QT 23 Jul 13, God is revealed primarily through his word

1 Sam 3:21-4:1a (NIV) The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.

4:1a And Samuel's word came to all Israel.

NOTE: Samuel learned about God from the word. That is the primary means that God uses to reveal himself to his people. Samuel was a teacher, and the natural result of his growth in the Lord was his ability to teach Israel. This period of time is during the book of Judges. There are great errors in knowledge and application of God's word during this time. And, as the knowledge of God's word dwindles, the people descend further into sin, repeating the story of Romans 1:18-32. But Samuel's entrance stops the descent, but it is not Samuel, it is the teaching of the truth of God's word.

As my country travels farther away from the teachings of God's word, it is not surprisingly that the culture is collapsing. Actually, it is only collapsing from a spiritual perspective. It is morphing into something that is guaranteed to bring pain, sorrow, and great loss to its people. Life outside of God is empty. Real life is found in a relationship with God through the work of his son on the cross, and through obedience to his word. I have also been called to teach God's word. But my goal is not to fill up people with empty truths but truths that change. I want people to know and do God's word. That is my heart's desire.

QT 16 July 2013, Parents are responsible to train their children, but not for the results

1 Sam 3:11-14 (NIV) And the Lord said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family — from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, 'The guilt of Eli's house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.'"

Note: This is a good verse for parents. We don't control the lives of our children and our parenting skills are not measured by our children. Samuel's children do not turn out much better than Eli's (1 Sam 8:1-5). But Eli is judged and not Samuel. There is a reason. We stand before God on what God requires of us, not on the results. We are to teach our children to walk before God, and generally speaking, they will--Proverbs 22:6 suggests as much. But Proverbs teaches general truths and wise sayings. They are not promises that God is held too (otherwise God would be condoning bribes, 17:8; 21:4). We are required to do the best we can with our children--nothing more, nothing less. Our children stand before God on their own cognizance. God judges us by our actions, not the results. Eli does rebuke his children, but apparently he could have done more. He could have restrained them, but he didn't. He should have removed them from their roles as priests. Samuel's sons are appointed as judges and perverted justice. Apparently Samuel is unaware. And while is not said, the appointment of a King does remove his sons from their roles. Eli is judged because he didn't take any action other than a rebuke. He failed to deal with sin. The same is not said about Samuel. We may not like the choices our children make. While they are young, we are to restrain them. But once they are adults, our responsibility for their sin ends. We hurt, we can pray, we can counsel and rebuke, but we can't control. Like God with Adam and Eve, or the Father with the prodigal son (and other son), the children, when adults, make their own choices. We, as Parents, need to do the best we can, nothing more and nothing less.

QT 28 Jun 13, Withdrawal from society is not an option

Luke 8:26-33 (NIV) They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!" 29 For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. 30 Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. 32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. 33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

NOTE: As has been seen in other instances, there is no doubt in the demonic world about Jesus' identity or authority. Jesus is the Son of the Most High God. Jesus has authority over all things. The question and request of the demoniac are very enlightening: "what do you want with me" and "don't torture me." These statements tell us two things about the mindset of the demons. One, the demons are separated from God (by choice) and have no part in the kingdom. So they wonder, why does Jesus even confront them? Arguably, Satan is the prince of this world and they have freedom to act. But even though Satan is the ruler of the kingdom of the air, he can still be trumped by the King of Kings. Secondly, the request shows that they recognize they are deserving of punishment. But, they request for more time. Ultimately, they will be thrown into the lake of fire and receive eternal punishment. And the Abyss is a prison to hold them until the time of the tribulation. It is a place worth avoiding at all costs but deserving in all respects.

Another thought is that the demons drive the man into solitary places. While solitary places can be good for a time -- a retreat, time alone with God, etc., -- when the way of life is solitary and separated, this is a place demons prefer. Why? Because when we are away from people, we don't have to let their morals affect how we live (or revive guilt in our conscience). The town shackled the man and kept him in town, but demons don't like to be shackled by society, culture, or laws. So, the demons broke the shackles and went away from people. So, there is a danger when our actions or attitudes show rejection of rules or a desire to separate ourselves from people. Church and fellowship are actually for our good and when we withdraw, we do so to our own hurt. Likewise, while not all rules are good, rule-following is generally a good idea.

QT 25 Jun 13, Never forget to thank God for the blessings in life

1 Sam 2:3-5 (NIV) "Do not keep talking so proudly

or let your mouth speak such arrogance,

for the Lord is a God who knows,

and by him deeds are weighed.

4 "The bows of the warriors are broken,

but those who stumbled are armed with strength.

5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food,

but those who were hungry hunger no more.

She who was barren has borne seven children,

but she who has had many sons pines away.

NOTE: You never know what tomorrow brings is the basic message of this part of Hannah's prayer. It is also a warning to never think too highly of yourself or to take credit for accomplishments you have experienced. It can easily all be gone in a heartbeat. Instead of arrogance and proud talk, thanksgiving is the best course.

Lord, I have a lot that I need to give thanks. You have provided a wonderful job, and every year fun tasks. You have provided a home and a ministry, both of which I could never have dreamed of living. I thank you for my wife and children. I thank you for my lot in life. I thank you for the person that you have crafted. Having said that, I would like to grow more in humility and in holiness. I want to be bolder in sharing the gospel. I want to be a good witness to the people you have placed around me. Thank you, thank you, thank you -- I am undeserving of your goodness to me.

QT 13 Jun 13, Do you want to make an impact? Start with the small stuff

1 Sam 1:1-6 (NIV) There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.

3 Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord. 4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. 6 And because the Lord had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.

NOTE: This forms a bridge between Judges and the introduction of a new period in Israel. Not only does it also introduce Samuel but it shows what life was like in those days. A number of negative things stand out. One, Elkanah had two wives (a common practice but still wrong). The other wife bullied and provoked Hannah, instead of showing love and mercy. Hophni and Phinehas, two wicked men, were the priests. They regularly stole from the offerings and used their position to bed women. Eli, while not mentioned here, was so fat that he died falling over. And in the midst of all this ugliness is one young women whose heart's desire is to have a child. It has a lot of similarity to Mary's story. God begins a work in a young lady with a heart to do what is right. While the rest of the nation is falling apart, God has slowly begun a work that will transform the nation.

The small things may not seem important, but how do we know if our obedience in the small things might not result in a major change years from now. God desires men and women with a heart to seek him and to do what is right. He can use what the world sees as weak in something incredibly strong.

QT 15 May 13, Unity seems lost today, but for the individual there are things we can do

John 17:20-23 (NIV) "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

NOTE: It is hard to understand what Jesus meant by unity. On one hand, there is a certain unity when I meet another person who believes in Jesus Christ as their savior. We do share a certain bond and attachment because of our savior. I can rejoice with that person and communicate to a certain degree which I cannot with others. On the other hand, there is multiplication of beliefs, denominations, and churches today. Some of the differences are in trivial matters but some are not. Some of the differences are in serious biblical issues, like universality, the application of the law to the Christian, and whether Christians should have to suffer in health. It actually is difficult to share deeply with these believers because their answers are so different. Additionally, their beliefs seem (to me) at odds with scripture. Most of the time, I don't really debate people. It doesn't seem helpful. And yet, Paul and the other apostles were very concerned about doctrinal deviations. Jesus seems very concerned about unity. How can unity exist with so much doctrinal deviation? And I don't mean worship styles, because I can have great fellowship with other believers when our differences are in style of worship. It is when our understanding of truth differs significantly that unity becomes very difficult.

One application, which doesn't solve the larger problem but does help at the individual level, is the need for individuals to be involved in a local church. If a church body is not important, then it is impossible to have any type of unity. The person is a lone ranger with no affiliation or support of the local body. That person is an ear hopping along the street while the local body lives on with an ear on only one side of the body. We have a role in the body and we need to address and embrace that role.

Random Thoughts, 14 May 13, Spend and be spent

This is in response to my Pastor's message on Sunday. It reminded me of something I felt I needed to put down on paper.

Isa 58:10 (NIV) … and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry //  and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, // then your light will rise in the darkness, // and your night will become like the noonday.

2 Cor 12:15 (RSV) I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you the more, am I to be loved the less?

Luke 16:9 (NIV) I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

Note: Years ago, God impressed on me the phrase "spend and be spent." It really is a great philosophy of life. It does not preclude wise handling of the money God has entrusted to me for old age and retirement. What it does is free me to spend on others. Yes, I might be "wealthy" if I did not give as much as I have or spent as much as I do on people, but I have more peace because it relieves the tension between frugality and indulgence. Both positions represents extremes which do not honor God. Frugality, while often extolled, communicates that "my" money is more important than people. Indulgence is an obnoxious abuse of the gift God has given. Somewhere between is a point of freedom. I can spend money that is helpful for others, whether that is providing a dinner for young adults who attend our Tuesday night bible study or upgrading the carpeting in our house so that it can stand traffic (people visiting) better. I suppose we can always justify our actions, and that part is difficult to determine, but ultimately I stand before God, and while I might benefit from the spending, if my heart is right, I can have peace. I want to spend and be spent for people. I don't want to end up rich at the end of my life and realize all the opportunities I missed to use money for another person's good. God doesn't give me the funds I have so that I save it all or spend it all on myself. God has given me funds to live on and to use for the kingdom's sake. If that means buying a person breakfast so that we can talk, so be it. If that means replacing something sooner than normal because it is worn out by people using it, so be it. If that means having less left for myself, most certainly so be it. 

QT 14 May 13, We are under attack!

John 17:13-19 (NIV) "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

NOTE: Jesus prayed this prayer in the disciple's hearing and for their benefit. I'm sure it was comforting to hear Jesus speak of them to his father. Also, to know that "you will see me soon" (last chapter) did not mean they were also going to die since he prayed that they would not be taken out of the world. But he clearly identifies them with himself to the point that he says that they also are not of the world. It is easy to see how Jesus is not of the world since he is "half" man (by Mary), and "half" God (by the Holy Spirit) -- (theologically, we say he is perfectly (I like better than fully) man and fully God). But the disciples are "all of this world." Apparently not, Jesus says they are not of this world. So, identification with Jesus separates us from this world (since they had not received the Spirit yet). They are different by being around Jesus and they no longer identify with the world but with Jesus. That doesn't mean that they need to leave the world (as Jesus prays). They are to be a witness for Jesus in the world and their greatest need is protection from the evil one. He is out to destroy them. Jesus' other prayer comes to mind on this point, "… lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil." I don't know if I think about this enough. The enemy is attacking me. It might be subtle but there is an attack ongoing. If it was obvious, it wouldn't be as successful. I need to remember this for myself and others, and pray for mine and their protection.

QT 8 May 13, Jesus clearly states his deity

John 17:1-5 (NIV) After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

"Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

NOTE: This is a pretty strong statement from Jesus about his deity and the trinity (or at least duality). Both Father and Son are glorified. Jesus has authority, from the Father, over all people. Eternal life is knowing God the Father and Jesus. Jesus had glory before the world even began. Clearly, they are separate, and yet they share many things (glory, authority, and eternality). These are not the statements of Paul, but Jesus' very words. Admittedly, John's gospel is likely written after all the other apostles are dead, although we are not sure. And the fact that the temple's destruction is not even mentioned suggests it may have been written before 70AD as opposed to the usual assumption of 90-100AD. The later date does not eliminate all the eyewitnesses, just the apostles. Still, even if it was the late date, of all people, John had no incentive to make up something that was not true. And least of all, to ascribe deity to Jesus. No, the logical argument leads us to accept these words as Jesus, and so forces us to face the fact of his deity and its implications on our own life.

QT 7 May 13, Have faith, God really does know what is best

John 16:5-11 (NIV) "Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' 6 Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

NOTE: Jesus' comment is a little hard to understand. Both Peter and Thomas had asked similar questions, and maybe Jesus expected a more fuller discussion. But I think his point is that their grief had overtaken their rationality. They were so focused on Jesus' leaving that they weren't thinking. Jesus tries to help them understand that his leaving is a good thing. Most people, in times of grief, do not recognize the good that can come out of a situation -- and rightly so. But faith tells us that God is working good for us in every situation that life presents. This of course is a special situation: Jesus' death, resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Still, the principle remains the same: God promises to bring good out of every situation. Now "good" can be subjective (at least to us, not to God). No one considers discipline a good thing in the midst of the discipline. But time shows us the value. The key is that God knows my situation and is at work for my best!

QT 6 May 13, Called to be faithful, not argumentative

John 16:1-4 (NIV) "All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4 I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.

NOTE: Truth does not always look like it is successful. In fact, many times, truth will not look like truth but rather will be perceived as foolishness. We do not have to defend truth to the n-th degree. We are to have a defense for anyone who calls us to account for our hope, but that does not mean we will win the argument. But truth, and especially scripture has an internal effect on people that we can't see, and God will use it in the person's heart. Our job is to not despair as we see the  world turn away from truth but rather  to be faithful to employ truth even when it is unpopular.

QT 8 Apr 13, One of the key last charges of Jesus: love characterizes the witness of a disciple!

QT 1 Apr 13, Start extended time alone with God in humility and introspection

John 13:21-30 (NIV), After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."

22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."

25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"

26 Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

"What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, 28 but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

NOTE: Jesus knew that Judas would betray him and yet he was still troubled in spirit. It bothered him to lose one, even if it was the prophesied son of destruction (John 17:12). Jesus loved the disciples, good and evil. He did not want to lose any of them. The disciples show a healthy concern over Jesus' revelation and in the other gospels individuals show a concern that it is not them (Matt 26:22; Mark 14:19). Apparently, Peter either did not think it was himself or wanted to know if it was, as he motions for John to find out. It appears that Jesus makes it clear to John but not to the others as they are all unaware as to why Judas leaves. What would they have done? What could they have done? It was God's will for Jesus to die for the sins of the world. To have stopped the process would have stopped God's plan of salvation. But they did not know that. Satan's apparent victory was actually his greatest defeat. A certain amount of introspection is healthy. Too much is not. Like everything in life, there is balance. David prays that God would search him and make known to him his sin (Ps 139). So we too need those times of introspection and review to examine our lives, repent, and rededicate ourselves to God's service. So far, in this private time with Jesus, he has emphasized service (humility), and introspection. It is a good way to start time with God in humility and introspection.

QT 27 Mar 13, Loving others through serving

John 13:1-5, 12-17 (NIV) It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

. . .

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

NOTE: This is the key pillar of the Christian message. It turns upside-down the world's view of status. Jesus is Lord and Teacher, and as he says, rightly addressed by those terms. But Jesus is not above being a servant to all. Nor do his titles make him more important than others. Each person has value in the kingdom. No one is more important than any other person. No person is above serving, not matter how minuscule or 'low' the task is. In this setting, no one took upon themselves the role of the servant who would wash the feet of the visitors. They had all taken baths and only needed their feet to be washed to be clean. One wonders why they could not even have done it for themselves. But no was willing to lower themselves. The scripture say that Jesus washes their feet to show the full extent of his love. Serving is an act of love, not of power, not of pride, not of abasement, but purely of love -- love for others. We serve, not to check off a square, but because we want to show our love to those we are serving. Any other reason is selfishness and violates the very purpose of the act. Jesus set the example and told the disciples to do as he had done. So, we are to serve out of love. Not out of duty or some works-oriented abasement but out of love for others. And in that attitude, there is a special blessing as well to those who serve in that manner. The blessing is not the motivation, it is the outgrowth of love-motivated serving. We are blessed because we serve others in love. We do not serve others to be blessed.

QT 14 Mar 2013, Israel's prolonged battle with sin led to greater levels of depravity

Judges 19:1a, 22-30 (NIV) In those days Israel had no king.

. . .

22 While they were enjoying themselves, some of the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they shouted to the old man who owned the house, "Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him."

23 The owner of the house went outside and said to them, "No, my friends, don't be so vile. Since this man is my guest, don't do this disgraceful thing. 24 Look, here is my virgin daughter, and his concubine. I will bring them out to you now, and you can use them and do to them whatever you wish. But to this man, don't do such a disgraceful thing."

25 But the men would not listen to him. So the man took his concubine and sent her outside to them, and they raped her and abused her throughout the night, and at dawn they let her go. 26 At daybreak the woman went back to the house where her master was staying, fell down at the door and lay there until daylight.

27 When her master got up in the morning and opened the door of the house and stepped out to continue on his way, there lay his concubine, fallen in the doorway of the house, with her hands on the threshold. 28 He said to her, "Get up; let's go." But there was no answer. Then the man put her on his donkey and set out for home.

29 When he reached home, he took a knife and cut up his concubine, limb by limb, into twelve parts and sent them into all the areas of Israel. 30 Everyone who saw it said, "Such a thing has never been seen or done, not since the day the Israelites came up out of Egypt. Think about it! Consider it! Tell us what to do!"

NOTE: The wickedness of this passage defies belief. In some ways, it seemed hard to top the story of Micah and the Danites, but this easily surpasses it in ungodliness. God records it for a purpose, it is the ending story of Judges, a book that while it portrays a repeated cycle of sin shows an even greater issue, a descent into deeper levels of sin. Judges tells us in story what Romans 1:17-32 says didactically. And the picture is one of a people being "sold" into their sin in much the same way as Paul describes the human race as "God gave them over … to their sin (last part paraphrased)." The man was wrong in how he treated his wife. The owner was wrong in how he treated the women. The wicked men were wrong in their desire for homosexual sex and for their treatment of the women. And the people were wrong for not recognizing and dealing with the sin issue in Israel sooner. Modern day armchair commentators will say that God is wrong but that is a misunderstanding of scripture. Nowhere does God approve or substantiate the actions. The scriptures record accurately what happened but the story does not speak to God's character but rather to the character of man. And even more terrifying, it speaks about the character of a religious people (the Jews) who were to represent God on earth, and their incredible failures to be a witness for God.

The other message of this passage is that in the end times, this will be the picture of the church, another group of people who call themselves by God's name but become a religious people living in a manner completely opposed to God's moral rules (2 Tim 3:1-5 "… having a form of godliness but denying it's power").

QT 13 Feb 13, Change doesn't happen in nations, but in individuals

Judges 15:15-20 (NIV) Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men.

16 Then Samson said,

"With a donkey's jawbone

I have made donkeys of them.

With a donkey's jawbone

I have killed a thousand men."

17 When he finished speaking, he threw away the jawbone; and the place was called Ramath Lehi.

18 Because he was very thirsty, he cried out to the Lord, "You have given your servant this great victory. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?" 19 Then God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned and he revived. So the spring was called En Hakkore, and it is still there in Lehi.

20 Samson led Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

NOTE: At this point in the book of Judges, it is very hard to distinguish Israel from the nations around them. Samson's life is controlled by his appetites, just like the world, whether it be sex or thirst or power (in the form of violence). The only distinguishing characteristic, referred to here, is circumcision. But that is hardly anything to be proud of or that might draw someone toward faith in the unseen God. And yet God is gracious to his people and continues to provide for them. And Samson, of all people, leads Israel for 20 years. Why does God choose Samson? He picks him before he is born. He is a Nazarite. His hair has never been cut and he has never drank strong drink. I find the latter hard to believe, but there is no verse to contradict. God picked someone, before they were born, to save his people. Even born with a purpose and a special calling, Samson is hardly a man after God's heart. His parents show more faith than most but it does not seem to make much of a difference in Samson's choices. Possibly, the picture presented, is that even a divinely raised and called man cannot change Israel or stop its slide in sin. Ultimately, the people as a whole must want change, and it has to start in individuals. Revival starts first with a person and then moves on to capture nations. But if we are not willing to repent of our sins, no true change will occur. And that is where most nations are today. They want change but they don't want to give up their sins. They want God, just as long as they can continue to live their life like they please. Samson is our hero, a man set aside by God, who lives life as he chooses. But ultimately he is a failure and it isn't until the end of his short life that he repents of his sins.

QT 11 Feb 13, We need God's word or else we ultimately fight losing battles in the world

Judges 15:1-8 (NIV) Later on, at the time of wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife. He said, "I'm going to my wife's room." But her father would not let him go in.

2 "I was so sure you thoroughly hated her," he said, "that I gave her to your friend. Isn't her younger sister more attractive? Take her instead."

3 Samson said to them, "This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines; I will really harm them." 4 So he went out and caught three hundred foxes and tied them tail to tail in pairs. He then fastened a torch to every pair of tails, 5 lit the torches and let the foxes loose in the standing grain of the Philistines. He burned up the shocks and standing grain, together with the vineyards and olive groves.

6 When the Philistines asked, "Who did this?" they were told, "Samson, the Timnite's son-in-law, because his wife was given to his friend."

So the Philistines went up and burned her and her father to death. 7 Samson said to them, "Since you've acted like this, I won't stop until I get my revenge on you." 8 He attacked them viciously and slaughtered many of them. Then he went down and stayed in a cave in the rock of Etam.

NOTE: At this point the story had degenerated into a story of revenge, back and forth killing. It is the world's way of dealing with another's actions. It is heavy in physical conflict, usually with no end in sight. Since Judges is a story of second generation believers, the lesson seems to be a complete disregard for God's method of resolving conflict but rather a worldly approach to conflict and getting even. In fact, new ways of committing evil are also prevalent, and Samson uses a new approach to burning up as much grain as possible (typing torches to the tails of 300 foxes). The very little direct mention of God in the Samson story. Essentially, Samson becomes a judge of Israel based on his great strength and little else. His strength does provide a relief from the Philistines, but it does not provide the greater need, strong teaching of the word of God. And so consequently, except for the reprieve, Samson does not slow down the continuing descent into even greater sin as a nation. The application is that without an emphasis on God's word, what do we really accomplish? I apply this to our church business meetings which should always feature God's word first. Otherwise, we will strive to solve problems using worldly approaches and ultimately make very little progress.

QT 7 Feb 13, Repent now, don't wait for death

Judges 14:1-3, 12-14, 17-20 (NIV) Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2 When he returned, he said to his father and mother, "I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife."

3 His father and mother replied, "Isn't there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?"

. . .

12 "Let me tell you a riddle," Samson said to them. "If you can give me the answer within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes. 13 If you can't tell me the answer, you must give me thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes."

"Tell us your riddle," they said. "Let's hear it."

14 He replied,

"Out of the eater, something to eat;

out of the strong, something sweet."

For three days they could not give the answer.

. . .

17 She cried the whole seven days of the feast. So on the seventh day he finally told her, because she continued to press him. She in turn explained the riddle to her people.

18 Before sunset on the seventh day the men of the town said to him,

"What is sweeter than honey?

What is stronger than a lion?"

Samson said to them,

"If you had not plowed with my heifer,

you would not have solved my riddle."

19 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power. He went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men, stripped them of their belongings and gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle. Burning with anger, he went up to his father's house. 20 And Samson's wife was given to the friend who had attended him at his wedding.

NOTE: Each story in Judges seems further away from the central theme of a nation, called out by God, to influence the world to worship the one true God. Now we see a man named Samuel who is controlled by his passions and flesh. He "sees" a woman and orders his parent to set up a marriage. She is not a believer in the one true God, and Samuel does not seem to care despite the presence of the Spirit in his life. He is an angry man (vs 19 "burning with anger") and uses the power of the Spirit to kill 30 men for their clothing to pay of a bet. And yet this is the man God has chosen to free Israel from the rule of the Philistines. Not until his death does it seem that Samuel even recognizes God. He knows the stories of his "specialness" but it does not influence his life or his actions. He lives for himself and cares little for anything or anyone beyond his own passions and lusts. This is the latest picture of Israel. They have descended to a new level of narcissism and Samson is their spokesman and leader. And still the picture will get even worse. Up ahead is rape, gore, and the near-destruction of an entire tribe. The people barely know God nor do they seem to care. This is one of the later stages of Romans 1:17ff when men become lovers of self, disobedient to their parents, and God-haters. Only near death will Samson repent. What does it take for us to repent? 

QT 6 Feb 13, Filling with the Spirit does not prevent poor choices, we need instruction in the word

Judges 13:1-5, 18-25 (NIV) Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.

2 A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was sterile and remained childless. 3 The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, "You are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son. 4 Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean, 5 because you will conceive and give birth to a son. No razor may be used on his head, because the boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines."

. . .

18 He replied, "Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding."  19 Then Manoah took a young goat, together with the grain offering, and sacrificed it on a rock to the Lord. And the Lord did an amazing thing while Manoah and his wife watched: 20 As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame. Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground. 21 When the angel of the Lord did not show himself again to Manoah and his wife, Manoah realized that it was the angel of the Lord.

22 "We are doomed to die!" he said to his wife. "We have seen God!"

23 But his wife answered, "If the Lord had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands, nor shown us all these things or now told us this."

24 The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him, 25 and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.

NOTE:  One of the first things that stands out is that Manoah and his wife did not understand the concept of Nazarite. Twice the angel repeats the instructions concerning the Nazarite, which again emphasizes one of the main points about Judges that the people lacked teaching and instruction in the word of God. The second thing to stand out is that the Spirit of the Lord stirred in Samson and yet he lived his life for fleshly pursuits and desires. Yes, the Spirit gave him power to do some amazing things, but it did not control his will or affect his attitude toward sin (as we will see later in the story). I think the emphasis on this second filling of the Spirit is oversold on this point, because twice now in Judges we have seen men filled with the Spirit who make terrible choices. Filling of the Spirit is not a substitute for the instruction in the word of God, and in fact, the two should go together hand-in-hand. I always assumed that the passages in Eph 5:18-20 and Col 3:16-17 mirrored each other because the best way to be filled with the Spirit was to let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. But now I wonder if in fact they are separate things but best understood together. We do need to seek to be filled with God's Spirit (not through external acts) but by allowing the Lord to control more areas of our life, but we also need as much as God's word in our life as possible to control our sinful responses to life. We need both, not just one.

QT 1 Feb 13, Internal discord is the next stage in a nation ignoring the biblical truths of God's word

Judges 12:1-7 (NIV) The men of Ephraim called out their forces, crossed over to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, "Why did you go to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We're going to burn down your house over your head."

2 Jephthah answered, "I and my people were engaged in a great struggle with the Ammonites, and although I called, you didn't save me out of their hands. 3 When I saw that you wouldn't help, I took my life in my hands and crossed over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave me the victory over them. Now why have you come up today to fight me?"

4 Jephthah then called together the men of Gilead and fought against Ephraim. The Gileadites struck them down because the Ephraimites had said, "You Gileadites are renegades from Ephraim and Manasseh." 5 The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Ephraim, and whenever a survivor of Ephraim said, "Let me cross over," the men of Gilead asked him, "Are you an Ephraimite?" If he replied, "No," 6 they said, "All right, say 'Shibboleth.'" If he said, "Sibboleth," because he could not pronounce the word correctly, they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed at that time.

7 Jephthah led Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died, and was buried in a town in Gilead.

NOTE: The Ephraimites seem to have an issue with not getting called out to participate in the battle. They confronted Gideon on the same account. Jephthah is not so diplomatic in his response, and as a result we have our first instance of internal civil war. At every stage, the country plunges into a deeper hole, now costing them forty-two thousand lives. It is clear that the country does need leadership, spiritual leadership to bring them back to God and to set an example. Samuel will start the transition by teaching on a circuit, but a ruler is needed to set the pace for the people, one who is not a priest but still by example lives for God. It is not a rejection of God's kingship to seek that person. The rejection of God's rule occurred much earlier in the book when the people worshipped idols every time life was good again. A transformation is required and only good leadership built on sound biblical practices can restore the nation again. This is still true today. Our failure to follow God, especially for second generation believers, is a direct result of our ignoring his rule in our life and his teaching. We need good biblical practice  and a knowledge of God in our everyday lives. If we fail in this, we begin a cycle of sin that can lead to devastating consequences.