Today’s reading: Ruth 1:1–2:23, 1 Tim 1:1–11, Ps 73:1–10

Today’s theme: Our Kingsman Redeemer

We learn many lessons from the life of Ruth today. Lessons such as being loyal, working hard and remaining humble. In Boaz we see a picture of Jesus, our own Kingsman (close relative) Redeemer through the incarnation. We also learn that it matters what we believe with a pure heart before God.

Ruth 1:1–2:23

Covenantal loyalty

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” Ruth 1:16–17 (ESV)

We can all learn so much from Ruth’s devotion, commitment and selfless faithfulness. Ruth is determined to stay with Naomi and will not abandon her, in doing so she goes as far as to change her nationality and faith for which God will greatly reward her.

Jesus calls us to show this sort of resolve and covenantal loyalty in following Him. Our spiritual nationality also changes as we become God’s people. We must be resolute, we must not turn back and we must continue to press forward. If we settle our hearts on single-minded commitment to the Lord and perseverance, we will be rewarded. See Mark 8:34 and Luke 9:62.

This attitude should also affect other areas of our lives, areas such as our marriages etc.

Honest and hard work

She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers.’ So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest.” Ruth 2:7 (ESV)

Ruth shows us another great example, she is a hard worker. We are called to honest, hard, relentless work in the New Testament both spiritually and physically.

Paul echoes this call in his own account in 1 Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”

Be humble, grateful and gracious

Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” Ruth 2:10 (ESV)

Ruth knew where she was coming from and that she did not deserve and was not entitled to the grace Boaz has showed her.

Ruth shows us the kind of humble, grateful and gracious attitude we should have. We too were once in darkness and were not part of God’s people but by God’s unmerited love He elected and saved us by His grace.

We should remember where we are coming from, how God saved us and not become proud. We should be grateful.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:12-13 “remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Our Kingsman Redeemer

And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.” Ruth 2:20 (ESV)

Jesus like Boaz became our kingsman redeemer. He became a relative of ours by becoming human to redeem us from the curse of sin and death. Here are just two verses that point to this as we praise His name for His grace to us:

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:17 ESV)

who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:6, 7 ESV)

1 Timothy 1:1–11

It matters what we believe

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 1 Timothy 1:3–4 (ESV)

Teaching and theology matter. It matters what we believe. We can not be certain what the bad teaching was but it was likely some form of Gnosticism.

Each of us is called to know the truth, hold to the truth in faith and defend the truth. We should not give way to relativism, naturalism or any other ism that contradicts or opposes the truth of God’s word and message.

Psalm 73:1–10

Have a pure heart

Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. Psalm 73:1 (ESV)

We must have the vital combination of pure teaching and pure hearts. One is not valid without the other.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Timothy 1

Today’s reading: Judg 20:1–21:25, Phil 4:21–23, Ps 72:1–20

Today’s theme: Relativism leads to depravity

Today we read the very dark and sad ending to the book of Judges where sin, deception and moral relativism open the flood gates to death, rape and destruction. We should thank God for the grace He has extended to us and by it seek that the earth is filled with His glory rather than the depravity and darkness wrought by man’s own brand of righteousness (moral relativism).

Judges 20:1–21:25

Our responsibility to investigate

And the Levite, the husband of the woman who was murdered, answered and said, “I came to Gibeah that belongs to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night. And the leaders of Gibeah rose against me and surrounded the house against me by night. They meant to kill me, and they violated my concubine, and she is dead. Judges 20:4–5 (ESV)

This wicked, self centred and callous Levite now lies, bringing a false witness before all Israel. He incites them to a frenzied state with a bloodlust to avenge the claimed wrong.

The Levite does not tell the full story of how he came to Gibeah. He claims the leaders wanted to kill him and then “took” his concubine to rape and kill her when in fact he had given her to the lowlife mob (not leaders) to save his own neck. The awful truth is that these men wanted to rape the Levite.

The people of Israel have forgotten the wisdom and spirit of the law which instructs us that it is in the mouth of two or three witnesses that every word should be established (Deuteronomy 19:15). Jesus reminds us of this when speaking of church discipline in Matthew 18:16.

We must not leave ourselves open to manipulation by men with their own agenda or bias. We must not neglect our responsibility to investigate the truth. See 2 Corinthians 13:1.

Respond to sin biblically

and we will take ten men of a hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred of a thousand, and a thousand of ten thousand, to bring provisions for the people, that when they come they may repay Gibeah of Benjamin, for all the outrage that they have committed in Israel.” Judges 20:10 (ESV)

The children of Israel have an unbalanced response to this sin. It is hypocritical because they did nothing against Micah and the tribe of Dan for their evil actions which were grievous sins before God.

We have a tendency to treat some sins as far more serious than others and so react differently based on our own value system rather than God’s. We often react most aggressively to sins perpetrated on innocent human victims yet we treat crimes aimed directly at God as less important by our response. Heresy and bad doctrine is actually a terrible sin but we do not respond to it in the same way we do to sexual sins for example.

We need to ask for God’s help to respond to sin in a consistent way. We must apply the same weighting on sins that the world may see as non issues, sins such as blasphemy.

A new testament example of this is the woman caught in the act of adultery. The lopsided view of this sin is dealt with by Jesus in John 8:3-11.

Don’t take God’s name in vain

The people of Israel arose and went up to Bethel and inquired of God, “Who shall go up first for us to fight against the people of Benjamin?” And the LORD said, “Judah shall go up first.” Judges 20:18 (ESV)

God’s name is used to legitimise what they have already decided to do. God sometimes answers in order to bring discipline and judgement. God shows His disapproval of the children of Israel’s methods for dealing with this outrage by allowing them to be defeated in the first two battles.

God cannot be manipulated to validate our human schemes. We must not take His name in vain, invoking the Lord’s name when we are living in hypocrisy can lead to our own undoing.

In the end the tribe of Benjamin who did not give up the men who committed the crime do receive their judgement as well.

A rash vow

Yet we cannot give them wives from our daughters.” For the people of Israel had sworn, “Cursed be he who gives a wife to Benjamin.” Judges 21:18 (ESV)

God made provision for a rash vow in Leviticus 5:4-6 so this rash oath was not the final word. If the Israelites had confessed their sin and sacrificed a sin offering, there would have been atonement made for the rash vow.

There was no need for them to consider their oath as unbreakable and resort to such extreme measures as to pronounce the herem (devotion to destruction) of some of their own people. They did this in order to violently take the virgins and in a wicked and underhanded way offer them as a sacrifice to the tribe of Benjamin.

They end up being guilty of the same crime as the wicked men of Gibeah by murdering all the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead except the virgins and the later sanctioned rape of the daughters of Shiloh.

Jesus warns us against the horrible trap of making rash vows in Matthew 5:33-37. We should speak simply and honestly knowing that the Lord forgives our foolish words if we humble ourselves and repent.

Ridiculous, parasitical legalism

and watch. If the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in the dances, then come out of the vineyards and snatch each man his wife from the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin. Judges 21:21 (ESV)

Judges does not end in a positive way. We see the tragic narrative of ridiculous, parasitical legalism which sees the law interpreted in such an absurd way that the response to the rape and murder of one woman culminates in the rape of 400 virgins from Jabesh Gilead and 200 women dancers at a festival that was meant to be dedicated to the Lord.

Jesus taught us that we should avoid this sort of foolish and prideful interpretation of the law. Instead we should interpret and live the law in the spirit of the law not in the deadness of the actual words on the page. See Matthew 5:27-28 and 2 Corinthians 3:6.

Relativism leads to depravity

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25 (ESV)

This is a terrible ending to this book, relativism has prevailed. As God’s people, we can be our own worst enemy, the world around us with its temptations only amplifies the sin that is in our own souls. We need to submit to Jesus as our king and live according to his word or we will fall into the same moral darkness.

Philippians 4:21–23

Grace be with you

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Philippians 4:23 (ESV)

Thank God for His grace. We should desire for God’s grace to be with all our bothers and sisters in the Lord today.

Psalm 72:1–20

Filled with God’s glory

Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen! Psalm 72:19 (ESV)

This is our great goal, the mission of the church. Let’s strive to see the whole earth filled with the Lord’s glory through His saints.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Philippians 4

Today’s reading: Judg 18:1–19:30, Phil 4:10–20, Ps 71:1–24

Today’s theme: We have a King

We see the utter darkness unleashed by the moral relativism that took hold in the days of the Judges. The people had no king and did not submit to God as their ultimate and true King. Thankfully we have a King and are a part of His kingdom, living under the order and blessing His kingdom rule so graciously provides. With contentment submit to the love and wisdom of God as King.

Judges 18:1–19:30

We have a King

In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of the people of Dan was seeking for itself an inheritance to dwell in, for until then no inheritance among the tribes of Israel had fallen to them. Judges 18:1 (ESV)

God is silent and is not truly consulted or considered in either of today’s chapters from Judges. This points to the moral degradation of the people who have no central authority in a king which is a picture of the relativistic spiritual darkness the people had fallen into.

JRR Tolkien points to the spiritual darkness that will engulf any people when there is no leadership in his allegorical tale “The Hobbit”. In this book, the various kingdoms have no king which gave a foothold to the enemy.

In the West we are so used to democratic life that we assume it is correct when in fact it is not what God intended. Heaven’s government is not a democracy it is a Kingdom with God as the king. The right type of society before God is a godly kingdom not a “liberal” democracy or tyrannical dictatorship.

Jesus is our king. We have a king and ruler, He has laws which we gladly follow and a kingdom we are gratefully a part of. This keeps us from the darkness of moral relativism. See 1 Timothy 1:17.

God has already spoken

And they said to him, “Inquire of God, please, that we may know whether the journey on which we are setting out will succeed.” And the priest said to them, “Go in peace. The journey on which you go is under the eye of the LORD.” Judges 18:5–6 (ESV)

Although God’s title is mentioned, God Himself is not a part of this. What the tribe of Dan is doing is wicked. God had already spoken, He had already allotted land to Dan but their cowardice and faithless hearts had caused them to lose their inheritance. Now they seek to take land that God has not allotted to them.

The priest is in a place of great apostasy and is not actually hearing from God at all. He has sold himself to work as a priest over the idols of Micah.

God has revealed His will to us in His word and from that revealed will, leads us in its application through the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Turn to the word of God to seek Gods will, He has already spoken. For example do not ask Gods will regarding living with a girlfriend/boyfriend or committing adultery, fornication, abortion, lying, forgiving someone or marrying an unbeliever. On all these things God has already spoken. See 2 Timothy 3:16.

Immorality leads to deception

And the priest’s heart was glad. He took the ephod and the household gods and the carved image and went along with the people. Judges 18:20 (ESV)

Moral bankruptcy leads to deception and darkness. The allurement of sin is that one leads to another and false confidence comes through apparent success. This apostate priest is glad to hear that he can be a priest to an entire tribe and so joins the tribe of Dan and is complicit in their theft and deception.

This apostate Levite was governed by a love for money and positions before men. See John 12:43.

Success!

And the people of Dan set up the carved image for themselves, and Jonathan the son of Gershom, son of Moses, and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land. Judges 18:30 (ESV)

The wandering Levite was “successful” in becoming the priest of the cult the tribe of Dan had stolen from Micah and the tribe of Dan were “successful” in conquering the unsuspecting people of Laish.

Success as the world views it is not a sign of God blessing the things we have done or that we have done things in the right way. True success will be measured on the day of Judgement so we should seek to be successful in God’s eyes according to His word and not in the eyes of man.

We must guard against measuring ourselves as God’s people and as a church community based on human standards of success. Instead we should examine ourselves in the light of scripture. See Matthew 7:16-20.

There was no king

In those days, when there was no king in Israel, a certain Levite was sojourning in the remote parts of the hill country of Ephraim, who took to himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. Judges 19:1 (ESV)

The fact that the Levite had a concubine (a woman who he would have sex with and who might bare him children but did not have the status of a wife) is cause for alarm. There is no king and all do what seems right in their own eyes. Relativistic philosophy always gives way to absurdity and wickedness.

Be hospitable

and they turned aside there, to go in and spend the night at Gibeah. And he went in and sat down in the open square of the city, for no one took them into his house to spend the night. Judges 19:15 (ESV)

The lack of hospitality in Gibeah points to the moral decay that had taken hold of Israel. We are called to be hospitable, it is our Christian duty and should be done with joy. See Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:2 and 1 Peter 4:9.

Help the helpless

But the men would not listen to him. So the man seized his concubine and made her go out to them. And they knew her and abused her all night until the morning. And as the dawn began to break, they let her go. Judges 19:25 (ESV)

These worthless men were homosexual, violent rapists. The host tries to reason with them using his own flawed morals saying it would be wrong to rape the man so rape his own daughter instead and even offers the Levite’s concubine. But these men are so driven by their homosexual lust that they refuse the old man’s offer, they want to rape the Levite.

The Levite is himself so morally warped that he sends the poor concubine out to be raped and violently assaulted all night to save his own skin. What a miserable, callous excuse for a man. This concubine is not named in scripture and serves as an “everyman” image for all who are weak and abused by those in power.

Homosexuality is a sin. Rape is a sin. Abuse is a sin. This was a great and terrible sin, no doubt the concubine cried out in distress and pain but no one in the city came to her aid, thus the entire city is complicit in her rape abuse and murder.

We are called to help the helpless and seek justice. See James 1:27

Philippians 4:10–20

Be content

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (ESV)

We must learn like Paul to be content in all circumstances, this is the secret to fulfilling God’s calling on our lives. When we say we can do all things, the “all things” are constrained by the context of the previous verse, we are saying outside circumstances will not dictate to us that Gods assignment for us can or can not be fulfilled. Our faith is in God and our reliance is on Him. If He has something for us to do He will supply the resources to get the mission accomplished.

We must avoid the worldly mentality that dictates that circumstances must be right before we do what God wants, No, we must trust in God and be content… not complacent but content trusting God for the strength and energy to work.

Psalm 71:1–24

Jesus our Rock

Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Psalm 71:3 (ESV)

Jesus is our rock, our refuge and saviour Matthew 16:18.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on Philippians 4

Today’s reading: Judg 15:1–17:13, Phil 4:2–9, Ps 69:18–70:5

Today’s theme: The folly of Relativism

God’s truth is not up for a vote, it is absolute and complete by its very nature. Today we learn that Relativism is not a sustainable position and that instead, we are called to live by God’s standards in our conduct and relationships.

Judges 15:1–17:13

God’s plan for sex

Samson went to Gaza, and there he saw a prostitute, and he went in to her. Judges 16:1 (ESV)

Blatant sexual sin was a major problem in Samson’s life, his lust drove him to seek to marry a Pagan woman and now to take advantage of a prostitute.

Lust and selfishness in men’s hearts causes the abuse and exploitation of women. God’s word calls men to love and cherish women, showing them the respect they deserve, as both men and women are created in the image of God.

Sexual activity is sacred, God created it to be enjoyed in the covenant of marriage, between one man and one woman, for life. Anything that deviates from this is perverse, demeaning and exploitative.

Jesus taught us that acts of sexual sin find their roots in our thoughts and motives, in Matthew 5:28. We must flee lust. We must be pure in our thoughts and actions and honour our bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit, and respect other people.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the renewing of the mind through God’s word, it is possible to overcome this sin. See Romans 12:1-2 and 2 Timothy 2:22

Don’t be self seeking

After this he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Seduce him, and see where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to humble him. And we will each give you 1,100 pieces of silver.” Judges 16:4–5 (ESV)

Delilah was willing to sell Samson out for money, she was self seeking and selfish. Like Samson, this self serving mentality will attract others to our lives with the same attitude as us, the inevitable result is that the self serving mentality of each person in these relationships, causes pain and destruction. A life driven by self serving is destined for self-destruction.

We must avoid the love of money and serving ourselves, instead we should serve others. See 1 Timothy 6:10

Don’t be manipulated

And when she pressed him hard with her words day after day, and urged him, his soul was vexed to death. Judges 16:16 (ESV)

We must not be manipulative or allow ourselves to be manipulated, Jesus said that we should not allow ourselves to be deceived, in Matthew 24:4 and Mark 13:5. Paul also warns us against being deceived, in Ephesians 5:6 and John in 1 John 3:7

The folly of Relativism

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 17:6 (ESV)

Relativism is the doctrine that knowledge, truth, and morality exist in relation to culture, society, historical or personal context and is not absolute. This was the dominating way of thinking in Israel at this time.

It is with this type of thinking that a society reaches its lowest. All truth and law comes up for redefinition and reinterpretation, to meet the felt needs of individuals and groups who have self-centred interests.

This is popular today too. People choose to be relativist because they want to be in charge and do not want to submit. People will say “I have my truth and you have yours”. Relativism nullifies itself by its own affirmation. It says that all views and truth(s) are relative and no truth is absolute… the problem is, that itself is an absolute statement!

We must guard against relativistic thinking and arguments in the church. Instead we should submit to the truth of God’s word and the faithful leadership of our appointed Shepherds. See John 8:32

Relationship with God is not optional

Then Micah said, “Now I know that the LORD will prosper me, because I have a Levite as priest.” Judges 17:13 (ESV)

The prosperity gospel teaches that those who have no relationship with God but follow some religious principle, will be prosperous because they fulfil the principle. This is not true. Without relationship with God, in context to the truth of His word, we cannot demand anything from God. God is not an impersonal law or force, He is a very real being, three true persons with whom we must have a relationship, to be saved.

Jesus said we can ask the Father for whatever we want in His name, but this was said to disciples, those transformed by and committed to Jesus. See John 15:16

Religion without Jesus is deception.

Philippians 4:2–9

The guard of peace

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (ESV)

We should live realising that the Lord is with us, to watch over us and to help us when we cry out to Him. The peace of God guarding our hearts and minds is shared as a consequence or reward for God’s people, when they cry out to Him.

Psalm 69:18–70:5

Prophecy in the Psalms

They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink. Psalm 69:21 (ESV)

A prophecy pointing forward to Jesus suffering for us on the cross. See Matthew 27:48 and John 19:29

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Philippians 4

Today’s reading: Judg 13:1–14:20, Phil 3:12–4:1, Ps 69:1–17

Today’s theme:  Live in honour of your calling

Today we learn lessons from the life of Samson, he dishonoured his calling and the word of God. Instead, we should join Paul and all saints straining and pressing forward together to get the prize for which we have been called.

Judges 13:1–14:20

Be sensitive to God’s word

And Manoah said, “Now when your words come true, what is to be the child’s manner of life, and what is his mission?” And the angel of the LORD said to Manoah, “Of all that I said to the woman let her be careful. Judges 13:12–13 (ESV)

The fact that Manoah and his wife have to be reminded that no unclean thing should be eaten, is an indicator of where Israel is as a people at this time. They have forgotten the law of God and seem apathetic towards God and their oppression, there is also no record at this point that the people repented or cried out to God.

Manoah here also seeks personal verification from God, not trusting the word already spoken, the truth already revealed. God just repeats what has already been said and denies Manaoah his desire for the secret knowledge of knowing a special name for God. Manoah is called to simply trust God’s word.

We must guard against this type of apathy in our lives also. Are we sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit? Do we demand additional personal verifications from God because we do not trust in His word? Are we in compromise with the world, which dulls our spiritual senses? We must not allow ourselves to become desensitised to God or His word. See Matthew 22:1–14

The Trinity in the OT

And Manoah said to his wife, “We shall surely die, for we have seen God.” Judges 13:22 (ESV)

This is the second Theophanie (old testament appearance of Jesus Christ), concerning the birth of Samson.

This is further Old testament proof of the Trinity. Some say that the trinity is a new testament or even just a church concept, but this is not true. We see God the father (Yahweh), the Angel of the Lord who receives worship as God (the pre incarnated Christ, The Word) and the Spirit of God (The Holy Spirit), in the old testament testifying to God’ s nature as a triune being, one God in three distinct persons.

The old testament Theophanie records serve as a great tool to help those who do not believe in the trinity and the divinity of Jesus, especially our unsaved Jewish friends. See Acts 18:28

God WILL accomplish His purposes

His father and mother did not know that it was from the LORD, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel. Judges 14:4 (ESV)

God remained in sovereign control even through the self seeking desires of the lust driven Samson.

God is gracious, He has given Samson special gifts and set him apart, He has a purpose for his life, to begin to deliver the Children of Israel. Samson begins to squander this special calling from God, by following his own desires and disrespecting the authority of his parents.

Even if Samson will not live for God, God determines to use his sinful lifestyle to accomplish His purposes, in His grace. God has given us gifts, abilities, and a calling, He has a purpose for our lives as believers also. We should desire to be used positivity by God and not have the testimony that God used our sinfulness to accomplish His purposes.

Let us avoid a lethargic and selfish attitude toward God and His purposes, let us honour Him in all we do, as we fulfil our calling. See Ephesians 4:1

Samson’s Law

He scraped it out into his hands and went on, eating as he went. And he came to his father and mother and gave some to them, and they ate. But he did not tell them that he had scraped the honey from the carcass of the lion. Judges 14:9 (ESV)

Samson was breaking both the Nazzarite vow and the Law of Moses, by eating from this dead carcass. He defiles his parents by letting them eat of it too. This highlights Samson’s main problem; a disregard for the word of God, disobedience, doing what seems right in his own eyes and being driven by lust and revenge.

In today’s society we are persuaded to live by “Samson’s Law”. We are encouraged to do whatever we feel like doing, get whatever we want and to live for our own desires. As Christians we are called to humble service and self sacrifice, we should not live after the dictates of our own lusts and desires, but live as witnesses and servants of God. See James 4:1-3

Philippians 3:12–4:1

Pressing forward together

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, Philippians 3:12–13 (ESV)

We are not called to apathy or lethargy, we are called to constant straining and pressing forward, we are called not just to run but to run for the prize, running with the reward in mind.

Paul tells us that as we press on in this upward call, we will need each other, we will need to keep our eyes on those who are living in honour of their calling and follow their example. So the image is not of one man straining forward on his own, but an entire community of believers pressing forward together.

The Christian life takes conscious effort and perseverance. We are called to persevere knowing that one day our bodies will be transformed at the glorious resurrection. This is the great prize; to have Christ forever in fellowship in our resurrected eternal bodies.

Psalm 69:1–17

Live in honour of your calling

Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel. Psalm 69:6 (ESV)

As we read today’s passage regarding Samson, we must not live our lives in a way that dishonors God and brings shame to His people. We should live in honour and in light of our calling.

Zeal for God

For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. Psalm 69:9 (ESV)

This prophetically points forward to Jesus but we should also have zeal for God too.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Philippians 3

Today’s reading: Judg 11:1–12:15, Phil 3:1–11, Ps 68:15–35

Today’s theme: God cannot be manipulated

We learn many lessons from the troubled life of Jephthah, the most important lessons is that no man or process can manipulate God because God is not a machine, force, law or man, He is God and cannot be manipulated by anyone. Instead we must seek to do His will and enjoy His grace.

Judges 11:1–12:15

Hurt people, hurting people

Then Jephthah fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob, and worthless fellows collected around Jephthah and went out with him. Judges 11:3 (ESV)

Jephthah came from a very dysfunctional background, his mother was a prostitute, he was rejected and disinherited by his family and then he became the leader of a gang.

He became someone who was hurt, angry, bitter, ambition driven, manipulative, ignorant of God’s Law, abusive of his daughter, lacking boundaries, contentious, reactionary, revengeful, and doing what seemed right in his own eyes, for his own gain.

God wants to help hurting people so that they stop hurting people. Only a knowledge of God’s Word can break the bonds of sin and oppression, and the cycle of hurt people hurting people.

Note the great contrast with the Lord Jesus, He too was despised and rejected. Even those in His only family thought He was mad. He had to contend with prideful Pharisees. He was betrayed, abandoned and crucified with common criminals. The Lord Jesus serves as a model for overcoming dysfunctionality. Luke 4:18

Seek God’s guidance

And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “That is why we have turned to you now, that you may go with us and fight against the Ammonites and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.” Judges 11:8 (ESV)

The elders of Gilead did not seek the Lord in making Jephthah their leader, they were reacting to the situation with the Ammonites. They later pay God some lip service but they were driven by selfish motives and ambitions just like Jephthah, as we will see later.

The lesson for us here is that we need to seek God for His guidance, especially in the time of trouble. Thank God for the Spirit of Truth who guides and leads us into all truth. John 16:13

Think right about God

Will you not possess what Chemosh your god gives you to possess? And all that the LORD our God has dispossessed before us, we will possess. Judges 11:24 (ESV)

Theological accuracy is important. What we think about God is important. Wrong thinking about God can lead to much larger problems and is itself the root of heresy. Job’s friends are examples of those who argued like Jephthah, with great articulation, logic, and emotion, they were sincere, but in the end they were wrong about God.

Jephthah reveals his bad thinking about God by comparing God to the false god, as if they were equals or opposing forces. This is played out tragically in the next scene where Jephthah commits human sacrifice, something Yahweh never demands. Jephtah is mixing up the true God with the ways of the false gods.

In today’s world, theology matters. The worth of theological soundness has been depreciated in the church over the years, but we must hold firmly to the core truth and creeds of our faith and seek to know the truth of God’s word so that we might know God. See Jude 3

God cannot be manipulated

And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD and said, “If you will give the Ammonites into my hand, Judges 11:30 (ESV)

Jephthah is so arrogant that he attempts to manipulate God into giving him the victory, to fulfill his own selfish ambition of ruling over his brothers.

True faith in God understands that God is in sovereign control and rash vows portray a lack of faith in God and instead show a desire to control and manipulate God.

Our faith should on one hand, seize the initiative to act in reliance on God and on the other, be willing to wait on the Lord. However when we try to manipulate God (who will not allow himself to be manipulated by anyone because He is God), we and those around us will suffer for our single-minded, selfish ambition.

Jephthah so desperately wanted to rule over his clan that he fulfilled the horrific and unnecessary vow, showing how callous he really was to anyone or anything standing in the way of his goals.

Our lessons here are; to avoid selfish ambitions, have faith in God and do not attempt to manipulate God as though He were a machine for your convenience.

I deserve it, not

The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire.” Judges 12:1 (ESV)

The “I deserve it” mentality is everywhere in the west and we must guard against it. We see this in the people of Ephraim, so blinded by their felt needs and demands that they seek to go to war with their own people over it. Jephthah is no better than them, in fact he  sacrificed his own daughter because of a manipulative vow that also has its roots in the “I deserve it” mentality.

Jephthah shows his callous, self-orientated mentality again, by entering into civil war and killing his own countrymen rather than seeking reconciliation.

The lesson here is that we must avoid the “I deserve it” mentality and follow the example of the Lord Jesus, who showed us that we should pray that God’s will be done, not our own.

We will experience frustrations in our relationship with God until we realise that God is not obligated by our actions to do anything on our behalf. Whatever God does is on the basis of His grace, because we do not deserve it. James 3:14–18

Philippians 3:1–11

Knowing Jesus is everything

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 (ESV)

The one thing worth more than anything in the world is knowing Jesus. We should mediate on that today – what is our greatest treasure, our soul’s greatest desire? it should be this.

Psalm 68:15–35

Trust God for salvation

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death. Psalm 68:19–20 (ESV)

We can trust God for salvation, we do not need to manipulate Him, He desires to save us.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on Philippians 3

Today’s reading: Judg 9:22–10:18, Phil 2:19–30, Ps 68:1–14

Today’s theme: God is Sovereign

Today we see that despite the schemes of man, God remains sovereign to the full extent of the word. In light of His full control over our lives and situations, we can boldly seek to humbly serve others like Epaphroditus, knowing that God will grant us ultimate victory in the battle.

Judges 9:22–10:18

God is Sovereign

Thus God returned the evil of Abimelech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers. And God also made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal. Judges 9:56–57 (ESV)

The account of Gideon and his children ends with a clear lesson, God is Sovereign. God was in control brining to pass the prophecy of Jotham. It was not random chance or the scheming wills of man, it was God exercising His kingship over the people by directing events to His purpose.

Here are some useful things to consider as we think about God’s sovereignty:

The English term sovereignty points to a person or political entity exercising supreme power over the whole area of their jurisdiction, enjoying full autonomy with no rivals. When applied to God, we see His complete power over all creation so that He exercises His will absolutely, without any necessary conditioning by men.

The main metaphor used in the bible to speak of God’s sovereignty is that of “ruler (king) and subject.” The doxologies (praises to God) and prophetic exclamations show this best, examples include: 1 Timothy 1:17, Daniel 4:25, Jeremiah 10:10 and Romans 9:19–21*

*Silva, M., & Tenney, M. C. (2009). In The Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible, Q-Z (Revised, Full-Color Edition., Vol. 5). Grand Rapids, MI: The Zondervan Corporation.

Philippians 2:19–30

The example of Epaphroditus

So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. Philippians 2:29–30 (ESV)

Timothy and Epaphroditus are given as clear examples of the humble, service-centred lives that God is calling us to work out as believers, and this has been Paul’s point for this entire chapter. We do not hear much more about Epaphroditus but we can see elements in his service that we should seek to emulate.

One of these things was the willingness to risk his own life, he laid his life on the line for the sake of the Gospel. Usually risk is thought of as a bad thing, but as Christians we are called to live lives that are fully devoted to God and His kingdom. This means we need to be willing to take risks and risk our own comfort and the approval of society, as we serve God’s purpose in humility, using the energy God has given us to work to His glory.

We must avoid the trap of living safe lives as Christians, we are called to risk it all for the glory of God, knowing that the risk is from our own perspective, as God’s promises are sure. This is a call to exercise our faith as we serve God.

Psalm 68:1–14

Victorious in battle

God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him! Psalm 68:1 (ESV)

God the sovereign King is victorious in battle, we can use this verse when we pray.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Philippians 2

Today’s reading: Judg 8:1–9:21, Phil 2:12–18, Ps 67:1–7

Today’s theme: Working it out

Today we learn about working out our salvation through faith, obedience and walking in holiness before God and men, rather than the treacherous slope of hypocrisy, compromise and idolatry. God is the one who is working in us to give us the holy energy we need to live faithfully, for the rise of His fame.

Judges 8:1–9:21

Don’t be unmerciful

And he took the elders of the city, and he took thorns of the wilderness and briers and with them taught the men of Succoth a lesson. And he broke down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city. Judges 8:16–17 (ESV)

Gideon, now full of confidence through the victories he has won, has unfortunately forgotten where he is coming from and so has become unmerciful and vengeful.

When he came to the people they refused to help him and his men, making reference to the kings they were pursuing, knowing that if Gideon failed they would come under attack. Gideon should have understood this doubt and fear because he had them too when God first called him, but God was merciful and patient with Gideon.

Jesus spoke about the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21-35, as we grow in the Lord, we must not let our victories go to our heads making us puffed up, proud and unmerciful. We should remember that this is a walk of grace and so show grace, mercy and forgiveness to others. See Ephesians 2:5-8 and Ephesians 5:8

The crescent moon god

Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Rise yourself and fall upon us, for as the man is, so is his strength.” And Gideon arose and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the crescent ornaments that were on the necks of their camels. Judges 8:21 (ESV)

Despite claims to the contrary, the god of Islam is not the same as Yahweh (The true God of the bible shared by Christianity and Judaism).

One of the major symbols of Islam is the crescent moon. In the Ancient Near East the moon was worshiped by many people, known as “Nannar” (light giver) by the Sumerians or “Sin”(lord of wisdom) by the Akkadians. Crescent ornaments were also symbols of the goddess Astarte.

Allah is another name for these moon gods. The ancient Arabs had many gods, one of their most important deities was the moon-god called Ilumquh by the Sabeans, Wadd by the Mineans, ʿAmm by the Qatabanians, and Sin by the Ḥaḍramautians.

These gods are the root of the Islamic god Allah, the crescent moon god.

Give God the glory

And Gideon made an ephod of it and put it in his city, in Ophrah. And all Israel whored after it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and to his family. Judges 8:27 (ESV)

Gideon shows us two pitfalls here, one is hypocrisy, the other is him becoming a stumbling block.

In verse 23, Gideon had his theology (thinking about God) right and he resisted the obvious temptation to rule over the people, but he succumbed to the more subtle temptation of hypocritically not giving God the glory that He deserved. The men said that Gideon delivered them, when it was God. We must always give God glory in all we do and achieve (1 Corinthians 10:31).

In verse 24 Gideon took the next step in stealing God’s glory; he asks the people for monetary contributions, these are not for the tabernacle or society, these are contributions for Gideon himself, he saw an opportunity in the people’s adulation of himself and he took it. We must avoid this type of egocentric manipulation of God’s people (2 Corinthians 2:17).

Finally Gideon takes the final inevitable step of becoming a stumbling block, he sets up his own form of idolatry which becomes a snare to him and the people (1 Timothy 4:16).

Do not compromise

and they did not show steadfast love to the family of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) in return for all the good that he had done to Israel. Judges 8:35 (ESV)

Hypocrisy and compromise will never bear the fruit of faithfulness, so we should never be hypocritical or compromising in order to bring people to or to keep people with Christ. When the scaffolding of compromise is removed the people will simply fall away.

Philippians 2:12–18

Working it out

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12–13 (ESV)

“Work out” in verse 12 is the Greek word ‘katergazomai’ which means: working at, and finally accomplishing a task, whereas in verse 13 where it says “God who works in you” is the Greek word ‘energeō’ meaning: to cause to function, grant the ability to do, bring about, produce or cause to be.

Summarising the Greek: God gives us the energy so that we have the energy to work for Him. This passage is encouraging us in our walk of sanctification, we need to humbly serve and grow in grace.

Living out the inner transformation that God has graciously granted. We work because we are saved, not to be saved. This passage is expounded further here

Psalm 67:1–7

Spread God’s fame

that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Psalm 67:2 (ESV)

God blesses us to be a blessing, our ultimate goal should be to spread God’s fame and glory throughout the earth, this is the heartbeat of missions.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on Philippians 2

Today’s reading: Judg 6:11–7:25, Phil 2:1–11, Ps 66:1–20

Today’s theme: Play your part

Our God is awesome and His purposes will come to pass. It is important that we use our passion and energy well, by taking God at His word and so playing our part in faith. God has empowered us and clothed us in the Spirit to equip us to do this, to His own glory and our joy.

Judges 6:11–7:25

Use passion for God

And the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” Judges 6:14–15 (ESV)

This Angel was a theophany of God himself, an old testament appearance of Jesus.

In the previous verse, Gideon displays his lack of understanding of God’s word. The oppression came upon the people because they had forsaken the Lord again, but Gideon seemed to blame God.

Gideon’s words may even be perceived as rude, God in His wisdom tells Gideon to take the aggression and might behind his bold (rude) statement and put it to good effect.

We should not waste our God given energy and passion resisting or questioning God, we should take it and use it for His purposes.

Use aggression, boldness, energy and passion for the Lord. This is only possible with a healthy understanding and appetite for God’s word. See Luke 10:27

Clothed with the Spirit

But the Spirit of the LORD clothed Gideon, and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him. Judges 6:34 (ESV)

God in His amazing grace, appeared to Gideon and gave him the assurance that He would be with him, despite Gideon’s doubt and fear. God  extends His grace to His servant and clothes him with His Holy Spirit.

God also graciously anoints us with His Holy Spirit, for His purposes and work today. God’s gift of the Holy Spirit is a wonderful and necessary grace. See 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 and 1 John 2:27

Immature faith

behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.” Judges 6:37 (ESV)

Some see the laying of fleece before God as a good thing, but it displays a fundamental lack of faith in God’s word and Holy Spirit.

Today’s society demands proof for everything, this is a result of the worldviews of naturalism, secularisms and modernity. This refusal to believe God’s word for what it says, has filtered into the church, resulting in a need to see miracles and divine manifestations before God is believed.

This is extremely problematic, the preoccupation with signs, wonders and tangible proofs as a prerequisite for belief and action is a serious spiritual problem. Our work and progression for the Lord can be delayed and inhibited.

This also displays an unwillingness to act on God’s word, which reveals immature faith and our inclination to disobey God’s word, which is why we demand additional assurances.

Let us take God at His word today. See Matthew 12:39

Stand, play your part

When they blew the 300 trumpets, the LORD set every man’s sword against his comrade and against all the army. And the army fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath. Judges 7:22 (ESV)

God arranged this so that He alone could get the glory. God does not need great armies to accomplish His purposes. We should stand and play our part, God’s purposes will be worked out and will come to pass, to His Glory and our benefit.

As we blow our trumpets of praise today, the enemy will be sent into confusion.

Philippians 2:1–11

The humility of the Incarnation

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5–8 (ESV)

This passage is one of the best to show us the humility of Christ, it speaks of the incarnation where The Word of God, who is eternal and was never created, He was equal with God, yet He emptied Himself of His heavenly glory and privilege and became a man. He was not just a man, but a servant, going as far as to die on the cross for our sins.

This is the great example for all of us, none of us are the eternal Son of God, so if He can humble Himself by thinking of others first, then how much more should we abandon selfish ambition and look to the good of others, seeing them more importantly than we see ourselves.

Humble, self sacrificing service is the mind of Christ we should all have.

Psalm 66:1–20

God is awesome

Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man. Psalm 66:5 (ESV)

God is awesome in His deeds, especially in the cross.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Philippians 2

Today’s reading: Judg 4:1–6:10, Phil 1:19–30, Ps 65:1–13

Today’s theme: A public faith

Today we learn that we hold a public faith, not a private opinion. We are called to trust in God openly and to proclaim the message of the Gospel in every sphere of life, to the glory of God. We also learn important lessons about putting our faith in God rather than man, and God’s created order for men and women.

Judges 4:1–6:10

Additional assurances, not needed

Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” And she said, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. Judges 4:8–9 (ESV)

God gave Barak assurance that He would deliver the enemy into his hand, yet Barak displayed a serious lack of faith, he was not willing to go and fight unless his condition of the prophetess going with him was met. For this lack of faith, Barak loses out on the glory and it is given to a woman instead.

God in His goodness is always looking to give good gifts to us but because of a lack of faith we can forfeit these blessings. When we do not trust God and demand additional assurances after He has already spoken to us, we may still be used by God but not to the fullest extent.

Barak wastes a lot of time and energy pursuing the glory of capturing the king. We can fall into the same trap, hopelessly trying to make up for our lack of faith when the opportunity has passed.

We must learn from this to be willing vessels to be used by God, responding in faith to His word. We must cast feelings of doubt and inadequacy aside and trust God as we serve Him in faith. see 2 Timothy 2:21

Guard against Feminism

But Jael the wife of Heber took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand. Then she went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple until it went down into the ground while he was lying fast asleep from weariness. So he died. And behold, as Barak was pursuing Sisera, Jael went out to meet him and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking.” So he went in to her tent, and there lay Sisera dead, with the tent peg in his temple. Judges 4:21–22 (ESV)

God often uses those that are weak and looked down upon, to accomplish His purpose. Deborah was used by God as a prophetess and judge, while Jael was used to exact God’s judgement on Sisera.

These two women who put their faith in God were both married and did not actively seek to rule over the people, but were chosen and used by God.

Those who believe in feminism may seek to use Deborah and Jael as examples of women breaking society’s shackles. However, Deborah does not fight in the actual battle as a warrior, she pronounces God’s plan to Barrack as a prophetess. All the other Judges fought for themselves as men, there is no example of where God calls women to war, it goes against God’s principles for women to fight in battle, they should be cherished and protected. Jael killed Sisera after the battle, not in the middle of conflict.

We must guard against the influence of feminism in our lives and in the church today, each of us should fulfil our God given role. see 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

Philippians 1:19–30

Live and die for Christ

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 (ESV)

If Jesus is the goal and centre of our lives, our perspective will be the same as Paul’s. We should live in this world as instruments in God’s hands, ambassadors of Christ, carriers of the great message of the Gospel concerning Christ, builders and heralds of His kingdom.

When we die we get the prize we are running after, the greatest treasure, the gift of the Gospel, the essence of the Good news is ours. We have Christ and are held by Him forever.

To die is our gain, we should not fear death. We are secure in Jesus, we will be with God forever in heaven and have rewards and pleasures beyond anything our minds can comprehend… let us live and die for/ in Christ.

…be with Christ

I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. Philippians 1:23 (ESV)

This verse is a simple apologetic against those like  Jehovah Witnesses, who believe in soul sleep. The bible does not teach that our souls/spirits go into sleep or some intermediary state, rather, when we die in the Lord, our soul/spirit goes to be with the Lord immediately. The resurrection is concerning our bodies.

Progression and growth

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, Philippians 1:25 (ESV)

We will have true joy in God as we progress and grow in the faith, do not be content to be a baby in Christ, have a heart that desires progression and growth, this will bring you great joy and be pleasing to God, as your faith is exercised.

A public faith

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, Philippians 1:27 (ESV)

Our faith is not a private matter of opinions and beliefs, it is a public declaration and message to all, a great proclamation that the King and His kingdom has come and all are bid to come and bow before Him.

As ambassadors and heralds of this message, we must live lives worthy of the gospel we proclaim. Live as though Jesus is the King, as though you are a subject in His kingdom, a soldier in His army, a worker in His field, a member of the royal family… live like this because this is the reality.

Psalm 65:1–13

Chosen by God

Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple! Psalm 65:4 (ESV)

We are blessed, God chose to bring us close to Himself, we have been elected, we should live with that in mind. Our satisfaction should be in the gracious God who chose us to be saved. see John 15:16

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on to die is gain