Judges 7:1-9:21
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Okay, the big question from today's readings in Judges is are you the type of person that cups water in your hands and laps it up like a dog or are you someone who kneels down and puts your mouth directly in the stream to drink?? :) I confess I'm option #1, so I guess I would have gone on with Gideon for the battle. In all seriousness, a commentary suggested that God chose those that cupped water in their hands rather than kneeled down, because it meant those who didn't kneel down were always ready for any emergency situation that might come up. I guess I can buy that... Nowadays perhaps the person who is always ready may be the person who drinks directly from the water cooler like this guy?? :)
Much of our readings in Judges chapter 7 & 8 today are like Braveheart! Quite action packed readings today! An image is below for Judges chapter 7 verses 19 & 20: "It was just after midnight, after the changing of the guard, when Gideon and the one hundred men with him reached the outer edge of the Midianite camp. Suddenly, they blew the horns and broke their clay jars. Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their jars. They held the blazing torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands and shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!""
Judges chapter 8 verses 23 & 24 are an intriguing look at beautiful humility mixed with a unique request - "But Gideon replied, "I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD will rule over you! However, I have one request. Each of you can give me an earring out of the treasures you collected from your fallen enemies."" It is awesome that Gideon says he will not rule over the Israelites- but that God will. But then, his ask for a piece of gold from each person is intriguing. We read in verse 27 that Gideon made a sacred ephod from the collected gold - so, this does appear worshipful perhaps at first glance. But then verse 27 tells us: "But soon all the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping it, and it became a trap for Gideon and his family." Yikes! Not exactly what should have happened here... It's interesting. I wonder if we do this in our lives today as well. Perhaps we are very humble in one regards - but then maybe we make some sort of unique request of those around us... and that unique request goes awry. I don't know if I can give you a good example of this. But perhaps this will ring true for you in some area of your life? If so, can you abandon the false idol you are worshiping as quickly as possible? Particularly if this false idol was born out of something that was initially worshipful. Will you let it go?
Jotham's parable is quite good in Judges chapter 9 today! Good idea that he got out of Dodge after telling that parable! Particularly after the horrendous act Abimelech committed as shown below by artist Gustave Dore...
Worship God: Today's readings in Judges reminded me of Kathryn Scott's singing "Your Name is Holy:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCN_cDyvWWg
Do you know our Holy God? Click here for Holiness!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "But Gideon told them, 'I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.'" Judges 8:23 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you will never rule over anyone. Pray that you will point people to the true Ruler of creation, Jesus Christ, our King.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
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