April 3
Judges 9:22-11:28
Throughout the book of Judges, we have seen the pattern of Israel rebelling against God, then crying out to God, and God providing a judge/deliverer who saves the people from their oppressors. In today's reading we see two moments where this pattern is not followed. When a pattern is broken in the Bible it is meant to capture our attention. Two leaders who do not follow the pattern are Abimelek and Jephthah. In the case of Abimelek, the people do not cry out to God; rather Abimelek steps forward asking the people to make him not just a judge over them but king (see Judges 9:1-6g). God is not a part of this coronation, and the effects are swift. All but one of Gideon's sons are murdered, the people are annihilated by their king, and then the king himself is killed. In the case of Jephthah, the Israelites cry out to God, but, unlike most of the book, we are not explicitly told that God raised up a judge; rather they chose whoever was willing to lead them into battle. As in the case of Abimelek, Jephthah is another leader without character and without God at the center.
Tomorrow we will see the consequences of his actions and the void of God's leadership in Israel. These examples function as warnings for Israel and for us. When God is not at the center, we end up inevitably making foolish decisions with severe consequences; so let us cry out to God continually and allow God to lead our lives.
Father God, lead me. Help me not to do whatever I want but to seek your will in all things. Amen.
In what ways do you take control from God and how can you live in greater submission to him?
Throughout the book of Judges, we have seen the pattern of Israel rebelling against God, then crying out to God, and God providing a judge/deliverer who saves the people from their oppressors. In today's reading we see two moments where this pattern is not followed. When a pattern is broken in the Bible it is meant to capture our attention. Two leaders who do not follow the pattern are Abimelek and Jephthah. In the case of Abimelek, the people do not cry out to God; rather Abimelek steps forward asking the people to make him not just a judge over them but king (see Judges 9:1-6g). God is not a part of this coronation, and the effects are swift. All but one of Gideon's sons are murdered, the people are annihilated by their king, and then the king himself is killed. In the case of Jephthah, the Israelites cry out to God, but, unlike most of the book, we are not explicitly told that God raised up a judge; rather they chose whoever was willing to lead them into battle. As in the case of Abimelek, Jephthah is another leader without character and without God at the center.
Tomorrow we will see the consequences of his actions and the void of God's leadership in Israel. These examples function as warnings for Israel and for us. When God is not at the center, we end up inevitably making foolish decisions with severe consequences; so let us cry out to God continually and allow God to lead our lives.
Father God, lead me. Help me not to do whatever I want but to seek your will in all things. Amen.
In what ways do you take control from God and how can you live in greater submission to him?
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