Skip to main content

March 13 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 72

Are you familiar with Gideon?  Do you know why the people who leave Bibles in hotel rooms call themselves the Gideons?  

Well, let's read about Gideon first and found out about the Gideons later.

Image result for Gideon

DAILY READINGS

Judges 6-8 & Psalm 72

DAILY NOTES

Judges 6:1-10

  • The Israelites are oppressed by the Midianites.  They are forced to flee to the mountains and caves.  The Israelites were "impoverished" and the land was "wasted."  
  • The Israelites call out to God.  A prophet arose to confirm their current situation is due to their turning away from God.  Scripture doesn't tell us who the prophet was, but Jewish commentary offers a name.
Judges 6:12
  • Gideon is approached by an angel of the Lord.  He is called a "mighty warrior."  
Judges 6:22
  • After the sign Gideon asks for comes to pass, he believes he has seen the angel of God and believes what he has told him.  
Judges 6:25-27
  • God commands Gideon to pull down an altar to Baal.  The altar belongs to his father.  
  • Gideon follows through, but is fearful of his family.
Judges 6:32
  • Gideon's name is changed.
Judges 7
  • This chapter outlines Gideon's defeat of the Midianites.
  • Gideon takes 32,000 troops.  God told Gideon to tell the troops who were scared to go home--10,000 remained.  Afterwards, God told Gideon to watch for another sign to sift them out: those that drank water like a dog--300 troops remained.
    • Gideon and 300 troops would battle against the Midianites.  It was God's way of ensuring Israel would not be able to take credit for the victory.
Judges 8:4-12
  • Gideon seeks help from two cities.  They refuse him and his troops.  Consequently, Gideon promises he will return in victory and repay their refusal with destruction.
Judges 8:22-27
  • Gideon is victorious again.  He requests the people of Israel to give him earrings of gold.  He makes an ephod of them.  It becomes a part of idol worship.  
Psalm 72
  • All but the final few verses of this psalm are about a king.
  • Most likely, this was psalm was used for a coronation service or blessing of a new king.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

The Israelites cried out to God because they thought the Midianites were their problem.  And why not?  The Midianites caused all kinds of trouble for them.  It was because of them they were in hiding.  But God sends an unknown (unknown to us) prophet to tell the Israelites that the Midianites are not their problem.  They are their own problem.

How easy it is to look to others for our troubles.  How often it is that are troubles are caused by our doings.  That takes a great deal of wisdom and faith to receive that message.  When we stop blaming others, we can allow God to focus our healing and restoration.

We'll never know who that prophet was, but he sure didn't pull any punches.

Stay blessed...john
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

March 31 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 90 David's family situation continues to spiral.  In today's reading, David's family is torn apart by rape.  As a consequence, David's son sets his eyes on his father's throne. DAILY READINGS 2 Samuel 13-15 & Psalm 90 DAILY NOTES 1 Samuel 13:1-14 Amnon was David's first born son (3:2).  That may shed light as to why David seems to deal with him so easily (Verse 21).  Although he does kind of the same thing later with Absalom. Tamar is Absalom's full sister, half sister to Amnon.  Amnon is lovesick with her.  He devises a plan, with the help of a friend, to have her enter his chamber (bedroom).   Since she was a virgin, she didn't go out and about.  She remained in her house, perhaps protected.   Tamar knows what will become of her if Amnon goes through with his wishes; she will be left aside, unable to marry (see Verse 20).  She seems willing to have become married to Amnon, but his lust clouds h...
Post a Comment
Read more

January 27 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 27 We'll be reading about atonement today.  T oday's video helps make sense of that biblical theme. DAILY READINGS Exodus 30-31 & Psalm 27 DAILY NOTES Exodus 30:6 Everything has its place.   Exodus 30:10 Once a year would be Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Exodus 12-15 The Lord's offering is required of everyone equally (of the appropriate age).  Strangely enough, there is a designation of rich and poor.  Everyone has just come from Egypt.  How has that distinction arisen?   Exodus 31:13 It's interesting to compare how the idea of sabbath here relates to previous mentions of it.   Exodus 31:18 Moses had written the words down.  Now, with merely his finger, God has provided the tablets for all to remember the covenant that has been made.   Psalm 27 Have you ever prayed and prayed and prayed for something?  The psalmist seems to know the feeling.  His final adm...
Post a Comment
Read more

February 16 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 47 Before the movie Shrek, the best known talking donkey was Balaam's donkey.  That's what we're reading about today.   Of course, that's only part of the story between Balak and Balaam.   DAILY READINGS Numbers 22-24 & Psalm 47 DAILY NOTES Numbers 22:2 Apparently, Israel is making a name for itself.  The Moabites are terrified and distressed/irritated by the news of what the Israelites are doing. Numbers 22:5-6 Balaam is, apparentely, a diviner with a good reputation.  Balak is "overcome with fear" and his response is to go to Balaam.  Balak knows that "whomever you bless is blessed, and whomever you curse is cursed." Numbers 22:8 This is the recurring theme for Balaam.  He will only say what  God tells him to say.  That is, there's no money back guarantee.  Even if it doesn't align with what Balak wants, Balaam will only give the words that God gives him. There is no indication why Balaam w...
Post a Comment
Read more