Judges 6:1-40 + Luke 22:54-23:12 + Psalm 95:1-96:13 + Proverbs 14:5-6
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Old Testament - Today in Judges chapter 6 verses 1 we read - "Again the Israelites did what was evil in the LORD's sight." It is so interesting to see the back-and-forth relationship of the Israelites with God in the Old Testament. The Israelites did evil. They cried out to God. God saved them. Then... The Israelites did evil again... And I wonder - are we so different from the Israelites today? Should we be? Could we be? How? I do believe that through a growing and loving relationship with Jesus, we can be spared of this back-and-forth relationship with God. I believe this is the only Way. Let us not have to spend our lives running back and forth to "caves" as we will see below... Let us only run into the arms of the Jesus!
An image is below for verses 1 & 2: "So the LORD handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. The Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites fled to the mountains, where they made hiding places for themselves in caves and dens."
Today read about Gideon and the fleece. We also read about how the angel of the Lord comes to Gideon and tells Gideon he will save Israel out of Midian’s hands, because he is being sent by God. In verse 15 Gideon replies, “But Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” You’ll notice how this reply of Gideon’s is reminiscent of Moses’ reaction to God’s call to serve in Exodus chapters 3 & 4 – “Why me? How can I?” etc. etc. And I think it is very useful for each of us to note that God often calls the seemingly lowly – like Moses and Gideon – rather than the seemingly mighty to act for him. This should be encouraging to us! I wonder if you and I are sometimes like Gideon and Moses? I wonder if perhaps we are being called to do something incredible for God in our lives, and we are making excuses like Gideon and Moses made excuses? Should we instead act in obedience to God’s call and trust that he will lead us? If God has called us to something, shouldn’t we have enough faith to believe he will give us the strength and wisdom needed for the journey? What is God calling you to do in your life that you are not doing? Are you making excuses like Gideon and Moses did? Will you instead move forward in faith and obedience to God in this holy calling in your life?
New Testament - Luke chapter 22 verse 70 is powerful - "They all shouted, "Then you claim you are the Son of God?" And Jesus replied, "You are right in saying that I am."" Check out those last two words of Jesus' - I am. Sound familiar? Remember from Exodus 3:14 when Moses asks the burning bush who he should say sent him to free the Israelites from Egypt. And what did God reply? "I am. Tell them that I am is sending you." And here we see Jesus use this same terminology that God used - I am. Below is a powerful image of Jesus before Pilate:
In Luke chapter 23 verses 8 & 9 today we read: "Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer." Herod wanted a miracle "performed." And Jesus simply stayed silent. Beautiful... I wonder if there are moments in our life when we would do well to model Jesus here - to stay silent in the face of a ridiculous request - or in the face of a ridiculous attack on our faith. Silence may be the perfect thing in the face of ridiculousness... Below is "Jesus before Herod Antipas" by the artist Duccio from the year 1308:
Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 22 titled "The Rejection of Israel's Messiah - Part I" is at this link and Part II is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 95 verses 4 & 5 remind me of the Chris Tomlin song "Praise Him Forever": "He owns the depths of the earth, and even the mightiest mountains are his. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too." Have you heard this song by Chris? Very joyful modern day psalm! Great tune... And great Psalms of praise in 95 & 95 today! Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 95 titled "A Warning about Worship" is at this link.
Wow.. Psalm 96 today is amazing! I love verse 1: "Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!" And I love the imagery in verse 12: "Let the fields and their crops burst forth with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise."
Worship Video: Today's readings remind me of Chris Tomlin's song "Praise Him Forever:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrDzdew4AOk
Are you praising God? Click here and praise Him forever!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand." Luke 22:69 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray to Jesus today, who rules and reigns over all creation and sits at the right hand of the Father in honor and glory. Pray to your King, Jesus.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Based on Psalm 96 verse 1 above is there a new song God is asking you to sing to him these days? Will you sing this new song to God? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
Judges 6:1-40
This generation is blessed in so many ways. We are blessed because we have a record of those that have gone before us as what to do and not do. We can read and experience vicariously what other saints of God have experienced, be they failures or triumphs. So, with Gideon we get to look at a man swimming in a sea of doubts, angst, and uncertainty. God does not wipe him out but continues to work with Him and to answer his wavering questions of faith.
What I see in the big picture is this; our rebellion against the voice of God causes us to not recognize His voice in the midst of our despair. We question God, “Is it You?” We fail to trust, because we are surrounded by untrustworthy people. We first see Gideon, threshing wheat in the bottom of a winepress, an arduous job. Fear of the Midianites, and all the other enemies, had Gideon doing a job that should have been done out in the open so the wind could catch the grains of wheat as it’s thrown in the air, separating the chaff from the wheat, in a confined space with no wind. Hard work was made even harder because of a nation’s sin.
As I tried to visualize this scene and all the extra work it took, I was reminded of the words of Jesus,
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30 KJVR)
When we go our own way, we take on the tremendous burden sin directly and indirectly brings upon us. When Godeon is called, God gives him a new perspective of who and what He is, “A Mighty hero …” When he is called God sends Him out in his own strength because “The Lord” will be with him and that is all Gideon needs. O, that I would learn this lesson. There is nothing in my own strength that can get any godly assignment done, it is only because “God is with me,’ that the purposes of God will be accomplished upon the earth.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
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When I first began the story I wondered why does God's people have to be reminded all the time that God brought them out of Egypt and is seating them in a good place but...their disobedience is causing a studebling block and have them towed away for 7 years because of mankind's hardheadedness. When will we learn..is it a disobedience to be that way? Is there hope? Look at Peter today..look at Gideon. I believe God puts these imperfect people in the story of our lives to catch a glimpse of a perfect father bending down to pick up and fix a broken world. Isn't that a beautiful thing.
There is a new song to be song! I almost can hear it. Sometimes it's faint. New judges daily and new people entering the scene in Judges. And Luke. It's getting close to the end. Always sad to see disciples scatter and devil use them so profound. Beautiful psalms 95 and 96. Be blessed.
I love How great is our God..that has been in favorite of mine and I love how songs speak to the soul.
Dee
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Mike thanks for sharing the song praise him forever by Chris tomlin. It set my day off! So worshipful!
Jane
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Judges 6
Gideon
One has to see God’s patience and this story resonates with us all. How often have I asked God to show me a sign or made him wait. God sees in Gideon what he can be. Even though Gideon was not that enthusiastic and I have been there too. God is persistent. 3 miracles and a lack of faith is so human. It is good to look at ourselves to realize we too don’t seek God’s guidance all the time. I am in the process of selling my business and this is a great reminder of putting the sale into God’s hands and then listening. (Patiently!).
Luke 23:9
Herod
Mike says, “Silence may be the perfect thing in the face of ridiculousness... “ Just what the doctor ordered, how many times I have had to use this method to argue with a 16 year old! Jesus knew and gives us this beautiful example. His father took care of everything. His way not my way.
Psalm 96
We are reminded of who is in charge of the world. Verse 13 makes me wonder who is crying out in the world for justice, truth and fairness. I am sure we can all come up with people that fit this criteria but the Psalm calls me to, “sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.” This made me realize a new aspect in my way of thinking. I don’t want to be like Gideon and test the Lord but to thankfully follow his direction, praise his creation, sing for joy and rest in his peace. Right now I am listening for my “new song” and I know He will show that to me!
Robert
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Until reading your commentary this morning I never connected God saying "I AM" in Exodus to Jesus saying "I AM." Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
Your ministry from the very beginning has been a tremendous blessing to me and to all that reads it. It has been a source of joy for this Kentucky hillbilly to have travelled this journey with you from when you first started, to study the Word of God with you on a daily basis, and to see your life go from a single man to a happily married one with a family.
Pat
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My reminder to you, Mike, from time to time is how much enjoyed and appreciated is the music you select to go along with the message of the day. Like Ramona's comments, it warms my heart!
Art
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This is my second year with the One Year Bible reading. I love it and thank God for such a wonderful ministry. God is moving in my life and moving me to reach out to others. His word is so vital for our spiritual nurishment, without it...we do of course as the Israelites did, "Again the Israelites did what was evil in the Lord's sight...". It's our daily walk with God that keeps us on the right path. Thank you for posting such a website as this.
Jessica
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I love the part that simply states, in response to Gideon, " I will wait until you return.". It speaks volumes to me in that God is both eternally Holy and righteous and at the same time absolutely intimate. We are here because of Him and for Him certainly, but in that truth it is God's heart that humbles me and woo's me to Him.
Lisa
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In Judges today, Gideon met an angel of the LORD. But the 'angel' accepted Gideon's worship and burnt his offering. Would this incident another example in the OT that Jesus preincarnated?
Frederick
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Judges 6: God never abandones His people even though they have sinned against Him. He sent His angels & messengers from among us. not a king but a simple man such as Gideon. Gideon tested God though to show signs that God is really calling Him to save the Israelites. How many times do we test God to make sure that He is calling us to follow His will in our lives? Many. This story continues to Jesus time and to the present.
Luke 22: In the New Testament time, God sent Jesus who walked with men, among the common people. Still men did not believe that He is the Messiah. Pushed come to shove, Peter betrayed his association with Jesus. I suppose in may ways, I do that too today when I conform with the world.
The Bible tells us that only when we walk with God, we will not be lost. It is easy said than done though. So help us God.
Lily
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I always enjoy reading Peter's denial. I think too often we read this from the perspective of Peter's failure; to do what he said that he would do, die for Jesus. But I see great victory here for Peter. Where were the other eleven. One had betrayed the Lord and was soon to hang himself. The other ten fled as soon as Jesus was led away. Peter alone followed from a distance. I believe that he followed his Lord because he loved Him. Yes, he failed. Just as Jesus said that he would. But did Peter not do so much more than the others? And through his failure, Peter found humility and truth. Earlier, Peter had boated in pride and falsehood; that he would follow Jesus to the death. I believe that he found great truth, and strength through this truth, in knowing his weaknesses. His humility strengthened Peter, and from this humility and a better understanding of his shortcomings, I believe that Peter began his ministry to become the rock that Jesus said he would be. From humility and brokenness, he was released from the pride which earlier so quickly led Peter into misunderstandings of himself. Perhaps spiritual blindness based on pride had been crushed and now Peter could more fully see the Lord through his own weaknesses.
Briggs
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I like the story of Gideon...i'm sure his doubt came from leaning to his own understanding. Maybe he wasnt sure if this is wat God wanted, sometimes i find it had to recognize, is this really God's voice? or my own thoughts?...kinda tricky at times.
"Yahweh-Shalom"...i love that!
I love Gideon's request for a sign, he was still not sure (i can relate), 'please dont be mad, but one more sign.'
Peter's betrayal is very sad, sad when Jesus looked up at him. Jesus probly had a loving look on His face, not a condemning one, more like, i knew you would do this, i still love you.
wow..that is heavy wen you think about it! No wonder he went out and wept bitterly, not cried but wept... bitterly! Have we ever betrayed the Lord and wept bitterly? i think we all must have, especially wen we first got saved, the realization of our wrong is almost too much to bare! But He comforts us as He spoke of in the beatitudes regarding repentance, "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted."
“Prophesy to us! Who hit you that time?” this just angers me so much! but then I realize, i did this same thing to Him...I was His enemy before I was His friend. For while I was yet a sinner He died for me. wow...never gonna quite grasp that kinda love while i'm on this earth.
Gee, so nice to read Herod n Pilate became friends that day :/ Very sad, and I love Jesus' example, He didnt cast pearls to the swine, but remained silent. Sometimes that's the most powerful response we can have. I'm sure we all have talked to nonbelievers about God n some ppl genuinely want answers and we are to help them. but with with some ppl, there comes a point where you realize they arent really looking for answers, but for a debate...for an opportunity to mock. thats wen God tells me to stop talking to them and keep silent...dont give wat is holy to wat is unholy.
that kinda goes along with Proverbs: "A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding."
and understanding comes from God to those with a soften, open, available heart. I have a friend who is into philosophy and into Ghandi and all those guys...yet he ridicules the bible. he is still my friend, i love the guy, but he searches for truth, so he claims, yet is a mocker of the Truth. we cant even discuss the Bible without him getting highly agitated and defensive. its weird, i'm sure we all have seen this, you just mention Jesus, the Bible and they immediately change dispositions, from nice and easy going to angry and defensive. the name of Jesus is so powerful! I dont see ppl twitch and fidget like crazy and the names Allah, Buddha, Mohammad, but i have sure seen it with the message of Jesus! one of my friends...if i even turn on music by a secular yet maybe Christian band, she flips out on me. at a relatives wedding during prayer she was fidgeting like crazy, as if her skin was crawling. I have been asked by her not to mention Jesus, God, etc. So i respect her decision. veryyyy sad. :(((
I love Indescribable by Chris Tomlin!!! DEFINITELY one of my fave songs of all time. that song there, u cant listen to without throwing your hands up in praise!! i love it!
Jenny
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OT
I remember when I was considered being baptised I was scared Hed used me as a missionary overseas. I didnt want to leav my family here in New Zealand. I was told God only makes ys do things He prepoares us for. He prapares our hearts so we want to.
I love the first picture you put up today Mike.
Psalms
I love the verse 96.3 "Tell every nation on earth, "The LORD is wonderful and does marvelous things!" as I visit my bloggie friends I often tell them how good God is. Ive been looking for different ways to say this. The LORD is wonderful :) and He does do marvelous things!!!!" Praise His name forever!!
Jen
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Verses that stood out for me:
Judges 6:23 "It is all right,” the Lord replied. “Do not be afraid. You will not die.”
Luke 22:69 "But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand".
Psalm 95:3 "For the Lord is a great God,
a great King above all gods".
Psalm 96:9 "Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
Let all the earth tremble before him".
Psalm 96:11 "Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!".
Proverbs 14:6 "A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it,
but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding".
Especially Proverbs 14:6 stood out for me, big time! I know mockers, there are a couple of mockers around me. They're in church, saved and all. But still mock on everything the Pastor sais (so actually what God sais), they talk about people behind their backs, they disagree on things and so on and on and on. And they wonder why me and my family go fast in our development .... why it comes so easy on us to follow Jesus ....
Mae
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Judges 6 (NKJV)
7
And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried out to the LORD because of the Midianites, 8
that the LORD sent a prophet to the children of Israel, who said to them, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘I brought you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of bondage;
9
and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land.
10
Also I said to you, “I am the LORD your God; do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” But you have not obeyed My voice.’”
~~~
NOTE: It is easy to emotionally distance ourselves from these historical, Biblical narratives. Yet, people are people -- in our humanity, we are just like them and they are like us.
Do we fear man or do we fear God? It is easy for us to say, "I fear God alone".
There are two (2) kinds of trials:
1.
persecution for obedience (which the Lord through I Peter says that this causes God's glory to be manifest in and through us)
2.
trial because of disobedience, for which God is not glorified in us.
The Israelites were suffering because they feared man, the surrounding nations, and the false gods more than the true and living God.
We believe that we are different. Yet are we fearing and loving God above all? Are we fearful of the culture and the false gods around us... or do we stand up for righteousness no matter what the cost?
Have we faced persecution or threat of death because of Christ? How would we react?
Our hearts flowing into actions determine the nature of our trials.
Thank God that Gideon shows us that, even in the midst of fears and anxieties, we can LEARN to fear and obey God so He is first in our lives. As we obey with alal of our hearts, even trembling, God will bless.
"We know that all things work together for good to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28). If we keep our hearts sensitive and obedient, even if while we are fearful and trembling, God will be glorified in us and we will be blessed.
Judges 6 (NKJV)
12
And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
13
Gideon said to Him, “O my lord,[Hebrew adoni, used of man]
if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us?
14
Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”
15
So he said to Him, “O my Lord, [Hebrew Adonai, used of God]
how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
16
And the LORD said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”
22
Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the LORD. So Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord GOD! For I have seen the Angel of the LORD face to face.”
23
Then the LORD said to him, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.”
24
So Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it The-LORD-Is-Peace.[Hebrew YHWH Shalom]
NOTE: I find it extremely fascinating and comforting that the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus keeps appearing in the pages of history to assure that God's covenant will be fulfilled.
In light of the rebuke the Israelites just received for fearing the surrounding culture and false gods more than the living Lord... I find this very encouraging indeed.
Note that in verses 13 and 15, the Lord uses Gideon to foreshadow the fullness of the God the Son later revealed in the NT:
verse 13 - fully man
verse 15 - fully God
Note that God wants to be for us YAHWEH SHALOM - God of peace. God can only reveal His peace to us as we surrender and obey.
Luke 22:70 -- Jesus is the I AM!
John 10 (NKJV)
30
I and My Father are one.”
31
Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32
Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?”
33
The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”
Psalm 95 (NKJV)
8
“Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, [Meribah]
As in the day of trial [Massah]
in the wilderness,
9
When your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw My work.
NOTE:
Note the original context of the rebellion to which the Lord is referring:
Exodus 17 (NKJV)
6
Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
7
So he called the name of the place
Massah [Literally Tempted] and Meribah, [Literally Contention]
because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”
NOTE: How often do we complain? I take strength from this, that I can learn to pray and go to God with everything no matter how overwhelming it may seem to me.
The Israelites were in the wilderness for two (2) reasons:
1.
God's sovereign will. They had to cross the desert to get to the Promised Land.
2.
God's discipline because of disobedience. After the refusal to obey in Numbers 14, God had to wait for the entire generation of parents had to die off before He could fulfill His promise.
Still, God in His mercy, is a covenant making and covenant keeping God. He did fulfill His word.
I read something in the Tehillim (Psalms with Jewish rabbinical notes) that really blessed and challenged me last night:
"God gave the Torah [i.e., God's Word] to Israel in order to instruct and chastise them."
May you and I make a point, even in weakness, to learn from God's Word the way He intended through surrender and faith.
God will rebuke sin in our lives. Whether it is easy or hard for us depends on whether we chose to surrender and obey, as we trust the Spirit.
Vance
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Judges 6
Often I pray about being in the will of God, and truthfully I still struggle with what His Will is for me.
Reading about Gideon, I kept thinking - Come on, man! Commands this explicit - just do it!
Then the "Spirit of the Lord" entered Gideon and I thought - all right this is it - go get 'em.
Yet there are still doubts and tests of God.
I would like to think I am different, but I wonder - if some daunting opportunity comes before me that I discern is in the Will of God - will I have the courage to step forward and serve. What if it is out of my comfort zone?
It is all so humbling, and right now I can only pray that God would give me the strength and courage to move down the path He has for me.
John
Thank you, Mike, for your daily messages. I love your humour and especially your questions. They make me think more deeply.
What is so amazing is that I believe sometimes God speaks through your posts. For example, this morning before I read your blog, I picked up my guitar to sing some worship songs first, but ended up writing some music to a song based on Proverbs 3:5,6 and Ps 37:23,24. And as I came to the end of your blog, your question about what new song would I sing to God seemed to be speaking directly to me!
Posted by: Kim | April 26, 2025 at 10:27 AM