Judges
The Commission of Gideon
God used a coward to lead a nation of cowards. Gideon, the fifth judge, was the youngest son, of the poorest family in Israel. The “angel of the Lord” appeared to Gideon. Gideon was thrashing grain in a covered shelter where grapes were pressed into wine because he was trying to hide his …
Samson Falls in Love
Timnah was located about 4 miles southwest of Zorah which was only about an hour’s walk. It was here that Samson met the first of his lovers and he didn’t seem to be concerned that she was a Philistine (v. 1). He knew the laws of separation God had given to the people, but he chose to ignore
Israel’s Final Judge
The repeated apostasy of Israel leads up to a time of oppression by the Philistines. The Philistines were probably the worst enemies that Israel had ever had. This time their oppression lasted for 40 years (v. 1). During this time, we come to one of the most outstanding of the judges and his name …
God’s Anger in Action
Judges 2 gives us a clear picture of God’s anger in action as He deals with the disobedience and sin of Israel. A heavenly messenger brought distressing news to the multitude of Israel assembled at Bochim. This messenger severely rebuked the Israelites for their disobedience in failing to drive …
The Marriage of Samson
In those days the parents arranged for a marriage, and there was several weeks between engagement and marriage. On the trip to Timnah with his parents he had killed a lion with his bare hands. Then several weeks later when he came back, perhaps to complete the marriage, he found honey in the …
The Sinful Failure of Israel
Here we find Israel forgetting their maker and making unholy alliances with their pagan neighbors (vv. 1-4). As a result of living among their unconquered foes intermarriages soon took place and idolatry followed (vv. 5- 7). When believers make common cause with the unbeliever the …
Jephthah’s Vow to the Lord
Jephthah wanted victory over the Ammonites so badly that he made a foolish vow to God (vv. 29-31). If God would permit him to triumph over Ammon, he would offer up as a sacrifice the first thing that walked through the door of his house to meet him after the battle. The Spirit of the Lord …
Tricked into Surrender
Unfortunately, in the beginning chapters of this book gross immorality had taken place and had set tribe against tribe and class against class. It led to political anarchy. First there was religious apostasy in the temple, then moral awfulness in the home, and finally political anarchy in the state …
Those Who Love Him Will Prosper
Deborah called on her own soul to be in earnest. He that will set the hearts of other men on fire with the love of Christ, must himself burn with love. The Canaanite kings came looking for the spoil of battle, as they charged up the Valley of Jezreel with their 900 chariots of iron (vv. 17-19) …
The Danites Seize Laish
Two definite things have been made evident in these chapters: the foolish behavior of Micah and the retreat to the north by the tribe of Dan. The tribe of Dan was notoriously restless. When the territory had been allotted to the various groups upon Israel’s arrival in Canaan, they had been …