May 4, 2015
Judges 3-Part 1
And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods. The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD,, and forgot the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves. Judges 3:6-7
LET IT GLOW
Don't we tell our children that it matters who their friends are? That the crowd they run with can influence their judgments and actions, as well as their attitudes? But what about us adults? Doesn't the same advice apply to us? If I am around a person that has a critical spirit, griping and complaining, it tends to rub off on me. I have to be careful that friendship with unbelievers does not lead me to compromise my beliefs. Israel had the same problem, although they did not heed the advice.
Here is a new generation of Israelites. Their forefathers had experienced slavery in Egypt, parting of the Red Sea, 40 years in the wilderness, crossing the Jordan River, and conquering the Promised Land. Sadly, this generation had not been taught about their national history and about their God.
Now that the 12 tribes of Israel had gone to their inheritance, they did not rid the land and cities of the pagans who worshiped idols and false gods. They intermarried with such ones, unfortunately. Israel began a cycle of sin, with God sending them judges to teach His ways and bring them to repentance.
Isn't God wonder to show us mercy in bringing us back when we wander away from Him and His ways and His Word!
The God tested Israel to refine them and prepare the generation for war. Their sinful ways cost the Israelites their distinctive character and testimony, and they failed to be the holy people God created them to be (Deut. 7:1-6). (David Jeremiah)
At first, Israel only added the idols to the worship of God (which was forbidden in the first 2 commandments). Before long they found themselves absorbed in pagan worship. A similar danger faces us. We want to befriend those who don't know God, but through those friendships we can become entangled in unhealthy practices. Friendships with unbelievers are important, but we must accept people without compromising or adopting their patterns of behavior. (Life Application Study Bible)
Are their any friends we should distant ourselves from in order to not compromise our beliefs and behavior? The Lord has the answer for us.
LET IT GROW
The third chapter provides a list of people whom the generation of judges were unable to dislodge from the land. The five lords of the Philistines refers to the leaders of the five-city pentapolis.
These were the tribes of the:
- Philistines were descendants of the Greek and Aegean "Sea Peoples" who migrated into Israel as early as the time of Abraham (Gen. 20), but didn't move into this area until about 1200 B.C.;
- Canaanites, strong in the valley of Esdraelon, who still hold the Jebusite fortress at Jerusalem until the time of David;
- Sidonians, who inhabited the Phoenician city-state of Sidon, to the north on the Mediterranean coast;
- Hivites, that dwelt in Mount Lebanon, refers to the Horites or Hurrians, who established the kingdom of Mitanni in upper Mesopotamia in about 1500 B.C. They spread southward into Canaan during the 14th and 15th centuries B.C. At this time they occupied 4 cities northwest of Jerusalem, forming the Gibeonite confederacy. (Liberty Bible Commentary)
What happened?
- The servitude to Mesopotamia lasted 8 years. (verses 1-8)
- Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and forgot Him. (verse 7)
- They served Baalim. (verse 7)
But there is hope around the corner, so stay tuned.
LET IT GO
Learn from history and do not follow the sin cycle of the Israelites.
Repent and follow Jesus.
Give Him my heart, affections, and time while living in this world.
*I didn't post Friday since I have been getting rooms ready for Sunday's dedication. Please pray for our revival services this week, Sun.-Mon.
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