"The LORD raised up judges to rescue the Israelites from their attackers." (Judges 2:16)
Who doesn't need to be rescued every now and then? I was surprised to see the Israelites in need of being rescued so soon after Joshua's death. Scripture tells us the generation that had experienced first hand the protection and provision of the LORD died and the next generation did not acknowledge or remember the mighty things of the LORD. How tragic!
They got themselves in trouble with idolatry, the worship of false gods, and intermarriage. The LORD's anger was against them. He fought against them causing them to be defeated. Wow, did you catch that? He caused them to be defeated to allow Himself to be their Rescuer. Over and over again they repeated the same sins, cried to the Lord, and He rescued them.
Boy, does the pattern sound familiar to me. Last week, as I was crawling out of the pit I surprisingly fell in, I saw and heard a person I thought I had buried a long time ago: Wendy BJ (Wendy before Jesus.) She came out bodly rearing her ugly head. I fell into the same old lifestyle and sin pattern. Honestly, I made myself sick and yet part of me enjoyed the visit from the old me. (Remember the comfort of slavery we talked about after the Exodus?) It only took a few days of life in the yoke and I cried out to the LORD for help. It was more than I could take.
As I read through the life and times of the Old Testament I feel I like my own story is being told. Forgive me Lord for my judgemental and condemning thoughts toward the Israelites. Your grace as saved me, redemned me, and made me a new creation.
"So Moab was conquered by Israel, and there was peace in the land for eighty years." (Judges 3:30)
Let it be so dear Lord, let it be so.
18 Comments:
Wendy, I too was captured by the thought of the Lord as the Rescuer, but totally missed this thought: "He caused them to be defeated to allow Himself to be their Rescuer." Never thought of the Lord creating the need.
Most often I need rescuing from my own choices and disobedience...yet, I suppose there are times when the Lord causes me to be in trouble so that He can show Himself to me as Rescuer. I get to meet Him in a new way and see another aspect of His divine character.
I'm so thankful He's not a one-time Rescuer. Judges 3:9 says, "the LORD raised up a rescuer to save them." Then, Judges 3:15 repeats, "the LORD again raised up a rescuer to save them."
I'm so thankful for the continued rescue He offers. Regardless of how I got into my state of needing His rescue, whether ordained by God or my choice, He still rescues me. It speaks of His great love for us. 2 Peter 3:9 says that God doesn't want anyone to perish. His desire is for all to be rescued.
The greatest rescue He made is my journey from deserving hell, but receiving heaven through the death of His Son. A damsel in distress, He rescued me. Oh, how I love my Rescuer.
I'm looking for His rescue again today,
Joy
Wendy, I absolutely agree. No matter how angry the LORD was with the Isrealites, He still remained true to His promises. When He "caused them to be defeated to allow Himself to be their Rescuer"...I can't help but know that he loved them unconditionally.
Judges 2:10 "After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things He had done for Isreal." As a parent, will my next generation grow up and acknowledge Him? Prov 22:6 says to "Train up a child in the way in the way he should go, even he is old he will not depart from it. (NAS) I wonder: a) what were the Isrealites doing to "train up" their children; b) have I done enough to "train up" my children?
Another tid bit I gleamed from today...no matter how angry God became with the Isrealites, He always welcomed them back into a relationship. Have you ever felt like God wouldn't want to take you back? I know that I have been there...and He remained true to His word and His unconditional love.
It is so exciting to see the truths He is revealing to us. Love you girls,
Nancy
Wendy,
I know the pit, I crawled in one yesterday it was ugly, I had a pity party like I don't remember. Well thank you Jesus I knew I needed more of Him. I prayed, listened to teaching all day, along with worship. Much better now.
Today's reading "His Anger burned against them" Ouch how many times have I angered Him like that... and yet as you and the others have said He welcomes us bach with loving arms.
Yesterday was a great reminder to me how thankful I am that I have Him in my life. Before a party like that could go days or months, I was happy it ended and for the most part quickly. Guess my God Tank just needed more fuel. Not that I ever can have too much of Him. But can always use more.
Loves to all,
Lynn - OR
Good morning ladies,
Just another "silent reader" introducing herself.
Have just started reading with you a month ago (Thank you again, Amy Jane!) and am So grateful for all of your insights.
Seems we were all struck by the Lord's testing/his allowing defeat in order to remind the Israelites that success would come ONLY in their crying out to HIM for help! (3:9 & 3:15)
How powerful is that?!!!!
If i would just seek his face FIRST, cry out to the Lord for help, my world would be at peace.(3:30)
Whew! Seems so simple....
Allyson in PA
Good morning ladies,
Just another "silent reader" introducing herself.
Have just started reading with you a month ago (Thank you again, Amy Jane!) and am So grateful for all of your insights.
Seems we were all struck by the Lord's testing/his allowing defeat in order to remind the Israelites that success would come ONLY in their crying out to HIM for help! (3:9 & 3:15)
How powerful is that?!!!!
If i would just seek his face FIRST, cry out to the Lord for help, my world would be at peace.(3:30)
Whew! Seems so simple....
Allyson in PA
Sorry for the double comment -- having trouble navigating away from this comment business!
Allyson in PA
Thank you, Ladies, for the community that you offer!
I can get so frustrated after falling again--thinking I will never leave this sin behind, but as I reminded my teen yesterday, after she had given into sin--"You pick yourself up--rest in the forgiveness that He offers, rather than beat yourself up."
Doing the Beth Moore study on the Fruit of the Spirit and we are on patience.
'Makrothumia' is the greek word for the patience that we need in regards to the relationships--people--we deal with each day.
It is the same patience God shows us--and showed the Israelites and it means 'forbearance..self-restrain before preceeding to action.'
As I dwell on His patience to me--it does not make we want to sin more--but to serve Him and 'pay it forward'.
His mercies are new EVERY morning!
Enjoy them today, sisters!
Good Morning Cutie Pies!
I had to read it twice, it was so good today! Our heavenly Father... don't ya just keep loving Him more and more...He keeps coming to the rescue! Yesterday...Today...and Tomorrow! Like Nancy said...Now, that's "unconditional love"!!!
[thinking about you Nancy, back at school this week!]
The sequence is repeating itself over and over...
*disobedience -did not acknowledge the LORD, did not remember the mighty things he did for Israel, went after other Gods, stubborn
*punishment- The LORD was angry,
The LORD turned them over to their enemies, The LORD allowed them to be defeated, the people were in great distress
*repentance - The people cried out to the LORD for help, & he gave them a rescuer to save them...
deliverance - Living in peace!!! Peace in their land!!!
Like Kristen said yesterday..."He is the same God yesterday, today, and tomorrow!" In this ever-changing, and fast-paced world we are apart of, it's reassuring to know we have a God that does not change with the times! He continues to pour out His never-ending love to us. May that love fill us to the brim and come right out of us onto someone today... like Brandee said..."Christ in me will show through."
LORD keep my thought in obedience with YOU today...Fill me today with Your spirit...Allow each sister today to be filled with You and Your presence as she goes about her day. Thank you, LORD, for providing this group for all of us to partake in together. Fill Wendy to the brim with You. Thank you for selecting her to serve us! You are my GOD. I love you so much. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Good morning Ladies,
Did you also notice that the people left in the land the Israelites could not defeat were left there by God to test them (Judges 2:22)? I also noticed in Judges 3:2 "He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle."
Many of us had questioned what the outcome would be of these undefeated people in the midst of the Promised Land. Even as I write these words, I see the parallels today. What "undefeated foes" have I left in the midst of my "inheritance" from God? Yet God knew I would have some, and He willed it so to teach me "warfare" and to make me dependent on Him for my salvation. Thinking on this give me courage to face difficult times and to battle temptation.
I have a couple of prayer requests for all you prayer warriors. My sister-in-law had battled cancer two years ago and was clean, but Sunday she went to see the Dr. because of a persistent cough. They diagnosed pneumonia in her right lung and when they did a scan, they noticed a spot on her lung and on one of her lymph nodes. My brother and she are devastated that the cancer may have returned. Please pray for her healing and for strength for them to continue to trust in the Lord for their deliverance.
The second request is for me. I am contemplating changing jobs and one of the opportunities I am considering would take me and my husband out of the country to Switzerland. It is a big thing to contemplate and I really need to see God's will for me in this situation. I want to be the glove and have Him be the hand. I want to make no decision apart from Him. Please pray for Him to make His will for me clear; to open doors or to close them.
Thank you sisters for your support in these matters.
Always,
Karen, CA
I seem to be in a constant state of being rescued. There have been many failures in my life that have just come out of the blue that confused me deeply and also caused me much pain, but as time passed I would recognize God's handiwork and know that it was for good. If we never had a problem we would be less likely to call on our rescuer.
I don't know how unbelievers make it in this life. God is so faithful. He has blessed me at times when I least felt like I deserved it. I love that he is so unpredictable.
Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. Mold us and make us into the children you want us to be. Lord I ask that Karen's sister-in-law will be cancer free, that you will heal her body and make her well. You defeated that cancer when you hung on the Cross and shed your Blood for all who would ask to receive your gift of Salvation. And Lord I ask that you give Karen guidance about this job she is considering, that she will know without a doubt where you want to lead her. I also ask for blessings and protection for all the women in this group and thier families. If any do not know you Lord I ask you to pursue them, to bring people into their lives that will lead them to you. Lord we give you all the Praise and Glory without you we are nothing. Thank you for answered prayers and all your provisions.
Love you, Amen
Debra Tx
Today's reading and your comments has truly blessed me today!!
Just knowing how deep the Lord's love is for his people is truly amazing.
Some claim that grace is a license to sin, I totally disagree. The more grace I received, the less I want to have to use it. It's flames the love in my heart from my Lord, Rescuer, and Saviour Jesus Christ.
I like that the Lord choose the tribe of Judah to go first. Judah means praise, we must always praise our way through our battles. Praise takes the focus off the situation and places it on a God who can not be defeated. Praise the Lord!!!
I would like for us to just join forces together against that demon of cancer. Within the last few days I have been asked to pray for so many people with cancer, young and old alike. I do believe we can stand in faith againist it and win the victory over it.
Father, In Jesus name, I come against every form of cancer in every area of the body. I declare we are healed and delivered from all sickness and disease. Grant us your favor as we lift up one another in prayer and supplication.
For the sake of your reputation. It is done!!!
Debbie - North Carolina
Like everyone else, I thought today's reading was wonderful! So many things to see in the beginning of Judges. One verse that really stood out to me was, as Nancy pointed out, Judges 2:10, "After that generation died, another generation grew up that did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel." I wrote in the margin, "did the parents not teach the next generation like God has commanded?" I know in my own life I grew up going to church as a kid. After falling away as a teen and into my 20s, I still had the foundation of faith from when I was a child that I was drawn back to when God a hold of me. I pray that I can instill that in my own son, especially as he starts out on his walk with Jesus. I never understood about relationship with Christ until 5 years ago, it was all just about going to church. I pray that I can start teaching my son now that it is about a relationship with God though Christ and He wants to be involved in every area of his life. Just wondering how these parents taught their children to make them fall away so quickly after they were gone?
Prayers with you all,
Brandee, TN
Hi all! I can't help but say once again we are called to remember as the Israelites were in our reading today. All of your insights today about God being our faithful rescuer has been our call to remember His faithfulness in our own spiritual journeys. He stands firm and is always present and it is us who abondoms Him. He is always there to rescue when we cry out to him for help. I just wish I would remember to cry out to Him first and not as the last resort trying to rescue, control or change things myself!
As Nancy I believe said...it's His unconditional love for us that allows us to come back into relationship with Him and He is standing ready with open arms to do so. So awesome and I judge so undeserving at times.
I also gleaned another insight from the "rescue verses". e.g. "Whenever the Lord raised up a judge over Israel, he was with that judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge's lifetime. For the Lord took pity on his people, who were burdened by opression and suffering." Judges 2: 16 - 23 Notice that he raised up a judge by filling him with His Spirit. Each time the Lord chose a "judge" from one of their own. Not only did God provide the own as the rescuer but the judge's presence also held the people accountable to the covenant that was made.
I judge that God takes pity on us as well when he sees we are burdened by opression and suffering. He also works through each of us at times to be the "rescuer", to hold one another accountable, or to help us remember that He is always there even when we can't feel his presence. I like to think we call people in our lives like this "angels". God has given us this community of sisters and other believer's in our lives to act as His rescuers in times of need. At times we need rescuing and at times we are called upon to be the rescuer. I am so thankful for Wendy encouraging us, holding us accountable, so to speak, for this Bible study each and every day. Wendy our God appointed Judge! :) What an opportunity, committment and a challenge you have accepted from the Lord's calling Wendy! Galations 6: 10 "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers." :) Debbie in Illinois
My thought for today: if we don't obey and chase away sin like the Isrealites didn't obey and chase away the other nations, it will be a thorn in our side, something to tempt us to turn away from our God.
Morgen - MN
prayers for you all....
Good Afternoon Ladies,
I have been just listening these past couple days.
This passage spoke to me from today's reading as well. Judges 2:10, "After that generation died, another generation grew up that did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel." I was thinking about how is it possible not to teach our children about Christ. I didn't own a bible until the age of 19. I didn't use it until much later. I also agree with what was said about grace being a license to sin. The other day I was talking to a person I know is saved and asked them about sin. Basically their response was "God has already forgiven me for it,so why not do it". I was in total shock, is this the next generation?
I am so humbled that at the fact my Father desires for me to need Him. In this life I know I can not do thing on my own, yet I keep trying and trying. Through His love, He allows me and gently brings me back.
Wendy, I hope you got some of the beautiful sunshine today. You have brighten our day.
Prayers to all,
Diane
Happy Late Evening Friends,
Wanted to share the nugget that stood out to me today. It was Judges 2:3, "...They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a constant temptation to you."
I kept thinking back to not only God's command to drive out the nations, but also His orignal instruction to love him with all their hearts, souls, and minds.
This is what I wrote in my margins: "If we fail to fully love and devote ourselves to God, we too will always worship other things above Him. They will be our constant thorns in our sides, and we will always be tempted to go their way instead of God's. Thankfully, God never will break His covenant with us, so we can always return in repentance to Him."
I am becoming more amazed each day at how relevant God's Word is to us, even the Old Testament. Wow!
Sorry, I forgot one other thing.
I really was intrigued by Judges 1:6 where the Israelites cut off the thumbs and big toes of King Adoni-bezek. I did a little research and this is what I found (paraphrased).
If you remember back that God had Aaron and the Levites put blood on their ear, thumb and big toe as a sign of consecrating themselves to God. Evidently, lepers also were annointed oil there to declare they were cleansed.
By Adoni-bezek cutting off these digits as torture, he was in effect saying that these other kings were now consecrated to him.
The Israelites cut off his thumbs and big toes, to show his filthiness and that he could not be cleansed.
Hope this helps anyone else who was curious.
Hi Ladies,
As I ended my reading a thought came to mind- 'If God brings us to it,he will see us through it' - Just as he did for the Israelites, he will do it for us.
Another thought is that God may have inspired those men (and women) to write these scriptures so that we can have a precedent and not make the same mistakes as our forefathers did. But someway somehow, we still end up going contrary, but He is always there to catch us when we fall.
God's grace is truly sufficient and I will not take advantage of it. Thank you Lord for being our rescuer!!!
Nighty,night all.
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