Devotional

Jdg 17:4-5, …Then his mother took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to the silversmith, and HE MADE IT INTO A CARVED IMAGE AND A MOLDED IMAGE; and they were in the house of Micah. THE MAN MICAH HAD A SHRINE, AND MADE AN EPHOD AND HOUSEHOLD IDOLS; AND HE CONSECRATED ONE OF HIS SONS, WHO BECAME HIS PRIEST.

Psa 115:4-8, Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they DO NOT SPEAK; Eyes they have, but they DO NOT SEE; They have ears, but they DO NOT HEAR; Noses they have, but they DO NOT SMELL; They have hands, but they DO NOT HANDLE; Feet they have, but they DO NOT WALK; Nor do they mutter through their throat. THOSE WHO MAKE THEM ARE LIKE THEM; SO IS EVERYONE WHO TRUSTS IN THEM.

THOSE WHO MAKE AND TRUST IN THEM ARE SPIRITUALLY DEAD, JESUS SAID, LET THE DEAD BURY THEIR DEAD! Luke 9:60

Jdg 17:12-13, So Micah consecrated the Levite, and the young man became his priest, and lived in the house of Micah. Then Micah said, “NOW I KNOW THAT THE LORD WILL BE GOOD TO ME, SINCE I HAVE A LEVITE AS PRIEST!”

Pro 14:12, THERE IS A WAY THAT SEEMS RIGHT TO A MAN, BUT ITS END IS THE WAY OF DEATH. 

Jdg 16:4, Afterward it happened THAT HE LOVED A WOMAN IN THE VALLEY OF SOREK, WHOSE NAME WAS DELILAH. 

Pro 4:23, Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. 

Jdg 16:15-16, Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and have not told me where your great strength lies.” And it came to pass, when she pestered him daily with her words and pressed him, so that his soul was vexed to death,

She made it clear to him “WITH WHAT YOU MAY BE BOUND TO AFFLICT YOU”! YET, Samson trusted in his strength rather than his GOD, and he told her the truth!

Jdg 16:28, Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, “O LORD GOD, REMEMBER ME, I PRAY! STRENGTHEN ME, I PRAY, JUST THIS ONCE, O GOD…

The strongest man alive is now a circus act to the Philistines because of the choices Samson made in his life! YET, HE CALLED OUT TO THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY; THE SOURCE OF HIS STRENGTH! GOD KNEW HIS END FROM THE BEGINNING AND ALLOWED HIM TO DO HIS

OWN WILL! JUDGES 14:4. CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD! STOP THE FOOLISHNESS!

Psa 116:4, THEN I CALLED UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD: “O LORD, I IMPLORE YOU, DELIVER MY SOUL!” 

Jdg 15:11, Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and said to Samson, “DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT THE PHILISTINES RULE OVER US?

God empowered Israel to drive these pagans out of the land, yet Israel didn’t follow through completely and became slaves to them! They tied Samson with ropes and gave him over!

Jdg 15:14, When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. THEN THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME MIGHTILY UPON HIM; AND THE ROPES THAT WERE ON HIS ARMS BECAME LIKE FLAX THAT IS BURNED WITH FIRE, AND HIS BONDS BROKE LOOSE FROM HIS HANDS. 

Samson, STRENGTHENED BY GOD, killed 1000 men by himself!

Jos 23:10, ONE MAN OF YOU SHALL CHASE A THOUSAND, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS HE WHO FIGHTS FOR YOU, AS HE PROMISED YOU. 

Jdg 15:18, Then he became very thirsty; so he cried out to the LORD and said, “YOU HAVE GIVEN THIS GREAT DELIVERANCE BY THE HAND OF YOUR SERVANT; AND NOW SHALL I DIE OF THIRST AND FALL INTO THE HAND OF THE UNCIRCUMCISED?” 

Psa 56:11, IN GOD I HAVE PUT MY TRUST; I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME? 

WITH HIM WE CAN DO ALL THINGS, BUT WITHOUT HIM WE ARE LIKE A TWIG THROWN INTO A FIRE! QUICKLY CONSUMED!

Judges 15:18, reminds me of what JESUS endured on the cross of Calvary! BUT, WHILE GOD QUENCHED SAMSON THIRST, HE DIDN’T FOR HIS ONLY SON WHO PAID THE PRICE BECAUSE OF US!

Psa 22:14-15, I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death.

THANK YOU JESUS!

Jdg 14:2, So he went up and told his father and mother, saying, “I have seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines; now therefore, GET HER FOR ME AS A WIFE.” 

A Clear violation of Deu 7:3-4, “NOR SHALL YOU MAKE MARRIAGES WITH THEM”

Jdg 14:4, BUT HIS FATHER AND MOTHER DID NOT KNOW THAT IT WAS OF THE LORD—that He was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines. For at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.

Although it was evil in the sight of the LORD to marry a pagan woman, God allowed it for a greater plan!  he didn’t care if it violated God’s law! A STRONG MAN WITH A WEAK WILL!

Jdg 14:8, After some time, when he returned to get her, he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion. And behold, a swarm of bees and HONEY WERE IN THE CARCASS OF THE LION.

HE EAT THE HONEY THAT CAME OUT OF THE DEAD LION’S CARCASS! ANOTHER VIOLATION OF THE NAZIRITE VOW, Num 6:6-7!

YET, THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME UPON HIM SEVERAL TIMES! GOD’S WILL, WILL BE DONE EVEN THOUGH SAMSON HAD NO CLUE WHAT GOD WAS DOING! HE WAS DRIVEN BY THE DESIRES OF HIS HEART RATHER THAN THE DESIRES OF THE LORD!

Pro 4:23, KEEP YOUR HEART WITH ALL DILIGENCE, FOR OUT OF IT SPRING THE ISSUES OF LIFE. 

Jdg 13:17-18, Then Manoah said to the ANGEL OF THE LORD, “WHAT IS YOUR NAME, that when Your words come to pass we may honor You?” And the ANGEL OF THE LORD said to him, “WHY DO YOU ASK MY NAME, SEEING IT IS WONDERFUL?”

At this point Manoah didn’t know who was this man before him! So he asked for HIS name!

Isa 9:6, For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. AND HIS NAME WILL BE CALLED WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE.

The Angel of the LORD is JESUS the Son of GOD!

Jdg 13:20-21, …the Angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, THEY FELL ON THEIR FACES TO THE GROUND. …then Manoah knew that He was the ANGEL OF THE LORD.

All doubt was removed, this is the living GOD before their presence! AND ONE DAY WE SHALL SEE HIM FACE TO FACE! BE READY!

Php 2:10-11, THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.

Jdg 12:1-3, Then the men of Ephraim gathered together, … and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the people of Ammon, AND DID NOT CALL US TO GO WITH YOU? WE WILL BURN YOUR HOUSE DOWN ON YOU WITH FIRE!” And Jephthah said to them, “MY PEOPLE AND I WERE IN A GREAT STRUGGLE WITH THE PEOPLE OF AMMON; and WHEN I CALLED YOU, YOU DID NOT DELIVER ME OUT OF THEIR HANDS… I took my life in my hands and crossed over against the people of Ammon; AND THE LORD DELIVERED THEM INTO MY HAND. WHY THEN HAVE YOU COME UP TO ME THIS DAY TO FIGHT AGAINST ME?”

Ephraim wanted the glory without actual work, and did the same to Gideon in Jdg 8:1!

Mat 12:30, He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. 

WE HAVE TO CHOSE WHETHER TO GET IN THE FIGHT OR NOT! THOSE WHO WIN SOULS SHALL SHINE LIKE THE STARS, BUT IF YOU DON’T SHINE DON’T BLAME IT ON THE LORD! DON’T LET FEAR GET IN THE WAY OF YOUR BLESSING! IT’S A CHOICE GIVEN TO US!

Dan 12:3, Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. 

Jdg 11:29-31, THEN THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME UPON JEPHTHAH, … AND JEPHTHAH MADE A VOW TO THE LORD, and said, “IF YOU WILL INDEED DELIVER THE PEOPLE OF AMMON INTO MY HANDS, THEN IT WILL BE THAT WHATEVER COMES OUT OF THE DOORS OF MY HOUSE TO MEET ME, … SHALL SURELY BE THE LORD’S, AND I WILL OFFER IT UP AS A BURNT OFFERING.” 

Jephthah source of courage was the Spirit of the LORD that came upon him! Yet, a Spirit-filled man can do & say foolish things!

Jdg 11:34, When Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah, THERE WAS HIS DAUGHTER, COMING OUT TO MEET HIM WITH TIMBRELS AND DANCING; and she was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter. 

In Jephthah’s mind he thought a cow or sheep would come out yet it was his only daughter!

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREATER SIN IN THE EYES OF THE LORD FOR HIM TO ACTUALLY FULFILL HIS VOW AND SACRIFICE HIS DAUGHTER! THIS IS FOOLISHNESS, BETTER NOT TO VOW AT ALL! THERE IS NO NEED TO BRIBE GOD FOR HIS HELP; HE IS WITH US ALREADY!

Ecc 5:4-5, When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed— BETTER NOT TO VOW THAN TO VOW AND NOT PAY.

Jdg 10:10, And the children of Israel cried out to the LORD, saying, “We have sinned against You, because we have both forsaken our God and served the Baals!” 

Jdg 10:13-14, Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods. THEREFORE I WILL DELIVER YOU NO MORE. GO AND CRY OUT TO THE GODS WHICH YOU HAVE CHOSEN; LET THEM DELIVER YOU IN YOUR TIME OF DISTRESS.”

Israel willingly chose to serve other gods! AS CHRISTIANS WE WORSHIP THE LORD WE DON’T WORSHIP WHAT THE WORLD WORSHIPS, BUT THIS SHOWS THAT WE ARE IN DANGER OF BEING LEAD ASTRAY!

Jon 2:8, “THOSE WHO REGARD WORTHLESS IDOLS FORSAKE THEIR OWN MERCY. 

Jdg 10:16, So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD. AND HIS SOUL COULD NO LONGER ENDURE THE MISERY OF ISRAEL. 

HE LOVES HIS PEOPLE EVEN THOUGH WE DON’T DESERVE IT. THE HEART OF MAN IS EVIL, BUT THE HEART OF THE LORD IS FILLED WITH COMPASSION, MERCY AND GRACE!

Hos 11:7-8, MY PEOPLE ARE BENT ON BACKSLIDING FROM ME. THOUGH THEY CALL TO THE MOST HIGH, NONE AT ALL EXALT HIM. … MY HEART CHURNS WITHIN ME; MY SYMPATHY IS STIRRED.

Jdg 9:4-5, So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith, with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men; and they followed him.… killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself.

Abimelech the son of Gideon killed his brothers to eliminate any other potential Challengers, but the youngest escaped!

Jdg 9:56-57, Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father by killing his seventy brothers. And all the evil of the men of Shechem God returned on their own heads, and on them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.

Gideon, started out strong, but his son Abimelech completely destroyed his legacy! He was an ungodly leader to ungodly men who followed his ways and not GOD’s way!

Psa 55:23, But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; BUT I WILL TRUST IN YOU. 

Pro 27:20, Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied. 

DON’T PLACE YOUR TRUST IN FALLIBLE MEN, BUT PLACE YOUR TRUST IN GOD! FOR HE SHALL NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US! HE IS FAITHFUL!

Jdg 8:22-23, Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “RULE OVER US, BOTH YOU AND YOUR SON, AND YOUR GRANDSON ALSO; FOR YOU HAVE DELIVERED US FROM THE HAND OF MIDIAN.” But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; THE LORD SHALL RULE OVER YOU.”

Gideon wanted GOD to reign in Israel, yet for the rest of this chapter he acted as a king!

Jdg 8:27, Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah. And all Israel played the harlot with it there. It became a snare to Gideon and to his house.

Jdg 8:30-31, GIDEON HAD SEVENTY SONS WHO WERE HIS OWN OFFSPRING, FOR HE HAD MANY WIVES. And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, WHOSE NAME HE CALLED ABIMELECH.

Gideon showed great faith in his despair, yet greatly fell in his success! He named his son Abimelech which means, “father of a king” he intended that his son become king.  IN TIMES OF DESPAIR AND IN TIMES OF SUCCESS WE MUST ALWAYS BE DOING THE LORDS WORK! RUN YOUR RACE AND FINISH WELL!

2Ti 4:7, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.