Twitter
RSS
Facebook
ClickBank1

Judges 12-16 Daily bread by Kevin E. Jesmer 2012

Judges 12-16 Daily bread by Kevin E. Jesmer 2012

judges-title_for-web

Monday, November 19

 

FORGIVE OTHERS AND MOVE FORWARD

Judges 12:1-15

Key Verse: 12:3

1.  Ephraim learns a hard lesson (1-4)

The Ephraimites were upset claiming that they were not called to fight. (They did this before with Gideon.) Jephthah stated that he did call them to fight but they didn’t respond. They threatened his life and family. This was unreasonable. Jephthah defeated their common enemy. He was raised up by God. A great victory had been accomplished. There should be thanksgiving and expressions of unity instead of quarrels. They should have shown respect. Instead of asking “why”, they should have stepped up and joined in the battle without being asked. The insults enraged Jephthah. He was not like Gideon. His rash words created an avoidable civil war.

 

2.  God establishes three more judges (5-15)

God had mercy on his people by raising up three little known judges. They were wealthy. Ibzan knew the secret of alliance building through marriage. They did not let money hinder them from serving God. God calls and honors faithful people.

 

Prayer: “Lord, how often I complain, feeling left out or insulted. I want to lash out but help me to deal with things with your grace instead”

 

One Word:  Forgive and move forward

Tuesday, November 20

 

A WIFE AND A MOTHER

 

Judges 13:1-25

Key Verse 13:5

 

1.  A son promised to a barren woman (1-7)

     The Israelites fell away from the Lord and there was a national crisis. But in the midst of the darkness there was God’s hope. It was expressed in his grace to one family of faith who was childless. They would give birth to Samson, a man who would deliver his people from Philistine oppression. God will intervene when we feel hopeless, revealing the great and glorious purpose he has for us. We must be patient, trusting God and faithfully serving him.

  1. They were one in the Lord (8-25)

This couple was an exemplary, godly family. Manoah’s wife was “one” with her husband. The angel appeared first his wife. She did not say, “OK, tell me. I will ‘fill my husband in’ late’”. Rather, she got him involved, respecting his leadership. Manoah also promoted “oneness.” When he heard of the angel’s words, he did not get offended as to why he wasn’t consulted. He simply got up and followed his wife. He was humble. He was also   interested the boy’s spiritual life asking the angel about the “rule” the boy was to live by.

Prayer: “Lord, thank you caring about our struggles and letting us know there is a purpose to be found in your way and your time. Help me to trust you.”

One Word: God blesses a godly couple

Wednesday, November 21

 

THE GRACE OF GOD WAS WITH SAMSON

 

Judges 14:1-20

Key Verse 14:3b-4

 

1.  Prayerful and supportive of their son (1-4)

As time passed, Samson became bold to demand things he knew were sinful. He had potential but he did not cultivate it in his younger years. It was so hard, but his parents spoke truth to him, quietly bore with him and prayed. Manoah was supportive. They put their faith into practice by holding onto the grace of God. They did not know that his rebellion was actually from God who was opening up a way to confront the Philistines. We don’t always know what God is trying to accomplish.

 

2.  God’s grace is greater than our sin (5-20)

The spirit of the Lord became manifest in unusual strength to an extent that he could kill a lion. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him when he struck down thirty men, stripped them of everything and gave their clothes to those who had solved the riddle. Samson impulsively used the gift God gave him for impulsive, selfish purposes. We wonder why God would be with him. His parents thought he had fallen away. But God was with him and blessing him. It is God’s grace.

 

Prayer: “Lord, I confess that I don’t always know what you are doing. I write people off when I should not. Help me to live in hope and quietly pray.”

 

One Word: Speak truth, pray and patiently bare.

Thursday, November 22

 

SAMSON HAD THE WILL TO FIGHT

 

Judges 15:1-20

Key Verse 15:14

 

1.  Vengeance breeds vengeance (1-8)

.  Samson returned to get his wife and discovered she was given away and her sister was offered in her stead. He was furious and used his God given strength to gather 300 foxes. With them he burned a huge acreage of enemy grain. In retaliation, the Philistines burned his wife and her father. Vengeance breeds more vengeance. It is hard to see God’s purpose, but we can say that he was bringing everything to a head.

2. Samson alone had the spirit to fight. (9-20)   Samson was held up in a cave. 3,000 of his own people came to plead with him to turn himself in. Samson, not wanting his own people to kill him, let himself be brought to the enemy. There, he snapped his ropes and killed 1,000 people with a donkey’s jawbone. All of God’s people were cringing under the power of fear, content to remain under oppression. Samson was great because he maintain a fighting spirit and was not willing to acquiesce. He won a great victory and led Israel for 20 years.

Prayer:  “Lord, it seems there are times that I want to give up my spiritual struggle and give into the world. But fill me with a desire to fight spiritually.”

 

One Word: Personally maintain a “fighting” spirit.

Friday, November 23

 

BEWARE OF FELLOWSHIP WITH THE WORLD

 

Judges 16:1-17

Key Verse 16: 17

 

1.   A reckless man of God (1)

Samson slept with a Philistine prostitute following the sinful desires of his heart again. He was reckless with his faith. He defeat 1,000 men in battle, but he could not control his heart. We must never be overconfident in our faith or we may stumble and fall as Samson did. True strength comes when we have inner power from God to keep our hearts devoted and true to the Lord.

 

2.      Seduced into captivity (2-16)

Samson was then seduced by a Philistine woman named Delilah. By her persistence, she influenced Samson to betray his calling. She was motivated by greed. She wore Samson down. Finally she betrayed the secret of this strength to the rich and powerful Philistines. Samson’s infatuation deceived him and he wanted to believe her lies. When a believer is controlled by self will they will fall deeply into sin. When we recklessly enter into a close relationship with the world, we became a part of it. Fellowship with the world is one of the greatest dangers for a Christian.

 

Prayer: “Lord, I recklessly approach the world, overconfident in my ability to stand. Help me to humbly depend on you to live as child of God.”

 

One Word: Never be a reckless Christian.

Saturday, November 24

 

STRENGTHEN ME JUST ONE MORE TIME

 

Judges 16:18-31

Key Verse 16:28

 

1.   Consequences for our choices (18-21)

      Delilah was successful in breaking Samson down. She called the Philistines for his strength was gone. The Lord left him. Instead of killing him, the Philistines humiliated him by gouging out his eyes and making sport of him. We may choose our own way. Thankfully God will not leave us, but there are consequences…powerlessness, spiritual blindness and humiliation.

 

2.    Glorify God just one more time (22-31)

There was still hope. God was listening. His hair was growing. Thousands of people sat on the temple roof. God was setting them up for a great defeat. Samson asked God to remember him and to strengthen him just one more time. He was humble. He wanted to use the end of his life to bring glory to God. God answered his prayers for God loved him. God worked through him powerfully.  We learn that God hears us and restores us even at the last moment. Also, every situation can be redeemed if we will turn to God in prayer.

 

Prayer: “Lord, I know I have not made the best choice in life. I repent and ask for your forgiveness. Now strengthen me one more time so that the remainder of my life may bring glory to you.”

 

One Word: Strength me just one more time




Interact with us using Facebook

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.