96 - Continue crying out to the LORD

Samson Destroying the Temple of the Philistines.
Maerten van Heemskerck

Chareen's Thoughts

• The Ark of the Lord with the unyoked cattle returned by themselves back to Israel. It stopped in Bethshemesh where those people took the cart cut it up and used that as wood for an offering of the two cattle and the sin offering from the Philestines. 
• 70 men from Bethshemesh died because they looked inside the Ark. As a result of this they sent a message to Kiriath-jearim to come and fetch the Ark.
• The Ark was taken to the Abinadab's house and his son Eleazer was consecrated to be it's caretaker.  It remained here for 20 years until the house of Israel began to seek the Lord.
• The 12th judge of Israel was Ibzan. He had 30 sons and 30 daughters and he judged Israel for 7 years.
• Samson was angry over his wife being given to another man so he captured 300 foxes tied torches to their tails and when they ran through the Philistine grain, olive orchards and vineyards and burnt them down. In turn the Philistines burned his wife and father in-law which upset Samson even more so he took his vengence upon them.  Because of this the men of Philistine went to war against Israel. Israel handed over Samson to the Philistines and the Spirit of the Lord took control of him and he killed 1,000 men with the jaw bone of a donkey.
• Samson then stayed at Gaza and escapes from their with the two doors of the city.
• Saul had married and has children(Jonathan, Ishvi and Malchishua) and an army with Abner as it's commander.
• Thirteenth judge of Israel is Elon. He judged for 10 years.
• Samson fell in love with Delilah.  The leaders bribe her with 1,100 pieces of silver each. She nagged him to find the source of his power which he then tells her.  His hair is shaved and the Lord leaves him and he is captured. The Lord helps him push down the pillars of the temple and he and all the people there die. He had judged Israel for 20 years.
• The people sought the Lord and Samuel encouraged them to get rid of their idols and seek the Lord with their whole hearts.
• Samuel prayed and sought the Lord on their behalf. The Philistines heard that they were seeking the Lord and pursued them. Israel continued to cry out for deliverance.

As I read today I realised that it's that way with us. At times we walk away from Him and when we return and seek Him our enemy hears this and pursues us. Just as  Israel said to Samuel: "Don't stop crying out  to the LORD our God for us, so that He will save us from the hand of the Philistines."   so we need to continue crying out to the LORD our God for deliverance.

Blessings
Chareen.

95 - He will not share what is HIS

Jephthah's Daughter
James Tissot 1902

Chareens Thoughts

• Jephthah continued his pursuit of the Ammorites and during this pursuit he makes a vow to the Lord that when he returns home whatever comes out of the doors of his home he will sacrifice to the Lord. Little did he know that would be his daughter ! (and only child)
• God helped him to subdue the Ammorites and when he came home his daughter approached him. When she heard her fathers vow she mourned that she would not marry before going to the temple to fulfill her fathers vow. As a result of this the young women of Israel commemorate the daughter of Jephthah for four days a year.
• The Ephraimites then quarrelled with Jephthah and many died.
• Jephthah was the 10th judge of Israel and he judged Israel for six years.
• Samson was the 11th judge and he judged Israel for 20 years.
• Samuel had prophsied that the ark would be captured and Israel defeated. This prophesy is fulfilled and the Philesteins take the ark and 30,000 men die.
• At the news of the Ark being captured Eli who was 98 died. He had judged Israel for 40 years.
• The Philestines took the Ark of the Lord and placed it in the temple of Dagon. Three times they found their idol on the ground face down before the Ark of the Lord and on the third morning the head and hands were broken off.
• Where ever the Philestines stored the Ark of the Lord, He caused panic and tumours among the people of Philestine. After seven months and five cities they returned the Ark of the Lord back to Israel.

Interesting reading today. Even though the ark had been captured it was the Lords and what is His and Israels He will not share.

We are His and He will not share us either. Where are our hearts ?
Blessings
Chareen

94 - In favour both with the LORD, and also with men

The Calling of Samuel
Joshuar Reynolds 1776

Chareen's Thoughts

• Samson is now married and gives a feast and at this feast presents a riddle to be solved. 
• The men at this feast can't work it out and so threaten his wife who in turn wears Samson down for the answer. Samson is so angry that he walks away and abandons his wife and returns home.  Her father in turn gives her to one of the guests at the feast. Judges 14:15-20
• After a while Samson wants his wife back and discovers that she has been given away.
• Now Eli's sons were wicked men and had no regard for the Lord.
• Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.  Every year his mother would visit and bring him a new garment. Each year Eli would pray a blessing over Elkanah and his family: And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, May the Lord give you children by this woman for the gift she asked for and gave to the Lord. Then they would go to their own home. And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she bore three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord. 1 Samuel 2:20-21
• And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men. 1 Samuel 2:26
• The Lord sent a warning to Eli because of the sin of his two sons. 
• Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, says, I did promise that your house and that of your father [forefather Aaron] should go in and out before Me forever. But now the Lord says, Be it far from Me. For those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. 1 Samuel 2:30  
• Saul is born during this time.
• Samuel served the LORD in Eli's presence and served Eli the priest.  It was during this time that the Lord called Samuel and spoke to him for the first time.
• Samuel grew; the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.^(A)And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord continued to appear in Shiloh, for the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh through the word of the Lord.1 Samuel 3:19-21.
• Yesterday we met Jephthah who was kicked out of home because his mother was not married to his father.  Today we read how the elders of Gilead go to him and ask him to lead and help fight against the Ammonites.  He agrees on condition that if they win he becomes their leader.
•  He attempts to make peace and reason with the Amonites. 

And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men. 1 Samuel 2:26
Blessings
Chareen

93 - For the Lord is a God of knowledge

Samson Slays a Lion.

Chareen's Thoughts

• And the woman [in due time] bore a son and called his name Samson; and the child grew and the Lord blessed him. Judges 13:24-25. Did you know the name Samson means like the sun ?
• Jephthah was a great warrior who had been kicked out by his brothers because he was the son of another woman. As a result of this Jephthah fled to the land of Tob where some lawless men joined him.
• During the time when Eli's two sons: Hophni and Phinehas were the LORD'S priests Elkanah and his family would make an annual pilgrimage to sacrifice and worship the Lord.  
• Now Hannah was barren and deeply loved by Elkanah.  At this time she was deeply hurt and went to the temple: And [Hannah] was in distress of soul, praying to the Lord and weeping bitterly. She vowed, saying, O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your handmaid and [earnestly] remember, and not forget Your handmaid but will give me a son, I will give him to the Lord all his life; no razor shall touch his head. 1 Samuel 1:10-11 In fact her distress was so deep that Eli the priest thought she was drunk! But Hannah answered, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I was pouring out my soul before the Lord.  ... Then Eli said, Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.
• The Lord blessed Hannah with a son within the year and she named him Samuel [heard of God], Because, she said, I have asked him of the Lord. She did not go with her husband to worship but stayed home to nurse Samuel till he was weaned.
• When Samuel was three years old and weaned Hannah kept her word to the Lord and took the boy to Shiloh and dedicated him to the Lord and said: For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted my petition made to Him. Therefore I have given him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is given to the Lord. And they worshiped the Lord there.
• Hannah then prayed. 
• HANNAH PRAYED, and said, My heart exults and triumphs in the Lord; my horn (my strength) is lifted up in the Lord. My mouth is no longer silent, for it is opened wide over my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation.1 Samuel 2:1 Talk no more so very proudly; let not arrogance go forth from your mouth, for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed. 1 Samuel 2:3 The Lord slays and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. 1 Samuel 2:6 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and He lifts up. 1 Samuel 2:7 He will guard the feet of His godly ones, but the wicked shall be silenced and perish in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. 1 Samuel 2:9
• Due to Israel's sin of idol worship and not doing as He had commanded they were oppressed by the Ammonites and Phillistines. Psalm 106:34-46
• After this time the Israelites repented and got rid of their foreign gods and worshiped the Lord and cried out to Him for deliverance.
• Now Samson had been down to Timnah and seen a beautiful Philistine woman and wanted her for a wife.  He asked his father to get her for him. His father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord, and that He sought an occasion for assailing the Philistines. At that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel. Judges 14:4

Today I was impacted with Hannah's Prayer.   Her words are beautiful and you can see a little more of the Heavenly Father and His character in her prayer.
Talk no more so very proudly; let not arrogance go forth from your mouth, for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed. 1 Samuel 2:3


May you be blessed with a sense of who He is.
Blessings
Chareen

92 - God repaid

The Death of Abimelech.

Chareen's Thoughts

• Jotham Gideon's youngest son set forth a rebuke to the Shechemites and then hid from Abimelech.
• After Abimelech had been on the throne for three years God sent an evil spirit between him and the Shechemites who in turn formed a conspiracy against him.
• Eventually Abimelech realises what's going on and he destroys Shechem.
• From here Abimelech goes to Thebez to attack it but as he approaches the tower he is killed. Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech which he had done to his father [Gideon] by slaying his seventy brothers; And all the wickedness of the men of Shechem God repaid upon their heads and caused to come upon them the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal. Judges 9:56-57 (Amplified Bible)
• After Abimelech, Tola son of Puah, son of Dodo became judge and began to deliver Israel. He judged Israel for 23 years.
• The eighth judge of Israel was Jair. He judged Israel for 22 years.
• At this time the Angel of the Lord appeared to the wife of Manoah and told her she would conceive a son and she was not to drink any alcohol or eat any unclean food.  She was not to cut the child's hair for he will be a Nazirite.
• So Manoah prayed and asked the Lord to please teach them how to raise the child. The Lord graciously answers his prayer and sends the Angel and Manoah prepares a sacrifice and the Lord accepts it.

It is true in His time He will bring about and repay the evil done before him. 

Blessings
Chareen.

91- Imperfect vessels for His honour

Chareen's Thoughts

Battle of Gideon against the Midianites.
Nicolas Poussin 1626

Today signifies that we are a quarter of our way through the bible and a quarter of the way through this year.

I just hate it when life gets in the way of good intentions.  Once again I am 'behind in my readings'  I feel like I am constantantly in catch up mode :( ! 

I am looking forward to the beginning of our holiday and the time this will provide for me to read and learn. I am hoping to catch up and blog depending on the availability of internet in South Africa.

• Gideon had an army of 32,000 men with him.  The Lord declared that that was too many and he needed to release those who were in fear to go home. 22,000 went home. 
• Next the Lord Himself chose 300 to represent Him in the war against Midian so that the people of Israel would know that it was the Lord who delivered them and not their army.
• The Lord encouraged Gideon who was in fear and led him to overhear a dream and it's interpretation down in the camp of the enemy. 
• Gideon and his 300 surrounded the camp and did as the Lord commanded. The Lord won the battle and the huge army fled.
• As the armies fled Gideon the Lord handed them over to Israel. The tribe of Ephraim captured the Kings Oreb and Zeeb and killed them.
• Gideon and his small army of 300 continued to pursue the fleeing armies. During their pursuit they went through Succoth and Penuel but were denied support. Over 120,000 men of the enemy army had already died. Gideon captured the kings leading these armies and disciplined the cities who did not stand with him and support his army.
• The people asked Gideon to lead them but he said no the LORD will rule over you.
• Gideon took gold from the plunder and made an idol that the people worshiped.  He went home after avenging his brothers deaths and there was peace for 40 years in Israel while he lived.  He had 70 sons because he had many wives.
• Abimelech was Gideon's son.
• After Gideon died Israel once again turned their hearts to Baal.
• Abimelech was made king and then killed all his brothers accept for Jotham who had hidden away. 

I was a little shocked today when I read the conclusion of the story of Gideon.  I had not remembered the parts of him making an idol and having so many wives and concubines!  It saddened me to read that a nation is led astray by a godly man.

I was also encouraged me that God used a sinner who loved him and did not follow him perfectly to deliver His people. There is hope for us who are not 'perfect' vessels that we might become vessels of honour in His mighty hand.

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also [utensils] of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble [use] and some for menial and ignoble [use]. So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (Amplified Bible)
Blessings
Chareen 

90 - you mighty man of [fearless] courage

Jael Shows to Barak, Sisera Lying dead.
James Tissot 1896

Chareen's Thoughts.

• Jael was definately a woman of courage!  I don't think I could have done what she did in putting a tent spike into Jabin's head in her tent.
• Deborah and Barak sang and praised God for what He had done.
• Israel had been delivered once again and the kingdom of Israel grew.  Some were good and some not so good.
• There was peace for 40 years in Israel.
• Once again Israel turned from the Lord and he handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. As a result Israel became impoverished and cried out to the Lord and He rebuked them.
• The Lord then appointed Gideon son of Joash. He sent the Angel of the Lord to Gideon to appoint him.
• In fear Gideon tore down the altar to Baal at night in his fathers house.  Because of this the Midianites, Amalekites and Qedemites gathered together to come against Israel.
• The Spirit of the Lord enveloped Gideon and he became courageous and blew the trumpet calling Israel together.
• Gideon then places a fleece before the Lord who graciously does as Gideon requests.

Today I enjoyed reading about the calling of Gideon.  I often picture him as this courageous man of God to aspire to and yet as I read today I read about a man who is fearful (but because he was too afraid of his father's household and the men of the city to do it by day, he did it by night. Judges 6:27).
A man who is hiding and yet God says:  ..., you mighty man of [fearless] courage. Judges 6:12  This is a  man who doubts himself and his calling and I am encouraged.  Encouraged that the Lord uses real people who love Him to lead His people to freedom. 

I pray He would encourage you and speak words of wisdom to you today.  May you be blessed as you walk with Him.

Elsewhere on the web:

• Gideon (Jerubbaal) at Chabad.org Jewish History.
• Jerubbaal over at Jewish Encyclopedia.
• Gideon  over at Jewish Encyclopedia.
• Gideon over at Wikipedia.

89 - Ruth & Boaz

The Summer (Ruth and Boaz)
Nicolas Poussin 1660

Kathleen's thoughts
Ruth 2,3,4
Judges 4

The story of Ruth is such a lovely story of how she supports her mother-in-law and her mother-in-law speaks over her.

Ruth goes to gather the fallen grain in Boaz's fields and he notices her and has compassion and tells his workers to leave the the extra grain on the ground for her to pick up and he gives commands to the workers to protect her as well as tells Ruth to only pick from his harvest. Boaz also invites her to eat lunch with the workers and himself.

Naomi asks Ruth where she is gathering her grain and when Naomi finds out she tells Ruth he is a family member of her husband now known as a redeemer.

Naomi gives instructions to Ruth to put her best clothes and perfume on as the evening will be a winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Naomi says to Ruth "When he lies down, notice the place where he's lying, go in and uncover his feet, and lie down. Then he will explain to you what you should do"

Ruth obeys her mother-in-law by doing exactly what she was told to do. Boaz woke to find Ruth lying at his feet asking who she was . "I am Ruth your slave,' "Spread your cloak over me, for you are a family redeemer" Boaz said to Ruth May the Lord bless you , my daughter. You have shown more kindness now than before, because you have not pursued younger men, whether rich or poor. Now don't be afraid, my daughter I will do for you what every you say. because the people in town say you are of noble character.

Boaz also tells Ruth that there is another family member who is actually her redeemer and will confront him in the morning and this he did but this family member when discovering that he would be landed with Ruth on the purchasing of Naomi's property he declined in front of the elders who were witnesses to this who was sitting with Boaz. And so Boaz took over the purchase of property as well as marrying Ruth.

Ruth then bore him a son naming him Obed who is the father of Jesse,the father of David.

Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse Matthew 1:5

Naomi took this child and looked after him.

Judges

During this time there was a prophetess named Deborah the wife of Lappidoth who was judging Israel at the time. It was custom for her to sit under the palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her for judgement.

She summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and asked him has not the Lord, the god of Israel commanded you , Go deploy the troops on Mount Tabor to fight Sisera and this he did along side Deborah and Sisera was defeated.

It's wonderful when one sees that when you listen to the Lord you shall prosper in all things.

Psalm 37:23 A man's steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way.

Blessings
Kathleen.

89 - From Gleaner to Wife and Mother

Ruth and Boaz
Gustave Dore

Chareen's Thoughts

• Today continues the story of Ruth.
• Ruth goes to glean food in Boaz's fields.
• Boaz gives her his blessing and instructs her to glean in his fields.  He tells his harvesters to look after her and feed her.
• As was their custom Boaz was the family redeemer and Naomi encouraged Ruth to stay with the woman in Boaz's fields for protection.
• Naomi instructed Ruth to go to Boaz after the winnowing of barley. She did as Naomi said and Boaz acknowledges his duty to her as redeemer.
• Boaz spoke to the family redeemer at the gate who refuses his inheritance at the city gates.
• Boaz redeemed Naomi and Ruth and married Ruth.
• The Lord blessed Ruth with Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David [the ancestor of Jesus Christ]. Ruth 4:17.
• During this time the Lord anointed and appointed Deborah and Barak as the fourth and fith judges of Israel.
• Barak was a man of fear too and would not go as the Lord said unless Deborah went with him.  She warned him that because of this he would receive no honour for the Lord would deliver Sisera into a woman's hand.
• Sisera was defeated ...all the army of Sisera fell by the sword; not a man was left. Judges4:16

As I read the story of Ruth today my thoughts were about how Naomi's husband moved to make a better life for his family yet he and his two sons both died.  When you look at this situation in the flesh it looks hopeless and yet God's design was to graft a non believing nation into Israel.  Not only that she was the mother of the grandfather of King David from whom the Messiah was born. She who's heart was faithful and obedient was rewarded with a book in the bible named for her and she is mentioned in the linage of Jesus. I think I forget to often that The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]. Psalm 37:23

Blessings
Chareen.

A Triumphant Love Story.

Available to purchase from: Amazon, Koorong, Word and Fishpond.

88 - When all seems lost He is quietly working

by P Calderon CA1800

Chareen's Thoughts

• Israel is at war.  Many from the tribe of Benjamin have died.  It took months before they gained a victory but it cost them dearly.
•  The tribe of Benjamin has been desecrated. There is great mourning and heartache. There is however a remnant. The remnant are given Jabeshgilead to live in and wives from Shiloh and virgins from Jabeh-gilead.
• After Ehud, Shamgar became the Judge of Israel and deliver them from the Philistines.
• Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and were then sold into the hand of Jabin.
• Today begins the journey of Ruth and Naomi.  Two woman on a journey to become the mother of the grandfather of King David from whom the Messiah was born.
• Elimalech has left Israel to try and find something better because of the famine in the land.
• He has two sons who marry moabite woman. Him and his two sons both die. Ruth is left with her two daughters in law in a foreign land and no husband.
• She decides to go home to Israel. At first both daughters in law follow but eventually she persuades Orpah to go home but Ruth is determined to support and stay with Naomi.
• Naomi returned home bitter and empty. They arrived back in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

 As an immigrant myself I read this story with compassion for this family.  It is not an easy thing to pack up and move and leave all that you have loved and known behind.   I felt her heartache and desolation at loosing all that she loved.  I am amazed at how the Lord chose to graft Ruth into the lineage of Jesus and how the story unfolds.
I begin to realise that when all seems lost He is quietly working His good plan for us.
Blessings
Chareen

Available to purchase from: Amazon, Koorong, Word and Fishpond.

88 - Benjaminites defeated by the sword.

Amazon, Koorong, Word and Fishpond.

Kathleen's thoughts

Judges 20,21

Ruth 1,

Judges 20... And so the Benjaminites are defeated by the sword as the Lord had promised to the Israelites but not until the 3rd day and the loss of 40,000 Israelites. But the Israelites came before the Lord and asked for guidance and the Lord said he would deliver them and this happened. Gods word is true and just.

All the Benjaminities that died that day were 25,000 and 600 men escaped into the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon. They killed everything that remained and burnt the city down.

Judges 21 is the mourning for the Menjaminites and trying to find wives for the 600 men but at the same time also the Israelites swore not to allow their woman to be their wives .

Judges 4: 1-3 Again the Israelites fell into sin after Ehud had died and the Israelites cried out to the Lord because Jabin harshly oppressed them for 20 years.

Ruth 1. There was a great famine in the land and so Elimelech and his wife Naomi with their 2 sons who were Ephrathites left Bethlehem in Judah. The names of the 2 sons were Mahlon and Chilion and settled in the land of Moab. When the sons were older they took to each of them Moabite women as their wives Orpah and Ruth. They lived there for about 10 years then Naomi's husband and 2 sons died. Naomi decided to return back to Bethlehem and her 2 daughter-in-laws with her and half way she told them to return to their mothers Orpah went back and Ruth remained with her mother-in-law. and these are her words

Ruth 1:16-17 Do not persuade me to leave you or go back and not follow you. For wherever you go,I will go and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die and there I Will be buried. May the Lord do this to me, and even more, if anything but death separates you and me.

And so Ruth goes with Naomi and they arrive to a warm welcome in Bethlehem and it's here that Naomi changes her name from Naomi to Mara She answered For the Almighty has made me very bitter. I left full but the Lord has brought me back empty.

They arrived at the beginning of the barley harvest.

One of my favourite chapters in the Bible what a virtuous woman. Her inner beauty and kindness towards her mother-in-law has touched my life. She became the G Grandmother King David The book of Ruth one can see how God has cared for this one woman because of her faithfulness towards Naomi.

A wonderful verse to remember from this book is this "Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God" Ruth 1:16

Blessings

Kathleen.

87 - Cival war and Sin

The Levite Carries the Womans body away.

Chareen's Thoughts

•  All was not a bed of roses in Israel.  As they settled the land in Israel missunderstandings arose and the general unhappiness that causes cival war. So todays reading begins with the war in Israel between the Danites and Micah. all of this because of idol worship!!
• Next I read the sad sad story of a Levite man and his concubine.  
• The wickedness and brutality and sin of the men of Gibeah was rather confronting.
• Israel was shocked when they heard what had happened to the Levites concubine and gathered for cival war against the offending men of Gibeah.
• When Israel asked for the wicked men of Gibeah to be handed over the tribe of Benjamin protected the men of Gibeah so Israel went to war against Banjamin.

Such a sad reading today.

Blessings
Chareen

87 - The heart is more deceitful

Kathleen's thoughts

A Levite finds a womans corpse.

Judges 18,19,20

Judges 18...The disobedience of the Danites. They rob Micah of his priest who took the Household idols carved images and ephod with him when he went with the Danite men. From here they went to Laish. They killed the people there and burnt their city. They then rebuilt the city and named it Dan.

The Danites set up carved images for themselves. I find this very sad today when I read that Jonathan son of Gershom, son of Moses and his sons were priests for the Danite tribe and they too set for themselves Micah's carved images. after all what Moses did for the Israelites they betray Gods covenant with them.

Judges 19... Up until now there has been no king in Israel.

A Levite man acquired a woman from Bethlehem in Judah as his concubine. She was unfaithful to him and left for her fathers house and was there 4 months.

The husband went to her fathers house and there he stayed after being persuaded many nights to stay and finally he left with his concubine and on his way home he stopped for the night at Gibeah where no one took them into their home until a old man came from his work in the field. He was from the hill country of Ephraim and lived in Gilbeah. He took him and his concubine in when there was a knock on the door. It was men with evil intent and wanted this man to conduct sexual acts with him and the man of the house said rather take his daughter but they took the concubine and raped her repeatedly and when they had finished threw her at the front door and the husband of this woman found her lying there.

He left there and when he returned home he cut her into 12 pieces and distributed her throughout the territory of Israel. The Israelites finding out the reason from this man the people then stood united and said, "None of us will go to his tent or return to his house. Now this is what we will do to Gilbeah; we will go against it by lot and this they did. So all the people united against the city of Gibeah in Benjamin and so the war began until the Lord handed it over to them.

Jer. 17:9 The heart is more deceitful than anything else and desperately sick - who can understand it.

Imagine saying to someone take my daughter instead of my guest. Reminds me of Abraham and Isaac. How God supplies our needs when needed. Sounds terrible when you think about it that poor woman must have suffered beyond measure.

Blessings

Kathleen.

86 - Judges the 7th book in the Bible and the second book of history.

Kathleen's thoughts

Judges 1,2,3,17,18

Israel starts to backslide. One of the reasons for this is that the whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors the the generation that rose up who did not know the Lord or the works He had done for Israel. This I find most difficult to understand with the older generation before going home how come they did not engrain in their children the truth about the covenant of the Lord and what would happen if they disobeyed the Lord.

Judges 2:20 The Lord's anger burned against Israel, and He declared, "Because this nation has violated My covenant that I made with their fathers and disobeyed Me...21 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died...22I did this to test Israel and to see whether they would keep the Lord's way by walking in it, as their fathers had"

Judges 3:11 Then the land was peaceful 40 years and Othniel son of Kenaz died. I find interesting here is again it's 40 years.

Once again Israel rebels and The Israelites served Eglon king of Moab 18 years.

Joshua 24:33 Eleazar son of Aaron died, and they buried him at Gibeah.

Second judge Ehud son of Gera, a left handed Benjaminite delivers Israel. 3:15-30 I find this interesting as they make note of him being left handed.

Ehud made a 18" sword placed it in a strap to his leg and went to the Eglon King of Moab who was fat and told him he had a private message from the Lord he stood up and his servants left him and Ehud stabbed him into his belly leaving the sword enveloped into his fat and then Ethud escaped going back to his people sounding the ram's horn throughout the hill country of Ephraim. The Israelites came down with him from the hill country and he became their leader. they followed him because the Lord handed over to them their enemies The Moabites.

Moab became subject to Israel that day and the land was peaceful 80 years.

Judges 1: 1-6 A story of Micah and his mother who had 1,100 pieces of silver taken and Micah's mother had uttered a curse over these silver pieces. Micah's mother said" I personally consecrate the silve to the Lord for my son's benefit to make a carved image overlaid with silver. so Micah returned the silver to his mother and she took five pounds of silver and had a carved image overlaid with silver made and was placed in Micah's house...6 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what ever he wanted.

Micah fooled a Levite who was wondering looking for another place to live and he invited him to be his priest which this Levite excepted.

The Danites seek to enlarge their inheritance. Judges 18: 1-15 In this chapter they discover Micah's silver images of gods in his home and they did a detour to the house of the Levite who was asked by Micah to be his personal priest.

John 16:13

When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, For He will not speak on HIs own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.

Blessings

Kathleen.

86 - No other gods before ME

No other gods before ME

Chareen's Thoughts

• Even though the Israelites had taken possession of the land they failed to drive out all the inhabitants in the land.
• After the initial generation who crossed the Jordan died the new generation arose who did not know the Lord and what he had done.  They chose to worship foreign gods and as a result the Lord handed them over to other nations.
• I from now on will also not drive out from before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk in it, as their fathers kept it, or not. So the Lord left those nations, without driving them out at once, nor had He delivered them into Joshua's power. Judges 2:21-23 it was a test.
• NOW THESE are the nations which the Lord left to prove Israel by them, that is, all in Israel who had not previously experienced war in Canaan; It was only that the generations of the Israelites might know and be taught war, at least those who previously knew nothing of it. Judges 3:1-2
• There was 40 years of peace after Othniel led the people back to the Lord. Then he died.
• Eleazar the high priest died and Phinehas took over.
• The Israelites turned away from the Lord again and after their captivity they cried out and were then given Ehud as a new judge to deliver them.
• Micah makes an image and a place in his house to worship idols with a priest etc. He employed a levite to be a priest in his idol temple
• The tribe of Dan seek a place to make their own territory and discover Micah, his levite priest and his idols.

I was a little shocked to read this story !  Wow he makes an idol from the money his mother consecrates to God and then because a Levite knocks at his door he thinks this is a sign of God's approval.  Yet scripture clearly states no idol worship!  I now realise he is interpreting rather than obeying.

Blessings
Chareen

85 - Appointed by the Lord

Joshua's Tomb at Kifi Hares
Palestinian town in the northern West Bank

Chareen's Thoughts

• Joshua was getting older and summoned the people for a meeting where he encouraged the people to be strong and continue to obey all that is written in the book of the law.
• He warned the people to diligent to love the LORD for their own well being. He warned them of the consequences of not doing so.
• He reminded them of the benefits of worshiping and loving the Lord and encourages them to renew their covenant with the LORD.
• And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord which He did for Israel. Judges 2:7
• Joshua died at the age of 110. 
• Joseph's bones were laid to rest at Shechem.
• The tribes of Judah and Simeon battle the inhabitants of the land and drove them out.
• The house of Joseph also attacked Bethel and kept their word and spared the man who showed them where Bethel was.  This man built the town of Luz.
• But the Lord raised up judges, who delivered them out of the hands of those who robbed them.
• When the Judge was alive they followed the Lord but when he died they followed the gods of the land. 
• The Israelites did not drive out the foreigners but married their daughters and turned their hearts to worship foreign gods so the Lord sold them to the king of Aram and they were slaves there for eight years.
• Othniel was the first Judge appointed by the Lord and he saved Israel.

I was amazed at the influence of Joshua and Moses over Israel after they had died. Their legacy was so strong that Israel did not waiver from following the Lord after they died while the elders lived.  Amazing the influence our eldership has over the lives of people.

Blessings
Chareen

85 - As for me and my house we will serve the Lord

Kathleen's thoughts

Joshua 23,24

Judges 1,2,3

We come to the end of the book of Joshua where he calls the Israelites and renews the covenant with them and warns them what will happen if they walk away from the teachings of the Law. After he had told them and blessed them in 24: 22 Joshua then told the people, "You are witnesses against yourselves that you yourselves have chosen to worship the Lord: "We are witnesses," they said.

Joshua 24: 14 Therefore, fear the Lord and worship Him in sincerity and truth. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt and worship the Lord.

Joshua 24: 15 (amplified KJ) And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; BUT AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD. This is a beautiful verse to have around your home as a reminder. We serve a awesome God and His promises are true and just!

Joshua lived to be 110 years of age and was buried in his allotted territory at Timnath-serah, in the hill country of Ephraim north of Mount Gaash.

Israel worshiped the Lord throughout Joshua's lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who outlived Joshua.

We now start with the book of Judges and the first judge of Israel is Othniel son of Kenaz who is Caleb's; youngest brother as a deliver to save the Israelites. The spirit of the Lord was on him.

Blessings

Kathleen.