In the third chapter of Judges we find the same cycle found in Judges 1 and 2.The Israelites went on further to intermarry with the neighboring nations,thus being more exposed to idol worship.God used the same nations to persecute them.Then they'd repent and God will raise someone to fight for them.But the sad thing is,when the one who was raised would die,they'd go back to their sinful ways.
The following verses stood out for me and I got lessons from them.
verse 6:They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.
Intermarriage between believers and unbelievers is one of the reasons Israel was easily led to idol worship.In the New Testament we are admonished and commanded not to marry unbelievers.The one you marry can either draw you to God or away from God,hence it is advised to not marry those who do not believe in present truth.
verse 7:The Israelites chose other gods over God.When we choose not to serve God we automatically serve the devil.There aren't many gods,rather,there may be many gods but they all belong to two categories:God and the false god (devil).Even if you might not necessarily bow to man-made idols, if there's anyone or anything you hold more dearly THAN God,then it is your idol-it can include false theories as well.
verse 8-10:The cycle continues:the Israelites sin against God,God persecutes them,they repent.Isn't it sad that as humans we can take God for granted?Isn't this what we do,when we know the truth and we promise to live by it,and we don't?Then God sends His servants to remind us and we commit again;but we never reach a stage where we actually do not turn back to our sins.I'm challenged.Why can't I be so committed to God that He needs not to use trials or other measures?Does it make sense that we play God like a fool while He's the King of kings?May God help me not to take Him for granted.
Hebrews 12:28 commands us,
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
verse 9:And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.
Here,we see God's long-suffering toward us.He also uses those who are willing to serve Him.Are we also willing to fulfill our mission-the third angel's message accompanied by the health message?
verse 10: We can only fulfill that which God commands us to do through the aid of the Holy Spirit.What scares me the most is having the Holy Spirit leave me.So,let's pray for hearts that are open to the impressions of the Holy Spirit and allow Him to use us.
verse 11: And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died
Through Othniel,God was able to free Israel and restore them back to true worship.Othnied lived faithfully all throughout.When we live faithful lives we not only please God but serve to inspire others to be faithful to God.When tempted to sin or to do as we feel,post things via social media,etc,we should think of our influence,whether it strengthens others to be faithful to God.Also,it's crucial to faithful through the end.
verse 12:Again Israel rebels.By now I personally would have washed my hands off Israel.Imagine walking with God for forty years and rebelling against Him afterwards?Just shows our years of experience are not assurance for salvation,or proof that we'll always walk with God.This reminds of Ezekiel 18 where we're told that if one is righteous all throughout but sins at the end,he's unrighteous in God's eyes.It reminds me of a statement in SOP,where it talks about one who has been seen as a "star" will fall.We are never immune to falling and that's why we need to abide in Christ.
verse 13-30 God delivers Israel and they serve him for for eighty years.
From this chapter I see God's long-suffering and love towards us.His patience also shines through.Although Israel kept sinning,God runs after them.I mean,can you imagine One who created and owns everything,running after you for your OWN sake?But we ought to be mindful that God's patience reaches a certain point where He no longer pleads.
God loves us and through the Bible is revealed His love for mankind:
"The wealth of earth dwindles into insignificance when compared with the worth of a SINGLE soul for whom our Lord and Master died. He who weigheth the hills in scales and the mountains in a balance regards a human soul as of infinite value."-God's Amazing Grace,page 173 (emphasis mine)
The following verses stood out for me and I got lessons from them.
verse 6:They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.
Intermarriage between believers and unbelievers is one of the reasons Israel was easily led to idol worship.In the New Testament we are admonished and commanded not to marry unbelievers.The one you marry can either draw you to God or away from God,hence it is advised to not marry those who do not believe in present truth.
verse 7:The Israelites chose other gods over God.When we choose not to serve God we automatically serve the devil.There aren't many gods,rather,there may be many gods but they all belong to two categories:God and the false god (devil).Even if you might not necessarily bow to man-made idols, if there's anyone or anything you hold more dearly THAN God,then it is your idol-it can include false theories as well.
verse 8-10:The cycle continues:the Israelites sin against God,God persecutes them,they repent.Isn't it sad that as humans we can take God for granted?Isn't this what we do,when we know the truth and we promise to live by it,and we don't?Then God sends His servants to remind us and we commit again;but we never reach a stage where we actually do not turn back to our sins.I'm challenged.Why can't I be so committed to God that He needs not to use trials or other measures?Does it make sense that we play God like a fool while He's the King of kings?May God help me not to take Him for granted.
Hebrews 12:28 commands us,
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
verse 9:And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.
Here,we see God's long-suffering toward us.He also uses those who are willing to serve Him.Are we also willing to fulfill our mission-the third angel's message accompanied by the health message?
verse 10: We can only fulfill that which God commands us to do through the aid of the Holy Spirit.What scares me the most is having the Holy Spirit leave me.So,let's pray for hearts that are open to the impressions of the Holy Spirit and allow Him to use us.
verse 11: And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died
Through Othniel,God was able to free Israel and restore them back to true worship.Othnied lived faithfully all throughout.When we live faithful lives we not only please God but serve to inspire others to be faithful to God.When tempted to sin or to do as we feel,post things via social media,etc,we should think of our influence,whether it strengthens others to be faithful to God.Also,it's crucial to faithful through the end.
verse 12:Again Israel rebels.By now I personally would have washed my hands off Israel.Imagine walking with God for forty years and rebelling against Him afterwards?Just shows our years of experience are not assurance for salvation,or proof that we'll always walk with God.This reminds of Ezekiel 18 where we're told that if one is righteous all throughout but sins at the end,he's unrighteous in God's eyes.It reminds me of a statement in SOP,where it talks about one who has been seen as a "star" will fall.We are never immune to falling and that's why we need to abide in Christ.
verse 13-30 God delivers Israel and they serve him for for eighty years.
From this chapter I see God's long-suffering and love towards us.His patience also shines through.Although Israel kept sinning,God runs after them.I mean,can you imagine One who created and owns everything,running after you for your OWN sake?But we ought to be mindful that God's patience reaches a certain point where He no longer pleads.
God loves us and through the Bible is revealed His love for mankind:
"The wealth of earth dwindles into insignificance when compared with the worth of a SINGLE soul for whom our Lord and Master died. He who weigheth the hills in scales and the mountains in a balance regards a human soul as of infinite value."-God's Amazing Grace,page 173 (emphasis mine)
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