March 24 Readings

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The Back to the Bible Beginning to End Reading Plan

Samson
Judges 16-18
King James Version with Web Encyclopedia Links: Judges 16; Judges 17; Judges 18;
Micah and the Danites

Judges 16
Samson slept with a prostitute, fell in love with Delilah. The Philistine leaders wanted to find out the secret behind Samson's strength, and offered Delilah money to find out the strength of Samson. After several false answers that Samson gave Delilah about the secret of his strength, he finally gave in and told her the secret of his strength which was the shaving of his hair with a razor. she betrayed him, they gouged out his eyes. Samson died by pulling down the pillars of the temple and killing many more when he died than when he was alive.

What do we learn from the life of Samson. God uses even the sinfulness of man to accomplish his purpose to bring glory to His name. The Holy Spirit was involved in the the life of Samson when he had exhibited these great strength in killing the Philistines. Samson was a slave to his lust, he chose the wrong women in his life and that was his downfall. Despite all of Samson's weaknesses and faults he was listed among the heroes of the faith (Hebrews 11.32). The important lesson to learn is God can use sinners who are willing to be used by Him.

Judges 17
The action of one family can influence a nation for good or bad. We have seen this with the Billy Graham's family. The action of that one family has brought glory to God's name and has brought many into God's Kingdom and has influenced the nation for good. There are may examples of bad families that has influenced the United States. But today, we are looking at the family of Micah. This family was devoted to idolatry. The man, Micah created idols, his mother encouraged him to make idols and out of her mouth came blessings and curse (James 3.9-10). She care more about money than her son! Micah had hired a Levite. This Levite should know better because all Levites were consecrated to God and he knew the Law. He was only wanted money, he definitely was not a servant of God.

Judges 18
The Levite compromised himself further by going to the Danites because they offered him more money. From this corruption in the one family spread to a clan then to a tribe and this affected the whole tribe of Dan. The Danites had sent our spies and discovered this Levite, hired him as their seer, and took his idols with them. Micah and his neighbors overtook the Danites, tried to recapture the Levite and the idols but failed. To make matters worse, the Danites attacked Laish In the process, where innocent people died, and burned down their city. They renamed the city Dan and made the city a center of worship for their idols. The irony was that they were living in 'a place that lacks nothing whatever' yet there was one thing they lacked and it was God's blessing on their lives.

What do we learn from the life of Micah. Sin is like yeast, a little of it makes the dough rises. The Levite, of all the people should know better. Sometimes we compromise ourselves instead of standing up for what is right. The Levite sold himself for money just as Judas Iscariot sold his soul for thirty pieces of silver.

Judges 16, with Commentaries, verse by verse
Judges 17, with Commentaries, verse by verse
Judges 18, with Commentaries, verse by verse

Division of the Land
Tribal Lands
Pett on Samson
Pett on Micah
Division of the Land
Tribal Lands


Other Links
OT Gateway Links on Judges
Introduction to Judges by Malik
Malik Argument of Judges
Israel's Dark Age by Deffinbaugh
Dr. Thomas Constable Study Notes is a PDF file, open with Adobe Acrobatic Reader
Zeisler on Judges, scroll down
Spurgeon on Judges
Biblebb.com Website
Ritchie on Judges - 9 sermons

Jesus Saves
This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.