God – Page 9 – Old Testament Survey

Judges 4-5

Judges 4-A woman, Deborah (Judges 4 and 5 only), is presented as a prophetess who is, as I see it, given the title of Judge by default (the absence of male leadership). This brings great controversy, not because I believe women are to be barefoot and pregnant but because God mandated men to lead. She knows it is not her position to lead the armies. She calls Barak (1 Samuel 12 and Hebrews 11) and informs him that God called him to fight the Canaanite army of King Jabin. His response is a disclosure on the character of the men in that area of that era. He doesn’t ask for God’s presence but asks for Deborah’s presence instead. She grants him that favor but insists, I believe, that his victory will not have glory because he insisted on her and not God to go with him. Yet, he is listed in the men of faith listing of Hebrews 11. These battles were in the north by the Sea of Galilee dealing with Naphtali and Zebulun, even though she was from the central region of Ephraim, think Samaria.

The battle ensues. God uses Barak to panic Sisera who flees. He runs to a tent of a descendant of Moses. A woman, as predicted in verse 9, becomes Sisera’s downfall. Jael invites him in for protection then slays him with a tent peg through the temple. Jabin and his arm of the Canaanite armies are done.

Judges 5 is a poetic rendering of Judges 4 with greater detail of who was and was not involved in the battle along with the angst of those involved. It mentions Shamgar who was given a sentence in Judges 3. Poetry is another genre that I enjoy, but not at this point; maybe later I will attempt a study on the poems of the Old Testament.

Looking at the pattern we see,

Relapse: After Ehud died, the people did evil in the sight of God
Retribution: Cruel oppression by the king of Canaan (Jabin) for 20 years.
Repentance: The people cried to God to deliver them
Rescue: Deborah, Barak and Jael defeated Sisera and his army
Rest: 40 years of peace

God will get His work accomplished despite what we do but He chooses us to bring us blessings as we choose to obey Him. Whatever the cost of obedience, the blessing of doing His work will always go beyond it.

What is God calling you to do that you are wanting someone else to do for or with you? Should you be calling on Him to give you the power to do it yourself? Sometimes we use the excuse that we are not good enough, don’t know enough, or others in an attempt to switch the responsibility to others. If God calls us, He empowers and enables us to do His work.

Tomorrow we look at Judges 6-8 and the judge called Gideon.

Judges 3

One thing to add about the judges, we are not to think of them being consecutive or in order ruling over all of Israel. Each judge judged portions of Israel, some at overlapping times.

This opening paragraph is quite odd. God is stating that He purposely left the nations before the Israelites to training them for war to defend the nation against intruders and to test the loyalty of the people. The ending paragraph states they failed the first command against syncretism. They intermarried those in the land resulting in false worship. Paul would later ask what part does the Holy Spirit have with Baal [actually Christ and Belial] (2 Corinthians 6.14-15)?

Othniel is found in Judges 1 and Joshua 15 (and is mentioned in 1 and 2 Chronicles). He is the one who married his uncle Caleb’s daughter. Looking at these verses in light of the pattern we see:

Relapse: Israelites forgot God and served the Baals and Asherahs
Retribution: Oppression by the King of Aram (Cushan-Rishathaim)
Repentance: The people cried to God to deliver them
Rescue: The Holy Spirit came upon Othniel who delivered them
Rest: 40 years of peace

In watching this pattern unfold, each time, watch who is doing all the action other than the sinning. It is always God allowing, giving, raising, etc. He is the sovereign in control of all things; He is not the author, but He is in control.

Ehud is mentioned again in the Scripture in a list of descendants.

Relapse: They did evil in the eyes of God
Retribution: The King of Moab ruled Israel with the Ammonites and Amalekites
Repentance: The people cried to God to deliver them
Rescue: Ehud killed Eglon (king of Moab) with deceptive tactics (being left-handed was different and he used the way God created him to accomplish God’s purposes, no one else could have done what he did)
Rest: 80 years of peace

Shamgar is only mentioned here and in the song that Deborah sings in Judges 6.

Nothing is stated about the Israelite’s relapse, retribution, repentance, or rest. It merely states that God rescued the Israelites from the Philistines.

Our next look at the book of Judges will take a close look at a woman judge, Deborah.

Judges 1-2

I am starting Judges today and will continue for nine more days. Moses died and had his replacement in Joshua. Joshua dies and there is no one to replace him. What transpires is interesting and we call it the book of Judges. What happens when there is an absence of leadership? Someone will arise.

Judges 1-The two tribes enveloped within each other make a pact with each to fight for each other until their land is cleared of all the “-ites.” Simeon fights for Judah, then Judah reciprocates and fights for Simeon. They destroy all in the land, almost. That is the epitome of syncretism–“almost.” We have gotten rid of almost all our sin . . . destruction seems to loom in the syncretic philosophy.

If God was going before them (end of Joshua), why couldn’t Judah drive out the inhabitants of the plain (19), why couldn’t Benjamin drive out the Jebusites (21), why couldn’t Manasseh drive out Beth-shean, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo (27), and et al? Does making them your slaves count as destroying them? This is indeed the chapter of the “almosts” or the “did nots.” It seems there were small pockets, seemingly insignificant to the Israelites (with the exception of the overwhelming chariots), and all would later become points of contention and destruction for the Israelites. This raises the question: What areas of our lives are we not destroying because they appear to be too strong or too insignificant? These are our pet sins or worst habits. It returns the topic to the question: Why did the Israelites fail in occupying the land?

Caleb gives his daughter to marry his youngest brother’s son–his nephew.

This brings us to the answer.

Judges 2-The Israelites did not obey God’s command. When we disobey His commands, we tend to lose the power or the will to do the great things He has planned for us (2 Corinthians 10.12-13 implies this). The only power we have is after we have repented and returned to what He has commanded and called fur us to accomplish.

Isn’t verse seven a bit haunting? Look at it closely and you can see what it implies. As long as Joshua or those who remembered (remember this is a key word in our faith) Joshua were alive, the Israelites did what God commanded. The implication is when those who knew Joshua died, so did the remembering of all that God did for them. When this happens, sin follows. This is not the first time God introduces this concept in the Bible. Another example is when the Pharaoh who knew Joseph had been replaced by another leader who did not know Joseph, the Israelites were enslaved (Exodus 1).

We don’t have to read too much further to remove the implication and find that God states it plainly, read verses 11ff. The pattern we see established here will be presented throughout the book. It is, Relapse, Retribution, Repentance, Rescue, and Rest. They/we go back into sin, God judges us for not trusting Him, we repent of our sins, He rescues us from that which oppresses us, we then have a period of growth, but, then, because we do not remember what He has done for us we return to our former ways. This cycle repeats for as long as we refuse to truly honor the Sabbath day of remembering what God has done for us, repenting of those things we did for us and not for Him, seeking His wisdom in how to conquer them, and asking Him to guide you to do those things that He has commanded you to do. When we can look back on our week and say “It is good,” like He did, then our lives are in alignment with His will. When we look back and see that it is not all good, then we repent, plan, and rely on Him to make the next week “good.”

How good is your week?

Joshua 22-24

Joshua 22-This seems to be the key to living the life God commanded us to live. The questions I have: “Are we doing this? Do we even know what these commands mean?”

5 Take good care to observe the commandment and instruction that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to keep his commandments, and to hold fast to him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

I think the remainder of chapter 22 gives us a glimpse of this. The 9.5 tribes west of the Jordan River remembered the sins of their fathers and grandfathers and themselves and obeyed God’s directive to rid themselves of all who were apostates. When the heard the other 2.5 tribes built an altar they immediately readied themselves for war in order to purge the nation of idolatry. When they arrived, they allowed an explanation. When the explanation glorified God, they relented from attack. How quick are we to misjudge and not give opportunity for explanation? How often are we more likely to let sin continue rather than confront it?

It is also interesting that the 2.5 tribes were willing to be ridiculed (killed) for taking a stand of remembrance of God’s grace in their life. How often do we quickly pray or cower for fear of being found out that we are believers and want to always remember the great things God has done? I think of examples of when non-believers ask us how our day went and we merely tell them that it has been good. We purposely don’t tell them of the blessings God has done for us that day for “fear” of being exposed as a Christian.

Chapter 23-Not all the land was taken under Israelite control by the death of Joshua. If the Israelites obeyed, God would still take care of the enemies in the land. God is still in control and powerful, yet calls us to obedience for that power to manifest itself. God keeps all His promises and will bring His curses (for they are promised) to those who turn from Him. It is interesting that Joshua tells us to avoid syncretism. This is the very sin they commit. What areas of our lives do we live syncratically (I looked it up and it is a word)?

Joshua 24-Joshua’s great challenge to the Israelites (and us) and his death are presented here. Even here, 14-15, Joshua is calling against syncretism and is challenging us to serve only one. Do we serve God or what we have made important in our lives–our little god? Some translation of verses 19ff imply that God was telling Israel that even though they now claim to serve Him, they will turn because it is truly impossible to serve Him 24/7. Only Jesus, who fulfills the Law, could and did.

The book closes with good news of the nation following God. The next book, which we will begin after Jude, shows they turn from Him once the nation has forgotten what God has done.

If you noticed, these chapters were remembrances of what God has done. When we remember, reflect, and proclaim what God has done for us, we will remember His goodness and grace longer and follow Him more closely. It is when we forget Him and focus on our troubles, as in Judges, that we tend to walk away from Him doing what we think is right (and at times proclaiming that it is what He wants).

There are many thoughts to ponder in these chapters. Let’s walk closer to Him as we attempt to recall all He has done for us.

Joshua 13-17

Joshua 13-This is the second time we read that the Israelites did not utterly destroy a nation. I wonder what is going to become of those listed in verse 13 and how they will affect Israel?

It is better to read this with a map of the lands conquered by Joshua. This is a long list of places, towns, and people.

Joshua 13-This is the second time we read that the Israelites did not utterly destroy a nation. I wonder what is going to become of those listed in verse 13 and how they will affect Israel? The same question could be asked in 14.12, 15.63, 16.10, 17.13

Peter says that we are all priests, like the Levites (13.14, 33; 14.4). Does this mean we should not be concerned with our inheritance on this earth and that we should seek no possessions except the Lord Himself? If so, what does this state our values should be and are we focusing on those values which honor Him?

Joshua 14-Caleb is interesting. This passage shows us that it took five years from the crossing of the Jordan to the conquering of the land at this point. How do I infer this?

Joshua 15-I wonder if my daughter would go for the deal that Caleb set forth and Othniel took. Verse 63 states that Jerusalem could not be conquered. I wonder why God didn’t allow them to take it at this point but allowed David to establish it at a later date.

Joshua 17-The closing is interesting. Why did the tribes of Joseph get more and why did they receive the place they did in the manner God told them? Does God do that for us? Does He have more for us, but we need to ask and work harder for it?

No one was left out from the tribes of Israel. All that God called were blessed.

God continually gave to the Israelites according to His promises, not beyond what He spoke but beyond what they thought. How does that apply to how we should interpret Scripture?

I realize this was not as in-depth as the earlier ones but I do get lazy at times when lists are involved even though I have found some great treasures in lists.

Have a blessed day and possess the promises God has made to us.

Joshua 11-12

Joshua 11 and 12-So far, after the Jericho incident with Achan, Israel has been obedient to God, giving Him the honor for the victories even though they could have said it was in their strength they did these things. The one area they did in their own power, and they knew it, was with the Gibeonites. This chapter summarizes their obedience and then, even, attributes that to God’s power, which shows it is not by our might nor by our power but by what the Lord determines.

This reminds me of the book of Acts, although a violent version of the book of Acts. The church went out to conquer the world for Jesus, to bring them under the dominion of Christ, all under the power of Christ living in them through the Holy Spirit. Here we see Israel, under the power and direction of God, going out to conquer the land for God, bringing it under the dominion of God.

How are we doing in bringing the dominion of God into our world? Are we obedient in what He asks us to do, no matter how hard/harsh it may seem or do we try to get along with as little as we can? Do we recognize His hand in all matters of our life or do we attribute our place, circumstances, abilities, successes, etc. to ourselves? Are we, as it will state in Judges, doing right in our own eyes, which did not turn out too well for Israel? Or, are we joining in the work that God is already doing in the world?

Kind of short and different reading. A list of kings defeated by Moses and Joshua (actually God used them to accomplish His work in the world that He had placed them).

What kind of work is God wanting to accomplish through you in your area of influence?

Joshua 7-10

I found it interesting that Joshua 7 is a chapter of God’s anger against those who disobey Him and how one’s sin brings calamities on others. The parallel with Acts 5 and God’s anger over the lying of Ananias and Sapphira are amazing. Each was given at the beginning of the new adventure for Israel and the Church to show that God is serious about obedience. However, this type of event only shows up once in each testament; I wonder why?

There are other parts of chapter 7 that are interesting, but I will let you discover them.

Chapter 8 would be interesting to Achan. If he had obeyed God’s command to not take plunder from Jericho, he would have been able to take plunder from Ai. Sometimes we attempt to take God’s work and do it ourselves. We create trouble for ourselves as Isaiah tells us. If we wait on Him, as Isaiah and the Psalmist also remind us, we will be blessed because we trust in the Lord. I wonder in what areas of my life I am running ahead of the Lord.

Chapter 9 is a great description of Satan’s antics. He deceives us into believing lies in order for us to accept him and his values in our life. Verse 14 is the tell verse: they did not ask the Lord about the matter. How many times do we run ahead and do what we want, neglecting to ask God what He would have us to do? The danger is always compromise with the world.

It would be interesting to look ahead to see what role the Gibeonites would play in Israel’s downfall.

Chapter 10 shows us how Israel had to use its resources to defend the Gibeonites from attack. Their sin in not relying on God is now costing them manpower and time. But God was with them here because they were honoring their contract (which I still think they should not have honored the covenant because of the deception of the Gibeonites). God used this event to allow Joshua to conquer most of what we call Israel.

When we obey God, we succeed. When we disobey Him, we fail. However, even in that failure, God can still use us to accomplish His work in the world. However, there are consequences that we still must face (i.e., Moses could not enter the Promised Land, the Gibeonites become a thorn in the flesh, Achan dies, etc.).

So what are your thoughts?

Tomorrow’s reading will be shorter.

Joshua 1-6

I read through Joshua 1-6 this morning and found that Joshua was commanded to find his courage in God, was told to look to see what the Lord was doing, and, then, join Him in doing it, and, when he obeyed, God fulfilled His Word and made Joshua’s purpose evident to all around.

Joshua carried with him testimonies of what the Lord had done (he and the twelve tribes). What are you carrying as a remembrance of what God has done for you? The purpose is for you to remember Him and for others to ask you why you have your remembrance as a tool of testimony.

Things got tough for Joshua, and you, but he still followed what the Lord had told him to do (chapter 5 is gruesome and odd but necessary).

Did you notice, at the end of chapter 5, that God presented Himself to Joshua due to his obedience?

This year is as we choose to obey what God has called us to do: stay away from the things God hates, cling to what God loves, focus our thoughts, actions, attitude, etc., on Him, and let His light shine through us. How are we doing?

I pray you see the same truths as Joshua did when he stepped into the Jordan River and found that the Lord is indeed good. I ask that God show you what He is doing in your area of influence. Be blessed today as you choose to bless Him.