Notes 1/20/17

January 27, 2017

1 Samuel 6:5  Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.

Some say those emerods are tumors in the nether regions, sounds like hemorrhoids. The mice? Mice that marr the land? Must be big mice. Philistines bringing back ark and inquiring as what offering or gift they should send with it.

1 Samuel 6:6  Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?

Thought: Pharaoh had a hardened heart and the Israelites went out, the Israelites had a hardened heart and were kept out of the Promised land. Seems like this priests and the diviners of the Philistines actually got it!

1 Samuel 6:12  And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Bethshemesh.

They were lowing as they went. That’s a sight. Two big fat heifers, dairy cows walking along, utters wagging, and mooooooooing! What is that? Everybody looks up out of the fields to see the sight. They rejoiced to see the ark.

1 Samuel 6:19  And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.

The irony of the matter in that they rejoiced yet died. 50,070 mean died. Don’t forget that we’re just a little ways from the reign so to speak of Hophni and Phinehas. These guys slept around with other women, not to mention that these women hung out by the temple gate. Something is not right when prostitutes turn tricks outside the door of the house of God, with the ministers of God. Not good. These people were not right. These are the people who will soon say, “Give us a king!” even after God warned them not to. These are the people that said, “God will not rule over us, give us a man to rule over us and to fight our battles!”

So, who are these that rejoiced? The same that died? I don’t know. You wonder about all this religion going on in this country. Is it genuine and real? Prolly. But is it right?

1 Samuel 6:21  And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, and fetch it up to you.

Maybe there were alot of priests at Kirjathjearim. I can’t imagine the solemn humility of the people of Bethshemeth. Once rejoicing over the return of the ark; now weeping and humbled and asking for someone to come and get it.

1 Samuel 7:2  And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.

20 years the ark stayed there, and Eleazar (not Aaron’s son) son of Abinadab took charge.

Bible says that all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD. Now I got to say someone was doing something right. I remember a message about “the nothing times” by Eric Justice. This twenty years appears to be a “nothing” time. No record of anything, but that all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD. Though nothing is recorded, I can imagine the work that God did in those 20 years in the hearts of the children of Israel.

1 Samuel 7:6  And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

How great the victory, when after 20 years this is what they have to say: We have sinned against the LORD! Bless the Lord. Somebody was plugging away. Somebody was praying to God and crying out to God. Somebody was reading the Word of God. Somebody was teaching something.

1 Samuel 7:7  And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.

Here comes the devil. As soon as there’s some hope of repentance and life, here he comes again. I conquered this or I conquered that! Oh really. Then who’s that coming down the way?

1 Samuel 7:10  And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.

The Lord thundered with a great thunder for his people. God is zealous for his children.

1 Samuel 7:12  Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

It’s not just that the Lord helps. It’s not that he helps in time of need. It’s that he helps when we don’t deserve any help. It’s that he lends a helping hand to someone who ought not be helped.

For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. John 4:9

But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. Matthew 15:26

Ebenezer Scrooge? He deserved no help. He deserved to die and go to hell. But God had mercy and helped him understand his sin. Ebenezer.

It’s not just that God can help us in that impossible situation. It’s that WE ARE that impossible situation. That would help a sinner such as I?

1 Samuel 7:14  And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

Peace through strength. Amen.

1 Samuel 7:17  And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.

Altar. I need a list of all the people in the Bible that built an altar

1 Samuel 8:6  But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.

This is what we ought to do when we’re displeased.

1 Samuel 8:7  And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

Can you believe that God telling Samuel to hearken unto the people, instead of the people hearkening unto Samuel.

1 Samuel 8:9  Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

Hearken, protest, and shew.

1 Samuel 8:11-18  And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.  (12)  And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.  (13)  And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.  (14)  And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.  (15)  And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.  (16)  And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.  (17)  He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.  (18)  And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.

All this is so true. The more we look to some man to lead, the more freedom and property we give up. This is a biblical concept very much applicable today regarding government.

1 Samuel 9:6  And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.

Is there a man of God in your city? A prophet? All he saith cometh to pass.

Shew us our way that we should go? People need direction. Remember, it’s not always, it’s alway. There’s one way and people need to know that way.

1 Samuel 9:7  Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?

A present? Cool.

1 Samuel 9:8  And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.

There’s nothing wrong with paying the man of God. He’s got to eat to you know. People don’t realize how many hours in a day that a preacher puts into making sermons and trying to find the will of God. It really is a full time job.

1 Samuel 9:11  And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here?

Is the seer here? I’ve really seen so many of these little rhyming sentences and have failed to write them down. Seer here. Want to haunt. Things like that.

1 Samuel 9:16  To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

I think God is pretty reasonable. He doesn’t want them to have a king. But he’s still going to save them through the king that they want. That’s mercy and grace there for you.

1 Samuel 9:18  Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is.

Absolutely providential.

1 Samuel 9:21  And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

Saul did have some humility about him. “When you were small in your own eyes….” I believe Samuel says to later when kingdom is rent out of his hand.

1 Samuel 9:22  And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.

It’s been too long. I don’t remember what I was going to say about this.

1 Samuel 9:27  And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.

The word of God. Stand still that I may shew thee the word of God. I wonder is this the attitude we should have when we preach.

1 Samuel 10:1  Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?

The anointing of oil. A great mystery of this modern age. Oil.

1 Samuel 10:2  When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel’s sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?

His dad really loved him and cared for him and worried after him.

1 Samuel 10:3  Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:

Three kids, three loaves, and a bottle of wine. Sounds like a message. They only give Saul two loaves of bread. What about the kids and the wine.

1 Samuel 10:5-6  After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:  (6)  And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

The Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt be turned into another man. Old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. How much evidence there is in the bible about the work of the Holy Spirit? Why do we see so little of it? Is our view wrong? Is it more that we see? Do we have eyes and can’t see? Ears and can’t hear? Oh that we might see the glory of God more obvious, more often, and more authentic.

1 Samuel 10:10  And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.

The Spirit causes one to prophesy. This is throughout the bible. Acts 2: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and they shall prophesy. Why don’t we prophesy today? What is prophesy? I’m tired of not know the answer to this question. Not seeing it. No experiencing it. Why do all preachers out there say that there are no more prophets? Does this mean that there shall be no more prophesying? I want to prophesy.

Been flirting with this thing of Prophet, Priest, and King. We’ll reign with him; King. We are a royal priesthood; Priest. Why can’t we prophesy; Prophet? Why are people so scared of sleeping in a “prophet’s chamber” I think I’m on to something.

1 Samuel 10:9  And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.

There is is again. Another heart. Ezekiel says a new heart. The Spirit of God is in the heart transplant business in the Old Testament.

1 Samuel 10:22  Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.

Stay with the stuff!

1 Samuel 10:24  And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.

Was the king in trouble already? I’ll be honest. Sounds like the British kinda tailored this to their liking.

1 Samuel 10:26  And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.

Wowee. A band of men whose hearts God had touched. That’s what we need today. God needs to touch our hearts. That’s something to pray for. Let my young boys grow to be a band of men whose hearts God had touched.

 

 

1 Samuel 1:11 And she vowed a vow…

January 26, 2017

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head.

I’ll never forget what Brother Don Green said at Faith Baptist Camp one evening. “You’re never gonna get anywhere without making some vows.” It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that. Now, everytime I come across that word vow in the Bible, I remember what he said. I see now that a vow is a very important thing in the law, I believe as prominent in the scriptures as offerings and sacrifices. However, the topic of the vow is often overlooked and neglected. I’ve been wanting to spend a little time on it, so here we go.

She vowed a vow. And just as importantly when God answered her prayer and gave her a son, she performed that vow. Hannah conceived and she bare a son. Her plan was to wait until the child was weaned and then she would go up to the house of God to perform her vow. Alas, the expected day had come. She brought the child up to Shiloh and gave him to the Lord.

For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. (1 Samuel 1:27,28)

She did it. She gave him to God and never claimed him back. One thing I do glean from the scriptures is that performing vows is a serious matter. And the law was designed in order to keep it a serious matter. Frivolous and silly vows were not to be made; as not to cheapen the value and seriousness of the matter.  In the law, the priest was to put a redemption price on the vow. (Leviticus 27) In other words, if the vow was to be claimed back from the priests, it was to be redeemed (to be paid for). So in so many words, the law made it so that if you couldn’t afford it, then either perform it or don’t vow it. The law kinda forced people to put their money where their mouth was.

Consider Jephthah’s vow in Judges. He vowed that if God would give him victory on the battlefield, that he would offer up for a burnt-offering whatsoever would come forth from the doors of his house when he returned from victory. This silly reckless vow cost him his daughter; his only child. I know the book of Judges is difficult, but what I wonder in all this is: Do we take our vows to God as serious as he takes them?

God took Hannah seriously when she asked for a man child. And praise God Hannah took God seriously concerning her vow. She performed it!

When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. (Deuteronomy 23:21)

It would be sin. Talk about causing trouble for yourself. When we pray that God lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, did we ever think that this evil would simply be not doing what we promised we would do. Nevermind the ten commandments, our own failure to perform our vows condemns us. I’m not talking about putting a yoke upon us that we cannot bear; or adding to the law. I’m simply asking do we belong to God or not? Is His life our life and our life his? If we are fully surrendered to the Lord and walking in the Spirit, why can’t we perform our vows? Or do we even have any vows to God.

So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows. (Psalm 61:8)

I know I sound kinda negative sometimes, but I want to stress that serving God is not a drudgery. I’m not enduring this unto the end. I’m enjoying this daily walk. I will sing praise unto the LORD, and gladly, and joyously do that which I’ve promised him. As Snow White said, I’m going to whistle while I work! Glory to God. One last scripture to ponder and then hopefully… some encouragement!

When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. (Ecclesiastes 5:4,5)

Better is it to not vow if you’re not going to keep it. I think we get that, but I want to say to you today that BEST is to keep what you vow! That is what’s BEST. This implies that it’s BEST you start with making some vows. Though there is stern warning in not keeping vows, don’t be afraid to make a vow. I like the way the Psalmist put it:

Vow, and pay… (Psalm 76:11)

Bless the Lord! This is where faith engages. This where the gears of man’s faith lock perfectly to gears of God’s promises. In the law, a price was put on vows so that the children of Israel would count the cost so to speak. But I ask what price is there that God can’t afford?

Hannah’s vow was one of miraculous expectation. Though she most definitely had her part to perform, none of it would have come to pass without God’s tender touch and unfailing faithfulness. God proved that he was able to do exceeding abundantly above all that Hannah asked or thought.

 

Ruth 2:19 Where hast thou gleaned to day?

January 26, 2017

And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.

First of all, what a beautiful book of this blessed Bible. It brings smiles to the face and tears to eyes to read about Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. What an extreme contrast to the repulsiveness and sorrow of the book of Judges. After reading the last chapters of Judges the book of Ruth is so refreshing I got to say “I needed that!”

Today, I just want to ask you this question. Where hast thou gleaned today? Where have you gathered your nourishment this day? Who’s field did you labor in today for your subsistence?

The foundation of the book of Ruth is the law of the Lord. The law mentions several times that gleanings were to be left for the destitute and the needy. In Leviticus, the law commands that you purposely not harvest the corners of the field and leave for the poor and the stranger. (Leviticus 19:9, 23:22) And in Deuteronomy the fatherless and widow is added to the list.

When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow… When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. (Deuteronomy 24:19,20)

When I picture a field with maybe corn growing, I can see those huge John Deere tractors reaping that large swath of corn, I can see how easy is to just leave the corners undone. It’s not worth the time backing up and repositioning for such little amount of corn. So on the edges of these 1000 acre fields are these little strips and corners of corn. I can see the widows and the fatherless and the poor harvest what is left.

When I see them touch just the edges of that vast field, it makes me think of Jesus and that woman that was diseased that came behind him and touched the border of his garment. “For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.” (Matthew 9:21) When I think about Boaz looking upon across his field and seeing Ruth and saying, “Whose damsel is this?” I think of Jesus when he felt that touch on his garment, he turned him about and saw her there.

Boaz bestowed such kindness upon Ruth when he said, “Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:” He charged his young men to leave her alone, to let her drink water, and leave extra of the harvest for her. I can’t imagine what relief and gratefulness she felt toward Boaz at that moment. The Bible says “Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me?” I see that woman plagued with disease for twelve years bowing before Jesus, as he says to her, “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.”

She touched only the hem of his garment. Ruth harvested just the remnants and the corners of his field. I tell you it doesn’t take much of God to touch and change the heart of man. Just the crumbs from the master’s table is sufficient. Yet God opens his bountiful storehouse of blessing and subsistence everyday through his Holy Word and his Spirit. I ask you again. Where hast thou gleaned today? 

Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word…But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part… (Luke 10:38,42)

 

 

 

Judges 20:28 Shall I yet again go out…

January 24, 2017

And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.

When I came to this verse I was amazed that Phinehas was still around at this time. Phinehas made his debut back in the book of Numbers when he stayed the plague by driving that javelin through Zimri and his girlfriend. That was on the other side of Jordan.  I’m certain that this passage in the book of Judges is out of chronological order.

Since the Jordan, we’ve seen Joshua conquer 31 kings, we’ve seen quite a lot happen and through many years. Othniel judged 40 years. Moab reigned 18 years. Ehud brought 80 years of rest. There was 40 years after Deborah. Then you have Gideon, his son Abimelech, Jephtha, and then Samson. So I doubt seriously that Phinehas lived that long as if chapter 20 happened last in the order of things.

In fact, I believe that all of Israel coming together to stamp out the tribe of Benjamin was in the character of Israel in the earlier years of Judges. Phinehas no doubt facilitated the attacks. Israel in the days of the later judges, I think not would have united as such.

If you remember, he was the one who had gone over into the the plain of Moab, to Rueben, Gad, and Mannaseh and threatened them after they built that altar at Jordan. He said, “Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day?” He’s referring all the way back to the other side of Jordan, when he killed Zimri and stayed the plague on the Israelites for the whoredoms with the Moabite god, Baal-peor. In other words he was asking, “Do I need to finish the job?”

This assault on Benjamin is very much in the character of Phinehas. He was ready to go to war against the three tribes on the other side of Jordan over an altar. He was very zealous about the Word of God and the law of God. And in this passage, I believe we see the reality of serving God and the bittersweet victories that God affords his children in order to prove them.

Most people know this story. Briefly, this is probably the strangest, most difficult to read, terrible passages of the Old Testament. A Levite’s concubine plays the whore and runs away, back home in fact. She is recovered but on the way back to their homeland, they stopped in the town of Gibeah and lodged with an old man there. There the vile sodomite men of the city compassed the house and demanded that the traveling Levite be delivered to them to rape him. The old man offered his daughter and the Levite’s concubine instead. The sodomites would not hearken, but the Levite gave them his concubine. She was abused all night and left for dead at threshold of the door of the house.

It gets worst. He takes her body home and cuts it up into twelve pieces and sends them out across the land of Israel as a testimony to the lewness and folly that the men of Gibeah (Benjamites) had committed. After the news had spread, the Bible says, “All the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.” They delcared that one out of ten men were to be gathered to do battle against the children of Benjamin; and 400,000 mean gathered to war. They demanded that Benjamin deliver the men of Gibeah that committed these atrocities. But the children of Benjamin would not have it. They instead gathered themselves for war against all of Israel. They gathered 26,000 men including 700 men from Gibeah.

The Bible then says that the children of Israel arose and went up to the house of God and asked counsel of God as to which tribe will up first against Benjamin. Enter Phinehas the high priest in the house of God. So upon the shoulders of Phinehas was this burden brought to the Lord. And God said that Judah shall go up first. That day the army of Benjamite held back and destroyed 22,000 of the men of Israel. It was a great slaughter.

And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? (Judges 20:23)

It was Phinehas that delivered the order to fight, the order that would cost them 22,000 men. Thus it was Phinehas that lead in lamentation. They wept before the Lord for the lewd and perverted had prevailed against the children of Israel. Were they to go home and let Benjamin be or were they to continue in battle? They inquired of the Lord again. And once again Phinehas delivered the news, “Go up against him!”

So the children of Israel with heavy hearts go up again against Benjamin to deliver justice and avenge their brethren. Surely Benjamin is weak now. Surely they are no match for a 400,000 man army. But alas, the Benjamites prevail again. 18,000 men of Israel fell on this second day of battle. That’s 40,000 men; one out of ten. Of the one out of ten that were gathered, one out of ten were killed.

Defeated and discouraged they went before the Lord. They wept and prayed and fasted until evening and offered burnt-offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. The Bible says that Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before the ark of the covenant and said, “Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease?” I can see Phinehas collapsing under such a heavy burden, tears streaming from his eyes, and crying, “Shall I yet again go?” Oh what pain he must felt and what anguish he endured to come before God in such a situation. This was the man that thurst Zimri through; the man that so confidently rebuked Rebuen, Gad, and Mannaseh for their altar; now broken, defeated, discouraged, and weeping before God.

God would give them victory the next day, but at such a cost. There’s so many lessons here we may learn, I don’t even know where to go. But there is question that Moses asks of God comes to mind, “O God, the God of the spirit of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?” (Numbers 16:22) God was going to destroy the whole congregation for Korah’s rebellion, but Moses and Aaron fell on their face and uttered this prayer. There was something in the prayer of Moses that stayed his hand.

I don’t know Phinehas’ heart or the heart of the congregation and all this is speculation, but there’s something sobering about these three words in his prayer: Benjamin my brother. I don’t know all the matter, but maybe the third time their hearts were finally right for the task. I wonder, do we weep and suffer for sins and follies of our loved ones? Consider the words of Jesus.

And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. (Mark 9:29)

The children of Israel, wept, and sat before the Lord, and fasted after that second defeat. How many of us are willing to pay the price? Paul said, “That I may know him… and the fellowship of his sufferings.” (Phillipians 3:10) I’m not trying to be a downer, but sometimes I wonder if we really want to know him? Where is our burden for the lost and for the backslidden? When have we left the ninety-nine? When have we swept the house? When have we sold all that we have? O Lord, give us a burden.

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:5)

 

 

 

 

Judges 17:6 That which was right…

January 21, 2017

In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

This is a very well-known statement. However, it’s not this verse that receives all the attention. It’s actually the last verse of the last chapter, 21:25. For it is the exact same words. And many preachers and students of the Bible have rightly declared this statement to be defining verse of the book of Judges. Scofield refers to it as the key-verse to the condition of Israel. (He actually refers to 17:6) It was a suprise to me to find it in the middle of the book  because I’ve always heard reference made to the one at the end of the book.

The story and events of Chapter 17 and 18 go together. It’s one period in time. This verse lies in this section and is truly the defining verse of these chapters. For everything that man did in those chapters was NOT right. It may have been in these character’s eyes: Micah, his mother, the young Levite, and the Danites; but there was NOTHING right that they did, from verse 1 to verse 31.

There was nothing right about any of these characters and their actions in Chapter 17 and 18. Truly every man did that which was right in his own eyes. The obliviousness and apathy toward the law of God is astounding. They did this all while the tabernacle was still set up in Shiloh. They could have inquired there. There was the law. There was the ark. There was the vessels and instruments of the law. There was what God had commanded.

The astonishing thing about Micah, his mother, the Levite, and the tribe of Dan is how religious they were. They do all these things as if they had the blessing of God on them, as if God approves of them, as if the law approves of them. They seemingly have no clue as to their violations toward God. Yet, today and even unto the white throne judgement, man will continue in this manner.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23)

Are you absolutely sure that you are in the will of God; that the Lord approves of your actions, your desires, and your religion? Micah, Mama, Jonathan, and the Danites had no idea. The Danites who had no idea inquired of a priest that had no idea; they stole and copied the religion of Micah who had no idea. It’s a vicious cycle. Somebody has got to break it.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord… (1 Corinthians 6:17)

Judges 13:25 The Spirit of the LORD began to move…

January 20, 2017

And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Studying Samson might give us a much different idea of what it means to be filled with the Spirit. Especially, if our minds have been so accustomed to associating the Spirit with his fruits: love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, long-suffering, faith, meekness, temperance. There was nothing peaceful, gentle, meek, or tempered about Samson. But this devotion affords us tremendous opportunity to see the direct workings of the Holy Spirit. (I recommend you read Judges 13-16)

The Movement of the Spirit

And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol. (Judges 13:25)

This reminds us of Genesis where the bible says “The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2) This indicates that the Spirit began to work in Samson during his younger years in the camp of Dan. It brings to mind when the Lord first spoke to Samuel when he was young. The Bible says, “Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.” (1 Samuel 3:7) There was a time for Samuel where the Spirit of God began to move in his life; as it was with Samson.

So it is with all of God’s children. There is a time when God begins to awaken us to the things of God. Do you remember when He began to move in you? Paul refers to this in his admonishment, “He which hath begun a good work in you…” (Phlippians 1:6) Whether it be like the movement of the wind rustling through the tree leaves, or like the shaking of thunder, the Spirit of the Lord will begin to move in the hearts of men.

The Might of the Spirit

And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done. (Judges 14:6)

In this we see the Spirit of God give Samson unusual strength against the lion. We hear lion and can’t help but thinking of Peter when he warns, “Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) And then we think of Jesus after being filled with the Holy Ghost how was “Led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” (Matthew 4:1)

Jesus wrought a great victory against the devil with the power of the Spirit of God and the Word of God. There is real strength and real might and real power in the Holy Ghost. ” Notice the text says he had nothing in his hand. He defeated the lion not with a weapon, a sword nor a gun, but with his own hands by the endued power of the Holy Ghost. “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

The Management of the Spirit

And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father’s house. (Judges 14:19)

This is the where we depart from love, joy, and peace. Instead, the fruit of the Spirit in this case was slaying, stealing, and steaming. The Spirit of God came upon him and he slew thiry men. Then he took their belongings; he stole them. And the Bible says he was steaming mad, his anger was kindled. All this because the Spirit of God came upon him. He was filled with the Holy Ghost.

I say all this to say this. When the Spirit of God controls, it may not manifest itself quite like we think. When someone is saved, he’s under new management. There’s someone new calling the shots. This is the case in every believer. Your co-believer is not managed by you. He’s managed by the Spirit of God. Who he is and what he does may shock you, but that doesn’t mean that the Spirit of God is not in control. Be careful not to put others under your management.

The Mind of the Spirit

15:14  And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. (Judges 15:14)

This verse truly reminds me of the Spirit of God in Romans chapter 8. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2) Walking in the newness of spirit, walking after the Spirit, is a product of liberty, the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Romans 8:21) We’ve been called unto liberty. (Galatians 1:13) We’ve looked into the perfect law of liberty. (James 1:25)

The greatest type in the Bible may possibly be when the children of Israel walked out free from the land Egypt. Freedom in Christ is what is in the mind of the Spirit concerning us. Once you’re saved, this is all of what the Spirit is concerned of for you; to walk in the freedom that Christ has given us; to lead us in that wonderful way; to teach us of that glorious truth; to give us that abundant life. “Loose him, and let him go!” Jesus commanded.

The Mode of the Spirit

But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day. (Judges 15:19)

This so reminds me of the words of Isaiah, “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (Isaiah 57:15) Something I’ll never forget I read concerning this verse:

…he reserveth for him his chief comforts, his heart-reviving and soul-cherishing cordials. I dwell, saith he, with such to revive them, and to support and comfort them, “to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones…” ~ Bunyan

How glorious the thought of the manifold and diverse ways that the Spirit of God can carry this out. Like we read in Judges about Gideon, when angels, altar fire, signs and wonders didn’t work, God used a cake of barley bread to touch the heart of Gideon and encourage him in his task. You never know what God may use to revive his people. When we sing Revive Us Again, consider that there’s no limit to the manner in which the Spirit of God would choose to do so. The way he did it yesterday may not be the way he does it today.

We’ve heard many times, “What God has done before, he can do some more!” But consider this, “What God has done before, he may do no more!” God may have greater or even lesser things to revive you again.

Conclusion

After looking at how the Spirit of God worked in the life of Samson, it does turn things upside down in your head a bit concerning the Holy Spirit. But consider the words of Jesus, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8)

Notes 1/19/17

January 20, 2017

Chapter 1

1 Samuel 1:2  And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

But Hannah had no children. Sad. Frown. Bummer. No big deal now. This is the desire now of alot of women; to not have children. They’re inconvenient, expensive, unplanned… But Hannah desired children.

1 Samuel 1:3  And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.

Compare Phinehas of Dueteronomy and Joshua to the Phinehas of 1 Samuel. Eleazar to Eli.

Note: We’re still talking tabernacle.

Hophni and Phinehas were there. There they are. They were there.

1 Samuel 1:5  But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.

The Lord had shut up her womb. It’s God who brings forth children. We can get scientific about all this, but if it’s appointed unto man once to die, then you can believe the it is appointed unto man once to live; to be born. God knew who your parents were before they were even born. And God breathed into him the breath of life. Sometimes God’s will is just later, not no. We want a yes or no and he gives us a wait.

1 Samuel 1:6-7  And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.  (7)  And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

Peninnah was the adversary.

He did so year by year? Eli went up for sacrifice? The Lord shutting up her womb? The adversary provoked her? Not sure. Could be two provokers; two adversaries

1 Samuel 1:11  And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

Vowed a vow. Whump there it is. Vows. Vows. Vows. We need to study vows. We need to perform vows. First study them, then make them, then perform them.

1 Samuel 1:15  And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

Don’t pour in strong drink, rather pour out your soul.

1 Samuel 1:18  And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

No more sad. I like that. Weeping endures through the night, but joy comes in the morning. But no weeping, no joy.

1 Samuel 1:21  And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

His vow? What was Elkanah’s vow. But there it is again. Vows are like fasting. Nobody does them or talk about them.

Came across a message on Hannah by Brother Ballew coincidentally, took some notes:

Brother Ballew’s Hannah’s Faith Promise Outline

Becoming what I became, possessing my possession.

“You can doubt and do without, or you can believe and receive!”

You can summarize her story in one statement, “I wish I could, but it’s beyond me.”

Don’t accept the status quo.

“God, if you will, I will.”

  1. Her Pathetic Condition
    1. She was Barren, vs 5,6
    2. She was Broken, vs 7
    3. She’s Bewildered, vs 8
  2. Her Prayer for a Child, vs 10,11
    1. It was Sincere
    2. It was Specific
    3. It was Supernatural
  3. Her Promise of Commitment, vs 11
    1. A Promise Initiated
    2. A Personal Involvement
  4. The Promise of the Child, vs 17
  5. The Presentation of the Child, vs 20
    1.  Her Plan, 21-23
  6. The Pattern Continues, 2:18,19
  7.  Her Paycheck, 2:20,21

Chapter 2

1 Samuel 2:9  He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

Silent in darkness? Hell?

1 Samuel 2:11  And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.

3 years olds can work and serve no doubt. I assume he was weaned by 3. Not really sure though.

1 Samuel 2:13-14  And the priests’ custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;  (14)  And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.

I would really like to examine this and understand what they were doing wrong. Compare it to the actual levitcal law.

1 Samuel 2:17  Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

Men abhorred the offering because of those young men. You wonder why people abhor church? Maybe it’s us? Maybe that can’t stand us.

1 Samuel 2:22  Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

This is nuts. Both on his sons and the women. Why would you go to the tabernacle for this? No wonder people abhorred the offering.

1 Samuel 2:27-29  And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh’s house?  (28)  And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?  (29)  Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

Man of God out there knows more than the high priest. Man of God out there rebuke high priest. Doesn’t seem right to me. It ought not to be like that. Eli really messed up.

1 Samuel 2:31-34  Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father’s house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.  (32)  And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.  (33)  And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.  (34)  And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.

Why didn’t Eli do anything about all this?

1 Samuel 2:35  And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

The priesthood of every believer. I want to be a faithful priest. A royal priesthood, a chosen generation.

Chapter 3

1 Samuel 3:1  And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

That man of God had a vision! What was meant by this? Precious meant rare, highly valued, and few had it. Is the word of the Lord precious today. It was precious but that doesn’t mean that it was precious to the people of God.

1 Samuel 3:2-3  And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;  (3)  And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

Was this the first time it had gone out? What’s the sig? Keep your eyes open! Keep your eyes on the light.

1 Samuel 3:7  Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.

Know the LORD, saved? Revealed unto him? Holy Spirit. Did all priest enjoy these benefits?

1 Samuel 3:9  Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Maybe when we pray, we ought to try this instead of us talking. Just say “Speak, LORD, for thy servant heareth…” And just listen to what God says to us.

1 Samuel 3:11  And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.

Tingling ears in the New Testament… Jingle Lingle Lingle with a Tingle Lingle Lingle.

1 Samuel 3:12  In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.

I’ve always liked this verse. Life is the cessation of death as death is the cessation of life.

1 Samuel 3:13  For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

God would not have been wroth with Eli if he hadn’t made it within his reach to restrain his children. Eli could have done it, but chose not to.

1 Samuel 3:17  And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.

God do so to thee…. He’s threatening Samuel. He knows that what the Lord hath said was not good for him.

1 Samuel 3:19  And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

No idle words. Set a watch about my mouth. Good advice. Study to be quiet.

1 Samuel 3:20  And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.

Can you imagine how that made Hannah feel to hear how people felt about her son.

1 Samuel 3:21  And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.

By the word of the LORD. God can still do that today. God still does that today. Read the word. Preach the word. Feed the word. Lead by the word. Deed the word. Bleed the word. Greed the word. Seed the word. Need the word. Heed the word. Weed the word.

I have to believe this. In vain do I work if this is not true. God can reveal himself through the word of the Lord.

Chapter 4

1 Samuel 4:1  And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.

Ebenezer? What was that again. The Lord helped us? Getting ahead of myself. That’s in chapter 7. It was a stone. I got into it with the stone of Bohan.

1 Samuel 4:3  And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.

Bad idea.

1 Samuel 4:5  And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.

They were so fooled. They rejoiced and praised God and shouted, yet never had a hope. Can people do this today. You betcha. They go to church, they sing, got the praise team, the whole earth rings! But never had a hope.

1 Samuel 4:13  And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.

That was HIS responsibility. He trembled at his own folly.

1 Samuel 4:17  And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.

There’s an outline here. We need alliteration. Help Brother Ballew!

1 Samuel 4:20-22  And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.  (21)  And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.  (22)  And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.

This is so sad. She was with child. Her husband slept around. She dies. Just sad. So sad.

Chapter 5

1 Samuel 5:3  And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.

Dagon was worshipping God.

1 Samuel 5:4  And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.

New Testament, it’s better to enter heaven maimed that have your hands and eyes and legs and arms and go to hell. Dagon knew what he was doing.

1 Samuel 5:9  And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts.

Ouchy!

 

 

Judges 7:13 A cake of barley bread came unto a tent…

January 19, 2017

And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.

Maybe some us can really relate with Gideon. He was a man of many doubts.

The angel said to him, “The Lord is with thee.” But Gideon said, “If the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of?”

The Lord looked upon Gideon and said, “Go. Thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites.” But Gideon said, “Wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”

The Lord said unto Gideon, “Surely I will be with thee.” But Gideon said, “If I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign.”

And the Lord showed him a sign when he made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes, and layed them upon a rock and the angel of the Lord put forth the end of his staff and touched the offering and there rose up fire out of the rock and consumed Gideon’s offering before his eyes.

But that wasn’t enough for Gideon. So to make sure he put out a fleece outside and asked God to make the dew of the night to fall only on the fleece and leave the ground dry. The next morning, sure enough God had fulfilled his request and he rang out a bowl full of water out of fleece.

But even that wasn’t enough for Gideon. He put the fleece out again and this time asked God to make the dew fall upon the ground and leave the fleece dry. Sure enough, the next morning the ground was wet with dew, but the fleece was dry.

You know the next part of the story; how that God tried the people down by the water and out of thousands he chose the 300 men that lapped up the water like a dog to go on to battle. But even after that, Gideon’s heart was still not settled. And the Lord knew it so he gave something to Gideon that Gideon could trust.

Gideon understood barley. The Midianites had come into the land and destroyed everthing that they had sown. The destroyed the sheep, the oxen, and the asses. They had left no sustenance for the children of Israel. That means they were starving. They had no crops, no food, no nothing. They were oppressed by the Midianites. The bible says,

Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. (Judges 6:11)

Two points. The Midianites did not destroy the fruit of the vine or the winepresses. I guess they liked their liquor, aye?. And Gideon knew this so he cleverly hid his wheat in a place they wouldn’t be looking for it. Now that is where he threshed it, but where did he grow it? Well, Gideon said himself, “Behold, my family is poor.” Barley bread was the bread of the poor. Barley is what they fed animals. But also it was a very hardy plant. It grew with little assistance and thrived under difficult circumstances. It’s possible that barley was the only wheat that could remain hid from the Midianites because it was so hardy and able to be planted in obscure places. So Gideon knew barley.

After the thinning out of Gideon’s army, the 300 armed men camped out near the valley where the Midianites were encamped. The Lord knew that Gideon, despite all the evidence, was still fearful to believe and follow Him. So God told Gideon, “If thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host.” (Judges 7:10)

Gideon went down into the host of 300 armed men, and this is where our text takes place. We don’t know who it was, but someone had a dream and and told it to his friend. In his dream, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and destroyed a tent. The friend heard this dream, knew the interpretation thereof, and exclaimed it.

This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host. (Judges 7:14)

Gideon overheard this exchange between these two fellows and it made all the difference in the world to Gideon. God spoke to Gideon’s heart through these two men. The bible says that after Gideon heard it, he worshipped! Doesn’t it get a whole lot easier to worship God after you got a word from Him? Isn’t it alot easier to drop down to your knees and praise and thank God after He’s truly spoken to your heart. It’s not everyday you get the can’t-help-its. Sometimes, you just get a word from God and the hands go up! The tears come down! And the praises comes forth! He worshipped after he heard about the barley bread.

Then the Bible says that after that, he went into the host of Israel and said, “Arise, for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.” (Judges 7:15) He said, “Get up! Let’s go claim the victory!” He didn’t say, “Lord I need another sign!” He didn’t say, “Lord I need another dream!” No, he knew what that barley bread meant.

Barley bread –  A weak and contemptible thing, and in itself as unable to overthrow a tent as to remove a mountain; but, being thrown by a divine hand, it bore down all before it. ~ Benson

That barley bread, the bread of the poor, the least of all breads, was Gideon. He said, “My family is poor in Mannasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” How wonderful and encouraging that God would choose to use someone of such low estate. Little is much when God is in it. Truly God will exalt the humble. God hasn’t changed.

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (1 Corinthians 1:26-28)

 

 

 

 

 

Notes 1/17/17

January 19, 2017

Ruth 1:2  And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

Scofield says that this happened in the first half of Judges. There is a high concentration of stories regarding Judah and Benjamin me thinks. You never here of Issachar or Zebulan or Asher. What happened to those?

Ruth 1:4  And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.

It’s funny how this is said without rebuke, especially because we know of the great story that follows and how honorable the women were. We don’t want to say anything ill of it all. But it was wrong. This was forbidden of God. But you see it over and over.

Ruth 1:5  And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

Odd that both brother died within 10 years of marriage at about the same time. But you wonder. It is appointed unto man once to die. And that Jesus was brought through this lineage was no coincidence.

Ruth 1:7  Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.

Isn’t it odd how we always go back. I heard somewhere that a grand majority of people will die within 30 minutes of where they were born.

Why was everyone dying? Her husband too. Maybe there was war. Maybe they were of the 40,000 that died against Benjamin. Or they were Benjamites. Or Judites? Jews? Maybe they died against the children of Israel in Judges 19-21

Ruth 1:12  Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;

So much back then was based on child-bearing. Saved through child-bearing?

Just destitution without children. Why do we have children?

Ruth 1:16-17  And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:  (17)  Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Such devotion. This is how we should be devoted to the Lord.

Ruth is such a wonderful refreshing story in the midst of the book of Judges. So much wickedness going on in that book, and then you read Ruth an oasis of love and devotion. Just beautiful.

Ruth 1:20  And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

Reference to Moses and the COI in the wilderness at Marah or Meribah.

Ruth 2:4  And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.

AND BEHOLD BOAZ CAME. Behold the day that our redeemer came into our life. Behold the day that the lover of my soul appeared. This is just good stuff.

Even his workers bless him. Usually they curse their employer as he passes by, Instead, “The LORD bless thee.” But look at Boaz! “The LORD be with you.” When has your boss ever told you that in the morning. Or when have you told those under you that? We could at least pray that. Good stuff.

Ruth 2:9  Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.

Talk about finding grace. Boaz was full of grace.

Ruth 2:11  And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

All this is what moved Boaz. Reminds of when Jesus said that he hadn’t found such faith in Israel. God is looking for this. This is what moves God. This is not about good works. It’s about a good heart. Good ground.

Ruth 2:12  The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

O how we’ve come to trust in him. Everybody through their own course, yet everybody under the wings.

Ruth 2:16  And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.

Some people say handfuls on purpose. But that’s not what it says. Of course it’s on purpose. But what are handfuls of purpose?

Ruth 2:19  And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.

I can see the bug-eyed Naomi, excited and happy, “Where has thou gleaned to day?” Not that anybody is trying to show off, but do others say this of us? Do others see us and think us blessed that God has taken knowledge of us.

Ruth 3:10  And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

I thought Mary was the blessed of the Lord. Yeah, young men should not be followed. They know nothing. I can attest to that I was once a young man.

Ruth 3:12  And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

The question of the ages. Who was this kinsman that was nearer? It’s just so odd.

Ruth 4:1  Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.

His name was Suchawun.

Ruth 4:4  And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.

Ruth 4:6  And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

I will redeem it. I cannot redeem it. When Boaz talked land, he was willing to buy it, but when he mentioned Ruth, the Moabitess, in verse five, suddenly he could not buy it. Lest I mar mine own inheritance was the excuse he gave. This beyond my understanding.

So I checked the commentaries. It seems to be the consensus that the anonymous kinsmen was afraid of the prospects of more children from Ruth and the fact that they’d be Mahlon’s heirs and not his. Sounds good, but I did find one that agreed with what I personally thought: That her Moabite ancestry was the problem. Like I said earlier, that was wrong. In fact, the commentary went on to say, which I thought was clever: Their sudden deaths had something to do with their disobedience to God. (Which I did indicate earlier was odd)

So why is it okay for Boaz and why is Boaz this great guy? Well, he’s now bound by the law to redeem the kinswoman. Interesting.

Ruth 4:7  Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.

Ha ha… I see chonklas flying!

 

 

Notes 1/16/17

January 19, 2017

Chapter 19

Judges 19:1  And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.

Why does almost every chapter start with a concubine or a harlot or a second or third wife?

Judges 19:8  And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel’s father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoon, and they did eat both of them.

I don’t know who has time like this to sit around and eat and drink all day. Goodness.

Judges 19:11  And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.

If I’m not mistaken, this is Jerusalem. Which is troubling. Why is it still named after the Jebusites? Why have they not driven them out of the land? Why is it named after Jebusites and not Isrealites? This is a great sign at this point in the bible regarding the obedience of Israel and seriousness they took God about driving out the people of the land. Jebus. Of course, we still see this today. The Israelites to do no control Jerusalem. It’s divided. They don’t even have control of the temple mount. I don’t understand this. Why don’t they just take it. They say they’re waiting for the red heifer to cleanse everything. I saw claim everything and God will take care of the cleansing. Whatever. What do I know.

By the way, this is one of the most troubling passages of the old testament. Truly every man did that which was right in his own eyes. People were messed up. It was like Sodom and Gamorah there. I’m suprised that God did not reign down fire and brimstone on these people. Consider though, things don’t change. People don’t change. Sin doesn’t change. Every abomination that is committed in the leaves of this bible is happening now under our noses. There’s nothing new under the sun, as Solomon said.

Chapter 20

Judges 20:45  And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.

A total of 25,000 men died of Benjamin because of the sin against the Levite’s concubine. This was almost the slaughter of the entire tribe of Benjamin. The book of Joshua ended with the threat of 3 tribes being slaughtered abated peace. But the book of Judges ends with almost the whole tribe of Benjamin wiped out.

Now, to their credit, I have to say, and I’m no judge, but I think they did right. Benjamin should have delivered up the perpetrators instead of defending them. If they did, things may have been different. But they stood up for sodomites and rapists and there you go. They got their just recompense.

Tribe against tribel. Divided a nation falls.

Chapter 21

Judges 21:21  And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.

This is just too weird. I got to say, I think Christianity has been the greatest cause for women’s rights, the greatest movement for the dignity and respect of women across the world. I mean I read this and think, “What is this?” Cave people?

Uggg. Me hit this woman over head with club and take!

Like I said, these three chapters are the most troubling, sickest chapters to read in all the bible. And the shame goes to man, to our race. This is what happens when we turn from God, when we go after false Gods, when we forsake His Word, and we seek not the face of God.