QT 25 Jan 13, Filling of the Spirit does not guarantee knowledge of the Lord

Judges 11:29-35 (NIV) Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah. He crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced against the Ammonites. 30 And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: "If you give the Ammonites into my hands, 31 whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord's, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering."

32 Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into his hands. 33 He devastated twenty towns from Aroer to the vicinity of Minnith, as far as Abel Keramim. Thus Israel subdued Ammon.

34 When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of tambourines! She was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter. 35 When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, "Oh! My daughter! You have made me miserable and wretched, because I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break."

NOTE: The decay in Israel continues. Jephthah knows Israel's history as evidenced by 7:14-28, but he does not know Israel's laws. He has not been taught God's word. First of all, human sacrifice of any kind is forbidden by God's word. Secondly, the law makes provision for getting out of a vow. Thirdly, God's performance cannot be tied to some human action. God is not controlled by human beings. And while God does sometimes answer poor prayers, the bible does not teach quid-pro-quo prayers. Of note is that Jepthah is filled with the Spirit and it causes him to move out, but it does not stop him from making stupid decisions. Filling of the spirit is no guarantee that the words you say or the thoughts that you have will be correct. The only correct word from God are the ones found in the Word of God. There is a great danger when people starting giving others "words from God," unless they are repeating a command of scripture. The real message of this passage is the total lack of teaching, independent of any filling of the spirit. The people don't know the word and the descent into new levels of sin continues.

QT 23 Jan 13, The cycle of sin is a dangerous descent

Judges 11:1-7 (NIV) Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior. His father was Gilead; his mother was a prostitute. 2 Gilead's wife also bore him sons, and when they were grown up, they drove Jephthah away. "You are not going to get any inheritance in our family," they said, "because you are the son of another woman." 3 So Jephthah fled from his brothers and settled in the land of Tob, where a group of adventurers gathered around him and followed him.

4 Some time later, when the Ammonites made war on Israel, 5 the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob. 6 "Come," they said, "be our commander, so we can fight the Ammonites."

7 Jephthah said to them, "Didn't you hate me and drive me from my father's house? Why do you come to me now, when you're in trouble?"

NOTE: This is a sad start to a story. There is sexual sin in the family by the father. There is conflict among the siblings. There is greed, since Jephthah would be the first born, and the heir to the family inheritance. And finally, there is selfishness. The men of Gilead never ask forgiveness for their sin. There is no record of the father standing up for the son. And now, when life is difficult, the people go searching for a strong man to fight their battle. The story of Judges seems to spiral down into greater and greater depths of sin. It is Romans 1:18-32 in full living color. They people reject God's rule, God gives them over, and after some teeth gnashing and a return, the cycle begins again, except it goes a little deeper each time. That is the warning to us in our sin, that we can't continue the cycle of sin and repent, because it goes deeper each time. We need to escape the cycle. We need to ask God's help to protect us from the deeper cycle of sin. As Jesus pray, "… and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

QT 17 Jan 13, We need true Christian fellowship to survive

Judges 10:17-18 (NIV) When the Ammonites were called to arms and camped in Gilead, the Israelites assembled and camped at Mizpah. 18 The leaders of the people of Gilead said to each other, "Whoever will launch the attack against the Ammonites will be the head of all those living in Gilead."

NOTE: This was the wrong way to do it on two accounts. One, it was not up to Israel to pick their deliver nor to offer rulership as a prize. Secondly, the judge was not to be the head but rather God was the head. The judge ruled in disputes but was not a king. The people were required to walk with God individually, but for some reason, they fail every time. In fact, without a ruler or example, the people choose paths in direct opposition to God. There seems to be one major problem (the teaching of truth). The people are making more and poorer choices. None of them seem to know God or his word. The benefit of the Judge is to remind and teach the people of God's word. Why can't they do that on their own? I don't know, they just don't. They need to commit themselves to a group of other believers who are also committed to living life for God, or ultimately they will fall back into the world. I think the same thing holds today. We need the spiritual fellowship of other believers. And this cannot just be companionship or church or church friends. The fellowship must be deeply spiritual, where the things of God are discussed with passion. Otherwise, it is just religion and it has no useful impact upon the people. We need spiritual Christian fellowship to survive as believers in an ungodly world.

QT 16 Jan 13, In his love, God will do whatever is necessary to get our attention

Judges 10:6-8b, 10-16 (NIV) Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord. They served the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites and the gods of the Philistines. And because the Israelites forsook the Lord and no longer served him, 7 he became angry with them. He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites, 8 who that year shattered and crushed them. . . . 10 Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord, "We have sinned against you, forsaking our God and serving the Baals."

11 The Lord replied, "When the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, 12 the Sidonians, the Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you and you cried to me for help, did I not save you from their hands? 13 But you have forsaken me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. 14 Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!"

15 But the Israelites said to the Lord, "We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now." 16 Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord. And he could bear Israel's misery no longer.

NOTE: This is the first time that all these gods are mentioned, usually it is just Baal and Ashtoreth. Now the gods of five different people groups are mentio

ned. Far from impacting other cultures with the God of the universe, the gods of little areas are impacting Israel. Why is it that the gods of these small areas show much more appeal to Israel than the real God of everything? Is it because the other gods appeal to some base aspect of the human nature or to their sin? Some of these gods involve sex in worship. Others use cruel human sacrifice. All have physical expectations of the worshipper and a physical presence. Yet none have any power, none show the ability to do one single measureable thing. As Israel falls further into idol worship, so the punishment becomes more severe. In this case, the text says that in one year they were shattered and crushed. I don't know how that compares to oppressed or cruelly oppressed or to being raided continually, but it has its impact. Israel again cries out to the Lord, and this time God responds with a "no, go to your gods for your salvation." Only when they clean house, rid themselves of the idols and return to God, does God relent to save them. So, at a certain level of insanity and depravity, God's salvation and mercy are different. Why? Is it because God changed? No, it is because the people have not learned. And God in his love uses another tactic to get his people's attention. Personally, I'm not sure I ever want to progress to the new tactic level with God. I want to deal with the issues in my life now. I want to please God and live for God now. I don't want to test his patience.

QT 15 Jan 13, Repeated sin is a descent into a deeper darkness

Judges 10:1-6a (NIV) After the time of Abimelech a man of Issachar, Tola son of Puah, the son of Dodo, rose to save Israel. He lived in Shamir, in the hill country of Ephraim. 2 He led Israel twenty-three years; then he died, and was buried in Shamir.

3 He was followed by Jair of Gilead, who led Israel twenty-two years. 4 He had thirty sons, who rode thirty donkeys. They controlled thirty towns in Gilead, which to this day are called Havvoth Jair.  5 When Jair died, he was buried in Kamon.

6a Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

NOTE: There are a lot of details left out of the story of Tola. We know he rose to save Israel, suggesting that there was sin and they needed a savior again. He is followed by Jair, who also has a short story, except for a few details. One, he does not rise up and save Israel, rather he just leads Israel. Not only does he lead, but he controls thirty towns which interestingly correspond to his thirty sons. Since Israel was not to have multiple wives, he clearly ignores some of God's teaching. Also, he hands out towns to his sons to govern. I have to wonder if Jair was a judge or rather the punishment for falling away. Except  that in the next verse, it says, "again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord." Still, each situation begins to sound more and more chaotic, and less and less like there is any belief or concern for God. There is this downward spiral of sin that is not getting better, but is actually getting worse. So is the case with sin, we slowly descend into a sewer without even knowing how we got there.

Miscellaneous Update

A difficult flu has put me under the weather for the last few days. I suppose one does not realize how fragile we are until we are very sick. I was very sick, not anywhere near death, but it reminded me how much I should be thankful for good health. We take it for granted. We lose ourselves too often in the material riches of this world. Lord, forgive me. Thank you for life and health and family. You have been very gracious.

QT 7 Jan 13, What is my natural response to circumstances, positive or negative? And what does that say about my faith?

Gen 42:33-36 (NIV) "Then the man who is lord over the land said to us, 'This is how I will know whether you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for your starving households and go. 34 But bring your youngest brother to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you, and you can trade in the land.'"

35 As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man's sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened. 36 Their father Jacob said to them, "You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!"

NOTE: There is no mention of Jacob's response until after the emptying of the grain sacks. It's possible some of the hungry families had already started unloading the sacks even as the story is told. And as they are unloading they see the money pouches. Since they have already found one money pouch, they now open all of the sacks and find their money in each one. It is obviously beyond circumstance and is no accident. Not only are they accused spies, they are now thieves. Their chances of ever getting any additional food are slim. Of course, they might not now that the famine will continue for another five years and so a visit to Egypt might be avoided. It doesn't say much for their concern for Simeon. But Jacob's response occurs after the money is found. Jacob sees everything from a negative perspective, in fact they all do. Even though Joseph may have done it for a good purpose, they view it as a curse from God. "Everything is against me" is Jacob's wail. Really, was everything against you when you lived in Laban? How easy we forget the good things of God when we are dealing with disappointment and bitterness.

QT 4 Jan 13, Don't waste your life in bitterness and depression, take those emotions to God

Gen 43:1-4, 8-14 (NIV) Now the famine was still severe in the land. 2 So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, "Go back and buy us a little more food."

3 But Judah said to him, "The man warned us solemnly, 'You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.'

. . .

8 Then Judah said to Israel his father, "Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die. 9 I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life. 10 As it is, if we had not delayed, we could have gone and returned twice."

11 Then their father Israel said to them, "If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift — a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds. 12 Take double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake. 13 Take your brother also and go back to the man at once. 14 And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved."

NOTE: The people are out of food and must go back to Egypt, but this time with Benjamin. Israel (Jacob)  does not want Benjamin to go with them. Judah doesn't make the same mistake as Reuben and  offers a different argument. He takes responsibility personally to bring back Benjamin. It is not clear if Jacob's response is one of trust in God or just not caring any more (a sign of depression). While I would like to think positive about Jacob, I believe he is depressed, disheartened, and dispirited. Life has lost its joy. He has let bitterness and loss rule his life for so long, that he no longer cares anymore. And yet, in a few months, he will revive and his life will once again carry the joy and excitement of living, once he learns that Joseph is alive. The sad part is that he didn't need to waste 17 years before he regained a renewed spirit. I think all of us are vulnerable to bitterness and depression. And many waste some of their best years lost in that mire. But, that is why quiet time is so important. When we make personal time with God in the morning, every morning, God will break through the fog and speak to our heart and pull us out of our personal mire. It may not happen immediately or every time, but it won't last years to revive our spirits.

QT 3 Jan 13, The new year is a time of revival and letting go of past hurts

Gen 42:35-38 (NIV) As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man's sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened. 36 Their father Jacob said to them, "You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!"

37 Then Reuben said to his father, "You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him back."

38 But Jacob said, "My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow."

NOTE: Jacob shows very little courage. He has already given up on ever seeing Simeon again. Reuben's argument is both ridiculous and strong. Jacob is not going to kill his grandchildren, no matter what happens, but the argument does seem to get his father's attention. Jacob is in a major pity party. His statement "everything is against me" is a good picture of the last 17 years of his life. For a man who once had everything going for him, even when Laban was against him, he is now in a funk and has completely forgotten God's previous protection. This highlights a failure of most believers, when times are hard, we quickly forget the miracles of the past and allow our emotions to dictate our response to circumstances. In one sense, this is good--we do need to allow our emotions out and to recognize how we feel. But when it continues for years, then we are living in a pity party and are not seeking God. One could argue that Jacob's response is a very short term emotional outburst, but I wonder. In Gen 45:26-27, when Jacob learns Joseph is alive, he is stunned, and his spirit revives. For 17 years, Jacob let his pain rule his life, in chapter 45, he lets God rule again. Coincidentally , in the next verses after his revival, God speaks to him in a vision again. Is there something that has happened in the past that I can't let go of, and is it affecting my walk and spirit today? That is the question we must ask.

QT 2 Jan 13, This new year is a chance to do something great but it will require you to take a step

Gen 42:4, 21-24 (NIV) But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him.

. . .

21 They said to one another, "Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us."

22 Reuben replied, "Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn't listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood." 23 They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.

24 He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.

NOTE: It is always a question in my mind why Joseph plays the game that he does. His weeping gives a hint. He loves his family and he so is not engaged in a cruel joke. He weeps as he hears them recount their sin (Reuben calls it sin) against him (not knowing that he, Joseph, stood before them). At that point, he realizes that at least some of them are also suffering for what they have done to him. But he is apparently not completely convinced of the change in their lives and so he continues the game. His father's response is also interesting in keeping Benjamin home. While he might be playing favorites, it could be that in some way he does not trust the other sons to protect the youngest. He has no qualms about sending ten sons to get grain, but will not chance his youngest. It may be nothing, or distrust, or just not wanting to lose all his children at once. Either way, a game begins that is actually a test. Joseph adds other elements to the test, like secretly returning their money. All of it is to determine what the 17 years have done to his brothers and Father.

As an old year passes by, so we too need to take stock. We don't have a Joseph to test us (or maybe we do), but we can ask hard questions. Is my life any different this year than last year or five years ago or ten years ago? Am I stuck in some valley because I choose not to take steps to move out? A new year is a chance for new beginnings. But we can't do it on our own, nor will God do it for us. We must ask God for spiritual growth; we must confess sins; and we must choose to take the first step by laying out a plan of change. The simplest and most powerful is to meet with God for a daily 5-10 minute devotional each morning. Make it a new habit and your life will be revitalized beyond your wildest dreams.

QT 1 Jan 13, Involve God in your new year

Judg 9:26-29, 38-40, 45b-46, 49-57 (NIV) Now Gaal son of Ebed moved with his brothers into Shechem, and its citizens put their confidence in him. 27 After they had gone out into the fields and gathered the grapes and trodden them, they held a festival in the temple of their god. While they were eating and drinking, they cursed Abimelech. 28 Then Gaal son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should be subject to him? Isn't he Jerub-Baal's son, and isn't Zebul his deputy? Serve the men of Hamor, Shechem's father! Why should we serve Abimelech? 29 If only this people were under my command! Then I would get rid of him. I would say to Abimelech, 'Call out your whole army!'"

. . .

38 Then Zebul said to him, "Where is your big talk now, you who said, 'Who is Abimelech that we should be subject to him?' Aren't these the men you ridiculed? Go out and fight them!"

39 So Gaal led out the citizens of Shechem and fought Abimelech. 40 Abimelech chased him, and many fell wounded in the flight — all the way to the entrance to the gate. 

. . .

 45b Abimelech pressed his attack against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he destroyed the city and scattered salt over it.

46 On hearing this, the citizens in the tower of Shechem went into the stronghold of the temple of El-Berith.  . . .  49 So all the men cut branches and followed Abimelech. They piled them against the stronghold and set it on fire over the people inside. So all the people in the tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women, also died.

50 Next Abimelech went to Thebez and besieged it and captured it. 51 Inside the city, however, was a strong tower, to which all the men and women — all the people of the city — fled. They locked themselves in and climbed up on the tower roof. 52 Abimelech went to the tower and stormed it. But as he approached the entrance to the tower to set it on fire, 53 a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head and cracked his skull.

54 Hurriedly he called to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and kill me, so that they can't say, 'A woman killed him.'" So his servant ran him through, and he died. 55 When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they went home.

56 Thus God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers. 57 God also made the men of Shechem pay for all their wickedness. The curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal came on them.

NOTE:  Jotham's parable (9:7-20), the first in the bible, becomes a prophecy. Those who supported Abimelech are burned and Abimelech is judged at the hand of a woman. The story of Israel's first self-proclaimed king is an ugly story of sin, treachery, and cruelty. God's involvement in the story is in repaying the wickedness (9:56), but beyond that it is a story of men solving their own problems without the help of God. In fact, the people of Shechem hold a festival in the temple of their god, completely ignoring God who gave them the land. These are the same people who cry out to God when life is painful but completely forget him when life is good. And this is the message for us. When life is good, we live in the world, forgetting what God has graciously given to us. And then when tragedy or pain befalls us, we scream out or cry out to God for relief, as if it was his fault and not ours. Oh, when will we wake up from our delusions and recognize that we were bought with a price--our life is not our own (1 Cor 6:20). This year, I will make one goal only and that will be to spend time thanking God for the good things he has given and praying for the enlightenment of others. A greater prayer life will I yearn.