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APRIL 24
Judges 2:10-3:31
Judges 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 their children, the next generation, didn't know
about the Lord, but they didn't acknowledge Him as their God. They became like
the people around them, "recognizing" many gods and traditions. It
could have been that the parents didn’t teach the children, but I doubt that.
Part of the reason might be that parents talked about the Lord, but were very
busy and consumed getting their lives together in the land. Maybe the children
watched the parents and saw that living closely with the Lord was not a vital
part of their parents’ lives. The parents' personal relationship with the Lord
and their love for Him should have been more important than building their
houses. On the other hand, the generation that doesn't have to fight for
something doesn't appreciate what it has. Each generation, regardless of their
parents, needs to seek the Lord.
Vs. 11-15 For the people to have worshipped any God but Yahweh was bad
enough. Baal and Ashtaroth were very sexually focused fertility religions where
both men and women gave themselves over to sexual intercourse and perversion in
worship. In 1 Kings 19:18 where God says He will keep 7000 men for Himself who
have not bowed the knee to Baal or kissed him, this is referring to becoming
sexually defiled in that worship.
Vs. 16-23 These verses 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.
V. 17 They both literally and figuratively whored after these gods.
Vs. 22-23 This will recur in today's reading. God broke the back of the
military powers under Joshua, but He purposefully left nations there to test
Israel's obedience. Through following God, this generation would have had its
own experiences of faith in seeing the miraculous ways that God saved them.
Judges 3
Vs. 1-6 These verses begin to explain the reason for what happens over
the next 300 years. Notice the references to testing. Notice too in v. 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 live on our knees and contend for our faith.
I think God is doing this today regarding His people and the harvest.
Vs. 7-11 This illustrates what has been said about the cycle of the
judges. Othniel was a transitional figure from the time of Joshua. He was not
one of the elders who administered with Joshua, but He was a part of that
generation that entered the land. As Joshua mentioned in his final address, the
people were already drifting. Within Othniel's lifetime the people had given
themselves sexually to Baal and were being punished by God. Othniel may have
been the godliest of all the judges in Judges.
V. 8 Notice who gave Cushan-rishathaim power over Israel.
Vs. 12-30 Notice who does the strengthening in v. 12. Eglon ruled in
the land of Reuben, but his power extended over the Jordan. The city of palms
is Jericho. It wasn't rebuilt, but Israel apparently lived there.
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; in fact, many of them were lethal with both hands. Notice
where Paul (also a Benjaminite) says in 2 Corinthians 6:7, by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of
righteousness for the right hand and for the left. This unconventional
warfare was what Paul was referring to. 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, very possibly,
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
sacrifices, which, even if sincere, were a violation of God's commands. Most
likely, Gilgal 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 brought by any one judge
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 protecting
Israel at the same time.
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. Imagine a guy who was so
powerful, fast, and agile that he outnumbered 600 men. Later Samson will lay to
rest 1000 Philistine soldiers with the jawbone of a donkey.
For us as disciples, I don't think there are too many lessons to be
gained from left-handed assassins. There is a huge lesson for us regarding the
obstacles God leaves in our way to prove our gratefulness for Christ's love and
our willingness to bear our cross and follow Him into the harvest, reaching the
lost and making disciples, who make disciples.
Luke 22:14-34
Vs. 14-22 It is clear from Luke's account that Judas was there for the
inauguration of the Lord's Supper. Notice that this is a summary of the entire
Lord’s Supper. Verse 20 shows that part of the Lord’s Supper actually happened
after dinner, or as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:25, after supper. At the beginning of their time Jesus took a cup,
blessed it and passed it around. From this cup they all poured a little wine
into empty cups they each had. During the supper Jesus broke the bread to
symbolize His body. As they were still eating and at the end of the supper,
Jesus dipped a piece of bread and gave it to Judas (John 13:27). Satan
immediately entered Judas and Judas immediately went out. Then, after Judas
left and the supper was finished, Jesus took the cup of the new covenant. So
actually, Judas was there for the bread, but not for the actual consecration of
the new covenant in the blood of Christ.
Vs. 23-27 The dispute mentioned in v. 24 is where Jesus would have
washed their feet in John 13. Judas would have left after Jesus had washed
their feet and explained what He had done for them.
Vs. 28-30 Jesus has already mentioned that they will sit on 12 thrones
judging (ruling) the 12 tribes. This would be a good promise for them to keep
in mind as this night, and the next day, unfolded.
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 and will be called to serve his fellow disciples.
Psalms 92-93
These are great, joyous, celebratory psalms.
Psalm 92
Vs. 1-4 It says that this was written for the Sabbath. Verses 1 and 2
give me the idea that it might have been written by David, as he was focusing
all of Israel on worshiping the Lord in unity in Jerusalem. Notice the
references to giving thanks to the Lord and declaring His steadfast love and
faithfulness. These are David's hallmarks.
Vs. 5-9 Realizing that if this were written by David, you can
understand that the Sabbath probably had not been held regularly in Israel for
over 300 years. It could be that the wicked are those who disregard the Sabbath
as a day to consider God's work and give Him thanks.
Vs. 10-11 This is the victory that God has given David. God gave David
power. He exalted David and God let David see his victory over his enemies.
Vs. 12-15 This is what David learned. If a person follows God, God will
bless him.
Psalm 93
Vs. 1-2 God's strength and majesty are seen in Him establishing the
world, but superior to the world is the throne of God. It is everlasting and
totally unmovable.
Vs. 3-4 The sea and forces of nature are seen as being powerful and
chaotic, but God is mightier than His creation. Jesus showed He could tame the
wind and waves.
V. 5 I guess if God is this great and has control over all things, we
should trust His Word, and in faith, dwell in His house and attend His days of
celebration.
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 deviousness eventually end up
destroying their own work and lives.
Please Read
the Following Disclaimer
I'm writing the Reading Notes to and
for those who are following a One Year Bible and are 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, that is, 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 and important discipleship manual we have and it is the 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, or whom we are to be following. 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, as disciples, 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, 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 (BKC).
I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite
often. I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only
note where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these
and find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary would be a good idea.
I am not endorsing any particular
One Year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die
Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the
ESV Bible.
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. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both
historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background,
theological training and my personal study.
I'm
doing this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that
will keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are
reading. Remember, the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a supplement,
a disciple’s commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we will keep
following our Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who
make disciples. Being in the Word every
day, sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the essential
essence of being and making disciples.
May the Lord bless you as you follow Him in the
harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan
If you would like documents
containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
If you would like a full
presentation of discipleship read Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples.
Or if you are struggling with
insomnia and would like a long boring dissertation on disciple making, these
can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis
2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
The One Year Bible © by
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189
The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of
Good News Publishers.
All charts/graphics/outlines
from the Bible Knowledge Commentary are used with the permission of David C.
Cook.
© 1983, 2001 John F Walvoord and Roy B Zuck.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary is published by David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Publisher permission
required to reproduce.
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