Encounter the Bible

  This week we will finish Judges and move into Ruth.  The pattern of judges getting progressively worse reaches its peak in Samson.  While in the end, he destroyed the Philistines, he was also enmeshed into their culture and religion.  The book of Judges ends on a down-note as Israel is involved in deep sin and even fights against itself.  What will God do? The book of Ruth is like an appendix to Judges as it takes place during the time of the Judges.  As Judges ends on a down-note, the book of Ruth gives us hope.  The God who promised to be faithful will, in fact, be faithful.  And he does it in surprising ways, inviting Ruth, a Moabite woman, into the line of Christ.  If Judges gets you down, Ruth will lift your spirits! As you read, keep in mind our reading questions.  Use these as general questions to keep in mind as you read to help formulate your reflections, observations, and questions. Our guiding questions are these: What stood...

Israel has entered a new phase in its history.  No longer is it conquering land under a military leader.  Now they are settled in the land under the leadership of judges.  These judges aren't like judges today.  They would often sit in the city gate and settle disputes or help people work out their differences.  They also served as military leaders and were looked upon to rescue the people from their enemies. The book of Judges begins by telling you what's going to happen.  Israel did not follow God's command to wipe out all the people in the land, so they are going to have to constantly defend themselves against their enemies.  God uses these enemies to publish the Israelites for their repeated sins, most of which can be summarized as idolatry. As you read, notice two patterns.  The first is the pattern that happens with each judge: SIN-SERVITUDE-SUPPLICATION-SALVATION.  In other words, the people fall into sin, they are overtaken by their e...

The second half of our two-week journey through Joshua leads us through a list of defeated kings, the division of the land, the establishment of cities of refuge, and a covenant renewal. The covenant renewal at the end of Joshua serves as the climax of the story.  For a very long time, God has been promising his people that they will live in the land he will give them.  Finally, they are in the land and settled.  The covenant renewal reminds them that God is always faithful to his promises, even when his people are not. Joshua challenges the people to give up the gods they have been worshiping and to give their full allegiance to God.  While they promise to do that, we know it's a promise they can't keep.  How much more we see God's steadfast love in both his covenant-making and covenant-keeping.  Imagine for a moment what would have happened if God didn't keep his covenant.  There would be no Jesus, no cross, no salvation. As you read, keep in mind ou...

God's people are ready to enter the Promised Land!  They have endured 40 years in the wilderness; they have heard Moses' sermon, reminding them of God's love and faithfulness and calling them to be a "set apart" people in this new land flowing with milk and honey. Joshua has taken over from Moses as the leader and is immediately challenged by God to be strong and courageous (in the Lord's strength, of course).  But just as Moses faced the challenge of a water barrier early on, so did Joshua as the people get to the Jordan at flood stage.  What will God do?  God continues to work miraculously in the lives of his people as he fulfills his promise to them.  But then there's the matter of sin, as Achan and his family have disobeyed God.  What will the people learn about the effects of sin on the community? Enjoy the 2-week journey through Joshua! As you read, keep in mind our reading questions.  Use these as general questions to keep in mind as you read to...