Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
August 9, 2023
Judges 1:1-10
1 After Joshua’s death, the Israelites asked the LORD, “Who should go up first to fight for us against the Canaanites?” 2 The LORD said, “The tribe of Judah will go up. I’ve handed over the land to them.” 3 So the tribe of Judah said to the tribe of Simeon, their brothers, “Come up with us into our territory, and let’s fight against the Canaanites. Then we’ll go with you into your territory too.” So Simeon went with them. 4 When Judah went up, the LORD handed them the Canaanites and Perizzites. They defeated ten thousand men at Bezek. 5 There they found Adoni-bezek at Bezek, fought against him, and defeated the Canaanites and Perizzites. 6 Adoni-bezek fled, but they chased after him, captured him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes. 7 He said, “Seventy kings with severed thumbs and big toes used to pick up scraps under my table, so God has paid me back exactly for what I did.” They brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. 8 The people of Judah fought against Jerusalem and captured it. They killed its people with their swords and set the city on fire. 9 Afterward, the people of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who lived in the highlands, the southern plain, and the western foothills. 10 Judah moved against the Canaanites who lived in Hebron, known before as Kiriath-arba, and they defeated Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.
Good Morning; It is a beautiful morning!
Judges is a challenging book to read and find teachings for our lives. The Book of Judges follows the Book of Joshua, which ends with the death of Joshua. During Joshua’s reign, God entered into a new covenant with the Israelites as they entered the promised land.
The period of Judges is a time of much upheaval and discontent among God’s people. For each conquest, they are left wanting more. They become a people who foster earthly ideals rather than Godly ones. The Book of Judges describes the unfaithfulness of God’s people.
Even though the language and actions might seem barbaric or archaic, they are relevant today. Each day we are confronted with the choice of God’s way or our own way. As evident in our social media and news, we are living in a me-first world. How many of us and our neighbors put our own self-interests ahead of loving one another?
The book of Judges contains stories of the Israelites doing as they saw fit. They wanted earthly treasures, so they tried to live like those they conquered with the excesses that could lead to the worship of false gods like wealth, power, and pride. Despite all with which God had blessed them, they turned their backs on God and walked toward the evil one.
Our God is an awesome God who remains steadfast even when we turn away. The Book of Judges shows the Israelites as rebellious teenagers who need to test their own ideas. This cycle of rebellion and redemption repeats itself throughout the narrative of the Old Testament. Finally, God sends Jesus to teach us how to live righteous lives. Hallelujah! Amen!
Beware of the evil that still rules many today! This evil is disguised in many ways to entice us to follow that path. We must focus on the light of Christ so that we are not pulled into the darkness.
Loving God, We thank you! Just like the Israelites, we are pulled toward earthly treasures. Help us remain focused on the light of Christ! Thank you! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God is with us! Look to the light!
Remain Steadfast to God! Pastor Liz
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