The Unlikely Leader

Read Judges 4:1-16

The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord.  A woman named Deborah, a prophetess was judging Israel at the time.  Up to this point in the Bible women are mentioned only as someone’s wife or mother.  Women, such as Sarah and Rachel, are mentioned for their beauty and being lovely to behold. Women were never in an authoritative position like a judge.

So here we see a woman, Deborah, sitting as judge over Israel.  They came to her for judgment in matters they couldn’t resolve on their own.  What does this say about Deborah?

To me this indicates several things about Deborah:

• She was a good listener.
• She possessed wisdom.
• She must have judged fairly.
• She spoke truth as a prophetess.
• She listened to God.
• She foretold the future and it happened as she said it would.
• She was reliable and available to the people’s needs.
• She stepped up to fill a need.

In ancient times women were not held in high esteem.  I love this part of Scripture because it shows how God can use anyone to accomplish His purpose.  It also shows how His ways are drastically different than man’s ways.

So what do we take away and apply in our life? Perhaps it is God will use anyone with a willingness to follow Him.

Thank you, Lord for turning our ways upside.  Your ways are higher than our way.  Thank you for using the willing.  Help us to be willing to follow you no matter what may come.  In Jesus’ name Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

God’s Faithfulness

Read Judges 3

This chapter outlines a repeated pattern of bondage and deliverance.  There were those who had not known war.  They weren’t around when Israel fought for the Promised Land.  This was a generation who forgot or never knew all that God had done for the children of Israel.  As a result, Israel had turned away from the Lord in subtle ways.

God left five lords of Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians and the Hivites without driving them out before Israel.  God used these nations to test Israel to see whether they would obey Him or not.

So how did they do? What do we see?  Israel married the enemy and served other gods for eight years.  The Lord’s anger was hot against Israel.  Yet when Israel cried out to the Lord, He raised up a deliverer.  The Spirit of the Lord came on him. Israel experienced rest for forty years.

Israel, probably a new generation, did evil in the sight of the Lord again.  The Lord strengthened the king of Moab, who was their enemy. For eighteen years, the children of Israel were enslaved to this king.   When Israel cried out the Lord, He raised up another deliverer.  Ehud, who killed the enemy’s king, rallied Israel to kill all enemies.  Therefore, the children of Israel rested for eighty years!

As I read this, it seemed when Israel got their way it lead to enslavement by the enemy.  What is so foreign to me, is why the Lord would step in on their behalf when Israel was not following Him.  No matter Israel’s disobedience, the Lord acts when they cry out to Him.  Even though Israel chose not to follow the Lord, God still heard them when they cried out.  God moved to assist them.  What a gracious and loving God!

Notice each time of enslavement was longer.  The first period was 8 years.  The second time was 18 years.  I wonder why they didn’t call out to God sooner.  Have you ever found yourself stuck in a situation for a long time before you remembered to cry out to the Lord?

Another thing to notice is how the rest period increased each time too.  The first rest was 40 years and the second was 80 years.  Doesn’t this make you think of God’s generosity?  Each time they obeyed God’s reward is lengthened.

Did you also notice each time they headed back into service of the enemy, it was after their deliverer had died?  It’s almost as if they couldn’t stay focused on the Lord without someone leading them.  Does this ring true for you?  The good news for us is we have someone to lead us who will never die – the Holy Spirit.  Those who believe in Jesus are given the Holy Spirit who dwells into us and guides us.

Dear Lord, thank you for your faithfulness towards your chosen people even when they were not faithful.  Thank you for giving us your Holy Spirit to guide us in your truth.  Thank you that we are dependant on a human to lead us, but rather you in Spirit within us who will never leave or forsake us.  May we be obedient to your ways each day.  In Jesus’ name we pray Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

There May Be a Test

 

Read Judges 2

Then the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and He said, “Because this nation has transgressed My covenant which I commanded their fathers, and has not heeded My voice, ²¹ I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, ²² so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the LORD, to walk in them as their fathers kept them, or not.” ²³ Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out immediately; nor did He deliver them into the hand of Joshua. Judges 2:20-23 NKJV

First some background. The people did wickedly.  They were the generation who didn’t know God.  Therefore, the Lord raised us judges to deliver them out of oppression. However, when the judge died the people turned away quickly.

The result is described in the Judges 2:20-23 above.  The Lord was angry with them.  Because the people would not follow God’s commands, He stopped doing them the favor of driving out the nations before them.  Instead God choose to test Israel to see if they would keep His ways or not.

This is revealing. Very clearly it says the Lord was testing Israel. Therefore, it is quite possible the Lord will test us too.  Have you noticed your prayers going unanswered lately? Stop and check yourself.  Are there any sins you need to confess?  Are there any relational conflicts you need to resolve?  Are there any commands God gave you that you are not heeding? Correct them.

If you are sure you have done everything the Lord requires, then perhaps the trial you are in is a test.  Maybe the Lord wants to see you persevere by keeping the ways of the Lord and walking in them.  Don’t give up for you will reap a harvest of righteousness at the appropriate time if you don’t lose heart.

Lord, we thank you for loving us so much that you want us to grow spirituality mature.  Teach us your ways and help us follow them.  Test us if it is in our best interest.  You Lord are the One who provides the desire and the will to follow you.  Thank you for your Holy Spirit guiding us in your truth.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

The Generation Who Knew Not the Lord

 

Read Judges 2

When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel. Judges 2:10 NKJV

This is quite disbursing.  All that Israel had been through, all the precious miracles the Lord did on their behalf was forgotten.

There could be a few explanations for this.

(1)   The parent who witnessed it failed to teach their children.

(2)   The children of the parents who saw it all, didn’t pay attention to what their parents said.

(3)   The children could have completely rejected their parent’s stories.

(4)   No one sought the Books of Law to read and understand them.

(5)   The parents became complacent in the Promised Land and forgot to talk about it with their children.

There could be many more reasons why this new generation did not know the Lord. But as a result, Judges 2:11 “Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD” and 2:15 “Wherever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for calamity, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn to them. And they were greatly distressed.”

We have an awesome responsibility to share the Lord with our children.  If we fail, we put our children in harm’s way.  Do you take your children to church?  Do you talk about God with them?  Do you pray with them?  Do you read God’s Word with them?  Do you point out every day examples of God’s mercy and grace?

In what ways have you shared the Lord with your children? Take a moment to comment.  Readers of this devotion might learn from what you share.

Lord, thank you for drawing close to you. Equip us to share with our children so they won’t be in harm’s way.  Help us stay in sync with you so sharing with our children is a very natural thing to do. We love you Lord. In Jesus’ name Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

Humility is Key

Read Judges 1

Of the nine and half tribes mentioned in Chapter 1, only three were able to drive out the enemy.  The rest of them did not get rid of the enemy.  Instead they allowed the enemy to coexist with them.

Why were only three tribes successful?  Reading this chapter more than once might help you spot it.  Try it.

I found two things different about these three tribes.  The first difference is they asked for help.  Judah asked Simeon to help them take their land.  Joseph asked a man leaving the city to show the way to the entrance.

Why is asking for help important?  People able to ask for help are humble.  They have a sane estimate of themselves.  A prideful person can not ask for help, for they foolishly think they can do it on their own power. God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.

The second difference I noticed was the Lord was with them.  There is a good possibility these two differences are correlated.  For God resists the proud, but He is with the humble.

Let’s make this practical.  Here are a few Scriptures talking about the benefits of humility.

The Lord Hears the Humble: 2 Chronicles 34:27 “because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the LORD.”

The Lord Saves the Humble: Psalm 18:27 “For You will save the humble people, but will bring down haughty looks.”

The Lord Teaches the Humble: Psalm 25:9 “The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.”

The Lord Gives Wisdom to the Humble: Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.”

The Lord Gives Joy to the Humble: Isaiah 29:19 “The humble also shall increase their joy in the LORD, And the poor among men shall rejoice In the Holy One of Israel.”

The Lord Exalts the Humble: James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

After looking at these benefits, are you able to ask for help?

Lord, thank you for enabling us to humble our self before you. In Jesus’ name we pray Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

The godless know they are doing wrong

Read Judges 1

Judges 1:7 …as I have done, so God has repaid me

Those against God know they won’t get away with it forever, as was the case with Adoni-Bezek.   We don’t know much about this guy.  He was cruel, though.  He captured 70 kings and cut off their thumbs and big toes.  These kings were further humiliated by having to beg for scraps under Adoni-ezek’s table.

Imagine loosing your thumbs.  It would be terribly difficult doing the most basic things, like holding a toothbrush or tying your shoe.  I have been told our big toes give us balance so we are able walk.  Cutting them off would make a person shaky and unstable.

Oh the humiliation this guy doled out.  The 70 kings were royalty and accustom to power and influence. They probably had the best of everything brought to them. Yet after being captured, tortured, they were left to beg for food to stay alive.

Yes, Adoni-Bezek was a cruel man.  Even in his cruelty he knew what he was doing was wrong.  Only when his own torture methods were used on him did he confess his failure.

In the end, God used the tribes of Judah and Simeon to dole out just punishment to this very wicked man.

In what ways can you relate to Adoni-Bezek? What you dole out to others may come back to you in the end.  Wouldn’t it be great if love, understanding, mercy came to you instead?

Choose to love by asking Jesus into your life.  His unconditional love, understanding and mercy never fail. Once you’re filled with Him, you have power to love others the way God loves you.

Lord forgive us for being like Adoni-Bezerk in choosing our way instead of yours.  Come into our life and fill us with your Holy Spirit equipping us with love and mercy.  Thank you for loving us and saving us from our sin.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

Time to Choose

Read Joshua 24

Joshua recaps all they have been through.  Reminding the children of Israel what God has done for them.

Remember Where You Came From

Joshua reminded them of their fathers serving other gods on the other side of the Jordan.

Remember God initiated First

Then God took Abraham and led him throughout the land, multiplied his descendants and gave him Isaac.  Isaac had Esau and Jacob.  To Esau God gave mountains of Seir, but Jacob returned to Egypt.

Remember How God Delivered Us

Even when the children of Israel were captives in bondage in Egypt, God used Moses to lead the people out.

Remember Enemies Will Not Prevail

While on their wilderness journey Balak son of Beor sent for Balaam to curse the children of Israel.  God would not listen to Balaam and continued to bless the children of Israel instead.

Remember How the Walls Fell

Then there’s Jericho and God’s amazing victory.  Finally over the Jordan river, they come to Jericho.  God handed over the city to them, after the children of Israel marched around it seven times and shouted.

Remember God Delivers Us from Our Enemies

When faced with yet another enemy, the children of Israel didn’t have to fight for God dealt with the two kings of Amorites before the children of Israel even arrived.

Time for Commitment

After recounting all God had done Joshua says, “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and truth and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of Jordan.  Serve the Lord.  If it seems evil to you to service the Lord, choose for yourself this day who you will serve.  As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”

Choose Wisely

God is faithful to His word.  He promises to bless those who follow Him.  He also promises to curse those who choose not to follow Him.  Joshua reminds the children of Israel all the cursing will come to pass should they decide to walk away from God.  “If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do to you harm and consume you, after He has done you good.”

Can I Get a Witness?

They people said, “We will serve the Lord.”  Joshua says, “You are witnesses against yourself that you have chosen the Lord for yourselves, to serve Him. “

As I review this account, it resonates loudly; for God has done this for me too.  I know all too clearly I am a sinner guilty of death.  Yet God took care of that for me.  God got my attention and led me out of a life of sin. Every obstacle or roadblock God dealt with to allow me to stay the course.  I have made a commitment to serve the Lord.  I say with Joshua, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”

Have you experienced a similar pattern in your life?  Are you ready to start reaping the benefits of obeying the Lord?  Why not start today?  Get rid of the cursing and choose this day to follow Him.

Lord thank you for making it possible for us to come to you and be cleansed from all unrighteousness.  Thank you for your word.  Equip us to be obedient to you.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

Every Word Comes to Pass for Good or Bad

 

Read Joshua 23

Joshua was a good leader.  He always pointed the children of Israel to God.  He reminded them of what God said.  He recalled how not one word of God has failed.  He urged the people to keep and do all that was in Moses’ Law so they would reap all the good God had in store for them.  But he didn’t stop there.

Joshua warned the people as well.  As all that God said concerning good things has come to pass, then prepare yourselves for the bad things too.  He admonished them to recognize that God is just and fair.  If they choose to turn from God, there are negative consequences.  He reminds them the cursing that will come to pass when they transgress against the Lord.

Have you noticed how you can navigate through life experiences much easier when you’re in tune with God?  Things seem to roll off, rather than cling to our soul, when we are obedient to the Word of God.  As an example, I remember a time of chaos in my home.  It was right before dinner.  I arrived late, which is usually stress-producing.  The dog was barking. The baby was crying. The teenager was complaining, etc.  Yet, God’s Spirit rested upon me.  A great wonderful peace came over me.  I felt a huge grin spread across my face.  I know I was blessed, even when life at the moment was a little crazy.

Jesus Christ is our leader.  We follow Him.  All things work out according to His plan.  Our obedience to His plan, we cause an impossible peace, even in the amidst of stress-producing environment.

Father and Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the peace you provide when we are aligned with you.  Enable us to follow you and know with certainty all your words come to pass.  Equip us with the ability to stay connected to you during all times of life here and now.  You are faithful and you do what you say you will do. Help us recognize when we choose our way over yours, so we may quickly confess it and come back to you.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

False Assumptions Get Us No Where

 

Read Joshua 22

Reuben, Gad and half tribe of Mannasah finished helping their brethren possess the Promised Land.  Joshua blessed them and sent them to their own possession on the other side of the Jordan.

In Joshua’s send off speech he says, “you have kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord. You kept all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and have obeyed my voice in all I commanded.  You have not left your brethren for these many days up to this day.”  What a legacy!  The children of Rueben, Gad and half tribe of Mannasah were obedient, God-fearing believers.

When they returned to their possession, they built a great alter at the Jordan on the children of Israel side of the river.  But when the children of Israel heard about it they assumed the worst and went to make war against Reuben, Gad and half tribe of Mannasah.  Oh how quickly their praise turned to skepticism!

As we read the rest of the story we discover the children of Israel were concerned about themselves.  They feared that any sin found in Rueben, Gad or half tribe of Mannasah would be held against them.

In the end their misunderstanding was straightened out.  Rueben, gad and half tribe of Mannasah built the alter as a witness between the children of Israel and them so future generations would know they really were part of the children of Israel.

How quickly do you jump to conclusions?  Have you discovered most of your assumptions have been false?  What would your relationships look like if you choose not to assume the worst?

Father God above, we have no right to judge others for we don’t know the whole story.  You are the only perfect judge.  Help us to seek to understand before jumping to conclusions.  Teach us to resolve misunderstandings in a godly way.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

Faithful

Read Joshua 21

Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel.  All came to pass. Joshua 21:45

The Bible teaches us the character of God.  Last time we pondered God’s mercy over judgment.  This time we will consider God’s reliability.

Today’s verse is a good example.  God promised many things to the children of Israel.  All of them had come to pass.  Let’s review:

• God said He saw the plight of His people in Egypt.
• God said He would deliver them from the hand of Pharoh with many signs and wonders.
• God said they would leave Egypt with many treasures.
• God said He would lead them in the wilderness.
• God said he would provide for their needs, food, water, and clothing while in the wilderness.
• God said He would never leave nor forsake them.
• God said He would bring them into the Promised Land.
• God said He would subdue their enemies.
• God said He would spare the Israelites when they put blood on their doorposts at Passover.
• God swore to enlarge their territories.
• God said He would provide atonement for His land and His people.

Now after living forty years in the wilderness and who knows how many years taking over the Promised Land, the children of Israel were at rest.  God did all He promised.  Not one thing failed.  All came to pass.

This is a repeated theme in the rest of the Bible.  God said…He did it or will do it.  We can trust Him to do what He said.  God has proved Himself reliable throughout the Bible.  But His reliability doesn’t stop with His written word, it continues in the lives of those who trust Him.

God said I have loved you with an unending love.  God said though your sins may be as scarlet, I can make you white as snow.  God said if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart, you will be saved.  God said there is no condemnation for those in Christ.  God said the old is gone and the new has come.

Talk with believers they will tell you how reliable God is.  They know what He did for them.  For me He took away years of bitterness and hardened heart and gave me a tend heart of love.  He took away my self-sufficiency so I would depend on Him.  He has lifted me up and placed me firmly on the foundation of Christ, never to be removed.  He purified me from all my unrighteousness.

God is reliable.  He is trustworthy.

Have you trusted Jesus Christ to save you yet?  Today is the Day of Salvation.  Put your trust in Jesus.  He will not let you down.

Lord Jesus, the One who was sinless yet died to pay for my sin, thank you for your reliability.  Help us to understand the depth of your trustworthiness.  Let us come to you boldly.  Fill us with your Spirit and lead us on the pathway of life.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.