Scripture: Judges

Our series in the Old Testament book of Judges continues with a disturbing narrative of Israel’s radical rejection of the one true God. What profit or encouragement can come from so dismal a story? Listen, and worship our Sovereign King!

Samson reveals both the consequences of idolatry and folly, and the incredible grace and purpose of God that override them.

In the unexpected announcement of Samson’s birth, the LORD reveals Himself to be a “God of wonders.”

Jephthah is unique among the judges for his combination of valiant leadership and rash folly. As Christ-followers, what can we learn from this man’s perplexing story?

Remember your God; do not forget what He has done for you. And, just as God rightly avenged Abimelech, remember that God will one day rightly avenge all the wrongdoing on this earth. It is His task. Leave that job to Him. We are to continue to love as He calls us to.

Those who know their weakness are poised for victory through God’s Spirit.

Gideon was close to and effective for God to the degree that he genuinely responded to God’s undeserved favor toward him. The same is true for you.

In God’s economy, the people He uses to make a difference often don’t get much, if any, recognition in this world. This often happens with women. But I’m convinced that when we’re with the Lord, we’ll see the realities much more clearly.

In today’s passage we see the Israelites weeping over their sin and the misery that has resulted from it — but do they change? Judges shows a cycle of apostasy, servitude, supplication and God’s deliverance, one that we don’t see a tidy resolution to by the end of the book.