This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&h) for each page to:
Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
HERE
Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the
books of Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for
COMMENTARY ON GENESIS to the address above.
JUDGES
INTRODUCTION:
CHAPTER 1
1 Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?
2 And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.
3 And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him.
4 And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men.
5 And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites.
6 But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.
7 And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.
Joshua's example of spiritual leadership in the civil and military areas lasted long after his death. We see here that the people followed Joshua's example of going before God and asking for guidance. God's people ought always to seek His guidance in decisions. And we should leave that example for those who follow us.
8 Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.
Now, one has to be careful about how we perceive what God is saying. One would think that Jerusalem was captured, conquered right here. However, in verse 21 we see that the Jebusites were inhabiting the city.
9 And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain, and in the south, and in the valley.
10 And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba:) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.
11 And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjath-sepher:
12 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.
13 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.
Caleb was obviously a great leader, and was from the tribe of Judah (Numbers 13:6). These verses are actually a reiteration of the account given in Joshua 15.
14 And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou?
15 And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.
Othniel, Caleb's nephew, was the man who conquered Debir, or Kerjathsepher. Caleb's daughter Achsah was given to Othniel in marriage.
16 And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.
Back in Numbers 10, Moses invited Jethro, his father-in-law, to go with them to the "Promised Land." Some of the Kenites did, though Moses' father-in-law did not.
Please continue to follow along with us in Bible Study.
The book of Judges is a compilation of historical events with spiritual significance. The time covered is generally considered to be from about 1380B.C. to about 1040B.C.
During this time, the Israelites are still trying to conquer the areas assigned to each tribe. Joshua had seen to it that most of the larger cities and prominent kings were conquered, but each tribe still had a lot of work to do.
Israel, at this time, has no formal government and operates under a spiritual confederacy which has as its base of unity the worship of Jehovah God.
Each tribe is responsible for taking its own area; however, at times the tribes are allied in fighting both offensively and defensively.
For some 350 years there is no one individual who is a leader of the united tribes. Instead, God raises up "judges" who are military, civil and spiritual leaders.
One of the themes in the book of Judges is the fact that obedience to God and His law bring peace, but disobedience results in difficulty.
Another theme is the reoccurring laxness in worship of Jehovah, and even idolatry on the part of the Hebrews. Even the saved are sinners!
Yet another theme is the faithfulness of God to hear the pleas of Israel and forgive and help them. God is a loving Father Who cares for and disciplines His children!
Judah and Simeon join together in this campaign (verse 3). When we are facing a difficult situation, it is always good to have those accompany us who will stand firm and give aid. Let US remember to join with others when we are needed too.
The campaign was to take the whole range of mountains first. This was a good strategy because the mountain areas were hardest to defeat due to natual defenses. Then the campaign moved on down into the valley and into the desert area. This campaign included Judah's area and then Simeon's area.
Evidently, Adonibezek had cut off the thumbs and big toes of all those he had conquered (verse 7). And that is what the Hebrews did to him. Perhaps it's ironic, but God says,
"..whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them..." (Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31).
Jerusalem actually was included in Benjamin's area, but it was the logical point from which Judah and Simeon began their "mountain campaign."
The tribe of Benjamin never did quite drive out all the Jebusites in Jerusalem, and later (about 430 years later), David conquered the city totally and made it the capitol of Israel and the center of worship for the whole nation.
It is good and right for men of God to want their daughters married to diligent and courageous men of God.
Caleb had given her a special area as her inheritance; but now she comes asking for a blessing -- something ADDITIONAL, or over and above her inheritance.
Notice that Caleb not only granted her request, but also gave her MORE blessing!!
God gives us the inheritance of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. And He is willing to give us additional blessings every day!
It is the "..riches of His grace.." that gives us redemption (Ephesians 1:7).
But the "..riches of Christ.." are unsearchable, and God is able to pour them out abundantly upon us DAILY (Ephesians 3:19, Philippians 4:19).
TOMORROW, WE'LL FINISH CHAPTER 1 AND BEGIN CHAPTER 2.