Ruth 2
So here is Ruth. She is hanging out in a strange country with people she doesn't really know. The only person she does know is Naomi, the mother of her now deceased husband.
I think Ruth has plenty of reason to sit around and sulk.
Her husband has died. She has left the family and friends she knows. And she is living with her mother-in-law in a strange land.
But Ruth doesn't sulk.
She picks herself up, dusts off her skirts, and heads out into the field to pick up grain that is left behind after the workers gather/cut the wheat in the fields.
She works tirelessly.
Not just for herself but for her mother-in-law too.
And it doesn't go unnoticed.
The owner of the field notices her.
He inquires about her.
And he immediately becomes protective of her.
Boaz, who is in fact related to Naomi, tells the workers to leave Ruth alone. He assures Ruth she is welcome to gather grain in his fields and that nobody will be bothering her. He even asks the workers to leave a little extra grain behind for Ruth.
You see, he has noticed.
He knows and has heard about Ruth's kindness toward her mother-in-law.
In turn, he returns the favor to Ruth with his generosity.
Hmmmm...
I think something is brewing in the fields...
Tomorrow's reading:
Ruth 3.
Reba
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
I Will Follow You...
Week 18 Days 3 and 4
Intro (in my Bible) and Ruth 1
I actually read this a couple days ago but our life has been a bit topsy turvy this week.
Finally, I get a reprieve from war.
True, the chapter (and book) opens with deaths. Three of them. Naomi lost her husband, then her two sons.
Not back to back, but still, that is a lot of loss in a ten year period.
My heart hurt for her.
So now Naomi is alone. And not only alone, but she is living in a land (Moab) that is not hers.
So she decides to go home.
Isn't that what we all want to do when things are rough? Go home.
Naomi wanted to go back to Judah.
At first, the two daughter in law, who I am sure were still mourning, followed Naomi.
I mean, they had a great sense of loss too.
And this was the one connection they had to their late husband's family.
It isn't like they had e-mail to catch up with one another once Naomi left.
This was it.
Naomi insisted that the girls return to their own homes. They were young. They still had a life left.
I would like to think (and in my mind it is) it was an unselfish act.
They all wept.
Then Orpah kissed her mother in law and returned home.
But Ruth remained.
I have always wondered...was Naomi secretly pleased she still had a companion to travel with? Or did she just want to be alone which would certainly be understandable in these circumstances? I don't know.
But it didn't matter.
Ruth was not going anywhere.
She was staying.
One of my favorite verses (that makes me think of the song) is Ruth 1:16.
But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.
Sidenote: I really wanted to have the video link to Chris Tomlin's video "I Will Follow" that always makes me think of this verse, but it is not cooperating. :(
Anywho...
Ruth and Naomi travel on back to Bethlehem.
But the story isn't quite over then.
Naomi's friends are happy to see her. But Naomi is still mourning. She isn't just a sad mourning. She feels bitter. She even asks her friends to call her "Mara" which means bitter. She felt the Lord had dealt bitterly with her and brought her back empty.
What strikes me about this is that we have all felt like that at some point in our lives.
And I don't know about you but when I feel that way, I feel guilty.
Guess what?
God did not strike Naomi/Mara down for feeling that way.
In fact, she was still to become part of a greater story.
Not that we should go through life in a state of bitterness.
But I just have to believe (based on this and other stories) that God understands. And He loves us still.
Tomorrow: Ruth 2
Reba
Intro (in my Bible) and Ruth 1
I actually read this a couple days ago but our life has been a bit topsy turvy this week.
Finally, I get a reprieve from war.
True, the chapter (and book) opens with deaths. Three of them. Naomi lost her husband, then her two sons.
Not back to back, but still, that is a lot of loss in a ten year period.
My heart hurt for her.
So now Naomi is alone. And not only alone, but she is living in a land (Moab) that is not hers.
So she decides to go home.
Isn't that what we all want to do when things are rough? Go home.
Naomi wanted to go back to Judah.
At first, the two daughter in law, who I am sure were still mourning, followed Naomi.
I mean, they had a great sense of loss too.
And this was the one connection they had to their late husband's family.
It isn't like they had e-mail to catch up with one another once Naomi left.
This was it.
Naomi insisted that the girls return to their own homes. They were young. They still had a life left.
I would like to think (and in my mind it is) it was an unselfish act.
They all wept.
Then Orpah kissed her mother in law and returned home.
But Ruth remained.
I have always wondered...was Naomi secretly pleased she still had a companion to travel with? Or did she just want to be alone which would certainly be understandable in these circumstances? I don't know.
But it didn't matter.
Ruth was not going anywhere.
She was staying.
One of my favorite verses (that makes me think of the song) is Ruth 1:16.
But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.
Sidenote: I really wanted to have the video link to Chris Tomlin's video "I Will Follow" that always makes me think of this verse, but it is not cooperating. :(
Anywho...
Ruth and Naomi travel on back to Bethlehem.
But the story isn't quite over then.
Naomi's friends are happy to see her. But Naomi is still mourning. She isn't just a sad mourning. She feels bitter. She even asks her friends to call her "Mara" which means bitter. She felt the Lord had dealt bitterly with her and brought her back empty.
What strikes me about this is that we have all felt like that at some point in our lives.
And I don't know about you but when I feel that way, I feel guilty.
Guess what?
God did not strike Naomi/Mara down for feeling that way.
In fact, she was still to become part of a greater story.
Not that we should go through life in a state of bitterness.
But I just have to believe (based on this and other stories) that God understands. And He loves us still.
Tomorrow: Ruth 2
Reba
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Week 18 Day 2 Deja Vu...All Over Again
Yes, I know.
M.I.A. once again.
The worst part is that I have read this passage a few times now.
I just had trouble getting myself to post about it.
The war stuff, the killing stuff. It just makes my stomach turn.
I keep reminding myself if I will just finish this up, I can be in the book of Ruth which is not quite as gory of a book.
Blech.
Anyway, since it is summer, I have no excuse. I have more time to do stuff like blogging (though I never seem to have trouble blogging recipes...).
So I will try once again to get back in this routine.
I really will try.
Sigh.
Anyway, I have just read this passage (Judges 19-21) for the THIRD time.
And honestly, I still cannot bring myself to say much about it.
It made my stomach turn just as much now as it did before.
I know that the Bible is God's Word. So there is a reason this story is in the Bible.
But that doesn't mean I have to enjoy reading it, right?
The whole time I was reading it, I was thinking about Sodom and Gomorrah.
I think the last sentence sums up all three chapters here.
From verse 25 of Chapter 21...
In those days Israel did not have a king. Everyone did what seemed right.
And if you are brave enough to read these three chapters, you will see just how very true that is.
Blech.
Tomorrow's reading: Ruth 1
Reba
M.I.A. once again.
The worst part is that I have read this passage a few times now.
I just had trouble getting myself to post about it.
The war stuff, the killing stuff. It just makes my stomach turn.
I keep reminding myself if I will just finish this up, I can be in the book of Ruth which is not quite as gory of a book.
Blech.
Anyway, since it is summer, I have no excuse. I have more time to do stuff like blogging (though I never seem to have trouble blogging recipes...).
So I will try once again to get back in this routine.
I really will try.
Sigh.
Anyway, I have just read this passage (Judges 19-21) for the THIRD time.
And honestly, I still cannot bring myself to say much about it.
It made my stomach turn just as much now as it did before.
I know that the Bible is God's Word. So there is a reason this story is in the Bible.
But that doesn't mean I have to enjoy reading it, right?
The whole time I was reading it, I was thinking about Sodom and Gomorrah.
I think the last sentence sums up all three chapters here.
From verse 25 of Chapter 21...
In those days Israel did not have a king. Everyone did what seemed right.
And if you are brave enough to read these three chapters, you will see just how very true that is.
Blech.
Tomorrow's reading: Ruth 1
Reba
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Week 18 Day 1 Say What???
Judges 17-18
I will not lie.
I read this a couple days ago and haven't blogged about it because I wasn't sure what to say.
So this guy (Micah) stole silver from his mom. She (not knowing it was her son) curses whoever took it. He admits what he has done and returns it. Then she turned around, has an idol made from it, then gives that to her son.
Say what?
Micah builds a room IN his house just for idols.
Then a Levite come through town and meets Micah.
Micah, excited to meet a Levite, asks the Levite (who is unnamed as far as I can tell) to be his own personal priest. You know, because he is a Levite and all.
Say what?
Then these people from Dan come through as they search for a place to conquer and call their own.
They meet Micah and offer him a job as THEIR priest. They also take the idols with them.
Say what?
And to top it all off, the people from Dan go into a city of peaceful people. They attack the people, killing them and burning the city. Then they call it theirs.
After rebuilding the city, the people set up the idols.
Say what?
I see lots of thing in this story.
But God is not one of them.
Say what?
Next reading: Judges 19
Happy reading!
Reba
I will not lie.
I read this a couple days ago and haven't blogged about it because I wasn't sure what to say.
So this guy (Micah) stole silver from his mom. She (not knowing it was her son) curses whoever took it. He admits what he has done and returns it. Then she turned around, has an idol made from it, then gives that to her son.
Say what?
Micah builds a room IN his house just for idols.
Then a Levite come through town and meets Micah.
Micah, excited to meet a Levite, asks the Levite (who is unnamed as far as I can tell) to be his own personal priest. You know, because he is a Levite and all.
Say what?
Then these people from Dan come through as they search for a place to conquer and call their own.
They meet Micah and offer him a job as THEIR priest. They also take the idols with them.
Say what?
And to top it all off, the people from Dan go into a city of peaceful people. They attack the people, killing them and burning the city. Then they call it theirs.
After rebuilding the city, the people set up the idols.
Say what?
I see lots of thing in this story.
But God is not one of them.
Say what?
Next reading: Judges 19
Happy reading!
Reba
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Week 17 Day 7 Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
Judges 15-16
We will just say Samson and the Philistines had a volatile relationship.
I mean, Samson let a bunch of foxes with torches tied to their tails loose in the grainfields of the Philistines.
In retaliation, the Philistines burned Samson's estranged wife and her father. Like to death.
So in turn, Samson killed "many" Philistines.
Do you see a pattern here?
One thing I have to say is that Samson, even in all of his weakness (not physical weakness, but more weakness of the heart), had favor with God.
God gave Samson strength to ward off the Philistines.
God even opened up the ground to bring forth water for a thirsty Samson.
But I mentioned that Samson had weaknesses.
Like women.
And in much of this story, that woman was Delilah.
The Philistines apparently had figured out Samson's weakness.
They offered Delilah big money to find out the source of Samson's strength.
At first, Samson stood strong (sorry for the pun...it was only fitting).
But the fourth time Delilah came weeping to him about wanting to know his secret, Samson buckled. Big time.
He shared the reason for his strength.
His hair.
His never cut hair.
Of course, Delilah couldn't wait to share that information with her people.
And soon after, while he slept in her arms, Delilah cut off Samson's hair.
And at that moment, God left Samson.
In the end, Samson's hair returned. And even more, his senses returned.
In one last heroic action, Samson used his strength (returning with his growing hair) and the grace of God to bring down their temple. Several Philistines lost their lives, as did Samson.
In fact, Samson killed more Philistines in his death than he did during his life!
Tomorrow's reading:
I think it is Judges 17 and 18 but I am not positive. And right now I have a dog on my feet, so I can't check. :)
Reba
We will just say Samson and the Philistines had a volatile relationship.
I mean, Samson let a bunch of foxes with torches tied to their tails loose in the grainfields of the Philistines.
In retaliation, the Philistines burned Samson's estranged wife and her father. Like to death.
So in turn, Samson killed "many" Philistines.
Do you see a pattern here?
One thing I have to say is that Samson, even in all of his weakness (not physical weakness, but more weakness of the heart), had favor with God.
God gave Samson strength to ward off the Philistines.
God even opened up the ground to bring forth water for a thirsty Samson.
But I mentioned that Samson had weaknesses.
Like women.
And in much of this story, that woman was Delilah.
The Philistines apparently had figured out Samson's weakness.
They offered Delilah big money to find out the source of Samson's strength.
At first, Samson stood strong (sorry for the pun...it was only fitting).
But the fourth time Delilah came weeping to him about wanting to know his secret, Samson buckled. Big time.
He shared the reason for his strength.
His hair.
His never cut hair.
Of course, Delilah couldn't wait to share that information with her people.
And soon after, while he slept in her arms, Delilah cut off Samson's hair.
And at that moment, God left Samson.
In the end, Samson's hair returned. And even more, his senses returned.
In one last heroic action, Samson used his strength (returning with his growing hair) and the grace of God to bring down their temple. Several Philistines lost their lives, as did Samson.
In fact, Samson killed more Philistines in his death than he did during his life!
Tomorrow's reading:
I think it is Judges 17 and 18 but I am not positive. And right now I have a dog on my feet, so I can't check. :)
Reba
Monday, March 26, 2012
Week 17 Day 6 Sweet as Honey
Judges 14
I have to admit. I was a bit horrified when I first read about Samson's marriage.
Samson is running around town. He happens upon a Philistine woman.
He goes home and tells his parents he MUST have her. In fact, he pretty much demands that they get her for him.
They tried steering him a different way.
But he insisted he wanted her, only her.
And they fell for it.
As a mom, this horrifies me.
In fact, I was reminded of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". You know, that scene with Bianca (I think that is her name) who wants everything and demands her father give her everything. Her demise is when she insists on grabbing a golden egg (or was it a chicken) and got more than she bargained for.
That is what I thought of when I read about Samson.
However, before I got too incensed, I noticed one little part of the story I hadn't noticed before.
The LORD wanted this to happen.
Really?
Wanted it to.
It was part of His plan.
I don't know if this is necessarily the way He would have chosen for it to play out.
But ultimately, it was still part of His plan.
The other main thing I learned while reading this passage is that Samson is a strong man (he tore a lion limb to limb with his bare hands), but he is weak in many ways.
Especially when it comes to women.
And that is the downfall he deal with his whole life.
Tomorrow's reading:
Judges 15-16
Reba
PS The sweet as honey title refers to the riddle that Samson told his wife's people, teasing them.
I have to admit. I was a bit horrified when I first read about Samson's marriage.
Samson is running around town. He happens upon a Philistine woman.
He goes home and tells his parents he MUST have her. In fact, he pretty much demands that they get her for him.
They tried steering him a different way.
But he insisted he wanted her, only her.
And they fell for it.
As a mom, this horrifies me.
In fact, I was reminded of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". You know, that scene with Bianca (I think that is her name) who wants everything and demands her father give her everything. Her demise is when she insists on grabbing a golden egg (or was it a chicken) and got more than she bargained for.
That is what I thought of when I read about Samson.
However, before I got too incensed, I noticed one little part of the story I hadn't noticed before.
The LORD wanted this to happen.
Really?
Wanted it to.
It was part of His plan.
I don't know if this is necessarily the way He would have chosen for it to play out.
But ultimately, it was still part of His plan.
The other main thing I learned while reading this passage is that Samson is a strong man (he tore a lion limb to limb with his bare hands), but he is weak in many ways.
Especially when it comes to women.
And that is the downfall he deal with his whole life.
Tomorrow's reading:
Judges 15-16
Reba
PS The sweet as honey title refers to the riddle that Samson told his wife's people, teasing them.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Week 17 Day 5 A Heavenly Visitor
Judges 13
This is the story of a man names Manoah and his wife whose name I don't know.
They were from the tribe of Dan.
Once again, the Israelites had turned away from God.
He handed them over to the Philistines for forty years.
Anyway, Manoah and his wife had no children.
One day an angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah's wife (I really wish I knew her name) and told her that she would be having child. However, there were rules to follow. She couldn't drink beer or wine, eat anything unclean, and could never cut her son's hair. He was going to help save Israel from the Philistines, so he needed to be set apart.
The son's name would be Samson. (The angel didn't tell them that; Samson's mom named him that after he was born)
But what interested me about this story wasn't so much about Samson's birth. I knew a little about that. It was more about the messenger of the Lord. The angel.
The first time the angel appeared to Manoah's wife, she ran home to tell her husband.
In fact, she told Manoah that this "man" looked like an angel of God. His appearance was frightening.
Manoah, much like I would have done, prayed to God for the messenger to return.
Sure enough, the angel appeared AGAIN. To Manoah's wife.
She ran home to get her husband.
The angel reiterated the instructions from God to Manoah that he had already shared with Manoah's wife.
Manoah offered to feed this visitor.
The visitor refused, citing that he would not eat their food. Instead, he suggested an offering to God.
Then Manoah asks the visitor for his name.
The angel responds that the name is too "amazing" for them to understand.
So Manoah gives an offering to the Lord.
And as he does, the angel of the Lord went to heaven in the flame.
Later, Samson was born.
We forget, I think, that there is a whole spiritual world that we don't see.
Angels. And demons.
But there are.
And they aren't these cute little angels like we hang on the Christmas tree as ornaments with cute little halos and wings.
These are messengers of God.
They are not for us to understand.
But they are there.
Working for Him.
Tomorrow's reading:
Judges 14
Reba
This is the story of a man names Manoah and his wife whose name I don't know.
They were from the tribe of Dan.
Once again, the Israelites had turned away from God.
He handed them over to the Philistines for forty years.
Anyway, Manoah and his wife had no children.
One day an angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah's wife (I really wish I knew her name) and told her that she would be having child. However, there were rules to follow. She couldn't drink beer or wine, eat anything unclean, and could never cut her son's hair. He was going to help save Israel from the Philistines, so he needed to be set apart.
The son's name would be Samson. (The angel didn't tell them that; Samson's mom named him that after he was born)
But what interested me about this story wasn't so much about Samson's birth. I knew a little about that. It was more about the messenger of the Lord. The angel.
The first time the angel appeared to Manoah's wife, she ran home to tell her husband.
In fact, she told Manoah that this "man" looked like an angel of God. His appearance was frightening.
Manoah, much like I would have done, prayed to God for the messenger to return.
Sure enough, the angel appeared AGAIN. To Manoah's wife.
She ran home to get her husband.
The angel reiterated the instructions from God to Manoah that he had already shared with Manoah's wife.
Manoah offered to feed this visitor.
The visitor refused, citing that he would not eat their food. Instead, he suggested an offering to God.
Then Manoah asks the visitor for his name.
The angel responds that the name is too "amazing" for them to understand.
So Manoah gives an offering to the Lord.
And as he does, the angel of the Lord went to heaven in the flame.
Later, Samson was born.
We forget, I think, that there is a whole spiritual world that we don't see.
Angels. And demons.
But there are.
And they aren't these cute little angels like we hang on the Christmas tree as ornaments with cute little halos and wings.
These are messengers of God.
They are not for us to understand.
But they are there.
Working for Him.
Tomorrow's reading:
Judges 14
Reba
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Week 17 Day 4 Promises, Promises
- Judges 10-12
I know, I know, I had a short (well, compared to years, months would be short :) hiatus. I am not sure what happened. Life. But I am not making excuses. At one point I actually considered just quitting; I have already failed big time in doing this. But then I decided that would be failing God. It is a lot like my relationship with Him. Sometimes I am right there with Him, walking hand in hand. Other times I have walked away on my own path, not always intentionally, but it happens. Thankfully when I call to Him, he appears and brings me back home.
We are trying something new with the bigger kids...a family quiet time (after little ones are in bed...they don't know how to be quiet :). We are all reading different parts of the Bible, but we hope it will be a good reading time and prayer time together. We are faithful to pray with the little ones but we have gotten lax with the big kids in that area. We will see how it goes.
Anyway, Judges 10-12.
I read it back in January but never posted. So last night I re-read it. Here are a few things that stuck out to me:
- The Israelites went through a lot of judges! Just in these chapters alone, at least six judges ruled.
- Again, the Israelites suffered after the turned away from God. And again, after it got bad, they turned back to God, begging for His help. At first God said, "No way, you are worshiping other Gods!" But the Israelites, at least temporarily, felt really remorseful. They didn't just say they were sorry. They acted upon it. They actually threw away their idols and turned back to God. And again, He listened to them and sent an answer to their prayer.
- The answer came in the form of a man named Jephthah. I love how God uses the unlikely. Here is a man who had lots of brothers. But because Jephthah was a result of a relationship between his father and a prostitute, his brothers turned their backs on him. In fact, they forced him out of their home. Yet when the Ammonites came to fight against Israel, who did they turn to? Jephthah.
- One of the more well known stories about Jephthah is about his promise. He made a promise to God that whatever greeted him first from his front door (pending a victory), he would offer as a burnt sacrifice. I am not sure what his thought process was in making that promise. I mean, did he expect a little lamb to come running out the door? A goat? I guess he surely wasn't thinking it would be his one and only precious daughter. I have heard different things about this promise. It says he kept his promise. Did he really offer her as a burnt offering? Or did she just not marry? (I have read both theories) I guess I will never know. I do admire the daughter though who didn't throw a fit. Didn't say, "How could you?" She respected her dad and his promise; she just asked for some time with girlfriends to mourn whatever was to come.
Well, that is all for today. I will be back tomorrow. In fact, I have already read the next reading (Judges 13). So I have no excuse!
Reba
Thursday, January 26, 2012
I Know, I know...
I am behind. But I hope to get back on track this weekend.
I have read my passage anyway.
Reba
I have read my passage anyway.
Reba
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Week 17 Day 3 The Rise and Fall of a Leader
Judges 8 and 9
I have to admit. I have had a hard time with this passage. I have mentioned before...I am not a violence person. And that basically covers these two chapters.
I don't really care to relive it all.
So I will just give highlights.
Gideon was asked to be the ruler of the people.
He refused. In fact, he went as far as to say he wouldn't rule over them, nor would his son.
Except that Gideon didn't have just one son. He had 70 sons.
70.
That is a lot.
How would you keep up with all of them?
Anyway, one of those sons was the son of a slave woman.
Abimelech.
He was not like his father.
He did want to rule.
And after Gideon died, Abimelech convinced the relatives that he should be made ruler.
Then he promptly killed all of his brothers. (Nice guy, huh???)
Except for one.
One brother.
Jotham escaped.
In the end, Abimelech continued to grab power anyway he could.
Until his quest for power ended up being the death of him.
(One kind of funny, as funny as this stuff gets anyway...during an attack, a woman dropped a grinding stone on his head which obviously was going to kill him. Abimelech actually asked someone to kill him with a sword so that nobody could say a WOMAN killed him.)
Hoping for calmer waters in tomorrow's reading...
Judges 10-12
Reba
I have to admit. I have had a hard time with this passage. I have mentioned before...I am not a violence person. And that basically covers these two chapters.
I don't really care to relive it all.
So I will just give highlights.
Gideon was asked to be the ruler of the people.
He refused. In fact, he went as far as to say he wouldn't rule over them, nor would his son.
Except that Gideon didn't have just one son. He had 70 sons.
70.
That is a lot.
How would you keep up with all of them?
Anyway, one of those sons was the son of a slave woman.
Abimelech.
He was not like his father.
He did want to rule.
And after Gideon died, Abimelech convinced the relatives that he should be made ruler.
Then he promptly killed all of his brothers. (Nice guy, huh???)
Except for one.
One brother.
Jotham escaped.
In the end, Abimelech continued to grab power anyway he could.
Until his quest for power ended up being the death of him.
(One kind of funny, as funny as this stuff gets anyway...during an attack, a woman dropped a grinding stone on his head which obviously was going to kill him. Abimelech actually asked someone to kill him with a sword so that nobody could say a WOMAN killed him.)
Hoping for calmer waters in tomorrow's reading...
Judges 10-12
Reba
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Week 17 Day 2 To Dew or Not to Dew
Judges 6 and 7
I really did get up early Monday to read my passage. And I did read. I just didn't get to the posting part. Then yesterday...well, I am not sure about yesterday other than it was a tough day all around.
Anyway, on to the passage.
I am sure by now you know the routine.
The Israelites (once again) started doing the wrong thing.
So for 7 years there was misery.
God allowed the Midianites to kind of take over the land.
Here the Israelites had had it all. The run of the land. Cattle. Crops.
Now they were hiding in caves, starving.
So 7 years later, here they are again. Calling out for help.
And God listened.
I have to admit, I find myself thinking, "Why did God listen?" Again? But thankfully He did. And thankfully He still does. Even when I find myself struggling with the same sins seven years later...
God not only listened but He answered.
Gideon.
Even Gideon was surprised to be the answer.
"Me, God? You really want to use me? I am not important!"
But God insisted that was who He wanted to use.
The funny thing is that Gideon struggled with this for quite a while. He kept asking God to "prove" it. Like putting the wool out in the dew. The next morning, Gideon gets up and checks the wool. It is soaking wet. Yet the ground is dry.
But typical human he is, Gideon isn't satisfied.
He insists that God show Himself again.
So the next morning, Gideon runs out to check the wool. This time it is dry, yet the ground is wet.
Sometimes we think of God as a God quick to judge, quick to condemn.
But in moments like this, I find that He is a God of patience. A God of love. A God who cares.
The fun part for Gideon is that God has him prove himself over and over.
The Israelites are all prepared to go to war, to claim a victory, to get rid of the evil around them.
But God has Gideon pare down the troops with a variety of "challenges" or "tests".
Until only 300 men are left.
I have to give Gideon credit.
He could have balked at that number. Only 300? How could that possibly work?
But once he knew for sure God was serious, He didn't waver (as far as I could tell).
And once again, God was victorious. The Israelites (through God) prevailed.
They defeated the Midianites.
Tomorrow's reading:
Judges 8 and 9
I really did get up early Monday to read my passage. And I did read. I just didn't get to the posting part. Then yesterday...well, I am not sure about yesterday other than it was a tough day all around.
Anyway, on to the passage.
I am sure by now you know the routine.
The Israelites (once again) started doing the wrong thing.
So for 7 years there was misery.
God allowed the Midianites to kind of take over the land.
Here the Israelites had had it all. The run of the land. Cattle. Crops.
Now they were hiding in caves, starving.
So 7 years later, here they are again. Calling out for help.
And God listened.
I have to admit, I find myself thinking, "Why did God listen?" Again? But thankfully He did. And thankfully He still does. Even when I find myself struggling with the same sins seven years later...
God not only listened but He answered.
Gideon.
Even Gideon was surprised to be the answer.
"Me, God? You really want to use me? I am not important!"
But God insisted that was who He wanted to use.
The funny thing is that Gideon struggled with this for quite a while. He kept asking God to "prove" it. Like putting the wool out in the dew. The next morning, Gideon gets up and checks the wool. It is soaking wet. Yet the ground is dry.
But typical human he is, Gideon isn't satisfied.
He insists that God show Himself again.
So the next morning, Gideon runs out to check the wool. This time it is dry, yet the ground is wet.
Sometimes we think of God as a God quick to judge, quick to condemn.
But in moments like this, I find that He is a God of patience. A God of love. A God who cares.
The fun part for Gideon is that God has him prove himself over and over.
The Israelites are all prepared to go to war, to claim a victory, to get rid of the evil around them.
But God has Gideon pare down the troops with a variety of "challenges" or "tests".
Until only 300 men are left.
I have to give Gideon credit.
He could have balked at that number. Only 300? How could that possibly work?
But once he knew for sure God was serious, He didn't waver (as far as I could tell).
And once again, God was victorious. The Israelites (through God) prevailed.
They defeated the Midianites.
Tomorrow's reading:
Judges 8 and 9
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Week 17 Day 1 Working Woman
Judges 4 and 5
I am really not blowing off Bible Study. I was just getting back into the swing of things with school. Pretty much everything in life was at a standstill for a few days.
I do know that I want to be more consistent this year, reading the Word. I want that to be a first priority in my life, not a last. And that may mean (probably means) getting up much earlier than I usually do. I won't lie, that is a challenge for me. I like sleeping.
Anyway, on to today's passage.
Once again, those Israelites had fallen away from God.
They didn't even notice until it really started to hurt them.
Then once again, they called out to God.
And once again, He heard their cries. He answered them.
His answer?
Deborah.
Yes, a woman.
It is easy to read the Bible and think, "Were women second class? Did God think less of them?"
I will admit, I have had those doubts, those fears before.
And there were a lot of men mentioned in the Bible.
But there are women too.
And these women had BIG jobs.
Does the name Mary come to mind?
Anyway, Deborah. She was chosen to be the next judge.
By the way, she was married.
So she wasn't just a woman. She was a working woman.
I don't know if she had kids or not.
At the same time, though, I feel like this gives me a little validation for being a working woman.
As you can probably tell, I have felt criticism for that in the past.
Anyway, Deborah was a judge.
And she called out to God. And God heard. He told her to have Barak gather men to go up against Sisera, the bad guy of the story.
Know what Barak said?
"I will go if you will go..."
And Deborah did.
That says a lot to me about her faith. She had to have truly believed what God had told her. Otherwise she would have hung back and just told the men to fight the battles.
But wait, Deborah is not the ONLY woman listed here.
Jael.
Not a household, common name.
But she is mentioned too.
She stopped Sisera in his tracks in a sense.
Okay, I can't talk much about it. It kind of makes me sick to think about.
But we will say she was instrumental in stopping Sisera's reign.
And once again, peace in the land.
For 40 years anyway...
Tomorrow's reading:
Judges 6 and 7
I am really not blowing off Bible Study. I was just getting back into the swing of things with school. Pretty much everything in life was at a standstill for a few days.
I do know that I want to be more consistent this year, reading the Word. I want that to be a first priority in my life, not a last. And that may mean (probably means) getting up much earlier than I usually do. I won't lie, that is a challenge for me. I like sleeping.
Anyway, on to today's passage.
Once again, those Israelites had fallen away from God.
They didn't even notice until it really started to hurt them.
Then once again, they called out to God.
And once again, He heard their cries. He answered them.
His answer?
Deborah.
Yes, a woman.
It is easy to read the Bible and think, "Were women second class? Did God think less of them?"
I will admit, I have had those doubts, those fears before.
And there were a lot of men mentioned in the Bible.
But there are women too.
And these women had BIG jobs.
Does the name Mary come to mind?
Anyway, Deborah. She was chosen to be the next judge.
By the way, she was married.
So she wasn't just a woman. She was a working woman.
I don't know if she had kids or not.
At the same time, though, I feel like this gives me a little validation for being a working woman.
As you can probably tell, I have felt criticism for that in the past.
Anyway, Deborah was a judge.
And she called out to God. And God heard. He told her to have Barak gather men to go up against Sisera, the bad guy of the story.
Know what Barak said?
"I will go if you will go..."
And Deborah did.
That says a lot to me about her faith. She had to have truly believed what God had told her. Otherwise she would have hung back and just told the men to fight the battles.
But wait, Deborah is not the ONLY woman listed here.
Jael.
Not a household, common name.
But she is mentioned too.
She stopped Sisera in his tracks in a sense.
Okay, I can't talk much about it. It kind of makes me sick to think about.
But we will say she was instrumental in stopping Sisera's reign.
And once again, peace in the land.
For 40 years anyway...
Tomorrow's reading:
Judges 6 and 7
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Week 16 Day 7 On Again, Off Again
Judges 3:7-31
The title pretty much describes life with the Israelites.
They would follow God.
Then fall away.
They would worship idols.
So there would be consequences...like being defeated.
So the people would call out to God for help.
God would hear their cries.
He would save them.
In this case, He used judges.
Things would be hunky dory for a while.
Then the judge would die.
And guess what the people would do?
Fall away.
A cycle.
A vicious cycle.
How will it ever be broken???
Tomorrow's reading:
Judges 4 and 5
Reba
The title pretty much describes life with the Israelites.
They would follow God.
Then fall away.
They would worship idols.
So there would be consequences...like being defeated.
So the people would call out to God for help.
God would hear their cries.
He would save them.
In this case, He used judges.
Things would be hunky dory for a while.
Then the judge would die.
And guess what the people would do?
Fall away.
A cycle.
A vicious cycle.
How will it ever be broken???
Tomorrow's reading:
Judges 4 and 5
Reba
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Week 16 Day 6 Those Who Ignore History...
Judges 2:6-3:6
are doomed to repeat it.
Oh, those Israelites.
They were in a good place.
God had just led them through the Wilderness for years. He led them straight to the Promised Land.
And His one command?
Follow His commands.
Except they didn't.
Oh, they did for a while.
But then Joshua died. And the other leaders of the time died.
And the people forgot.
Soon, they were turning away from God. Maybe not purposely at first. But slowly, they turned to other gods. They quit following Him.
And there were consequences.
I cannot tell you how many times a day I use that word.
Consequences.
"If you would follow the rules, there wouldn't be consequences you don't like."
I say it alot as a mom and as a teacher.
And I am pretty sure that is what God was thinking with His people. Well, in a more Godly way than I say it.
So the people started getting robbed. (Been there, done that, not fun) They started losing wars.
God tried to help the people out. He appointed judges to help the people.
But surprise, surprise.
The people didn't listen to the judges either.
At least until they started hurting.
Then they were ready to listen.
And God felt sorry for them.
So He guided the judges.
But then the judges died.
And soon the Israelites were back to their wicked ways.
Actually worse.
I think the exact words were that they were "very stubborn and refused to change their evil ways".
And God said, "Done. I am done."
Well, not exactly. I may have added that little part.
He did say that He would no longer stop the other nations who fought against the Israelites. No, He wouldn't stop them. He would use them to test the Israelites, to see if they would turn back to Him.
So, what do we think? Will they turn back? Or continue in their stubbornness?
Tomorrow's reading: Judges 3:7-31
Reba
are doomed to repeat it.
Oh, those Israelites.
They were in a good place.
God had just led them through the Wilderness for years. He led them straight to the Promised Land.
And His one command?
Follow His commands.
Except they didn't.
Oh, they did for a while.
But then Joshua died. And the other leaders of the time died.
And the people forgot.
Soon, they were turning away from God. Maybe not purposely at first. But slowly, they turned to other gods. They quit following Him.
And there were consequences.
I cannot tell you how many times a day I use that word.
Consequences.
"If you would follow the rules, there wouldn't be consequences you don't like."
I say it alot as a mom and as a teacher.
And I am pretty sure that is what God was thinking with His people. Well, in a more Godly way than I say it.
So the people started getting robbed. (Been there, done that, not fun) They started losing wars.
God tried to help the people out. He appointed judges to help the people.
But surprise, surprise.
The people didn't listen to the judges either.
At least until they started hurting.
Then they were ready to listen.
And God felt sorry for them.
So He guided the judges.
But then the judges died.
And soon the Israelites were back to their wicked ways.
Actually worse.
I think the exact words were that they were "very stubborn and refused to change their evil ways".
And God said, "Done. I am done."
Well, not exactly. I may have added that little part.
He did say that He would no longer stop the other nations who fought against the Israelites. No, He wouldn't stop them. He would use them to test the Israelites, to see if they would turn back to Him.
So, what do we think? Will they turn back? Or continue in their stubbornness?
Tomorrow's reading: Judges 3:7-31
Reba
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)