Judges 14:1-9
Samson tore the lion apart with his bare hands for the Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power so he can do it.
Samson ate honey from the lions carcass, it is against the rule of Nazirite.
The Philistines were the only ones among Israel's neighbours not to practise circumcision.
The editor's comment makes God responsible, since God is sovereign. But this does not make it right for Samson to break God's law and marry someone who worships other gods or to be disrespectful to his parents. God did not take away his freedom of choice.
Why?
God give us the freedom of choice, but it does not mean God agree what we choose. We have to take the responsibility of the choice.
How?
Gifts are coming from the Lord, give honor to the Lord.
Monday, December 7, 2015
Sunday, December 6, 2015
God's name is beyond understanding
Judges 13:15-25
Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding.
The angel of the Lord replied, “Even though you detain me, I will not eat any of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the Lord.”
Manoah's wife was more clear mind and understood the meaning of the Lord, so she did not afraid or worry too much.
The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him.
Why?
God's name is the Almighty God, his name is I am who I am, it is beyond understanding to man.
Angel of the Lord is angel so he can not take the honor of the Lord, his mission is to deliver the message of the Lord to people.
How?
God's name is beyond understanding.
Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding.
The angel of the Lord replied, “Even though you detain me, I will not eat any of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the Lord.”
Manoah's wife was more clear mind and understood the meaning of the Lord, so she did not afraid or worry too much.
The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him.
Why?
God's name is the Almighty God, his name is I am who I am, it is beyond understanding to man.
Angel of the Lord is angel so he can not take the honor of the Lord, his mission is to deliver the message of the Lord to people.
How?
God's name is beyond understanding.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
To be a Nazirite
Judges 13:1-14
The boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth.
The angel of the Lord appeared to her, wife of Manoah who was sterile(not able to produce children or young) and remained childless.
Angel said to her you will conceive and give birth to a son.
The champion against the enemy in the west is set apart for the task from the moment of his conception.
For Samson the Nazirite vow was lifelong.
Why?
God show up to the humble and helpless man and woman.
Wife of Manoah was sterile and remained childless, they are hoping have a son.
Nazirite is set apart to God, living in holy life, follow the command of the Lord. No wine, no razor on his head and no eat anything unclean.
How about us to set apart to God from the world.
How?
Christian is new Nazirite in this generation, be clean for God is holy.
The boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth.
The angel of the Lord appeared to her, wife of Manoah who was sterile(not able to produce children or young) and remained childless.
Angel said to her you will conceive and give birth to a son.
The champion against the enemy in the west is set apart for the task from the moment of his conception.
For Samson the Nazirite vow was lifelong.
Why?
God show up to the humble and helpless man and woman.
Wife of Manoah was sterile and remained childless, they are hoping have a son.
Nazirite is set apart to God, living in holy life, follow the command of the Lord. No wine, no razor on his head and no eat anything unclean.
How about us to set apart to God from the world.
How?
Christian is new Nazirite in this generation, be clean for God is holy.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Consequence of these touchy tribemen
Judges 12:1-15
Where Gideon used soft words to placate these touchy(易怒的) tribesmen, Jephthah takes up the sword. At the fords the men's dialect pronunciation of 'shibboleth' gives them away.
The Gileadites struck them down because the Ephraimites had said, “You Gileadites are renegades(叛徒) from Ephraim and Manasseh.
Forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed at that time.
42000: There is a question over the meaning of the Hebrew for 'thousand' which my account for the abnormally high figures we find in parts of the Old Testament.
Two of these judges are remarkable for their families, but there is little else to note. They serve as n interlude before the next big story.
Tribal disunity is thereby identified as an integral feature of this period's failure.
How?
Two consequence of these touchy tribesmen. Peace is the best one, only God has peace.
Where Gideon used soft words to placate these touchy(易怒的) tribesmen, Jephthah takes up the sword. At the fords the men's dialect pronunciation of 'shibboleth' gives them away.
The Gileadites struck them down because the Ephraimites had said, “You Gileadites are renegades(叛徒) from Ephraim and Manasseh.
Forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed at that time.
42000: There is a question over the meaning of the Hebrew for 'thousand' which my account for the abnormally high figures we find in parts of the Old Testament.
Two of these judges are remarkable for their families, but there is little else to note. They serve as n interlude before the next big story.
Tribal disunity is thereby identified as an integral feature of this period's failure.
How?
Two consequence of these touchy tribesmen. Peace is the best one, only God has peace.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Jephthah's vow
Judges 11:29-40
After the victory and its tragic aftermath.
Jephthah's vow is an indication of how little the Israelites understood God at this time. Human sacrifice might please the heathen(異教徒) gods, but never the God of Israel (Abraham had learnt this long before, and God's law forbade it, Deuteronomy 12:31).
Yet, though ignorant and mistaken, the vow was made in good faith: Jephthah would forfeit(喪失) ' whatever' (person or animal ) came out of the house first. And he kept his word, though it cost him his only child, and his daughter her life.
Why?
Since Jephthah comes onto the scene as an illegitimate (非法的) outcast(棄兒), he is not one to take home or family for granted. His heartbreak is genuine(真誠). And his daughter's response is astonishing: she will not have him break faith with God on her account.
But how can a moral God associate himself with actions like this - with people like Jephthah, Samson and the rest?
We certainly cannot discount the fact that the 'heros' of Judges are people of their age - an age which the bible plainly shows was one of religious decline, failing far short of the standards set out in God's law. God acts through men and women, by definition imperfect.
These people are not set up as models: their failures, weaknesses and immorality are simply recorded, not glorified, condoned(縱容) or glossed over(輕輕带过). Only their faith and courage are commended. God does not remove himself or turn a deaf ear to a cry for help, even in an age of seemingly hopeless decadence(衰落). He acts, despite the lack of 'suitable' people. And because he acts, a 'drk age' like that of the Judges may be followed by a time of real spiritual advance.
How?
Do not make a vow before the Lord, say the truth.
After the victory and its tragic aftermath.
Jephthah's vow is an indication of how little the Israelites understood God at this time. Human sacrifice might please the heathen(異教徒) gods, but never the God of Israel (Abraham had learnt this long before, and God's law forbade it, Deuteronomy 12:31).
Yet, though ignorant and mistaken, the vow was made in good faith: Jephthah would forfeit(喪失) ' whatever' (person or animal ) came out of the house first. And he kept his word, though it cost him his only child, and his daughter her life.
Why?
Since Jephthah comes onto the scene as an illegitimate (非法的) outcast(棄兒), he is not one to take home or family for granted. His heartbreak is genuine(真誠). And his daughter's response is astonishing: she will not have him break faith with God on her account.
But how can a moral God associate himself with actions like this - with people like Jephthah, Samson and the rest?
We certainly cannot discount the fact that the 'heros' of Judges are people of their age - an age which the bible plainly shows was one of religious decline, failing far short of the standards set out in God's law. God acts through men and women, by definition imperfect.
These people are not set up as models: their failures, weaknesses and immorality are simply recorded, not glorified, condoned(縱容) or glossed over(輕輕带过). Only their faith and courage are commended. God does not remove himself or turn a deaf ear to a cry for help, even in an age of seemingly hopeless decadence(衰落). He acts, despite the lack of 'suitable' people. And because he acts, a 'drk age' like that of the Judges may be followed by a time of real spiritual advance.
How?
Do not make a vow before the Lord, say the truth.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Walk with the Lord
Judges 11:1-28
Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior. His father was Gilead.
Jephthah answered, Suppose you take me back to fight the Ammonites and the Lord gives them to me—will I really be your head? The elders of Gilead replied, “The Lord is our witness; we will certainly do as you say.”
Now since the Lord, the God of Israel, has driven the Amorites out before his people Israel, what right have you to take it over?
I have not wronged you, but you are doing me wrong by waging war against me. Let the Lord, the Judge, decide the dispute this day between the Israelites and the Ammonites. The king of Ammon, however, paid no attention to the message Jephthah sent him.
Against Ammon, the new champion is the brigand-chief(強盜首領), Jephthah.
Maob in fact had the better claim to the land, as part of it had been theirs until Sihon dispossessed them.
Three hundred year: It was now the 3rd century since the events described (in fact about 160 years)
Why?
Jephthan was driven out from his brothers, so he was the brigand-chief. He is care about the way of the Lord, he confirmed called him back is they really wanted.
Jephthan is very understand the history of Israel when they went out from Egypt. He knows that is the Lord with Israelites.
Before the war Jephthan sent a message to king Ammonite is a wise decision, make clear why and how to face it.
How?
Past experience and poor is not important, but now how is the life goes with the Lord.
Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior. His father was Gilead.
Jephthah answered, Suppose you take me back to fight the Ammonites and the Lord gives them to me—will I really be your head? The elders of Gilead replied, “The Lord is our witness; we will certainly do as you say.”
Now since the Lord, the God of Israel, has driven the Amorites out before his people Israel, what right have you to take it over?
I have not wronged you, but you are doing me wrong by waging war against me. Let the Lord, the Judge, decide the dispute this day between the Israelites and the Ammonites. The king of Ammon, however, paid no attention to the message Jephthah sent him.
Against Ammon, the new champion is the brigand-chief(強盜首領), Jephthah.
Maob in fact had the better claim to the land, as part of it had been theirs until Sihon dispossessed them.
Three hundred year: It was now the 3rd century since the events described (in fact about 160 years)
Why?
Jephthan was driven out from his brothers, so he was the brigand-chief. He is care about the way of the Lord, he confirmed called him back is they really wanted.
Jephthan is very understand the history of Israel when they went out from Egypt. He knows that is the Lord with Israelites.
Before the war Jephthan sent a message to king Ammonite is a wise decision, make clear why and how to face it.
How?
Past experience and poor is not important, but now how is the life goes with the Lord.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
God is Love!
Judges 10:9-18
God replied to Israelites,"But you have forsaken me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!"
The Israelites said to the Lord, “We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.” Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord.
Why?
Once again Israelite cried to the Lord, but this time God did not listen to them, let them asked help from their gods. This is the angry of the Lord.
This time Israelites got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord, this is the action of their repent to sins.
How?
God is the Lord, full of grace and mercy, God loves everyone who repent his sins and turn to Him.
God replied to Israelites,"But you have forsaken me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!"
The Israelites said to the Lord, “We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.” Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord.
Why?
Once again Israelite cried to the Lord, but this time God did not listen to them, let them asked help from their gods. This is the angry of the Lord.
This time Israelites got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord, this is the action of their repent to sins.
How?
God is the Lord, full of grace and mercy, God loves everyone who repent his sins and turn to Him.
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