Judges 1:1-2:9
Jud. 1:1-21
It doesn't say it here, but when the people inquired in verse one, it was probably the priest using the Urim and Thummim.
Note that Judah cleans house, but not everything they captured remained under control. Some of what they captured was to help the other tribes; for example, Jerusalem belonged to Benjamin (v. 21). Judah took the city, but Benjamin didn't control it. This is the first sense that something is wrong.
Jud. 1:22-36
Now begins the subtle beginning of the end. The people didn't obey. It started like this and ended up in full blown idolatry later.
Jud. 2:1-5
Notice the Angel of the Lord and the way He speaks. This points to His identity as God.
V. 5 The people crying is not the same as the people repenting.
Jud. 2:6-9
This summary of Joshua dismissing the people is a restatement of the end of the book of Joshua. It is just to say that as time went on, after men like Joshua and Caleb were gone, the people immediately drifted from God.
In a very real sense, God allowed this to happen in that He didn't appoint a national leader. At first the people sought a leader, but that didn't last long. It is often God's way to guide a person to a particular place and then to drawback and be silent, to see what is in that person's heart. Will they honor God and follow, or do they drift?
Luke 21:29-22:13
Luke 21:29-36
V. 32 For the people who are present watching things come together for the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD or those present when the temple is desecrated during the Tribulation, there will be a completion within their lifetime.
Vs. 34-36 Very clearly this is referring to the Tribulation. Again, I think the "he who endures to the end will be saved" message is not referring to losing salvation, but salvation from the effects of bitterness and persecution. The way to be "saved" is to remain strong and focused on what is taking place, knowing that it is God's working. This is much the same with us today.
This is a good word for us as disciples. We are surrounded by the wreckage of Christians who have forgotten why we are here. They are simply living among the "natives" to be liked by them and have been ruined by becoming like them. We are here in the harvest as our savior was, to seek the lost and introduce them to Him. If we are just here to live life until we die, we get lost and bitter and careless. The way to remain undamaged is to “stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape…” But we often think we’re here on vacation during this time in history. The danger around us and the need to stay awake is just as grave.
Luke 22:1-13
Interesting that you have four persons preparing for the Passover: Satan and Jesus, and over all God the Father and the Spirit. You see what Satan is doing, and you see what Jesus is doing, and in all of it, even Satan’s madness, God is working all things together for good. This is a good point to remember what Paul and the Spirit wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:8 “None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
Psalms 90-91
Both of these psalms are written by Moses.
Psalm 90
As you read Psalm 90, imagine that Moses is writing this as the nation is under God's punishment after Kadesh-Barnea. They endured a very long 38 years in the wilderness, as they waited for the rebellious generation of adults to die.
All the psalms are inspired, but when you read this, you can sense the depth of Moses’ person and maturity with God. It’s like every word is gold. Somewhere on our lists of “what to memorize,” psalm 90 should appear.
Notice verse one referring to a dwelling place. We've seen that a lot in the psalms, and here Moses is referring to the fact that though they constantly moved around the wilderness, they only always had one dwelling place.
V. 12 is something we should all do, given the disaster going on on this planet. No nation had a better view of the temporary nature of life than Israel did during those 38 years.
V. 17 is something I pray. Only the Lord can establish the work of our hands. The question is, as a disciple, what do you want Him to establish? How deeply have we invested in reaching the lost and making disciples who make disciples who make disciples?
It is interesting to me that as Moses was ending his ministry to Israel, hoping they would go beyond him and serve God, God told him they would fail. We’ve begun to see this failure today in Judges. The failure comes quickly. Yet, someday, the Lord will establish the work of Moses’ hands as the nation succeeds in the Tribulation and is honored during the Millenium as a place of healing for the world. Also, it is interesting to think that Moses was on the Mt. of Transfiguration with Jesus. Jesus came from the nation that Moses led in the wilderness.
Psalm 91
This psalm has a more victorious and confident tone. I would guess that Moses wrote this for the next generation going into the Land. They should be confident in the Lord.
Notice in vs. 1, 2 and 9, the idea of dwelling in God. Verse two is probably where Elizabeth Elliot got the title for her book, "The Shadow of the Almighty."
Vs. 11-12 Satan quotes these verses to Jesus to entice Him to jump off the pinnacle of the Temple. It kind of amazes me that Satan saw these verses and knew that they referred to the Jew’s Messiah. I don’t think we would have known that any other way. Like it or not, as a spiritual being, Satan’s understanding of the Bible is better than ours. Having the Spirit and a regenerated spiritual life that is drawn to God in love and obedience makes all the difference and gives us the victory. Love and obedience are greater than knowledge.
Vs. 14-16 make me think of Jabez entering the land, and of Jesus in Isaiah 53, making Himself a sacrifice for us and then being honored by God.
Proverbs 13:24-25
This all seems so random. If I was preaching this, I would be looking for the links in these verses with righteousness and food and appetite. It could be that the reason that the poor lose everything to injustice in verse 23, is that righteousness is not instilled into children by their righteous parents. Maybe being driven by personal appetite is what hamstrings discipline and righteousness in a society.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.
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