365 Reflections

Things are getting worse for Israel in the book of Judges. We have these stories preserved for us so that we do not follow the ways they took. Consider: 1 Corinthians 10:6 (ESV) Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. The people of Israel once again serve the baals and ashtorehs of Canaan. These gods represented a plentiful harvest and fruitfulness in sex. It's amazing how we serve money and sex the same exact way thousands of years later just as they did!  When Israel feels the sting of the nations pressing in around them, they again cry out to God: Judges 10:10 (ESV) And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, saying, “We have sinned against you, because we have forsaken our God and have served the Baals.” What's interesting is how God perceives insincerity in their cry for help. Because He turns up the heat in His response. Before Gideon was called, a prophet was sent to remind the people of Israe...

In Genesis 49, Jacob shares his last blessing with his youngest son Benjamin. The son born to him at his wife's death at his old age. Here's what he says about Benjamin's tribe: Genesis 49:27 (ESV)   “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf, in the morning devouring the prey and at evening dividing the spoil.” The tribe of Benjamin's blessing is odd in comparison to the character trait Benjamin the boy possessed in the Genesis narrative. In fact, all we've seen of Benjamin is passivity throughout the entire drama that has played out between his maternal brother (Joseph) and paternal brothers (10) of jealousy and rage. Benjamin hasn't even said a word. But Jacob's blessing is going to play out in Benjamin's tribe in surprising accuracy. The tribe of Benjamin does become ravenous and wild. The accounts of the book of Judges reveal a hedonism and disregard for human life that would shock any society (see Judges 19). Benjamin would produce the arrogant and p...

Will a miracle make someone believe? The answer is no. A miracle does not make you believe. The obvious evidence is that after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, those who did not believe in Jesus saw it and doubled down on their efforts to kill him and now the resurrected Lazarus! Psalm 78 is proof positive of the stubborn heart of man when it comes to faith and miracles. The first 31 verses recount all the miracles God had done for Israel... rescuing them from slavery, feeding them in the wilderness, water from the rock... splitting the sea... amazing wonders. But no matter what God did, they kept rebelling and refusing to trust Him... Psalm 78:32 (ESV) In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe. So if miracles and wonders do not cause belief, what does?  Look at what it says two verses later! Psalm 78:34 (ESV) 34 When he killed them, they sought him; they repented and sought God earnestly. What? Whe...

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:15, 16 ESV) I often wonder why Paul considered himself the worst of sinners. I think it's because he knew the Bible inside and out and he still hurt people with it. He was a Jew of Jews and Hebrew of Hebrews and a Pharisee holding as strictly to the law as he could. And instead of using his knowledge of God's for good he used it as a weapon to hurt and persecuted and in prison other people. There is no greater crime than to misuse the Bible to hurt people. I think that's why Paul considers himself the worst of sinners. Paul had no problem boasting of who he was before Christ. He reminded people regularly of how bad he was. We...