Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
11:30-31 And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: “If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s.
Jephthah is trying to control God and make God give him a victory over the Ammonites. But the Spirit of the Lord had already come upon Jephthah (v.29) so there was no need for this vow.
It seems Jephthah was unwilling to accept God's free gift and try to bargain for something God had already given him.
How hard it is for human nature to embrace the free gift of God. We are much more comfortable trying to earn it.
11:30-31 And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: “If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s.
Jephthah is trying to control God and make God give him a victory over the Ammonites. But the Spirit of the Lord had already come upon Jephthah (v.29) so there was no need for this vow.
It seems Jephthah was unwilling to accept God's free gift and try to bargain for something God had already given him.
How hard it is for human nature to embrace the free gift of God. We are much more comfortable trying to earn it.
12:14 He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys. He led Israel eight years.
The sad history of Israel continues. It seems that polygamy was accepted and having seventy donkeys was a symbol of wealth. These judges were living like the rulers of the surrounding nations and have lost their distinctiveness as the people of God.
12:14 He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys. He led Israel eight years.
The sad history of Israel continues. It seems that polygamy was accepted and having seventy donkeys was a symbol of wealth. These judges were living like the rulers of the surrounding nations and have lost their distinctiveness as the people of God.
13:8 Then Manoah prayed to the Lord: “Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.”
In a secularized society Manoah knew they needed help to bring up this child. Even in the normal tasks of life such as child raising we need God's help and it is available for the asking.
13:8 Then Manoah prayed to the Lord: “Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.”
In a secularized society Manoah knew they needed help to bring up this child. Even in the normal tasks of life such as child raising we need God's help and it is available for the asking.
14:6 The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done.
Samson was suppose to "take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines" but instead he plans to intermarry with them. Even when God protects him from a lion and empowers him supernaturally he continues with his plans.
How easy it is to get distracted by the world even when we experience God in a supernatural way.
14:6 The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done.
Samson was suppose to "take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines" but instead he plans to intermarry with them. Even when God protects him from a lion and empowers him supernaturally he continues with his plans.
How easy it is to get distracted by the world even when we experience God in a supernatural way.
15:11 Then three thousand men from Judah went down to the cave in the rock of Etam and said to Samson, “Don’t you realize that the Philistines are rulers over us? What have you done to us?”
The men of Judah were content to have the Philistines rule over them! Despite the fact God had given the land to the Israelites.
Maybe one reason why Samson found it hard to fulfil God's purposes for his life was the total lack of support from his fellow Israelites.
Nevertheless God will empower us to stand alone (v.14).
15:11 Then three thousand men from Judah went down to the cave in the rock of Etam and said to Samson, “Don’t you realize that the Philistines are rulers over us? What have you done to us?”
The men of Judah were content to have the Philistines rule over them! Despite the fact God had given the land to the Israelites.
Maybe one reason why Samson found it hard to fulfil God's purposes for his life was the total lack of support from his fellow Israelites.
Nevertheless God will empower us to stand alone (v.14).