~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Judges 9:22-10:18 ~ Luke 24:13-53
Psalm 100:1-5 ~ Proverbs 14:11-12
Old Testament - Allright, I don't know about you, but I'm seeing quite a bit of pride flowing around in Judges recently - particularly in today's readings. And we all know the old saying, "Pride goeth before the fall." And indeed we are seeing people fall after their prideful fits. In fact, Satan himself was guilty of the sin of Pride. He wanted to be equal with God. He thought he was all that and a bag-o-chips. But he ain't. Never will be. So, maybe the saying in regards to Satan certainly is "Pride goeth before the Fall." And that's Fall with a capital "F" unfortunately. We are now all living in a Fallen world because of Satan's pride. But, I digress... :)
We saw Abimelech's deadly pride in yesterday's readings when he had killed 70 of Gideon's sons - his half brothers - so that he could rule the people of Schechem. Pride & Power. Deadly combination then - and still is today. We then read Jotham's parable in yesterday's readings and see that his words came true in today's readings. I am amazed at the depth of Abimelech's sin of pride even in his dying moment when we read in chapter 9 verses 52 through 54 today - "Abimelech followed them to attack the tower. But as he prepared to set fire to the entrance, a woman on the roof threw down a millstone that landed on Abimelech's head and crushed his skull. He said to his young armor bearer, "Draw your sword and kill me! Don't let it be said that a woman killed Abimelech!"" Wow... Now - don't get me wrong. I think for me to say that Abimelech was completely prideful and that I am not is the same sin - pride. It would be prideful for me to put myself above Abimelech. He's not a lot different than we are today. I think pride is something we all probably struggle with at some level or at some point in our lives. I know I do. We are all sinners. And as I read about Abimelech in the Judges today - or reflect upon Satan's Fall - I realize that pride is a sin that we really must vigilantly watch our entire lives. If we don't, I think we can get blinded to the fact that we're prideful - and we'll say dumb things like "don't let it be said that a woman killed (fill in your name as if you were to say this about yourself in the 3rd person, cuz that's how you refer to yourself when you are prideful)!" :) Pride kills... let us pray for humility in our lives today. God can redeem and heal us from our pride.
Even poor Gaal - who I think was trying to do the right thing fell prey to pride as we see in verse 29 today - "If I were in charge, I would get rid of Abimelech. I would say to him, `Get some more soldiers, and come out and fight!'"" Unfortunately, Gaal got his wish and it did not turn out well for him. Pride goeth before the fall... An image is below for verses 37 & 38 - "But again Gaal said, "No, people are coming down from the hills. And another group is coming down the road past the Diviners' Oak." Then Zebul turned on him triumphantly. "Now where is that big mouth of yours?" he demanded. "Wasn't it you that said, `Who is Abimelech, and why should we be his servants?' The men you mocked are right outside the city! Go out and fight them!"
New Testament - We finish up the Gospel of Luke today! Wow... It's been awesome to read through Luke again this year. I hope it has been for you as well. And tomorrow... the Gospel of John! Yeah, I'm excited. John is just one of those books in the Bible that speaks to me on a spiritual level - at a level I fully can't even consciously comprehend - every time I read it. By the way, I do think this happens actually with any and all books of the Bible that we read. I believe our spirit is fed in ways we do not even consciously realize when we read any and all portions of God's Word. But, somehow, when I read John, I know it's happening! Until tomorrow. Luke is fantastic today...
The Road to Emmaus. This is a phenomenal portion of the Bible. I actually heard a sermon on this passage of the Bible not too long ago - just after Easter. And the pastor said that each of us as Christians are journeying along the Road to Emmaus. And Jesus is coming up to walk beside us. He is with us. And all too often we do not realize that Jesus is with us! Our eyes are not opened. The pastor encouraged us to open our eyes - through prayer, reading God's Word, and reflection on God's Word - and realize that Jesus is journeying on the road to Emmaus with us. Let us not miss him. Do you believe that Jesus is journeying along side you in your Walk today? Yes, at this very moment, is Jesus with you?
I love Jesus' first words to all of the disciples in verse 36 - ""Peace be with you."" Wow... how simple - and profound - and true! Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He brings peace into our lives, minds and hearts if we will let him in. Do you believe that Jesus' words to you at this very moment might be - "Peace be with you." Will you accept the heavenly peace that can only come from Jesus?
Verses 46 & 47 today sum up the Gospel message very nicely - "And Jesus said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day. With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: `There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.'" Do you believe this to be true?
Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 24 titled "Christ our Companion" is at this link and commentary titled "From Invisibility to Invincibility" is at this link and commentary titled "The Ascension" is at this link.
Psalms - Okay, so I will admit... my perception of the world is very skewed right now because I went to two U2 concerts last week... :) And so, hopefully you don't mind me noticing that Psalm 100 verse 1 - "Shout with joy to the LORD, O earth!" reminds me of the U2 song "With a Shout" from their October LP, released in 1981 - and you can view the lyrics to the tune at this link. I like the idea of shouting for joy to the Lord on occasion. I think it's good for us to do so! Shows we got a little life and passion in us yet...
Proverbs - How's this for a sobering Proverb in verse 12 today - "There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death." Things that make you go hmmm.... think this Proverb is true? I do. I know it is. And I think it is a Proverb that should make each of us stop and think about the path we are on now. Is it the path God wants us to be on? Or is it perhaps a path that looks attractive to the world (remember the Fallen world info at the beginning of this post...)? We all have paths to choose in our life. Many times over we will have to choose which path to walk upon. Are we walking upon God's path for us toward light and life?
What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings? Please post up in the Comments section below!
Grace,
Mike
Why is Jael praised for murdering Sisera? Some have argued that Sisera’s entering Jael’s tent had sexual overtones. Not only may “at her feet” suggest sexual parts, but “lay” implies intercourse (as in Gen 19:32; Deut 22:23-28; 2 Sam 13:14). For years Canaanite men had been raping Hebrew women. For this offense alone, she seems justified in killing him. But, what about lying to him? As Zebul did to Gaal. Is lying ever justified? Is a lie that brings one to truth not a lie?
When a spirit of ill will (or evil spirit) was sent to afflict Abimelech (as was also sent to another unfit king, Saul) some believe that God sent a demon to possess him, but it most likely just a hardening his heart to effect the estrangement used for judgment against both parties. Abimelech was not a true king as he had established his reign through murder. Jotham’s use of the fable proved to be prophetic: the fire that devoured the cedars would burn up both Schechem and Abimelech.
The temple of the god Berith means the well-known Canaanite god, El-Berith, the father of Baal. According to Canaanite epic poetry, the goddess Asherah had 70 children (does this number sound familiar?) by her brother god El, including a son Baal and a daughter Anat. El also impregnated his granddaughter, daughter of Baal. Baal then took his mother and his sister Anat. A symbolic reenactment of the incest between Baal and Asherah formed an essential part of Canaanite fertility rites. Israel was not only worshiping Baal, but “the Ashtoreths, the gods of Syria, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the people of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines.” In spite of the Lord’s disciple, Israel’s apostasy was increasing and they forgot Jehovah and so were simultaneously attacked by two nations (the Philistines from the west and the Ammonites from the east).
Gideon’s story showed that godly people can overcome any obstacle. We now also see that when they forget God, every obstacle seems to overcome them. Judges 10:13 – “Yet you have abandoned me and served other gods. So I will not rescue you anymore.” This is especially pertinent to a country with a hardening heart for our Christian heritage. Hebrews 6:4-8 – “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” Luke 14:34-35 – Jesus said, "Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out.”
Judges 10:15-16 – “But the Israelites pleaded with the LORD and said, 'We have sinned. Punish us as you see fit, only rescue us today from our enemies.' Then the Israelites put aside their foreign gods and served the LORD. And he was grieved by their misery.” Repentance must be tested by its results for it is not just a feeling of grief (as Judas felt). It does not come from emotions, but from the will and the manifestation in action of not only ending the sinful conduct but in the beginning of a life of service to God as well. Here, the Israelites acknowledged what they deserved, yet prayed to God not to deal with them accordingly. In comparison, the man that failed to return an abundance on God’s investment in Matthew 25:24-30 had everything taken away and was cast into outer darkness where there is great weeping and the sin of the fig tree that Jesus destroyed in Luke 13:6-9 was that the tree took from the earth and heaven but gave nothing back (growth for growth’s sake was not enough, fruit was required).
(Judges 10:4 Note: Literally the Hebrew says, has thirty donkeys, however they word used here is an unusual one that resembles the Hebrew word for towns and may have been an error repeated by a later scribe.)
The appearance of Christ in Luke to the “two of them” going to Emmaus (several places in Palestine outside Jerusalem were called by this name, but most believe it to be the modern day Kubeibeh, 7.5 miles northwest) occurred the same day He rose from the dead. One is identified as Cleopas (v. 18) and the other may have been his wife (v. 32 “our heart”). Many identify Cleopas with the “Clopas” mentioned in John 19:25, in which case his wife’s name was Mary. Cleopas’ words must have reflected the confusion the disciples felt concerning the crucifixion. “Slow of heart” reflects the Hebrew concept of the heart being the seat of intelligence (or foolish person who see things from a distorted perspective). It is not enough to have correct information – we must also be able to interpret it correctly. “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” Jesus surely included references to Deut 18:15-18 and Isaiah 9, 11, and 53 in His explanation of its fulfillment of prophesy. These things were written and now accomplished.
It was customary to offer bread to a guest no matter how late in the evening even though after the long walk they would be hungry anyways. But by giving thanks and giving bread to them, Jesus takes the role of the head of the household “and their eyes were opened.” Here (v. 43) Christ’s ability to eat (as well as in Acts 10:41) continues with the scars in His hands and the ability to be touched (v. 39) adds evidence that Jesus’ appearance was real and not in spirit (“a spirit hath not flesh and bones”). Jesus assured the disciples of peace even though they had so recently forsaken him. Our troublesome thoughts often arise from mistakes concerning our relationship with Christ. And, all peoples should be taught the nature and necessity of repentance for the forgiveness of their sins (starting at Jerusalem). They were to be “endued with power” of the Holy Spirit (for comfort, preaching, and powerful works), but they were to wait in the city until that time. Then he lifted his hands to heaven in the normal way to convey the paternal blessing and was carried up into heaven (forty days after His resurrection). His physical presence had removed the need to see His resurrection, but proof of His ascension was seeing it first-hand. We are reminded to not be “slow of heart” to worship and praise the risen Christ and to be like Him. “We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”
Posted by: Footsteps of God | April 29, 2005 at 12:12 PM
I have to make my post today short but sweet. I’m struck by how the conspirators of “evil” turn on each other. Abimelech was put in power because of family connections on the maternal side, and because he was from “their” town, Shechem. Evil turns on each other even when conspirators first banded together for a common cause. Sin has cords and they wrap around the necks of all involved chocking the very life out of all participants.
The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. (Proverbs 5:22)
Grace and peace,
Ramona
Posted by: Ramona | April 29, 2005 at 07:54 PM