Blog Archives - Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church

April 2, 2017

3/31/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Judges 8 - After the initial victory over the Midianites there was still the matter of hunting down the two kings of Midian and their men. Eventually they were found and executed. Gideon was approached by the Israelites and they wanted to anoint him king over the land, but Gideon responded that God was their king and the people should acknowledge that. After Gideon's death the cycle of Judges continues - the people turned away from God and worshiped idols.

Judges 9 - This chapter speaks of the sad outcome of Gideon's indiscretion of fathering a child out of wedlock with a concubine. This child, Abimelech, would grow up and chose to do what Gideon wouldn't: he accepted the role as king of the land and in response he had all of his half-brothers executed except one, Jotham. Jotham called down a curse on Abimelech and his mother's family which is fulfilled as this chapter comes to a close.

April 1, 2017

3/31/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Judges 6 - One of the great judges in this book is Gideon. How the Lord worked through him with a small number of warriors is truly remarkable and amazing! Gideon was a lone Israelite who had come to believe God and who honored Him in all he did. However, he felt alone and abandoned. Midian had invaded Israel and completely overwhelmed the Jews and literally made life miserable for them. All hope appeared to be gone, but then, the Angel of the Lord came and appeared to Gideon, giving him hope and encouraging him to deal with Israel's sin of idolatry before he would deal with Israel's enemy, Midian. When God told Gideon he would see victory over the Midianites, Gideon asked for a sign. He needed reassurance and God gave that to him.

Judges 7 - Gideon would learn that "you don't need a lot for God to do a lot!" God chose 300 men who would follow Gideon into this conflict. I believe these men were inspired and encouraged because of Gideon's devotion to God and his willingness to go into battle no matter how many would go with him. God brought about a great victory even though Gideon's men would only have a water pitcher, a torch, a trumpet, and a shout! But they needed nothing else simply because they had God!

March 31, 2017

3/30/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Judges 3 - In these chapters you will be introduced to the first five judges. Remember, the judge was an overseer who sought to bring Israel back to their spiritual senses. These men and women understood that God meant what He said that if Israel disobeyed Him and followed other gods they would suffer at the hands of their enemies. God raised up Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar as recorded in chapter three. Pay attention to each judge's character and contribution to the nation.

Judges 4 - This chapter presents Deborah, a female judge, and one of the few women in the Bible given a strategic role in spiritual leadership. She appeared to take her position seriously and she led others to learn to trust God. Her role was to encourage a general, Barak by name, to take charge of his army. Barak is a judge as well, but he recognized that Deborah seemed to have a greater influence over the outcome of the coming battle and he insisted that she come to the conflict. She, in turn, told Barak that the ultimate victor in this battle would be a woman. Read the chapter to see how that happened.

Judges 5 - Several chapters in the Bible are devoted to songs. Remember Deuteronomy 32, the "Song of Moses"? Now we have the Song of Deborah as she celebrates the victory over the enemy and their commander Sisera, in particular. Notice how she commends those tribes that helped in the battle but she sternly criticizes those that "stayed home." She ended the song with a rebuke to Sisera's mother.

March 30, 2017

3/28/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Judges 1 - This transition chapter takes us from the "Thrill of Victory" to the "Agony of Defeat" in the experience of Israel coming into the Promised Land! Joshua shows the victorious Israelites claiming the land of promise as their own. Judges now shows us the defeated Israelites all but giving the land back! Over and over again you read the cycle - Israel gets a season of peace - then they "sin up a storm" - then an enemy invades and drives the Israelites "to the hills" - then Israel repents of their sins and God sends a judge to straighten out the mess they're in - peace comes back to the Jews - and, guess what? They do the whole scenario all over again, and again, and again!

Judges 2 - One line in this chapter tells you why the Israelites got themselves into such a mess. It's in verse 10 where we read, "..another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel." How can one generation away from Joshua come to such a wretched condition? The answer lies in parents not telling their children about the great works of God in Exodus and the older Israelites not stressing the importance of loving God and obeying His Law. The same is true today. Dad's and Mom's are not sharing the story Jesus with their kids and many other Christians are not sharing the Gospel with their friends and acquaintances!

The sad thing is that you'll be reading through this book wondering how quickly so-called "people of God" could live as if God didn't exist! But, praise the Lord for the lessons you'll learn from most of their judges. God does offer hope to sinning believers!

March 29, 2017

3/27/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Joshua 22 - You may remember that the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh had requested that their possession of land would be on the eastern side of the Jordan River. Moses agreed to this as long as they committed themselves to crossing the Jordan with the rest of the Israelites and fighting with them so they could take possession of the land given to them. Now, their responsibilities have been fulfilled and they request to be given permission to return to their own new land. Joshua agrees that they did what they were suppose to do and he let them return. However, when they got to the Jordan they made an altar like the one in Jerusalem. This caused alarm to the rest of the Israelites. Why? I think you'll understand as you read.

Joshua 23 - Joshua gives his final message and report to Israel. Though he could have spoken more extensively of what he accomplished for the nation, he gave God the glory for fulfilling all His promises to these people. However, Joshua reminds Israel that they are prone to get into trouble and he warns them of God's anger if they disobey Him.

Joshua 24 - Joshua reviews Israel's history and then he gives them a challenge. Who are they going to serve? Will they serve God or will they serve the idols of the nations that had lived in Canaan? Joshua declares in verse 15 his own absolute commitment, "...But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

March 28, 2017

3/27/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Joshua 19 - This chapter records the distribution of land to the final six tribes who were yet to settle. You might note that verse 1 speaks of Simeon's land being within the border of Judah's land. Part of the reason is that Judah had the greatest population and received the largest allotment, but the land was far more than they needed. Hence, Judah invited Simeon's tribe to settle within their borders. But something else should be understood. Back in Genesis 49:7 Moses rebuked Levi and Simeon for their cruel treatment of the inhabitants of Shechem back in Genesis 34. Moses said the tribes of these men would be "scattered" throughout Israel. Levi's tribe was never given an allotment of land, and they only settled in various cities all over Israel. Simeon was basically "lost" within the tribal territory of Judah and was hardly ever mentioned again.

Joshua 20 - The final three Cities of Refuge on the west side of the Jordan River are named. All six cities are recognized as the cities where a man-slayer could find shelter if it was recognized that he did not intentionally kill someone else.

Joshua 21 - As mentioned earlier, the Levites were not given any land for their inheritance. God's mercy was working on their behalf however, when He made sure they would have cities to live in, 48 cities to be exact. The cities were divided among the three sons of Levi: Kohath, Gershon, and Merari. This chapter closes with a declaration that God kept His word and gave to Israel all the land that He promised to give them.

March 27, 2017

3/25/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

I'd like to make a suggestion that while you're reading these historical books that you take time to consult a Bible atlas and try to locate some of the places mentioned in the Scriptures. It will give you a better perspective on what you're reading and it will also help you to see that these historical events happened in very real, historical places!

Joshua 16 - This short chapter speaks of the land allotted to the tribe of Ephraim. They would be located in the strategic middle of the nation and the result would be their strong influence on the rest of the land, especially the northern tribes.

Joshua 17 - Remember the tribe of Manasseh was divided long before the conquering of Canaan. Back in Numbers the people of half of the tribe of Manasseh wanted their inheritance to be on the east side of the Jordan River. This chapter in Joshua now speaks of the other half of that tribe and their allotment of land being just north of Ephraim.

Joshua 18 - Please note Joshua's searching question in verse 3, "How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers has given you?" These seven remaining tribes needed this scolding from their leader. And we need that too! How many of God's blessings available to you are you yet to "claim" as your own?!

March 26, 2017

3/24/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Joshua 12 - Joshua kept careful records of his conquests. He lists 31 kings and cities that God allowed Israel to defeat. It is always good to rehearse and remember the victories God has allowed. As there was more land to conquer the people of Israel needed this list to encourage them to keep moving and keep fighting.

Joshua 13 - This chapter reviews the allocation of land God allowed the children of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Something unpleasant to read here is in verse 13, "Nevertheless the children of Israel did not drive out" the inhabitants! In other words, the Israelites didn't trust the Lord enough to give them total victory.

Joshua 14 - God had promised Caleb that he would be granted the land he inspected 40 years earlier when the twelve "spies" went in to scout out the land. Caleb boldly tells Joshua to "...give me this mountain..." verse 12. Caleb said that though he was 85 he still had the strength he had when he was 40! He believed God's promises and he claimed them!

Joshua 15 - This chapter gives the details of the allotment of land given to Judah, the largest of all the tribes of Israel. Notice how Caleb's daughter is as bold as her father when she said in verse 19, "...give me a blessing!"

March 25, 2017

3/23/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Joshua 9 - As Joshua and the people of Israel began their conquest of the land, the nations became more and more alarmed. One great city, Gibeon, used the subtle method of deception to make it appear their delegation was from a "far off country" that wanted to make peace with Israel. The Israelites fell for this ruse and went ahead a made a peace treaty with them, without taking time to ask God for His guidance. What a lesson for all of us to learn! Israel would now be forced to stick with their treaty.

Joshua 10 - What the Gibeonites probably didn't count on was their former "friendly" neighbors became so incensed against them that they came to attack them. Now Gibeon looked to Joshua and Israel to save them. The Lord brought about a great victory for the Israelites and it was in this battle that Joshua cried out for the sun to stand still in the sky for a whole day! God not only did that but it is recorded in verse 14 that "the Lord heeded the voice of a man..." After this Joshua continued on and made a sweep of the cities and nations in the southern part of Canaan.

Joshua 11 - This chapter describes Israel's conquest of the northern half of the land. In spite of the massive amount of people in the armies of these cities God still assured Joshua the victory! It is also recorded here that no other city tried to make peace with Israel. God "hardened the hearts" against any idea of surrender or compromise.

March 24, 2017

3/22/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Joshua 5 - Through the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness the people of Israel never took the time to circumcise all the male citizens. So, in the land of Canaan they fulfilled that requirement. This was a significant way for them to remove all the ties to their old life for now they were to embark on their new adventure of living a life of victory in their new home. Joshua would be introduced to the One who would lead the way: the Commander of the Lord's army!

Joshua 6 - This chapter presents the conquest of Jericho and the beginning of Israel's march of victory as they would take hold of the Promised Land as their own. Discipline and patience were hallmarks of Joshua's method of military leadership. He required the people to march around the city once a day for six days, and then still be quiet as they marched six more times on the seventh day. Only on the seventh time around they were permitted to shout and watch the walls of Jericho crumble. They would go in and claim the city and destroy its inhabitants.

Joshua 7 - God had made clear that the people of Israel were not to lay claim to any of the spoils for their own. It was a way for God to impress on Israel that they were to dedicate the "first fruits" of their spoil to the Lord. Giving Him first was and still is the appropriate manner for our giving. Achan disobeyed and he brought disaster on himself and his family as a result.

Joshua 8 - If only Achan had waited! When Israel conquered Ai God allowed them to take the spoils of victory as their own! Israel would use the tactic of flight and subtlety to conquer this city. Joshua would keep his hand raised as long as it took for the Israelites to complete the fight. Afterwards Joshua read the all the words of the Law to remind Israel who they worshiped and their obligation to obey their God.