10.01.09: Judges 11 - 21

We do an awful lot of waiting, don't we? There's waiting at the doctor's office, at traffic lights, DMV and at home. And then we wait for rides, for vacations and for the work day to end. Waiting can be frustrating. Judges contains a particularly poignant story about waiting. Jotham has to do it. Ask yourself whether you think he enjoys it, because his experience is much like everybody else's in some ways.
Abimelech was the opposite of what God wanted in a judge, but it was three years before God moved against him, fulfilling Jotham's parable (v.v Judges 9:22-24). Those three years must have seemed like forever to Jotham. And he must have wondered why Abimelech wasn't punished sooner for his evil ways.
We are not alone when we wonder why evil seems to prevail - many other have also wondered (Job 10:3; Job 21:1 - 18; Jeremiah 12:1; Habakkuk 1:2-4, 12-17.) God promises to deal with sin, but in his own time, not ours. Actually, it is good that God doesn't punish us immediately, because, we too, deserve God's punishment for our sins. When we demand that God punish evil now, we are demanding that he punish us, too, and he's more merciful that that. In his mercy, God often spares us from immediate punishment and allows us time to turn from our sins and turn to him in repentance.
Understand that trusting God for justice means waiting for His timing. First, you must recognize your own sins, turn from them, and ask God's forgiveness. you may face a difficult time of waiting for the wicked to be punished, but know that in God's time, all evil will be destroyed.

Perhaps there are things that stir in your heart. These may indicate areas where God wants to use you. God uses a variety of means to develop and prepare us; hereditary traits, environmental influences, and personal experiences. As with Samson, this preparation often begins long before adulthood. Work at being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading and the tasks God has prepared you for. Your past may be more useful to you than you imagine. 13:25

14:19. Samson impulsively used the special Gift God gave him for selfish purposes. Today, God distributes abilities and skills throughout the church (1 Corinthians 12:1). The apostle Paul states that these gifts are to be used "to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12). To use these abilities for selfish purposes is to rob the church and fellow believers of strength. As you use these gifts God has given you, be sure you are helping others, not just yourself.

Samson's reply in 15:11 tells the story of this chapter: "I only did to them what they did to me." Revenge is an uncontrollable monster. Each act of retaliation brings another. It is a boomerang that cannot be thrown without cost to the the thrower. The revenge cycle can be halted only by forgiveness.

Do you remember your first crush? At the time, you thought there was no one else quite like that special person. You daydreamed, you wished and you hoped.
Samson is experienced with crushes. Despite his many opportunities, he never quite learns. Or does he?
Samson was deceived because Delilah flatter him and indulged his sexual appetite (Judges 16:15-19) Although he could strangle a lion, he could not smother his burning lust and see Delilah for who she really was. How can you keep your desire for love and sexual pleasure from deceiving you? 1. You must decide what kind of person you will love before passion takes over. Determine whether a person's character and faith in God are as desirable as his or her physical appearance. 2. Because most of the time you spend with your spouse will not involve sex, your companion's personality, temperament, and commitment to solve problems must be as gratifying as his or her kisses. 3. Be patient. Time and observation often reveal what is beneath the pleasant appearance and attentive touch.

In spite of Samson's past, God still answered his prayer and destroyed the pagan temple and worshipers. God still loved him. He was willing to hear Samson's prayer of confession and repentance and use him this final time. One of the effects of sin in our lives is to keep us from feeling like praying. But perfect moral behavior is not a condition for prayer. Don't let guilt feelings of sin keep you from your only means of restoration. No matter how long you have been away from God, he is ready to hear from you and restore your to a right relationship. Every situation can be salvaged if you are willing to turn again to Him. If God could still work in Samson's situation, he can certainly make something worthwhile out of ours.

Through the entire incident 18:11-26 no one desired to worship God; instead they wanted to use God for selfish gain. Today some people go to church to feel better, be accepted, relieve guilt, and gain business contacts or friends. Beware of following God for selfish gain rather than selfless service.

19:1-25. What is the significance of this tragic story?
When the Israelites' faith in God disintegrated, their unity as a nation also disintegrated. They could have taken complete possession of the land if they had obeyed God and trusted Him to keep his promises. But when they forget Him, they lost their purpose and soon, "the people did whatever seemed right in their eyes" (21:25) When they stopped letting God lead them, they became no better that the evil people around them. When they made laws for their own benefit, they set standards far below God's. When you leave God out of your life, you may be shocked at what you are capable of doing (19:30)

19:24! The rape and abuse of a daughter and companion were preferable to the possibility of a conflict between a guest and a neighbor. The two men were selfish (they didn't want to get hurt themselves); they lacked courage (they didn't want to face a conflict even when lives were at stake); and they disobeyed God's law (they allowed deliberate abuse and murder). WHAT DRASTIC CONSEQUENCES CAN RESULT WHEN SOCIAL PROTOCOL CARRIES MORE AUTHORITY THAN MORAL CONVICTIONS!

If you have ridden in an airplane, you know how much depends on workers actions. Suppose the flight attendants decided to watch the movie instead of serve the meals? Or the copilot counteracted every move the captain made? Or the captain ignored the air traffic controllers?
Life in Israel at this time of the judges looks a lot like a trip on just such an airplane. They make idols, make war, and make points with cruel and violent visual aids (all against the rules). And WHY?
During the time of the judges, the people of Israel experienced trouble because everyone became his own authority and acted on his own opinions of right and wrong. This produced horrendous results. Our world is similar. Individuals, groups, and societies have made themselves the final authorities without reference to God. When people selfishly satisfy their personal desires at all costs, everyone pays the price.
It is the ultimate heroic act to submit all our plans, desires, and motives to God. Men like Gideon, Jephthan, and Samson are known for their heroism in battle. But their personal lives were far from heroic.
To be truly heroic, we must go into battle each day in our home, church, and society to make God's Kingdom a reality. Our weapons are the standards, morals, truths and convictions we receive from God's word. We will lose the battle if we gather the spoils of earthly treasures rather than seeking the treasures of heaven.