see what this week holds!!
Sunday, August 3 - Judges 17
Monday, August 4 - Judges 18
Tuesday, August 5 - Judges 19
Wednesday, August 6 - Judges 20
Thursday, August 7 - Judges 21
Friday, August 8 - Galatians 1
Saturday, August 9 - Galatians 2
Sunday, August 10 - Galatians 3
Judges 17
ReplyDeleteIsrael was to be the example of godly living - a model - an example - but instead became morally depraved just like everyone else around them.
v. 3 she saw nothing wrong with "consecrate it to the Lord to build an idol" in the same sentence
The Levite had no problem with taking the money and position of priest beside the idol in a home.
It was what they became used to. What have we become "used to" that we should change? And why are we given Micah's name, but not the Levite? I found that strange...
DeleteJudges 18
ReplyDeleteThe tribe of Dan still not settled. The Amorites had forced them out of their allotted land. So rather than fight and let God help them and claim what He had already given them, they looked for new land without resistance.
They took land from peaceful people, took advantage of them and killed them and took Micah's idols with them and the priest who was fake.
We do that too. We look for a way that is easier rather than the hard way that leads to victory that God has already promised us.
And they believed the false priest and set up the idols. It is so sad how people will easily follow anyone that calls themselves a man of god without question.
DeleteJUDGES 19
ReplyDeleteThey were 80 miles from Shiloh, the religious center for Israel. Three hundred years had passed and they had not destroyed idolatry.
Every chapter starts with "in those days, Israel had no king" and then goes into their depravity. A Levite took a concubine.....
The Hospitality code was rape and abuse of a daughter and companion were preferable to a possible conflict between a guest and a neighbor. Disgusting!
This chapter was weird. I wonder again why the levite didn't have a name. And why go thru the whole thing of the father in law not letting them go? I was confused. And I guess he sent her parts as a symbol as to what happened to her? If he was so saddened, why didn't he try to stop it? So weird!!
DeleteAnd wasn't this close to Lot's story?
DeleteYes! It did remind me of Lot's story!
DeleteJUDGES 20
ReplyDeleteI guess sometimes you have to shock people to get their attention. It was definitely shocking!! v. 18 They finally inquired of the Lord; v. 23 wept before the Lord; v. 26 fasted and offered offerings. It was the only time in the book of Judges that the ark was ever mentioned. v. 28 The Lord would give the victory.
They were fighting against each other, like there weren't enough enemies in the land, they turned inward. I think satan knows that if he can families, friends, churches especially to turn their fighting inward, he gets a double victory. Commentary said Benjamin remained the smallest tribe. It did recover, Saul and Paul both came from Benjamin.
I love your application Aimee!!!
So, I guess the Levite who did nothing while the concubine was killed started the whole war against other Israelites? And God allowed the whole thing to happen. God let's bad things happen so we can learn from our mistakes, but the sad thing is that is real never learned.
DeleteJudges 21
ReplyDeleteThe last line of the chapter says that everyone did what was right in their own eyes. That sums up the whole chapter! I mean they didn't want to give their daughters to the tribes of Benjamin, but they needed wives. So they told them to snatch them while they were dancing. So the fathers could say they didn't give them away and be cursed. How is that for milking the system? Ha!!
Galatians 1
ReplyDeleteSwitching gears and reading a letter from Paul. Vs 9 says that if anyone preaches something other than the gospel, he will be cursed. That is a strong warning, because there are many false teachers out there. Paul talked about his authenticity and how he learned through a revolation they Jesus. And that others knew it because of what he preached.
Galatians is a nice change of pace!!! v. 3-4 " have been rescued from the present evil age." I live with it all around me but I am rescued from it's influence and affect on my life. I have a choice and power to live rescued or as captive.
Deletev. 7 "throwing you into confusion" - satan's #1 strategy - make you question and doubt the absolute truth of God
Only God could change a person so dramatically and gives me hope in praying for others. Nothing is too big for God.
Galatians 2
ReplyDeleteI love verse 21, for if righteousness were thru the law, then Jesus died for no purpose. We are justified thru Jesus, not by works or the law. It is thru our faith. I've always known this, but it is so much more powerful when you fully understand it.
And it gives you such freedom. It gives you the desire to want to obey instead of have to.
DeleteI never realized how much time Paul spent preparing for his ministry. It wasn't overnight! He wanted to cover all his bases. He knew not only would his conversion be controversial but his ministry to the gentiles would be as well.
ReplyDeleteThe group he had hated and murdered, he would now have compassion for and serve. How ironic is that? I wonder if some of those years preparing was also for healing?
Grace was a whole new concept and a whole new way of living for a Jew.
GALATIANS 3 - Sunday
ReplyDeleteBelieving God leads to freedom, not legalism. All are in Christ, believers across this whole nation, different nationalities, believers who don't look like us, act like us, we are all heirs of Abraham. Cool!
I liked that we of faith are blessed along with Abraham. I always liked Abraham :)
DeleteGALATIANS 4 - Monday
ReplyDeleteWe tend to go back to the familiar, even if it is bondage and bad for us. How sad.
v. 13 his illness was a trial for them?
I never saw the symbolism in:
Ishmael - slave child - law
Isaac - child of promise - grace
Law to the extreme today with killing (holy war)
v. 29 persecuted the free (never saw that context)
Wow in the holy war thing in verse 29. That makes a lot of sense. I loved the first part of verse 9 - now that you have come to know God, or rather be known by God... wow! This relationship I have made with God goes both ways...not only have I got to know him, he has got to know me....wow!
ReplyDeleteGalatians 5
ReplyDeleteThis chapter has a lot....vs 7-9 don't let little things become big things and destroy your faith. Vs 13 do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. And love your neighbor as yourself. Vs 15 if you do wrong to others, watch out because it may happen to you. Vs 16 walk by the spirit and you will not have to gratify your flesh, or you will have power over your flesh.
All of this hits close to home!! And things that are happening in my life.
Galatians 6
ReplyDeleteHelp each other and bear each others burdens. Restore each other with a spirit of gentleness.
All this talk of circumcision makes me think of things that affect us today like the way we dress, or if we talk in tongues, or even how much we help at church. People use things like that to judge if they are saved, not by how they live or if they are a new creature in Christ.