Archive for the ‘Judges’ Category

Compromise, Justify and Excuses, Conviction, and the Truth.

Posted: April 6, 2025 in Judges
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Under Gods Command.

Compromise, Justify and Excuses, Conviction, and the Truth. 

Do we compromise the commands given by God? Do we engage in activities and visit places where we know we have no right to be, simply to avoid offending a friend or family member? Do we support sinful behavior? Then afterward we me up excuses to justify our actions.  These are the reasons why I read the Bible. Stories like these serve as a reminder to remain steadfast in my adherence to God’s commands. I already struggle at times to maintain my own integrity, and I will not allow anyone else to derail me from my path. 

Gods Command to King Saul

1 Samuel 15:3 NIV Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’ ”

COMPROMISED

1 Samuel 15:8-9: Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt. [8] He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. [9] But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

 Saul and his men did not destroy all the plunder from the battle as God had commanded them to do (15:3). The law of devoting something—setting it aside—entirely for destruction was well known to the Israelites. Anything under God’s ban was to be completely destroyed

(Deuteronomy 20:16-18 However, in the cities of the nations the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. [17] Completely destroy them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you. [18] Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the LORD your God).

This was set up in order to prevent idolatry from taking hold in Israel because many of the valuables were idols. To break this law was punishable by death (Joshua 7). It showed disrespect and disregard for God because it directly violated one of his commands.

Let’s Bring Home: When we gloss over sin in order to protect what we have or for material gain, we aren’t being shrewd; we are disobeying God. Selective obedience is just another form of disobedience.

JUSTIFICATION AND EXCUSES

1 Samuel 15:13 NIV

When Samuel (Profit of God) reached him, Saul said, “The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD’s instructions.”  

King Saul genuinely believed he was following God’s instructions and acting in righteousness. This is not unique to him; we all do and say things that we later try to justify with the word of God, even when we know we are mistaken.  

1 Samuel 15:14-15 NIV

But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?”  

15] Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.”

1 Samuel 15:16-19 NIV

“Enough!” Samuel said to Saul. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” Saul replied. [17] Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. [18] And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage war against them until you have wiped them out.’ [19] Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?”

Samuel reminded King Saul of the mission God sent him on. In those days they had the Profits, but today we have the Holy Spirit to convict us with reminding us of the mission God has us on and when we disobey. Its called Conviction. 

1 Samuel 15:18-19 NIV

And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage war against them until you have wiped them out.’ [19] Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?”

When confronted with our actions, we often quickly dismiss them as right. However, sometimes we need to take a step back and reflect on our decisions. Only then will we truly understand the truth behind our actions. 

1 Samuel 15:20-23 NIV

“But I did obey the LORD,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. [21] The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.”

Now Samuel broke it down to King Saul that obeying is much better than sacrifice.  We have to be careful that the Lord does not reject our prayers behind disobedience.

 [22] But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. [23] For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”

After we deal with our in convictions, it will bring out the truth everything. 

CONVICTION BRINGS OUT THE TRUTH

1 Samuel 15:24 NIV

Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the LORD’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them.

Sometimes, we fear losing relationships with loved ones, friends, and associates because we refuse to condone their sinful behavior. Saul’s excuses had come to an end, and the time of reckoning had arrived. God wasn’t rejecting Saul as a person; the king could still have sought forgiveness and restored his relationship with God. However, it was too late to reclaim his kingdom.

Lets Bring it Home: If you do not act responsibly with what God has entrusted to you, eventually you will run out of chances to keep it. All of us must one day give an account for our actions (Romans 14:12; Revelation 22:12). At the same time, when we follow God, we may lose our reputations, possessions, or careers, but those are nothing compared to the eternal life we gain.

Judgement on the United States of America

Posted: October 8, 2018 in Battle Focus, Beliefs, Bible Study, Blinded by Hate, debauchery, deceitfully, decisions, dishonesty, disobedience, Drinking and getting Drunk, evil men, Evil People, great power, hate, Isaiah, Judges, Uncategorized, wickedness
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Under Gods Command

Life Application Study Bible Named this Chapter

Judgement on Jerusalem and Judah

but I call it

Judgement on the United States of America

Isaiah 3:1-15 NIV
[1] See now, the Lord, the Lord Almighty, is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: all supplies of food and all supplies of water, [2] the hero and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, [3] the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor, skilled craftsman and clever enchanter. [4] “I will make mere youths their officials; children will rule over them.” [5] People will oppress each other—man against man, neighbor against neighbor. The young will rise up against the old, the nobody against the honored. [6] A man will seize one of his brothers in his father’s house, and say, “You have a cloak, you be our leader; take charge of this heap of ruins!” [7] But in that day he will cry out, “I have no remedy. I have no food or clothing in my house; do not make me the leader of the people.” [8] Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence. [9] The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves. [10] Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. [11] Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done. [12] Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. My people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path. [13] The Lord takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people. [14] The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: “It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses. [15] What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.

Love the Commentary Notes

Jerusalem besieged, her leaders destroyed—this unhappy picture would soon become a reality. Disobedience would bring serious affliction and great destruction, as God had warned (Deuteronomy 28).

3:4-9 This section describes what happens when a nation loses its leadership.

3:9-11 The people would be proud of their sins, parading them out in the open. But sin is self-destructive. In today’s world, sinful living often appears glamorous, exciting, and clever. But sin is wrong, regardless of how society perceives it, and, in the long run, sin will make us miserable and destroy us. God tries to protect us by warning us about the harm we will cause ourselves by sinning. Those who are proud of their sins will receive the punishment from God they deserve. Having rejected God’s path to life (see Psalm 1), they had only one alternative—the path to destruction.

3:10, 11 In the middle of this gloomy message, God gives hope: Eventually the righteous will receive God’s reward, and the wicked will receive their punishment. It is disheartening to see the wicked prosper, while we struggle to obey God and follow his plan. But let us keep holding on to God’s truth and take heart! God will bring about justice in the end, and he will reward those who have been faithful.

3:14 The elders and rulers were responsible to help people, but instead they stole from the poor. Because they were unjust, Isaiah said the leaders would be the first to receive God’s judgment. Leaders will be held accountable for how they lead. If you are in a position of leadership, you must lead according to God’s just commands. Put the needs of others before your own. Fulfill the purpose God intended. Don’t seek your own advantage. Corruption will bring God’s wrath, especially if others follow your example.

3:14 Why is justice so important in the Bible? (1) Justice is part of God’s nature; it is the way he runs the universe. (2) It is a natural desire in every person. Even as sinners, we all want justice for ourselves. (3) When government and church leaders are unjust, the poor and powerless suffer. Thus, they are hindered from worshiping God. (4) God holds the poor in high regard. They are the ones most likely to turn to him for help and comfort. Injustice, then, attacks God’s children.

Lets Bring it Home: Its time we take our eyes off the television and point them to God. Stop worrying about how corrupt our Government is, and keep or start praying about it. Lets be sure we keep focus on ourselves also. We do want our prayers to be heard. When we do nothing to help the oppressed, we are, in fact, joining with the oppressor. Because we follow a just God, we must uphold justice. Don’t stop fighting for Justice. In the end God will have the Victory.

Proverbs 26:23 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 26, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Judges, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 26, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 26:23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. 

Are you guilty of one or both of these terrible sins – burning lips that say negative things about others or a wicked heart that thinks such things? If you are guilty of both, you are like a broken piece of pottery covered with the scum from silver refining. What an ugly and worthless person! If you cannot say kind things about others, then say nothing at all.

Here is a simple simile – a stated comparison, by the word “like,” of a man to a clay vessel. An evil man, with a malicious heart and cruel speech, is like a broken fragment of pottery painted over with scum. A good man, with a noble heart and kind words, is like a beautiful work of pottery covered with fine silver, a delightful and valuable object.

What are burning lips? This man has a fire in his mouth, and he regularly burns others with critical and hateful speech. He cannot stay silent for long – he must say something derogatory about others. His lips are set on fire of hell (Pr 4:24; 10:18; 16:27; Jas 3:5-9).

What is a wicked heart? This phrase describes the person whose heart is filled with arrogant contempt and malicious hatred of others, as the context shows (Pr 26:18-28). He does not know God, and he has no affection for others, except to use them for his own selfish ends. He is a murderer at heart, though he may not have committed the crime yet.

Do you have either burning lips or a wicked heart, or do you have both? It is easy to find out. How easily do you argue, backbite, flatter, lie, slander, tattle, or whisper? If you sin in these ways easily, you surely have burning lips. And if you do not grieve after such sins of your lips, then you also have a wicked heart. Reader, examine yourself and repent.

While your lips and heart are not perfectly connected, they are very closely connected. A man may sin once in a while with his lips and have a pure heart, but he will be grieved for it. If a man sins often by attacking others with his words, he shows a violent and wicked heart. Jesus taught that the mouth clearly reveals the heart (Matt 12:34-37).

Many beautiful works of art and household vessels were once made from pottery. A well-formed clay object covered with fine silver could be exquisite in appearance and use. But a potsherd is a broken piece of pottery, and silver dross is the refuse scum from refining.

Wise men examine their hearts and guard their lips – they fear a critical heart and cruel lips that harm others (Pr 6:12-15; 17:20). They will instead choose a pure heart and gracious lips that can win even a king for a friend (Pr 22:11). Reader, examine yourself!

Spiritual Training 25 September 2012

Posted: September 25, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Judges, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Last Chapter and Verse of Judges

Read Judges 21:25 In those days Israel had no King; everyone did as he saw fit.

During the time of the judges, the people of Israel experienced trouble because everyone became his own authority and acted on his own opinions of right and wrong.  This produced unspeakable results.  Our world is similar.  Individuals, groups, and societies have made themselves the finial authorities without reference to God.  When people selfishly satisfy their personal desires at all cost, everyone pays the price.

It is the ultimate heroic act to submit all our plans, desires, and motives to God.  Men like Gideon, Jephthah, and Sampson are known for their heroism in battle.  But their personal lives were far from heroic.

Lets Bring it Home:  To be truly heroic, we must go into battle each day in our home, job, church, and society to make God’s Kingdom a reality.  Our weapons are the standards, morals, truth, and convictions we receive from God’s Word.  We will lose the battle if we gather the spoils of earthly treasures rather than seeking the treasures of heaven.

Spiritual Training 19 September 2012

Posted: September 19, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Judges, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Judges 18:30-31 – There the Danites set up for themselves the idols, and Jonathan son of Gershom, the son of Moses, and his sons were priest for the tribe of Dan until the time of the captivity of the land.  They continued to use the idols Micah had made, all the time the house of God was in Shiloh.    

The tribe of Dan had stolen Micah’s idols, and now they set them up in Laish.  Although the Danites were actually denying God by worshipping these images (Exodus 20:1-5), they probably assumed they were worshiping God through them.  Worshiping images of God is not worshiping God, even if it resembles true worship in some ways. 

Lets Bring it Home: People repeat the same mistake today when they claim to be Christians without really believing in God’s power or changing their conduct to conform to his expectations.  Godliness cannot be merely a claim.  It must be a reality in our motives and in our actions.

Spiritual Training 18 September 2012

Posted: September 18, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Judges, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Judges 18:25-27 – The Danites answered, “Don’t argue with us or some hot-tempered men will attack you, and you and your family will lose your lives.”  So the Danites went their way, and Micah, seeing that they were too strong for him, turned around and went back home.  Then they took what Micah had made, and his priest, and went on to Laish, against a peaceful and unsuspecting people.  They attacked them with the sword and burned down their city. 

Did the tribe of Dan have the right to kill the citizens of Laish?  No, God had commanded Israel to clean out and destroy certain cities because of their idolatry and wickedness, but Laish did not fall under that judgment.  It was not within the assigned boundaries of Dan,, and its people were peaceful in contrast to the warlike Canaanites.  But the tribe of Dan had no regard for God’s law.  God’s law said to destroy a city for idolatry.  The Danites themselves were guilty of this sin.  This story shows how far some of the tribes had wandered away from God.  Just because the Danites successfully defeated Laish doesn’t mean their actions were right.  Their idolatry show that God was not guiding them.

Lets Bring it Home: Today many justify their wrong actions by outward signs of success.  They think that wealth, popularity, or lack of suffering is an indication of God’s blessing.  But many stories in the Bible indicate that evil and earthly success can go hand in hand (See, for example, 2 Kings 14:23-29).  Success doesn’t indicate God’s approval.  Don’t allow personal success to become a measuring rod of whether or not you are pleasing God.

Spiritual Training 12 September 2012

Posted: September 12, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Judges, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Judges 17:5-6 Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some idols and installed one of his sons as his priest.  In those days Israel had no king, everyone did as he saw fit. 

Today, as in Micah’s day, everyone seems to put his or her own interests first.  Time has not changed human nature.  Most people still reject God’s right way of living.  The people in Micah’s time replaced the true worship of God with a homemade version of worship.  As a result, justice was soon replaced by revenge and disorder.  Ignoring God’s direction led to confusion and destruction.  Anyone who has not submitted to God will end up doing whatever seems right at the time.

Lets Bring it Home: This tendency is present in all of us.  To know what is really right and to have the strength to do it, we need to draw closer to God and his Word.

Spiritual Training 06 September 2012

Posted: September 6, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Judges, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Idolatry in the tribe of Dan

Judges 17:1-3 Now a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim said to his mother, “The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you and about which I heard you utter a curse-I have that silver with me; I took it.” Then his mother said, “The LORD bless you, my son!” When he returned the elven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, she said,  “I will give it back to you.”  When he returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, she said, “I solemnly consecrate my silver to the LORD for my son to make a carved image and a cast idol.  I will give it back to you.” 

Micah and his mother seemed to be good and moral and may have sincerely desired to worship God, but they disobeyed God by following their own desires instead of doing what God wanted.  The attitude that prevailed in Micah’s day was this: “Every one did as he saw fit” (17:6).  Everyone should already know that making carved images and idols are against Gods Commands.

Lets Bring it Home: This is remarkably similar to today’s prevailing attitudes.  But God has given us standards.  He has not left our conduct up to us and our opinions.  We can avoid conforming to society’s low standards by taking God’s commands seriously and applying them to life.  Independence and self-reliance’s are positive traits, but only within the framework of God’s standards.

 

Spiritual Training 21 August 2012

Posted: August 21, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Judges, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

The Death of Samson

Judges 16:27-30 Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform.  Then Samson prayed to the LORD, “O Sovereign LORD, remember me.  O God, please strengthen me just one more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.”  Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood.  Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other,  Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it.  Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived. 

In spite of Samson’s past, God still answered his prayer and destroyed the pagan temple and worshipers.  God still loved him.  He was willing to hear Samson’s prayer of confession and repentance and use him this final time.

Lets Bring it Home: One of the effects of sin in our lives is to keep us from feeling like praying.  But perfect moral behavior is not a condition for prayer.  Don’t let guilt feelings over sin keep you from your only means of restoration.  No matter how long you have been away from God, he is ready to hear from you and restore you to a right relationship.  Every situation can be salvaged if you are willing to turn again to him.  If God could still work in Samson’s situation, he can certainly make something worthwhile out of yours.

Spiritual Training 20 August 2012

Posted: August 20, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Judges, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Samson and Delilah

Judges 16:21 Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding in the prison.

Samson, the mighty warrior, became a slave. Rather than kill him, the Philistines preferred to humiliate him by gouging out his eyes and making him grind rain. Samson now had plenty of time to wonder if Delilah’s charms were worth spending the rest of his life in humiliation.
Although God did not completely abandon Samson (16:28-30), he allowed Samson’s decision to stand, and the consequences of his decision followed naturally.

Lets Bring it Home: We may choose to be close to God or to go our own way, but there are consequences resulting from our choice. Samson didn’t choose to be captured, but he chose to be with Delilah, and he could not escape the consequences of his decision.

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