He is Risen!
Judges 2:10-3:31
Jud 2:10-23 There is a lot of great stuff to observe in this chapter. Have fun. I have a few things.
V. 10 It isn't that they didn't "know about" the Lord, but they didn't "know" Him as their God. They became like the people around them "recognizing" many gods and traditions. It might have been that the parents didn’t teach the children, but more likely, it is because the parents talked about the Lord but were very busy and consumed getting their lives together in the land. The children watched what the parents did and saw that living with the Lord only was not a vital part. More important than building a house, was the parents personal, vital relationship with the Lord, and then taking time to make it real for their kids. Of course too, we’ll see that the parents didn’t take things too seriously either.
Verses 16-23 describe the cycle that will go through the book. Each time, however, the cycle goes deeper and the people become more degraded, ignorant and distant from God until we end up with the final two events in this book. This will continue for over 300 years of Israel's history. It makes you feel bad for God.
Notice verse 22. This will recur in today's reading. God broke the back of the military powers under Joshua, but He purposely left nations there to test Israel's obedience.
Jud 3:1-6
These verses begin to explain the reason for what happens the next 300 years.
Notice the references to testing.
Notice too in verse 2, that the nations were left to teach Israel war. The new generation was just handed the land and didn't appreciate it. They didn't fight for it or have to earn it. God makes sure in every generation that there is opposition that makes us uncomfortable so that we have to contend for our faith.
Jud. 3:7-11
This illustrates what has been said about the cycle of the Judges. Othniel was a transition from the time of Joshua. As Joshua mentioned in his final address, the people were drifting. Within Othniel's lifetime the people were already being punished. He may have been the godliest of all the judges.
V. 8 Notice who gave Cushan-rishathaim power over Israel.
Jud. 3:12-30
V. 12 Notice who does the strengthening.
Ehud was a messenger bringing tribute to this king of Moab. Many of the tribe of Benjamin were left-handed. The word for left-handed means there was something wrong with their right hand. But in Benjamin, it made them very unique warriors. Notice where Paul (also a Benjaminite) says in 2 Corinthians 6:7 "in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,"
No one expected weapons used by a left hander, so if Ehud was patted down, it was for a right hander, that's why he hid the blade on his right thigh. I guess a right-handed person would have put it on the left.
Notice where Ehud turns back, at Gilgal. That is where the nation came across the Jordan, where the Stones of Memorial were and where the 2.5 tribes built the altar. That these were referred to as idols, probably means that the people made this a holy place, burning incense and offering sacrifice, which, even if sincere, was a violation of God's commands. It had been converted into a place of idolatry.
Yet, even here, the remembrance of the grace and faithfulness of God might have been the thing that gave Ehud the resolve to turn back and carry out this plan.
Vs. 20-25 You've got to admit. It was a good plan. Just so it’s clear, they were waiting on Eglon because they didn’t want to disturb him going to the bathroom.
V. 30 This was the longest time of peace for Israel during the period of the judges.
V. 31 This guy was probably a contemporary with Ehud. That is assumed because it doesn't give the length of time he delivered Israel. The period of time is marked by Ehud's judgeship. Later, Samson and Samuel were also doing their thing at the same time too.
Also, this might not seem like much from Shamgar, but Samson was the same kind of guy. His strength and a couple of good days of action, subdued the Philistines for years. It was probably the fear of Shamgar (or the sound of his name) that kept the Philistines in control.
Luke 22:14-34
It is clear from Luke's account that Judas was there for the inauguration of the Lord's Supper.
The dispute mentioned in verse 24 is where Jesus would have washed their feet in John 13. Judas would have left after this.
Vs. 31-34
Luke is the only one who mentions Satan's demand to sift or test the disciples here. Jesus' prayer was for Peter personally, that his faith wouldn't fail. Either it was because Peter was their leader or because, as Jesus will explain, Peter's testing would be the most severe of all. The good news here is that even before Peter denies Jesus, Jesus tells Peter that he'll be restored.
Psalms 92-93
These are great, joyous, celebratory psalms. These are the only things in our reading today, being Easter, that celebrate God's greatness and Christ's victory.
Proverbs 14:1-2
Being wise and upright in fearing the Lord makes whatever you build in life good. But those who live by their own devices eventually destroy their own work and lives.
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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