Foundations: The Book of Ruth - Day 5

Our final glance is to, with our own eyes, read the Scripture while looking for the hand of God. While this is a nice story, the implications of its message go far beyond the time in which it was written. Before you read today’s passages, think about how God Himself displays the themes of kindness and redemption in Ruth’s story, and think about what the greater implications of this story could be.

READ: Ruth 1:16-17, 4:13-22; Genesis 12:1-3; Romans 11:11-15; Colossians 1:25-27; Ephesians 2:11-22

God often reveals Himself through man, so when lovers of God are kind to others, the act of kindness is a revelation of God’s character. Our love for others should be a sign that we love God, in fact if we love one another, people will know that we belong to God (see John 13:35). So through the kindnesses of those in the story (particularly that of Boaz to Ruth) we see also the kindness of God. However, this kindness is shown for a greater purpose.

The story of Ruth is, at its heart, one of redemption. This is what makes it a truly beautiful story. Right in chapter 1, God redeemed Ruth. Even if she had lived as a poor widow for the rest of her life, she would have been eternally redeemed by Yahweh because in verse 16, she renounced her people and her gods to follow the God of Israel. But God’s redemption runs much deeper than that. Throughout the Bible, there are various Christ-figures – characters who give a prophetic picture of Jesus. Boaz is one such character. As we have already seen, through Boaz’s kindness, Ruth was redeemed from a life of poverty and destitution to wealth and family heritage. Ruth is also brought physically into Israel – by marrying Boaz, an Israelite, she will start a family, and her children will be Jewish by blood. Together these things give us a prophetic picture of God’s salvation plan for mankind!

Though God began with one man (Abraham), leading to one nation (Israel), His plan was always to bless the entire world. Abraham was told that all the earth would be blessed through his descendants. The Israelites were given strict separation laws that identified them as God’s holy and chosen people, set apart for His will. But there was always space for foreigners to become God’s people, if they were willing to abandon their ways and follow Yahweh as the one true God. In making her covenant to Naomi, Ruth was also accepting God’s covenant – a covenant of blessing for those who obeyed Him – AND illustrating a New Covenant that God would later foretell through the prophet Jeremiah: “I will be their God and they will be My people.” (see Jeremiah 31:30-34).

As God grafted Ruth into His family through His love and the redemption of Boaz, so He would graft in all those who would accept the gift of redemption through His Son, Jesus. This is where we stand right now. Ruth’s story gives a taste of the “mystery” that Paul would later talk about – the mystery of God’s Spirit dwelling within anyone who would put their faith in Jesus – Jew or Gentile, slave or free. Little did Ruth know when she left her homeland, and pledged her faithfulness to her mother-in-law, and selflessly married an Israelite businessman, that she would play a part in ushering her true Saviour into the world!

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   What does this story show you about God’s sovereignty and faithfulness?

2.   God is brilliant! If he could orchestrate the writing of Ruth to point so clearly to Jesus, then He can surely work out the circumstances of your life for good. What is something that you need to trust God with today? Ask Him to help you give this over to Him. Thank Him that He is sovereign and faithful in your life as He was in Ruth’s.

3.   Mediate on the sacrifice of Jesus and the Gospel message. Think about how you came to know the Lord. Thank God for His hand on your life and for the great amounts of mercy He has shown you. Pray for His mercy to be extended on others who you know need to return to the Lord.

Foundations: The Book of Ruth - Day 4

Today we look at Boaz. As you read these chapters again, think about the character of Boaz. Imagine the events of the story through his eyes.

READ: Ruth 2:4-16; 3:6-15; 4

Boaz is a man of great character. He is a person of honour, integrity, humility and service.  Like Ruth, Boaz displays the theme of kindness. He is a respected businessman, very kind and compassionate. Unlike many field owners, Boaz provided a safe working environment for gleaners. In ancient culture, it was customary for the poor, orphaned and widowed to glean in the fields of the reapers – walking behind the workers and gathering portions of the crop that were dropped or left behind. In many fields, female gleaners were made easy targets for rape and harassment. But Boaz’s fields offered an environment of safety, security, and even refreshment. The first thing we hear him say is a blessing to his workers (2:4). He doesn’t avoid them, or treat them as though they are beneath him. Neither does he greet them with a simple nod or a brief hello. Instead, he says, “The Lord be with you!” Boaz was a good man to work for. His success and prosperity did not get to his head. He valued his employees and their work, and he sought to point people towards God’s goodness, and as a result, his workers loved and respected him.

Boaz immediately notices Ruth and shows interest in her. Even after discovering that she is a Moabite –a people cursed by Yahweh – he extends a hand of benevolence to her. We learn that Boaz is a relative of Naomi’s husband. It seems that the news of Ruth’s pledge has spread; Boaz holds deep respect for this young widow who would willingly forsake her homeland and her gods for the sake of her mother-in-law. He warmly accepts her, ensuring her safety and comfort and offering her rest.

Imagine Boaz’s surprise when he wakes up to Ruth at his feet. While we, who are uncertain of the custom, may be somewhat confused, Boaz immediately understands what is going on – this woman is seeking to marry him that he might act as a kinsman redeemer. There are two customs woven into the book of Ruth: property redemption and levirate marriage. According to God’s law, property was to forever stay within the family. So when a man died, his next closest relative could purchase the land, thus “redeeming” it for the family. Alongside this was the custom of levirate marriage. It was customary, if a man died, for his closest male relative to marry his wife so that she would not remain a poor, destitute woman. If the woman had no children, the marriage would also allow her to carry on her husband’s name. The one to fulfill these customs was called the kinsman redeemer.

As Ruth had extended kindness to Naomi, now Boaz extends kindness to Ruth. He agrees wholeheartedly to marry her, and with this act encompasses the central theme of the story: redemption – giving life and hope to what was once without. Both Ruth and Naomi are redeemed from a life of uncertainty, poverty and a lost family line. Through Boaz, the Lord has filled their cups to overflowing.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Who has God used in your life to bless you? Make a list of those who have been a blessing to you and your family and spend time praising God for these individuals.

2.   How can you be a blessing to others today? Ask God to release you from the bonds of self and to open your eyes to the needs of others. Ask Him for a specific way that you can point others to His goodness through a blessing.

Foundations: The Book of Ruth - Day 3

Today we will focus on the character of Ruth. Try to read today’s passages through her eyes.

READ: Ruth 1:6-18, 2:6; 3:6-18; 4:11-12

Ruth is an excellent character. She really is like the woman of noble character that her great-great-grandson, Solomon, will one day write about (Proverbs 31). To have nobility is to have moral excellence, to be worthy of honour and respect; a noble person is one of love, sacrifice and humility. We see these things in Ruth. 

Next to the brokenness and bitterness of Naomi in chapter 1 stands the nobility of Ruth. While Orpah kisses her mother-in-law goodbye, Ruth clings to her, showing her loyalty and devotion. In selfless sacrifice and faithful commitment, she pledges herself to Naomi entirely – her life, death, home and religion. By refusing to go home, Ruth was signing a contract to a difficult fate.  She was abandoning her own father and mother and the security of their provision in order to care for her lost mother-in-law. She illustrates well the kindness that is a key theme throughout the story – in humility and love she willingly lays down her rights in order to serve Naomi.

But Ruth’s kindness extends beyond a commitment to support her mother-in-law. In marrying Boaz instead of a younger or wealthier man (see 3:10) Ruth is showing kindness to her dead husband and his family. By marrying a close relative of Mahlon, Ruth would be able to carry on her husband’s name, something that was very important in ancient culture. We see again a humble, selflessness in Ruth.

Ruth is one of two women to have a book of the Bible named after her, and is one of four mentioned in the genealogy of Christ. Like Rahab before her, Ruth was a foreigner who became an Israelite through her commitment to Yahweh. But before she was even one of God’s people, Ruth was clay in His hands. He created her with a heart of kindness and compassion and through this, He brought her to Himself. By leaving her land and calling Naomi’s God her own, Ruth was abandoning the idols of Chemosh and Molech and embracing Yahweh as her God. We aren’t told anything outright about her relationship with Yahweh after chapter 1, but we see her righteous character throughout. We also know her to be the great-grandmother of David. By ending the story with the news that the union of Ruth and Boaz resulted in a godly king for Israel, we are led to see Ruth and Boaz as strong spiritual influencers who, through their righteousness and commitment to Yahweh, left a legacy that produced a man after God’s own heart.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.  What do you see in Ruth’s character that is admirable? Ask God to show you a quality you possess that He loves to see in you.

2.  Where is God evident in Ruth’s story, even in portions where He is unmentioned? How is He at work throughout her life? Take some time to reflect on God’s hand in your own life. Ask Him to show you something new – to show you a time when He was at work even though you didn’t notice it.

3.  Ask God to show you a quality you possess that He loves to see in you. 

4.  What is one godly characteristic that the Lord is asking you to intentionally work on today? Ask Him to help you to be like Him in this area.

Foundations: The Book of Ruth - Day 2

Over the next few days, we will look at this story through the perspective of each character. We begin today with Naomi. As you read today’s Scripture reading, try to see the events through her eyes.

READ: Ruth 1; 2:1-3, 17-23; 3:1-5; 4:13-17

Though Ruth is the title character of the book, Naomi is also very present: her circumstances bookend the entire story (1:1-5 & 4:13-17). The first five verses describe terrible loss, almost setting us up for a continuation of the sorrow we saw in the book of Judges. Naomi loses her husband and after ten years, her two sons as well. She finds herself a desolate woman in a foreign land. Not only are her circumstances every mother’s worst nightmare, but her situation is a precarious one for the times as well. A woman in ancient times relied heavily on the males in her family for sustenance and provision. Naomi is left with nothing in a land where she has no relatives to help her, and so she takes the only sort of family she does have – her daughters-in-law – and begins the journey home. Imagine the burden she carried!

Naomi seems to be a woman plagued with guilt, bitterness and sorrow. It is evident in the first few scenes that she feels she is being punished – “the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (1:20). When her husband moved the family to Moab, they left the Promised Land and embraced a pagan people with pagan gods. The Moabites worshiped Chemosh and Molech, gods who required human sacrifice and sexual acts of worship. By leaving the Promised Land and marrying their sons to Moabite women, the family was walking out of God’s blessing. Perhaps chapter 1 finds Naomi feeling the guilt of this decision – that her current destitution is a result of her family’s actions – for, though her name means “Pleasant”, she commands her people call her Mara – “bitter”. She seems to feel undeserved of Ruth’s kindness and commitment, which must only have added to her guilt. The end of chapter 1 depicts a broken woman who truly feels that the Lord is against her.

But God is with Naomi in her pain and deals patiently and gently with her. Through the love and kindness of others, God shows His faithfulness to her. Ruth is a tremendous blessing to her mother-in-law, and is one of God’s tools in softening Naomi. Chapter 2:20 reveals a wonderful switch in Naomi’s perspective: after finding out that Ruth has gleaned in the field of her husband’s relative, Boaz, Naomi exclaims, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” In her joy, Naomi is recognizing the kindness of both Boaz AND Yahweh. This is the first time we see Naomi acknowledge God’s kindness, showing an incredible shift in her heart. God has softened her and her eyes have been opened to His goodness and to the hope that is to be had in Boaz. This transformed Naomi is who we see throughout the rest of the story. Whereas before, Ruth had to grapple to handle their well-being (2:2), Naomi now takes charge on her own initiative, giving clear, intentional directives to Ruth (2:22; 3:1-4).

The end of the story finds a very different Naomi than we were introduced to at the beginning. God has changed her desolation to joy, her bitterness to pleasure and her emptiness to abundance! The women who once called her “Mara” lavish a blessing of life and hope; Yahweh has given her a hope and a future, and He has this same blessing for us who will soften our hearts to Him.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.  How did reading the story from Naomi’s perspective change the story for you? Did it teach you anything, or open your eyes to anything different?

2.  Naomi’s perspective of God was off. She saw God as being against her. Is there an area where you feel God is against you? Bring this before Him. Ask Him if there is any sin in your hear that is causing you to feel this way. Ask Him to reveal any lies that have infiltrated your thinking.

3.  What are some things you know are true about God – who He is and how He feels about you? Declare these things to be true about Him. Thank Him for these truths, even if you do not feel like they are true.

4.  Ask God to show you a “Naomi” in your life – someone who currently feels bitter because of their struggles, perhaps someone who feels God is against them. Spend some time interceding for this person. Ask God to soften their heart and open their eyes to His kindness and goodness.

Foundations: The Book of Ruth - Day 1

Foundations: The Book of Ruth

Through the love story of Boaz and Ruth, this book gives us a glimpse into God’s plan to redeem all the peoples of the earth, Jew and Gentile alike. Ruth is one of those books that show us the brilliance of the Holy Spirit! Though the story was penned hundreds of years before God incarnate, it pictures for us what is to happen as a result of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Ruth 4:14 (ESV) 
"Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel!"

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The story of Ruth is one of the most beautiful stories of Scripture: a story of loving-kindness and of hope and joy during a time of moral and spiritual upheaval. Ruth’s story takes place sometime during the years of the Judges – a time when the nation was bereft of godly leadership, where immorality and idolatry reigned and “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). It is in this tumultuous and hopeless time that we find the story of Ruth the Moabite nestled within Bethlehem in Judah.

Right away, we who read this story thousands of years after it was written, and thousands of years after the resurrection of Christ, recognize immediately that Ruth’s tale takes place in the same town that our Lord was born. This is no coincidence. In fact, in Matthew 1:5, we see Ruth’s name in the genealogy of Jesus! The Holy Spirit was very intentional with the details in the book of Ruth. Written after David had become king, one purpose of the book is to show how God mercifully raised up a man of godly leadership for Israel through the union of Ruth and Boaz. But in hindsight, we see the Holy Spirit working on a larger scale. The story of Ruth is ultimately a story of redemption, pointing us towards not only a godly king on earth, but an eternal King of kings – a Messiah who will also come from this family line, and who will save the people from their sins!

The time of the Judges mark over 400 years of anarchy as a result of sin and rebellion, leaving the people grappling for solidarity, and the reader gasping for a breath of fresh air. Ruth is just that, though it is shocking to believe that her story could have taken place in such a time. (And you are encouraged to go through the Judges edition of Foundations if you have not.) This just goes to show us the reality of James 4:8, that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. Ruth is a shining example of one who chooses to walk in the ways of the Lord and receives the blessing promised to those who do so.

READ Ruth 1-4

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   What sticks out to you in Ruth’s story? Who do you admire and why?

2.   What does this story tell you about God?

3.  What do you think was God’s purpose for writing this book? What are the themes He is trying to get across to us?

4.   Ask the Holy Spirit how He wants you to respond to what you have read. How can what you have read help you to walk in God’s ways today.

Foundations: The Book of Judges - Day 15

READ: Judges 20 & 21

Due to the horrendous acts described in Judges 19, massive civil war breaks out. Eleven tribes gather against the Benjamites, who choose to harbour the men of Gibeah – choosing to defend the perpetrators rather than to obey God’s law. The result is quite a massacre: 40 030 people of the eleven tribes are killed and the tribe of Benjamin is almost entirely wiped out, including women and children; only 600 men remain, leaving Benjamin in a sorry state – 600 bachelors being a real problem for tribal survival. The other tribes suddenly feel sorry for the brothers they’ve just tried to wipe out, and concoct a plan to get wives for the Benjamites. More bloodshed ensues as the Benjamites run with the plan, killing the people in Jabesh-Gilead (located in the tribal allotment of Manasseh), save 400 virgins whom they take as wives. The remaining 200 women are kidnapped from Shiloh.

The story shows the people of Israel again doing things their own way. There is some fasting and seeking of the Lord before the battle with the Benjamites, but as a whole, the people continue to do things without the direction and confirmation of Yahweh. Everyone is left with blood on his hands and we are reminded once more of the theme of the book of Judges: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” But these words are spoken as a glimmer of hope, as we look forward to seeing renewal and redemption sweep through Israel under the rule of a godly king.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Thank God that He always has a plan and a purpose. Thank Him for showing us this through His Word. Thank Him for including the book of Judges in the Bible to teach us about the effects of sin and also about the faithfulness of God.

2.   Is there a situation in your life that has left you feeling hopeless, or anxious, or broken? God has a purpose and a plan for you, and God is good. Read Psalm 25, and notice what it says about hope/trust.

a.   How is God speaking to you through this?

b.   Use this psalm to help you pray for your struggle.

c.   Perhaps you know someone else who needs to put their hope and trust in Christ. Use this Psalm to pray for them.

3.   What has stuck out most to you as you have read through the book of Judges? Ask God to show you what He wants you to take away from your study of the book. Ask Him how you can apply this truth to your life today.

Foundations: The Book of Judges - Day 14

READ: Judges 19

Judges is not all chronological. Chapters 19-21 describe events that quite likely occurred sometime earlier in the time of the judges (see 20:27-28). The author is writing by theme, ending the book with a prime example of Israel’s extreme apostasy. The book concludes with a terrible story: a young woman is raped to death, triggering massive civil war. There are so many things wrong about this story – that the men of Gibeah would be so corrupt as to demand sex from the old man’s guests, that the Levite could be so callous as to throw his concubine into the hands of these corrupt men, that the people of Israel could be so angered over this sin while ignoring the sins in their own lives! The people are shocked that such a thing could happen (v 30), yet horrific things have already been happening in Israel for years. This act is nothing more than the obvious outplaying of a sinful society. In fact, every Israelite has played a part in this crime by wandering away from Yahweh and embracing other gods.

Within this story we find an eerie resemblance to our current culture. The people have allowed and embraced pagan gods, which they were commanded to destroy. They have abandoned God for their own desires. They have (or at least will) invited corrupt governance (chapter 9). They have sacrificed their children to the flames of Baal. They have engaged in every variety of sex as an act of worship to Ashtoreth. And now they cry out for justice because someone’s wife has been raped and the husband “gets on the news” by informing the tribes in a most gruesome way.

Have we not done the same? Our society has wandered away from God and embraced idols of self, wealth, materialism, sexuality, etc. We have invited corrupt governance – people who will help us to do what is right in our own eyes. We have sacrificed our children through abortion. We have engaged, encouraged and taught every form of sex under the sun as a “sacrifice” towards individual freedom. Today our society jumps on bandwagons called “social justice” and “equality” getting up in arms about the very things that we ourselves have caused through our denial of sin and our love for self-gratification.

Who can say what is right or wrong if God is not Judge? What allows us the right to get offended or enraged at “injustice” if there is no one to tell us where the line between just and unjust, right and wrong, lies? Who in Israel was able to condemn the men of Gibeah for actions that their own pagan religions encouraged and justified? Without God, mankind is lost. There is no moral compass pointing us in the direction of what is right. We have nothing to go on but our own feelings and desires, and we determine that whatever seems good to us is “right”. But there is no peace in this. To truly live according to each man’s desires only brings chaos and sorrow. Our God is Yahweh – the great I AM – who has always been and always will be. He is the moral compass for our times; right and wrong spring from His nature. No matter what our society teaches us, we can be confident Christians, knowing that truth is found in God’s Word and that life is found through Jesus Christ alone. We have much hope to offer the world; let us be bold to proclaim it!

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Call out to Jesus on behalf of our culture. Confess the sins of our culture and ask the Lord to redeem us. Ask Jesus to open our eyes to the reality of sin – that sin is real, that it is rebellion against a holy God, and that we need forgiveness. Pray for God’s mercy, and pray that many will turn to Jesus and be saved.

2.  What makes you confident as a Christian? Proclaim your confidence and your joy by thanking God for these things. Thank God for how He has stirred in your heart today.

3.  Ask Jesus: What message of hope do I have to bring to others today? How have I experienced Your hope and how can I bring this to others?

Foundations: The Book of Judges - Day 13

READ: Judges 17 & 18

The remainder of the book describes truly horrific events, revealing the deep-seated wickedness within the hearts of the people of Israel. In four of the five remaining chapters we will read “In those days, there was no king in Israel” making it abundantly clear that the nation is in dire need of leadership.

We meet Micah: an idolatrous thief who builds a shrine, outfitting it with idols and an ephod, and even ordaining one of his own sons as priest. Micah has no regard for God’s ways; rather he enacts his own way of worship. This act is in direct defiance of Yahweh, who called for there to be one place for His people to gather for worship – that was at the Tabernacle, which was in Shiloh during the years of the judges (Jo 18:1). Micah’s shrine is a new level of apostasy – not only is he worshiping the gods of the land, but he is essentially creating his own “house of worship” and his own religion, a mixture of pagan and Yahweh worship.

Micah meets a Levite and invites him to take on the role as priest. This is an example of the religion-mixing that was going on. According to Mosaic Law, the Levites were set aside for service in the Temple. In fact, they weren’t even allotted tribal territory, but were instead given 48 cities scattered among all the tribes of Israel. Micah is under the impression that if he follows this part of God’s command – to have a Levite as a priest – he will prosper. We are so easily deceived when living by half-truths! Micah is not blessed by the presence of the Levite; rather, the Danites end up robbing him of his priest, idols and ephod (and consequently, his mother’s fortune which he used to craft these things)!

The tribe of Dan is also highlighted in these chapters. Like Ephraim, Dan is excluded from the list of sealed tribes in Revelation chapter 7. Dan had been allotted a small but fertile portion of land nestled between Benjamin on the east and the Mediterranean Sea on the left, flanked also by Judah, Ephraim and West Manasseh (Jo 19:40-48). But they failed to drive out the Canaanites who inhabited the land (Jg 1:34-35). Judges 18 finds the tribe of Dan wandering around Israel seeking new land for themselves. Rather than obeying God’s original command and taking the land allotted them, they go seeking land way up north in the allotment of East Manasseh. Laish – a city of peaceful, unsuspecting people – appeals to them and they brutally attack and conquer it, renaming it Dan and taking it as their own allotment and setting up Micah’s shrine as a place of worship there. Dan was seeking a land of safety and prosperity. Ironically, when the Assyrians moved in from the north in the early 700s BC, Dan was one of the first cities to pass to Assyrian control.

The chapter ends on a very sad note. The name of the Levite is revealed – Jonathan – and is found to be from Moses own family line! Idolatry seems to have infected every part of Israel. The final verse juxtaposes the shrine at Dan with the house of God at Shiloh, showing the temptation of idolatry as a very real contender to the truth of Yahweh. If someone had told the Israelites when they were gathered before the Lord and Joshua at Shechem (Jo 24) that they would be where we find them now in the book of Judges – spiritually depraved and morally corrupt, in total disobedience and rebellion to Yahweh – they would likely be shocked. They would probably deny that such a thing could happen. But one compromise and act of disobedience lead to another until the people found themselves far from God… and OK with it.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Discontentment is a dangerous place to be in. Through it we fall into all sorts of other sins – envy, jealousy, negativity, impatience, anxiety, bitterness, anger, etc.

a.   Ask God to reveal any spirit of discontent in your heart. Has this caused you to sin in other ways? Take some time to repent of sins you discover.

b.  Spend some time in thanksgiving, thanking God for some of the countless ways He has blessed you. Ask that a spirit of thanksgiving would fill areas where you have been discontent.

2.   Have you witnessed a slow fade in your life? Do you lack passion and zeal where you once felt so passionate for the Lord? Ask God to show you any areas of compromise in your life. When He shows you something, repent for following your own ways and commit that you will follow His way in this. Ask Him to light a fire in your heart.

3.   Spend some time in quiet meditation, thinking about who God is and how He has revealed Himself to you. How has He made Himself real to you? Thank Him for these truths. If you are struggling with doubt or apathy, ask Him to give you joy for the things He has shown you in the past and ask Him to reveal Himself in a real, fresh way today.

Foundations: The Book of Judges - Day 12

READ: Judges 16

Chapter 16 describes Samson’s continued spiral downward. Unlike in the previous chapters of his life, there is no longer any mention of the Spirit of the Lord. Samson seems to be on his own trajectory, and has us rolling our eyes at verse 1 already. Samson’s insistence to pursue the enemy’s women shows bonds of rebellion and lust. His final relationship with Delilah completely blinds him – even literally!

James 5:8 says “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” The same outcome can be expected if we draw near to the enemy. Samson kept the enemy close – due to sin, not strategy – and in doing so, he kept the devil close as well. He was blatantly disobeying God’s commandment not to intermarry (let alone to fornicate!) with people of pagan nations (see Dt 7:1-6). In fact, the words that Joshua spoke to his leaders before he died seem quite fitting for Samson: “But if you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of these nations that remain among you and if you intermarry with them and associate with them, then you may be sure that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the Lord your God has given you.” (Jo 23:12-13) This seems to describe Samson’s situation to a T. By walking contentedly in sin and rebellion, Samson was inviting the enemy (the Philistines and the devil) into his life and pushing Yahweh out. He became foolish and gullible, sacrificing his calling for sensuality. Joshua’s words become a reality: Delilah becomes a snare and a trap and Samson is played into the hands of the Philistines where he is beaten and blinded.

Like Jephthah, Samson is noted in Hebrews 11 for his faith. He does show faith in verse 28 when he calls on God for strength and topples the temple of the Philistines. However, selfishness permeates his motives: he asks God for strength, not so that he can finally fulfill his God-given calling to defeat the Philistines, but so that he can have vengeance on those who blinded him. Though used by God to defend Israel from the Philistines, Samson never allowed God Lordship in his own heart, making his personal story a tragic one.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   1 Corinthians 6:18 says “Flee from sexual immorality.” And Ephesians 5:3 says, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”

a.   We are to have not even a hint of sexual immorality or impurity of any kind. Meditate on these truths and what God wants to say to you through them. Are you living according to God’s word here?

2.   When you think of Samson’s life as a whole, what do you think was his greatest area of weakness?

a.   What is an area of weakness in your life that God has you working on? How is He transforming and growing you? Ask God for a word of encouragement or challenge.

3.   On day 1, you asked God to give you a greater heart for holiness as you read through Judges. Have you seen growth in this area throughout the month? Ask God to help you to draw near to Him today. Ask Him to help you to set yourself far from the enemy – to say “no” to your sinful nature and to flee from unrighteousness.

Foundations: The Book of Judges - Day 11

READ: Judges 13-15

Next we are introduced to another prominent judge, Samson. Samson’s story is perhaps the most watered-down childhood Bible story out there! Sunday school teachers always seem to leave out the gore and disaster, which encompasses much of the story.

Samson has an interesting lot in life. Before his birth, the angel of the Lord announced that he would be a Nazirite. This was a rare occurrence. Normally, any man or woman could choose to take the Nazirite vow in order to be set apart for the Lord for a certain amount of time. But in Samson’s case, his vow was neither voluntary nor temporary. God set him apart with a purpose: to deliver the people from the hand of the Philistines. Like most of our friends in Judges, Samson was no shining example of holiness. Again, we must remember that the book is giving an account of Israel’s history during the time of the Judges; there are many lessons to learn from it, but the characters themselves are not to be looked at as spiritual giants.

Despite his parents’ best efforts, Samson grows to be a rather self-absorbed, stubborn young man. This is made blaringly clear in chapter 14 when he takes a Philistine bride. When encouraged by his father to find an Israelite wife, Samson demands, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.” Samson seems to embody the rebellious nature of all Israel, who has become accustomed to doing whatever seems fit to each individual. This same example points out another of Samson’s shortcomings: his unruly attraction to women, which will be his undoing on more than one occasion. Samson shows incredible foolishness, taking as a wife a woman from the very enemy he is destined to destroy! However, God is at work in Samson’s life and is determined to use him for His purposes, whether or not Samson will submit himself personally to the Lord.

Samson’s life is very interesting to observe. It is obvious that God is using him at times, for we read how he is empowered by the Spirit of the Lord to kill a lion (14:6), 30 Philistines (14:19) and to escape from ropes and kill 1000 Philistines with a donkey’s jawbone (15:14-17)! However, we also see him respond out of anger and retribution, killing and retaliating without the outpouring of the Spirit. His disregard for his calling is also evident. He was called by God to be a Nazirite and defender of Israel, but he did not respond willingly. He desacralized himself and his calling by breaking its requirements. His life is a testament to what happens when we despise God’s calling on our lives.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Samson’s life – his attitude and actions – show a resemblance to our culture as a whole. What do you see in Samson that you see in the culture around you?

2.   Ask God how He wants to specifically use you as a light in this culture?

3.   Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any ways that you are being sucked into the negative culture around you. Is there anything that is causing you to have a bad attitude towards God’s calling in your life? If so, share your heart with the Lord. Tell Him how you are feeling and give the burden of your struggles to Him. Confess anything you need to and spend some time in prayer.

Foundations: The Book of Judges - Day 10

READ: Judges 12

Judges 12 describes yet another conflict with the Ephraimites. We already witnessed Gideon douse a fire in chapter 8 and now we see them raise their jealous heads again. They are upset with Jephthah because he did not invite them to battle the Ammonites. Unlike the peaceful resolution of Gideon, civil war breaks out and 42 000 Ephraimites die at the hands of their brothers.

One purpose of the book of Judges is to make known the need for godly leadership in Israel – the book does this well, leaving the reader aching for someone who truly loves the Lord to direct the people towards heartfelt repentance and lasting commitment to Yahweh. Judges was likely written sometime after David became king, and therefore the writer also seeks to show Judah as more of a “good guy” tribe, knowing that David (and the promise of the Messiah) will come from Judah. We know from 1 Kings that because of Solomon’s sin, the unified kingdom of Israel splits into two, the north called “Israel” and the south “Judah”. Israel is entirely wicked and is overthrown by the Assyrians, the people of Israel dispersed forever. Judah, only slightly less wicked, is eventually taken into Babylonian captivity, but returns to the land, rebuilds the temple and – though earthly kingship is not restored – the tribe sticks around long enough for the King of kings to be born in Bethlehem!

The idolatry of God’s people was great, particularly within the kingdom of Israel. As a central tribe in the kingdom, the name “Ephraim” was sometimes representative of the northern kingdom of Israel as a whole (Hosea uses “Ephraim” as a reference to the whole kingdom 35 times in his prophetic book.) Ephraim as an individual tribe was known to be hot-headed and jealous, and the portrayal of these characteristics as seen in Judges 8 & 12 subtly points the reader to embrace the tribe of Judah and the promise that lies in her.

The fate of Ephraim is sad and teaches us a profound lesson. When we read the list of sealed tribes in Revelation chapter 7, Ephraim’s name (and also Dan’s) is missing from among the twelve. Both Ephraim and Dan fell into deep idolatry in the Old Testament, playing important roles as centres of idol worship within the kingdom of Israel. In the New Testament, the areas that once were called “Dan” and “Ephraim” are considered to be non-Jewish territories. Ephraim and Dan were among God’s chosen tribes, but their insistence to walk their own ways and worship their own gods – direct disobedience and rebellion against Yahweh – was their undoing; He allowed them to go where their feet carried them. They experienced the curse of Deuteronomy 28:45-48 (NLT): “If you refuse to listen to the Lord your God and to obey the commands and decrees He has given you, all these curses will pursue and overtake you until you are destroyed. These horrors will serve as a sign and warning among you and your descendants forever. If you do not serve the Lord your God with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits you have received, you will serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you. You will be left hungry, thirsty, naked, and lacking in everything. The Lord will put an iron yoke on your neck, oppressing you harshly until He has destroyed you.” And because they did not turn back to the Lord, this was their ultimate end.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Spend some time thanking God for the forgiveness and compassion He has shown to you throughout your life. Thank Him for making these things available to all people who desire to follow Him.

2.   Ephraim experienced a sad end, but her beginnings were just “innocent little sins” like jealousy and anger… Sin is rebellion, and continued sin brings increased apathy and greater consequence. Ephraim did not serve the Lord with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits they had received; rather they were argumentative, angry and covetous for glory. Ask God how He wants to speak to you personally through what happened to Ephraim.

3.   Pray now for Canada. Our nation continues to fall further and further from the values and beliefs that she was built upon. And the church in Canada needs to return to her first Love. Like Israel, God has called His Church to be representative of Him in the culture. Ask Jesus to light a fire in the Canadian church, bringing people to their knees in repentance. Pray that Christians would recognize their deep need for Christ and start to make Him functional Lord of their lives.

Foundations: The Book of Judges - Day 9

READ: Judges 10 & 11

Judges 10 gives us the vague history of two minor judges and then launches into a depressing description of Israel’s continued apostasy. The nation has forsaken the Lord and turned to a host of other gods. This is really bad – not only have the people adopted the major Canaanite gods, but they have embraced the gods of every nation they’ve come into contact with! From time to time we read that Israel “whored after” other gods – the word gives a gross but accurate depiction of Israel’s unfaithfulness to the Lord. They had entered into a covenant with Yahweh – He was to be their God, they were to be His people – but like an unfaithful spouse, they prostituted their hearts to other gods who were not worthy of their affection. Verses 10-16 teach us something about repentance: it is not enough to confess our sin to the Lord – to admit that we are doing wrong; God wants that we would make effort to turn away from our sin! Israel admitted their sin but did nothing to turn from it (v 10) and received a solid rebuke from the Lord. Only once they “put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord” (v 16) did God “become impatient with the misery of Israel”. We are shown the incredible long-suffering love and faithfulness of the Lord, who desires all people to come to Him for salvation.

Israel is under the hand of the Ammonites and the Philistines, and in chapter 11 the Ammonites encamp at Gilead to fight against the Israelites there. The Gileadites call for their half-brother, Jephthah, to come and fight against the enemy. If he does this, they say, they will make him their leader. Until now, God has always been the One to raise up a deliverer for Israel, but this is the first time that we see the people themselves choosing a judge from among them – another sign of how far they have walked from the Lord. Jephthah’s story is a controversial one, the thought that he actually fulfilled his vow being very hard to swallow. There are different views on the matter: some believe that Jephthah did not literally sacrifice his daughter, knowing that child sacrifice was an abomination to God (Le 20:2; Dt 12:31); rather, she was being offered for permanent religious duty, never to marry and never to have children. This would have been terribly tragic for Jephthah, as his daughter was his only child and his only hope of future descendants. But many believe that the clearest conclusion of the text is that Jephthah did indeed sacrifice his daughter as a burnt offering. Considering the spiritual condition of Israel, it would not be shocking to believe that he committed such an act, though if he did, the offering was entirely unacceptable to the Lord who considered such acts an abomination (remember – Judges is descriptive but not prescriptive). Either way, Jephthah was foolish to make such a rash vow. It is unnecessary and unwise to make deals with the Lord. He is sovereign and trustworthy and we do not need to negotiate a trade with Him. What God desires is our obedience.

Jephthah is most remembered throughout history for his rash vow, yet Scripture remembers Him for another reason. Hebrews 11 is what is known as the “Hall of Faith”, listing the names of men and women throughout biblical history who portrayed strong faith. Jephthah’s name is among them, listed in Hebrews 11:32-34: “And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.” Though Jephthah was not entirely to be admired for his actions, he evidentially was a man of great faith, and this is a quality we can admire.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   It’s easy to make quick commitments only to find out later that you really don’t want to, or don’t even plan to, follow through. Whether the commitment is to God or to man, broken or rash commitments show a lack of integrity. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart for rash commitments or ways that you have not followed through on your word. Jephthah would have done well to consult God before sacrificing his daughter! Spend some time asking God what He wants you to do in light of what He has revealed to you.

2.   With Hebrews 11:32-34 in mind, glance over Jephthah’s story again, looking for examples of his faith. What do you notice?

3.   Ask the Holy Spirit to show you a situation in which you need greater faith. What will this require? What will you need to set aside so that you can depend fully on God? Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the power to obey any steps God gives you by stepping out in faith, even if you feel weak.

Foundations: The Book of Judges - Day 8

READ: Judges 9

Chapter 9 tells us the story of Gideon’s son, Abimelech. We are told at the end of the previous chapter that Gideon was a man of many wives, and also had a concubine (a lesser wife, probably a servant). It was with this concubine that he fathered Abimelech, thus bringing much woe to his family and his tribe.

Abimelech was not a judge. Never was he appointed by God or anointed with the Spirit; yet his story is in the book because he did rule over the people of Israel for three years, and his life teaches a valuable lesson. There really is nothing good about Abimelech. He coerces his relatives into making him “king” (he was never a true king, though, since he was not appointed by God, nor did he rule the entire nation) and killing his own brothers, he hangs out with a sordid crowd, and he brutally destroys a city for the sake of his own pride. Jotham – the only one of Gideon’s sons to escape the slaughter – is the only good guy in the story, while Abimelech, Gaal and Zebul are nothing but meatheads trying to prove their power and status. At the end of the day, much blood is shed for nothing. Jotham’s fable (v 8-21) becomes fate: Abimelech (the bramble) is rejected by Shechem (the trees), and the leaders of Shechem are destroyed by the fire of Abimelech (v 46-49).

It really is a sad story. Abimelech’s selfish actions sow discord among his family and his tribe. Perhaps we see the stamp of generational sin here as well. Gideon had said “no” to the offer of kingship, but his actions showed that he accepted the role anyways, at least to some degree. Such lack of integrity was emulated by his son, who saw being king as something worth killing for. It is evident that Gideon did not train his child in godliness, and that his own issues – his hunger for power, and retaliation on his enemies – affected his son in a most terrible way. Generational sin is a very real thing (see Ex 34:6-7, Je 32:18). If not confessed and dealt with, the sins and weaknesses of one generation can be passed on to the next. We see this throughout Scripture: Abraham had a lying problem that spread to the next three generations. David’s sins of adultery and murder had grave effects on his offspring. Gideon did some good things for Israel, but those good things didn’t cover over the sin in his life or the effect of his sin. Our goodness can never make up for our sinful nature. Thank God that we can put our faith in Jesus and repent of our sinful ways, and He will save us by His great grace and mercy!

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Generational sin and bondage is very real. The enemy uses whatever means possible to steal, kill and destroy from mankind, but through Jesus we can find abundant life (Jn 10:10)! Right now, ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you during this time – to reveal things in your family that you may not know of, or that you may have forgotten.

Write down the names of your birth (or adopted) parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

a.   What are some of the problems, weaknesses and areas of sin that seem to be reoccurring in your family tree, or very serious in certain family members? (See list below – this list is not exhaustive, but may trigger other things that you will need to mark down.) Write down those things that you see as issues in your family line, whether or not you see them in yourself.

• Health: Cancer; migraines; mental or physical disabilities; depression; eating disorders; diabetes; heart trouble; post-traumatic stress; traumatic pregnancies or births; mental illness; allergies; etc.
• Severe Trauma: committed or attempted suicide; tragic deaths (accidents, untimely death, murder, etc.); traumatic events with effects passed onto family (ex. drowning resulting in a fear of water among family members); committed or participated in an abortion; miscarriages; abandonment; etc.
• Attitudes & Behaviours: anger; lying; jealousy; lust; negativity; pride; materialism; hatred; unbelief; argumentative; judgemental; laziness; perfectionism; self-pity; unforgiveness/bitterness; etc.
• Addictions: alcohol; drugs; smoking; pornography; excessive computer use; eating disorders; credit  cards; gambling; idolatry; media/TV; etc.

b.  Take your list before Jesus. In prayer, thank Him for you who are as His child. Thank Him that you belong to Him and that He has authority in your life.

c.   Take the list of sins and struggles that you wrote down and confess these things to God on behalf of you and your family. In Jesus’ name, take authority over the powers of darkness that have been at work in your family.

d.  Ask God for His forgiveness, His protection, and His victory in your life and the lives of your family members. Ask Him to bring freedom and healing to you and your family.

2.   Ask God to make you aware of who is watching you (kids, co-workers, family, etc.). Ask Him to help you to influence people for His kingdom today.

Foundations: The Book of Judges - Day 7

READ: Judges 8

This chapter sees Gideon deal shrewdly with some accusational brothers. The Ephraimites are offended that they were not invited to join the battle against the Midianites, but Gideon’s wise answer curtails a potential civil war.

The chapter moves on to illustrate the downward slope that follows Israel’s miraculous victory over the Midianites. Gideon is now in pursuit of the Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna. Though God had commanded Gideon to defeat the Midianites, the motivation behind Gideon’s pursuit seems to have shifted in the first 21 verses. It appears that Gideon’s intent is no longer the destruction of Israel’s enemy, but a personal vendetta of vengeance. We see retaliation on three accounts, not for the sake of the Lord, but for the sake of Gideon.

Were Gideon’s actions right? The cities of Succoth and Penuel had denied the army food and shelter.  God had called Gideon to defeat the Midianites, which surely included the kings who had brutally oppressed Israel for 7 years. Yet the spirit behind Gideon’s actions is one of revenge. Perhaps Gideon did what was right, but for the wrong reasons. Scripture is clear that revenge belongs to the Lord (Ro 12:29) and that to seek it for ourselves is to sin (Ps 19:18). Even if Gideon’s actions were right, his heart was not, and that made Him guilty of sin.

Unfortunately, he only continues to move further from God’s ways. When the people beg Gideon to rule over them, he refuses, reminding them that the Lord is to be their King. His actions, however, speak much louder than his words. He takes the crescent ornaments and purple garments worn by the Midianite kings as his own. Furthermore, Gideon names one of his sons Abimelech, which incidentally means “my father is king.” Though he verbally refused the title of king, Gideon must have taken on the role to some extent if he was open enough to give his son such a name! Gideon goes on to fashion an ephod – a model of the ceremonial garment worn by the high priest according to Mosaic Law. The ephod was to be used to inquire of the Lord, as a “breastpiece of judgement” (Ex 28:15), and there was to be only one in all Israel. Whether or not Gideon’s original intent was to point people towards God and away from himself, the ephod became a snare, both to him and to the people of Israel, and they worshiped it rather than God. Verses 28 and onward show that, though God saved them from the oppression of their enemies, the people have come full circle: their hearts are still wicked and rebellious and they have wandered far from God.    

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Like Gideon, we often do the right thing for the wrong reasons. Perhaps we agree to volunteer for something because we know it will make us look good. Or we make a “good” decision based on what we think others will think of us. We do good things out of duty and obligation rather than love and service. We punish our children out of anger instead of love. We tell the truth knowing that we are also allowing ourselves to gossip. These are all so subtle that it is easy to fall into such sins. But God sees the heart and it is so important to deal with these things.

a.   Spend some time on this, asking God to search your heart on this issue. In what ways are you doing the right thing for the wrong reasons? Confess the wrong heart motives that the Spirit reveals to you.

b.  Obviously doing the right thing is very important, but the motive of the heart is equally important! What do you need to do in response to what the Spirit revealed to you?

2.   Throughout the book of Judges, we see the people of Israel fall back into sin over and over again. They do not learn anything from God’s salvation. Reflect upon the last few years of your life. What lessons have you learned? How have you grown and changed through your relationship with God. What are some areas of sin that you have had victory in? Thank God for these lessons that you have learned. Thank Him for His continued faithfulness in your life.

Foundations: The Book of Judges - Day 6

READ: Judges 6:33 – 7:25

The time has come for Gideon to rise up to the Lord’s call. The Midianites and their allies have gathered in Jezreel, and the Spirit of the Lord comes over Gideon, filling him with courage and zeal, and empowering him to muster up an army from four of the tribes. Yet even with the Lord clearly on his side, Gideon struggles with doubt and unbelief. Though he received a clear sign when his offering was burned up before the angel of the Lord, he now asks for two more signs! God is merciful and allows Gideon his requests, proving both times that He will surely help Gideon to win the battle. Gideon’s story is an example of how God works alongside us in our fears and weaknesses. He is not angry at our shortcomings, but He wants to lead us into a place of deeper trust.

What happens next is a true test of faith for Gideon. With an army of 32,000 he sets out to attack the Midianites. But while encamped at the spring of Harod, God whittles his army down to a mere 300 men! God is going to do things His own way. His greater purpose in this victory is His own glory – that those who see Gideon’s army win this battle will know that it was the Lord God of Israel who gave the Midianites into Gideon’s hand. Gideon wasn’t appointed to leadership because of some deep inner strength hidden somewhere inside himself. God wasn’t there to inspire Gideon to “find himself” within. Gideon was nothing without the Lord; on his own he had no might or courage. God called him “mighty man of valour” because He knew what Gideon could do with God’s might and God’s power working through Him. And it seems that Gideon has learned something through his encounters with God because we don’t even hear him question the Lord here; those whom God tells him to send home he sends home.

God is so merciful to Gideon. Though Gideon has been obedient, God sees the fear that lingers in his heart and sends him to listen in on a conversation between two Midianite soldiers. Gideon is so encouraged that he worships the Lord right there and then runs back to camp with a battle plan. The attack that ensues is quite remarkable. The plan is bizarre: 300 men blowing trumpets and smashing jars to defeat an army that is so huge it is likened to the sand on the seashore! But it works! In fact, the Midianite army turns against itself and the soldiers start attacking one another! The battle is indeed the Lord’s!

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   The passages you read today declare truths about God’s character: He is merciful, He is mighty, He is sovereign, etc. Spend some time meditating on what you read today and ask God to reveal more about Himself to you. Thank God for who He is. Thank Him that you can trust Him to be these things all the time.

2.   Our culture is quick to tell us that we have everything we need inside of us, that we have power within to accomplish anything we want to do. Certainly God has gifted His children in many wonderful ways, but if we are to do the work of the kingdom, we’re going to need a lot more than the power within ourselves!

a.   Ask God to show you how you have relied on your own strength to accomplish something. Confess your lack of dependence and ask God to show you what His way is in this situation.

3.   The words of the prophet Isaiah ring true through Gideon’s battle: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways” (Is 55:8-9). His thoughts and ways are higher than ours.

a.   Meditate on this. What does it mean to say that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours?

b.  What is troubling you today? Ask God to give you His higher perspective.