Sometimes we think what we want is what we need. We see this from the Israelites in 1 Samuel chapter 8. “But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” (1Samuel 8:6-7)…
In 1 Samuel chapter 3, Samuel heard a voice speaking to him. He went to Eli the priest and asked him what he wanted because he thought Eli was the one talking to him. After three times of this happening, Eli knew that it was God speaking and told Samuel that the next time he heard the voice to say “Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.” Samuel did as he was told and God spoke to him. We will not…
In the book of Ruth we see another instance of God’s providence at work. After Naomi’s husband and two sons died, she said that “the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.” (Ruth 1:13) Little did she know that Jesus would be born thru the lineage of her daughter-in-law Ruth. (Matthew 1:5) Naomi was going back to Bethlehem and she told both of her daughter-in-laws to go back to their home country. Orpah did as she was told to…
Here we see the book of Judges ending with that same phrase repeated: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25 NKJV) The wise man Solomon warned us about doing what is right in our own sight. “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12 NKJV) He even warns of a generation having that same idea….
In this section of the book of Judges is a statement that gets repeated at the end of the book. “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6,21:25) In between these two verses we read of a lot of evil that was done and what could happen when a nation has no rulers. We do not always agree with our government and the laws of the land, but we are commanded…
We may be like Samson’s parents and not always understand God’s ways. “His father and mother did not know that it was from the LORD, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.” (Judges 14:4 ESV) But we can be assured that His ways are ALWAYS better than our ways! “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His…
Monoah is probably not a name you easily recognize, but what about his son, Samson? We know the story of how strong Samson was and that he lost his strength when his hair was cut off. Did any of you other guys ever want to let your hair grow long to see if it made you stronger? Well before Samson became this strong man, his mother was approached by an angel who said “Behold, you are barren and have not…
God is and has always been in control. He does not tolerate evil from anyone. “And God also made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.” (Judges 9:57 ESV) Paul thru his letter to the Romans tells us that we must let God handle these battles for us. “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is…
Gideon was about to lead his army to fight the Midianites. God wanted fewer men to go to fight so He could show His power. What method did he use to decide who would go fight? The first way was just to ask who was scared and let those people go home. The number of men left was still too many so He then narrowed them down by how they drank water. “So he brought the people down to the…
Barak was supposed to go to battle, but he wanted some help. “And Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!” (Judges 4:8 NKJV) Deborah went with him because she knew that was God’s will. All of us have probably been on both sides of these situations at some point in our life and should always be willing to help when the…