><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Judges) CHAPTER 13 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) How did Samson's Nazirite calling differ from that of the ordinary Nazarite vow? See Nu 6:1-5,13-18. 2) Observe Manoah's concern(v8,12) for guidance on the subject of the upbringing of the promised child. What lessons may present day parents learn from this? Cf Pr 22:6,2Tim 1:5, Heb 12:5-11 3) WHat evidence of faith do you find in Manoah and his wife? And how did the wife's faith show itself to be greater than that of her husband? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Judges) Chapter 13 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2,3) Samson's Nazirite calling was different because it was lifelong and it was placed upon Him, not voluntary. He was specially chosen for the job by God. While Manoah's concern on how to bring up the child was legitimate, it seems odd to call an angel back. However, training up a child in the way he/she should go is a parent's duty. Obviously Manoah was someone who understood the responsibility involved and was careful in double-checking. It is interesting how when Manoah feared death because he thought they had seen God, his wife gave him an insightful response. They made a good team for raising mighty Samson. While Manoah was responsible and careful, his wife was insightful and calm. The Lord hand picks his chosen vessels. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Judges 13 Nazarite to God to The Day of His Death Bible addresses the events very specifically. This chapter records the birth of Samson. God gave Manoah a son and told them that the child would be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death. Refer to Numbers 6, Nazarite would be set aside for a period of their lives to keep the vow unto the Lord. However, the Lord instructed Manoah to keep Samson as a Nazarite for his lifetime; because the Lord would use the end of his life to serve Him. There is a difference between Samson's mother and Samuel's mother, Hannah. Hannah prayed for a child. But Samson's mother did not. She received it as a blessed assignment. Because of the assignment, she did not take any strong drink nor any unclean thing, 13:14. As Manoah asked the angel's name, he would not tell him - "Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?" 13:18. The angel did wondrously; and Manoah and his wife looked on, 13:19. This angel is not the Lord Himself as stated in Isaiah 9:6, where we are told concerning Christ and "his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Because "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him." John 1:18. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Samson was a special Nazirite. The normal Nazirite calling was as follows: - No strong drink(wine or vinegar) - No unclean thing eaten - No razor to the head for a special period of time - No contact with dead bodies Samson's was a lifelong non-hair cutting vow. Also it appears he may not have had to hold the dead body or thing vow due to his use of the fresh jawbone of a dead donkey later in the book of Judges. 2) Proverbs 22:6 6 ¶ Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Manoah's concern for guidance on parenting is something that we in today's society may tend to take for granted. He was so concerned he asked the angel of God to come back to talk to him concerning Samson's upbringing. 3) Manoah and his wife were given the task, much as Mary and Joseph(earthly parents of Jesus) were, and also as Elizabeth and Zechariah(john the Baptist's parents) were, of raising a special chosen one of God. Each of these parent's was spoken to by and angel. Manoah instead of believing his wife's account of the story wanted proof for himself. He wanted to talk to the angel. After talking to the angel he wants to show respect to what he thinks is a prophet. HE asks the name of the angel. THe angel tells him in v 18 it is 'wonderful' - Hebrew = surpassing, ineffable ( not of this world, unexplainable). After offering to the Lord, Manoah finally realizes, his eyes are opened and God is revealed to him. Many times we just don't get it when God speaks to us. We need to be shown several different things to 'convince' us that it is God speaking. Praise Him for his patience in dealing with us in terms we can comprehend and allowing our eyes to opened. May we seek to be aware at all times how the Lord is speaking around us so that we may see his 'wonderful' in the world around us. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Judges) CHAPTER 14+15 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Note the contradictory elements in Samson's character. He was a judge in Israel, yet his life story centers around his dubious relationships with Philistine women. His unshorn lock denoted a Nazirite consecrated to God, yet his chief aim was to please himself. How many more such contrasts can you discover? How important is it that we should be consistent in our Christian profession? Cf 2Cor6:14;1Thes5:22. 2) What does the incident of 15:18,19 teach regarding GOd's ability to supply every need of His servants? Cf 1Ki 17:4,9 Phil 4:19. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Judges) Chapter 14+15 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2) I think it is kind of important to remember that Samson was chosen by God to be a judge. It was not voluntary. Therefore, you might expect some discrepancies in his character. God's will would be worked out regardless of Samson's behavior though. God is absolutely sovereign and knows what we will do before we do it. However, I agree that we ought to consistently exhibit Christian behavior if we profess to be one. I have heard so many cases where others say someone does not act like a Christian, though claiming to be one. It really turns them off, and is a devastating blow to the name of Christ. While I believe genuine repentance and changing of one's behavior can cause God's compassion to be poured out, we should never test God and should love Him so much that we want to obey Him. God supplied Samson the water he needed. He can supply all our needs. He gives us "no more" and no less than what we need, but blesses us to serve Him. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Judges Chapters 14 and 15 It Was of the Lord, 14:4 Samson was the last Judge mentioned in the Book of Judges. He was a Judge who fought alone for God like a superman. Chapter 13 told us about his birth. The Angel of the Lord announced his birth and he was consecrated as a Nazirite form birth to death. Chapters 14 and 15, identified the major events in his life: He slew a lion barehanded, 14:5-6; slew 30 philistines at Ashkelon, 14:19; caught 300 foxes, tied them in pairs with a torch between their tails, and turned them into the grain fields of the Philstines, 15:1-8 and slew a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of an ass, 15:14-19. God's plans carried out through this man were clearly seen before our own eyes. However, we would have a lot of questions concerning this "silly man": Why did he have to marry the daughter of the Philistine? How dumb was this man is to marry a woman who did not care for him at all?! 14:15. How could he catch 300 foxes and tie them in pairs ---? How could he be able to kill 1,000 men with just a jawborne of an ass? etc. They were the plans of the Lord to deliver the Philistines into Samson's hand. Must I Die of Thirst and Fall into the Hands of the Uncircumcised ? Judges 15:18 An arrogant, violent and self-centered man, Samson, experienced thirst and cried out loudly for help. The En Hakkore springs restored his strength and revived his life for him to continue as a protector of God's people against their oppressors. Isaiah 40:28-31: "Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of His understanding. * He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. * Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fail: * but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Amen. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Contrasts of Samson Judge called by God - Relationships with Philistine women Nazirite consecrated to God - Self centered pleasure seeking It amazes me every time I read the story of Samson just how self centered he was. He was a man who was so proud of himself. All of us go through this to some degree, where we become very confident in our own ability. God usually has a way of humbling us to realize that He is the one at work in our lives, not us. In Samson's case, God was burning in him the desire for a Philistine wife v4(it was of the Lord). With so many occurences of the Spirit of the Lord coming upon him, we cannot deny this man's relationship with God. Only those walking in the ways of the Lord will be filled by His Spirit. Consistency in our Christian character and walk is a very important element. without it, others would view us as hypocritical and blown about by the wind. We must strive to maintain a consistent set of standards by which we live our lives, not veering from these standards whenever we feel like it. This does not mean a legalistic approach to our salvation, but an understanding of wanting to please God out of thanks. 2) God is able to supply our every need. Samson becomes thirsty and questions the Lord's provision of water. God comes through and brings water for Samson to quench his thirst. This water was temporary but showed the provision of God's living water, just as in John. John 4:10-14 10 Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." 11 She *said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? 12 "You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?" 13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." Praise be to Jehovah Jireh - Our provider. I am reminded of the Chorus: Jehovah Jireh: Jehovah Jireh, My provider, His grace is sufficient for Me. My God shall provide ALL my needs, accoring to His riches and glory. He will give his angels charge over me, Jehovah Jireh careth for me. May we turn to Him for all our need and call to Him when we are thirsty that He may provide the streams of living water. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Judges) CHAPTER 16 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) What may we learn from this chapter concerning a) the folly and fruit of sin b) the exultation of the ungodly at the downfall of God's servants c) God's enduring mercy to the penitent? 2) Contrast the sad end to Samson's life with its bright dawn in the sincere desire of his parents to rear him aright(13:8,12) Can you suggest reasons why Samson fulfilled so little of his potential? Under what conditions is it possible for the Christian to exhibit similar powerlessness? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Judges) Chapter 16 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2) Although Samson sinned and was foolish enough to tell Delilah the secret of his strength, God gave him one final victory. It seemed extremely unwise to tell D. since Samson should have known she would have them do it. She had already tried it several times before. I suppose it just shows that this was the Lord's will. True, we will reap what we sow, I think. Punishment follows sin. When one is disobedient to the Lord's commands, he/she can expect to fail. That is the bottom line. Despite good upbringing, proper training in the Word, and going to church, a Christian must choose to obey the Lord. I Peter 1:14-15, "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do..." -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Judges Chapter 16 The Final Fall of Samson The conditions of Samson's fall The Lord had left him because of his violation of his Nazirite vows. The haircut was a renunciation of God 's presence in his life; Delilah was persistent to wear him down, 16:16; Delilah pretended to love him. When Satan attacks us, he traps us to violate God's commandments, persistently attack us and gives us sweet talk to fool us. Another big factor is money; the money out weighted Delilah's love for Samson. Samson's Second Prayer, 16:28 His prayer expressed his repentance. However, he asked for vengeance for his two eyes. However, the record indicated that "---the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people ("---and all the lords----about three thousand men and women- --" 16:27), that were therein." 16:30. At this time Samson was a defective vessel. In the temple of the Philistines god Dagon (the father of Baal), the Philistines saw Samson's imprisonment as a sign of Dagon's victory over the God of Israel, 16:23-24. But while the Philistines were celebrating, God was working through Samson to halt such blasphemy, punish the Philistines and destroy the temple of a false god. [The Quest Study Bible] -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Samson was a womanizer. He clearly was going against the Lord's wishes in cavorting with so many different women. Though, it seems as if the Lord was directing these situations for His greater glory. Samson's one weakness was his fondness for women. He sought the harlot in Gaza and was charmed by Delilah. The Philistines were able to increase their might when Samson was captured, since he had been killing so many of them single handedly. When he was finally captured, it was because he had broken his promise to the Lord. The source of his power and strength as ours is our convenant with the Lord and continued fellowship. We break this fellowship and covenant when we sin. Our sin separates us from the infusion of the Holy Spirit. In order for us to receive the strength and power of the Spirit we must insure that we have no outstanding sins so that we may have fellowship with God. 2) Samson let his flesh and earthly occupation control him. We as Christians are each faced with the same challenge given in Titus 2:11-13 11 ¶ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, May each of us accept this challenge and run with it to look for that blessed hope and glorious appearance. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Judges) CHAPTER 17-18 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) How would you describe the religion of Micah and of the Danites? Wherein did they fall short of true religion? 2) A Levite was supposed to be a man who stood in a special relationship with God. What impression have you formed of this particular Levite? In what respects did he fail to walk worthily of his profession? Cf Is61:8a;Je23:11;1Jn 2:4-6. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Judges) Chapter =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2) In this man named Micah's time, it says v6, "in those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." That is quite a shocking thought. As we can see in Micah's case, he worshipped a man-made silver idol, and found his own priest. It was all in vain, for we know that only the Living God can hear our prayers. On the other hand, the Danites were opportunistic. They found this a good time to become established and attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people. This is just what they did. This particular Levite gives them a bad name. Since the Levites were the ones designated by the Lord to be priests, they should have been especially upright. They took care of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, were in charge of tithes in Israel, and Malachi 3:3, "..He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.." It just goes to show that one bad apple is not representative of all apples, but that there will be some bad ones regardless of their honorable position/reputation. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Judges 17 & 18 Confusion in the Religious Life The last chapters of Judges from 17 to 21 gives us a picture of confusion of the nation of Israel. The Danites should have taken from the Philistines territory which had been given them by God, Joshua 19:40. But not having faith sufficient to attack and overcome that nation, they moved from west of Jerusalem to the north end of sea of Galliee to undertake a small and defenseless people in the extreme north of Palestine. They built a city which was called "Dan." Chapters 17 & 18 described a background history during the time they migrated from the south to north. When there is no vision from God, people searched their own way to build relationship to satisfy their empty souls. The story started from a rich woman and his son, Micah. The interaction was related with "a lost servant of God." Micah was encouraged by his indulgent mother to "start his own religion." He did it by hiring a personal priest, Jonathan, 18:30, a money-hungry Levite from Bethlehem. This "house pastor" was later enticed by the tribe of Dan to become their official priest. The focusing point is at this "self-centered" priest, cited in 18:19 - " ---is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel?" "What a blessed calling for me (Jonathan) to be a large congregation leader rather than 'a house chaplain!!!'" Be careful to make our decisions in our lives - "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done ---" Matthew 6:10. The conclusion is that Jonathan was wasting his life to serve as a "house chaplain" and a "tribe priest". -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- The remaining chapters in the book of Judges are not in chronological sequence. Rather, they describe the general state of affairs in the nation of Israel during the period of the Judges. They set the stage for the book of Samuel and the anointing of a King for Israel. 1) What type of man was Micah? He stole from his own mother! His mother was so soft that she tried to reverse the curse that she had place on the thief of the silver by creating an idol(ephod). Micah and the Danites were people who followed the L'Oreal shampoo commercial slogan. Their slogan was 'if it feels good, you want it to last'. They were self seeking ones who thought that whatever seemed good to them that was their religion. They fell short of true religion in that there were no absolutes, it was a foundation built on sand. Their 'what I want' philosophy was the start of a long line of idolatrous, self centered and self-seeking lives. 2) The Levite mentioned in Chp 17 was a man who did not understand his calling. His noble calling as a man of God was to follow the ordinances and ways setup by God. Instead, this Levite (Jonathan) was self centered and directed. 1John 2:4-6 4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked May we each one seek to walk in the footsteps of Christ, as a servant of God obedient to the end, even the bitter end of death on the cross. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Judges) CHAPTER 19 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) WHat does this chapter teach us of the obligations of hospitality? Are there any indications of pitfalls to be avoided? Cf heb 13:1,2 2) There are many illustrations of evil in this chapter. Make a list of the chief sins show here, and obeserve how the wickedness of the men of Gibeah brought destruction upon almost their whole tribe. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Judges) Chapter 19 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2)To be hospitable is a Christian thing, and the different kinds of hosts are seen here. The first was overly gracious and detained the Levite (which is rare and indicated that he was glad his daughter, the concubine, was regaining some dignity after separation from the Levite), and the second was gracious, but morally depraved. He was going to send his own daughter out to be raped and abused by the wicked men of Gibeah. Both were poor role models. It shows the corruption of Israel at that time. Their thinking was warped. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Judges Chapter 19 - Confusion in the Moral life of the Nation The entire nation of Israel was outraged and aroused to take action against the men of Benjamin because of the awful deed about the sexual assault and the death of the young Levite's concubine. The Levite and his concubine were threatened by a mob of sexual perverts while passing through with unfaithful concubine wife. Then, the cowardly Levite saved himself by giving his wife over to the miserable mob. Then, a war started. During this period in Jewish history, they had no leader, so everyone did whatever he wanted to - whatever seemed right in his own eyes. The horrible crime described in this chapter was that the nation failed to establish a government based upon God's moral principle. As a result, laws were unenforced and crime was ignored. Sexual perversion and lawlessness were a by-product of Israel's disobedience to God. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) This chapter has an interesting lesson in hospitality. We should have hospitality to all. But we must know when the hospitality should end. By being too gracious, the father may have cost the life of his daughter. 2) The sins here were great, the 2nd host sinned in offering the concubine of the Levite. The men in the city of Gibeah committed various sexual sins and caused the death of much of their tribe. This is a horrible account and shows just how evil man can be. For no particular reason, these 'worthless fellows' decided to do evil to the travelling Levite. It is sometimes difficult to understand the placement of certain stories in the Bible. This is definitely one of those times for me. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Judges) CHAPTER 20 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Gibeah was a Benjamite city, and the men of Benjamin refused to deliver up their fellow tribesmen to justice. What is the relationship between loyalty ot those with whom we are connected (family, friends, business associates, etc.) and our loyalty to God and His commandments? 2) Note the profound effect upon the tribes of the sin of the men of Gibeah See 19:30;20:1,8,11. It stabbed the people awake to the degree to which moral delension had progressed among them. Can you discover other factors which show that some good came out of this sordid chapter of events? 3) How would you account for the fact that the eleven tribes were twice defeated by the Benjamites, even though they had asked counsel of the Lord? What do you gather from 20:23 about their attitude? Was it a sign of weakness or Strength? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Judges) Chapter 20 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2,3) We are to be obedient to God before family, friends, associates, etc., It sometimes becomes gray in certain areas, and if so, I think we should contact our trusted, faithful spiritual leaders (pastors, elders, etc.,). Everything needs to be watered in prayer and petition. God is sovereign. He allows bad things to happen for reasons. In His absolute love for us, sometimes we cannot understand. But if we look with spiritual eyes, we can see God's great purpose for those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). The Israelites' persistence was the key to success in this battle. God allowed them to be defeated twice, and the final victory was all the more sweet. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Judges Chapter 20 - Israel Attaches Benjamin Israel was enraged at this sexual crime and gathered an army of some 400,000 troops to punish the guilty perverts of Gibeah. God allowed 700 left handed men from the Benjamites, along with 26,000 other men to rout an army of 400,000. The Israelites trusted in their army and the goodness of their cause. But their error was in their failure to consider God as a part of their plan. By coming back to God (20:26), in repentance and sorrow, they confessed their own guilt and pleaded for the Lamb of God for deliverance. For now they ask "---- , Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, --- ." (20:28) to displace the prayer of "-----, Which of us shall go up first to battle ----- ." (20:18). The different prayers made the difference of their lives and history. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) We must remain loyal to God before even those closest to us on this Earth. If they have done something wrong in God's eyes, we must let them know and confront them with this action. This is the stance we take when becoming followers of Christ - giving up even our family and friends. 2) The only good that seems to have come about was that the tribe of Benjamin was cleansed of those 'worthless fellows'. 3) Perhaps the Lord did not deliver the Benjamites over due to the desire of Israel not to go against them. They asked the counsel of the Lord and repeatedly they were told to continue going against the Benjamites. They were really unwilling to do what the Lord wanted though as shown in v23 that they wept against the hard action. Their attitude was a sign of weakness in not being able to bear up the cross the Lord had asked them to carry. Albeit it was a difficult cross. We need to ask ourselves daily if we are having such an attitude concerning something undesirable to accomplish to us that the Lord has indicated we are to do. May He give us strength to overcome these second-guessings and self doubts. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Judges) CHAPTER 21 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing questions from (Judges) Chapter 21 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) The tribes recognized after their victory that in the heat of the moment they had gone too far in making the vow of 21:1 The sense of the unity of the tribes caused great distress at the thought that one tribe was in danger of extinction, in spite of the fact that they had suffered severely at the hands of Benjamin. How did they solve their dilemma? Did they keep or break, their second vow?(21:5)Would you condone the action they took in verses 10-12 and 19-23? WHat does the whole story suggest with regard to the taking of vows? 2) To what does the writer attribute this weak and unhappy condition of things in Israel? Do you consider this an adequate explanation of the moral and spiritual condition of Israel? IF not, what would you add? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Judges) Chapter 21 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2) The tribes found a way to get wives for the remaining Benjamites from two sources, Jabesh Gilead virgin women and dancing women at Shiloh. Both seemed to be underhanded stealing, but they worked (not condoning it, just stating the fact). It is really a strange state that Israel was in without a king. The story suggests we should be wary of taking vows. I like the style that the writer uses to finish Judges, saying, "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." It just sums up in a simple, single statement, getting right to the point. This whole book really showed the peculiar stage when Israel had judges but no king and were spiritually misguided/self-guided. Consider Proverbs 20;25, "It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows." Let us learn to be wise. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Judges 21 Political Confusion In this chapter, we read about the Israelites relent, 21:1-7; the maidens of Jabesh given to the Benjaminites, 21:8-14 and the daughters of Shiloh are carried off. It was a political decision that "---. There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife" 21:1. The leaders of Israel made a rash vow never to let their daughters marry a man from the tribe of Benjamin. Again, this was their decision, not God's instruction. This is a political decision of separation. The same situation may easily happen in today's church relationship among the saints, if we are not careful and watchful to separate us from others. The closing verse of this book is again "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." 21:25. The biblical history exposed to us without any reservation or hidden spot to indicate the truth - God had found a nation for the coming of a Redeemer. In time of crisis, God sent Judges to sustain His chosen ones from going astray, or provide protection to them. New Testament Citation "And He is the head of the Body, the Church: Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; That in all things He might have the preeminence." Colessians 1:18 -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The other tribes had made a rash vow against Benjamin not to allow their daughters to marry Benjamites. They attacked Jabesh Gilead, a city who had not sent representatives to Mizpah to give wives to the Benjamites. These women were not enough and so they also allowed them to raid Shiloh for wives. The whole story suggests that 'let you yeah be yeah and your nay, nay' not to take vows or make promises you can't keep, but rather say what you think you can do. 2) The book of Judges can be summed up by the last verse 25. 'In those days theere was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.' When we do what WE think is right, often we are going against what is right in God's eyes. We rationalize the commands of God into our own watered down Gospel. When we do this, we are serving ourselves, not God. The answer might not have been a king, but rather a spiritual leader. We need good spiritual leadership in our lives, no doubt. But the Israelites cry for a king only led to problems within their nation. May we seek God's wisdom and guiding for our daily questions and do what is right in the sight of God.