Month: November 2021

“Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by Him deeds are weighed.” I Samuel 2:3 (Chapter 1-3)

Hannah was the barren wife of Elkanah. She prayed for a child with the promise that her firstborn would be given to the LORD. Eli, the high priest blessed her and she conceived. The child, Samuel, was taken to the Tabernacle at Shiloh, while still a toddler, and there he grew to be one of Biblical history’s most noble men. Eli’s own two sons were so wicked they were killed in a single day and left the house of Eli cursed for all time. Eli was held accountable for knowing and ignoring their behavior.

Samuel came to be Israel’s last and greatest judge and the first great prophet after Moses. His story reveals, again and again, God’s divine ability to see mankind with complete transparency. There are no secrets from the One who created us. God knows each heart.

The verse above is part of Hannah’s song of praise for the gift of her blessed son.  She recounts the wonder of God’s character. Her emptiness, misery, and shame are replaced with life, joy and honor and what God can do for one woman, He can do for all men.

Love,

Gretchen

In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.  Judges 21:25 (Chapters 17-21)

These last five chapters of the era of judges tell of lawlessness and total abandonment of God’s law. Even the Levites left the service of the tabernacle and entered into a low state of religion and morality. There are no heroes mentioned.

There has now been a total breakdown of leadership and guidance among God’s people .They became a law unto themselves, setting their own standard of permissiveness and attempting to exploit the blessing of God.  God is not to be toyed with.  He will not allow the good He has given to be used against others for self glorification.

When leadership broke down, man’s desire replaced the relevance of God’s initiatives. The Israelites assimilated themselves to the people of Canaan, something God warned against, and the tribal unity of Israel disintegrated. Again and again, Israel depended on God to comply to their behavior. God is totally free from man’s demands. He hears us when we humble ourselves and acknowledge that He alone is creator of all things and alone, He is worthy of worship and praise.

Have a beautiful day,

Gretchen

Then Samson prayed to the LORD, “O Sovereign LORD, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.”  Judges 16:28 (Chapters 13-16)

Samson was a maverick judge, set apart by God from the moment of his conception.  But, his story is one of dysfunctional relationships with pagan women and revenge against his enemies.  He was given great power to conquer the Philistine oppressors of Israel, but by his reckless and disrespectful behavior, he lost his power and connection to God.

This man that could slay lions barehanded and catch foxes, tie their tails together and light them on fire to avenge a wrong then kill 1,000 men with the jawbone of a donkey, was brought to total enslavement when his eyes were gouged out and he was harnessed to a prison mill like an animal. All because his carnal instincts drove him instead of God.

The Philistines were an advanced civilization along the Mediterranean Sea and were moving inland by means of infiltration rather than war. They worshiped the god Dagon. Samson was brought up from his pit as part of an entertainment in Dagon’s temple. As his last earthly act, he cried out to God to return his strength and he pushed the temple’s columns down, killing himself and thousands of others.

Over and over, Israel tried to use God for their own ends, instead of being a truly covenant nation with God as their sovereign. It is only by acknowledging God, and His choices and values, that He acts. Trying to control the Creator of the universes is folly. It is in submission that we gain everything.

Love,

Gretchen

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Were you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Ruth 1:16

In the time of the judges, a man from Bethlehem named Elimelech relocated his family due to a famine.  While in a foreign country, his two sons married Moabite women. Over time Elimelech and both his sons died, leaving three widows, one old and two young.  The mother-in-law, Naomi, decided to return to her home, Bethlehem, and encouraged the young women to go back to their own mother’s houses.  One did, but Ruth chose Naomi and her God.

The beautiful love story is only four chapters long and I strongly encourage each of you to read it in full. Together, Naomi and Ruth forged a new life among Naomi’s kinsmen.  An upright man of integrity, Boaz, becomes Ruth’s kinsman redeemer. This means that he totally freed Ruth from any earthly obligation or another’s claim to her, so that he could make her his own, his wife. 

As a bit of significant trivia, Boaz was the son of Rahab, the prostitute from Jericho, and he became the grandfather of Jesse, who was the father of King David.

Two women of non-Jewish heritage stepped out in faith. How do we offer our highest praise to the One who gives us everything? We move forward in blind faith, knowing He created us for His purpose and will use us for the Glory of His Kingdom.

Love,

Gretchen

Thus, God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers. Judges 9:56 (Chapters 9-12)

The era of the Judges is a time of spiritual decline, but two things are obvious.  1.The stories record failures and weaknesses in brutal honesty. 2.Their presence does not condone or glorify any behavior, but shows that God never turns a deaf ear to a cry for help.

Dynasties are not what God ordains. Gideon refused a kingship, but his son Abimelech felt entitled to such status so much that he had his brothers (all 70) murdered. God did not choose him, he chose himself and through manipulation, found a following. Things didn’t end well. During a siege, a woman dropped a millstone on Abimelech’s head, but he didn’t want to die at the hands of a woman so he had his servant run him through with a sword.

For his wickedness God repaid Abimelech with shame and death. God and justice will have the last word every time!

Happy Weekend,

Gretchen

But Gideon told them “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.” Judges 8:23 (Chapters 6-8)

The Israelites were plagued by marauders.  The Midianites came at harvest time, raiding the fields and herds. The men of Israel had taken to hiding in caves and threshing their meager gatherings in hidden pits. During this time of duress, they sought God’s power. God chose Gideon to be Israel’s mighty warrior.

When called, Gideon was so sure God was mistaken he asked for strong signs of confirmation. Having his faith settled, God directed Gideon to reduce his amassed army and take only 300 men, so that all would know it was by God’s authority victory was won. With torches hidden in jars and carrying trumpets, Gideon’s forces attacked their enemy in the pitch black of night, creating a chaos in which the enemy self destructed. The land enjoyed peace for the next 40 years (Gideon’s generation.)

The story of Gideon is not one of charismatic leadership, but rather, the divine intervention of God on behalf of those who trust Him. Gideon was the last person Israel would have chosen for their hero, but God did the choosing. The simple secret to prosperity, aka, peace: Boldly trust God.

Love,

Gretchen

“When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves, praise the LORD!”  Judges 5:2 (Chapters 3-5)

In case you wonder why the idolatry of the inhabitants of Canaan were so loathsome to God, here’s a little insight.  The Moabite’s god, Chemosh was worshipped with human sacrifice, The Ammonites practiced the burning of little children to please their god, Moloch. In addition, temple priests and priestesses were prostitutes. Sexual depravity was the free gift from their government. God wanted none of this life destroying behavior to threaten His people, but Israel continued to walk past all warnings and wandered toward destruction.

In a male dominated world, two women took initiative and won a great battle for Israel.  Deborah was both prophet and judge. A woman of great authority.  She received divine direction to share with her military leader.  He hesitated to obey until she agreed to enter into battle with him. As combat began, a sudden storm bogged down the opposing forces of Jab-in, king of Canaan, allowing Israel victory.  Sisera, Jabin’s military leader was the sole surviver. He fled, escaping to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. Jael, as a woman, would have limited experience beyond her own home, but when good vs. evil was presented, her one skill, pitching a tent, was all she needed. She pretended hospitality, only to murder Sisera with a hammer and tent peg when he fell asleep.

The narrative of Judges is a repeated pattern of obedience bringing prosperity and sin bringing despair. One constant is the authority, power and faithfulness of The One True God. Your faith is well placed when it is placed in Him.

Love,

Gretchen

‘And you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? Judges 2:2 (Chapter 1-2)

After Joshua’s death, the nation of Israel became a confederacy of twelve independent tribes with one common God. They were to be a Theocracy, but the original ‘tuff as nails’ generation, that walked across the Jordan River on dry land, was slowly growing old and dying. The young did not take God seriously.  He meant for them to destroy the pagan cultures that existed in the land He had given them. They did not do this, and these people and their idols were a constant trial. Israel quarreled among themselves and were attacked by enemies trying to exterminate them. There was fighting within and without.

A constant pattern of ‘every man doing what was right in his own eyes’ was the down fall of this nation. These people would step away from God, prostitute their souls to the idols of their neighbors and when that so called ‘god’ didn’t give the happy ending they were seeking, they repented and returned to correct obedience and worship.  When they served God, they prospered. Serving idols brought misery.

Worship cannot be a part-time endeavor nor can obedience be pick and choose. It’s all or nothing. By God’s own words, He is jealous. He doesn’t want our subjection as a trade for prosperity, but because we love Him and He loves us. He will not share you with that which will destroy you. Would you want him to?

Have a Happy Wednesday,

Gretchen

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land your are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15 

Joshua has led the people as God directed and now his life is coming to an end and he is not appointing a successor.  Just as a dying parent would draw their children close and give them wisdom from experience for guarantees of success and security, Joshua does the same for Israel.

In his final address, Joshua urged Israel to guard themselves against idolatry. The gods’ of Egypt and Canaan were a combinations of pagan religion and free indulgence of earthly desires. It takes exceptional diligence to withstand this allure.

These people have the Law, written in many places, many times. Joshua’s last words recall all that God has faithfully done before their eyes. To the gathered masses Joshua declares, “I know who God is and I will serve Him alone. The rest is up to you.”

It is up to you.  God is good and faithful, holy and just, but He won’t force you to serve Him, it is your free will.  Be exceptional and follow Him.

Love,

Gretchen

All these kings and their lands Joshua conquered in one campaign, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.  Joshua 10:43  (Chapters 9-22)

Canaan was the term given to all land along the Mediterranean coast of modern day Lebanon and Israel, inland to the Jordan River. All residing there were broadly known as Canaanites. Canaan consisted of several city states, ruled by kings that were subject to Egypt’s pharaoh.

Gibeon was an important city. At word of Jericho and Ai’s fatal end, the king of Gibeon employed a fictitious story to convince Israel to make a peace treaty with them. Israel did not consult God, prompting an instant war, when all the other kings of Canaan formed an alliance to defeat Israel.  God fought Israel’s battles and they settled the land of their inheritance. However, small bands of Canaanites remained and after Joshua’s death, they became troublesome for Israel.

Daily God led and sustained these people through miraculous intervention, but three times He changed the order of nature to assist His greater purpose.  He held back the waters of the Jordan River, He brought down the walls of Jericho and in the battle against five Amorite kings, God extended daylight to the benefit of Joshua’s forces.

These battles paint a picture of a brilliant and blood thirsty military power.  Remember that the judgement of these pagan people was brought about by their refusal to submit to the One True Sovereign God.  As seen in the story of Rahab, believing changes the course of your destiny. Yes, blood was shed, but opportunity for life always comes before death.

Love,

Gretchen