Dear Friends,
Did you ever do a half-hearted job or didn’t do something at all and then get chastised over it? That’s what God had to do with the Israelites – not once, not twice, but over and over again. God shows us the shortcomings of the Israelites so we can identify with them. That’s right, all these things happened unto them for ensamples because of their disobedience: and they are written for our admonition (I Cor. 10:11). So let’s see what we can learn this week from the failures – and triumphants – of others.
This week we also read: In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes
(Judg 17:6). Situational ethics – what is right in my eyes may not be right in yours. So whose eyes are more important? Only God’s – He alone has the right to set standards for His creation. His standards are recorded right here in His Word. We’ll read about a lot of different judges – God used each one to save His people who then quickly forgot what He had done for them. Does that sound like us sometimes? If we can learn from Israel’s mistakes; it will lessen our own future chastisements.
Don’t let anyone tell you God can’t use women in ministry. Two very strong women appear in this week’s readings -- Deborah and Jael. Deborah was a God-ordained judge of Israel – the only woman judge. And Jael killed one of Israel’s arch enemies when its army couldn’t!
Let’s join together in praising His Holy Name!