The book of Judges has been a hot topic in Bible study this year. Why Judges? Some of the stories are downright gruesome. Take Jael in Deborah’s time—the woman who tent-pegged Sisera while he slept (Judges 4:21). And there’s always Samson and Delilah (Judges 13-16); everybody knows those names. Well ladies, it sure seems the lessons in God’s history book are applicable today. Focus in with me on the key verse of Judges: People did whatever they felt like doing (Judges 17:6; 21:25, MSG). Hmm!
Teenage girls recently gathered for a country photo shoot at my parent’s ranch. Round hay bales provided one of many perfect photo ops. I couldn’t help laughing at their attempts to actually get on top of the bales. I repeatedly shouted, “You can do it!” Their eventual conquests became the high point of the outing!
I survived a short, but nonetheless combative parenting phase when all four kids were teenagers. The description “battle-weary mom” fit perfectly.
My grandmother’s false teeth clicked as she read The Little Engine Who Could*. The accomplishment of that little engine cresting the top of the hill provided my first lesson on the power of positive thinking.
I’ve often leaned into the phrase “joy comes in the morning” as I tuck myself in bed, burdened by the day’s events. I trust the truth, yet I have never considered its source.
Hundreds of students stroll past the iconic University of Texas Tower. I imagine, however, that few notice the words engraved across the front of the tower, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” Students who do actually read it may assume the truth lies in the books or classes housed within. Ironically, the words actually came from Jesus speaking to a group of Jews who believed in Him as their promised Messiah (John 8:32). The designer of the Texas Tower seems to have made the error of taking that statement out of context. Since similar biblical phrases frequently appear in art or in graphics, over the next few devotionals, I decided to investigate how their context might alter the way I understood them.
Observing a little boy who just learned to walk proved insightful to me. He loved irregularities in sidewalks or parking lots like manholes and water grates and had to check each one out.
A friend of mine gave me a beautiful lily potted plant during a Bible study. Afterwards I put it in the car and proceeded to go out to lunch and to two other meetings.
I hit the road early one morning before the sun had risen. Many other people must have had the same idea for as I looked in front of me on the busy road three lanes wide, I noticed a sea of red tail lights. They continued ahead of me as far as I could see.
My one-year-old grandson recently displayed an interesting attitude while eating a banana. He likes for me to peel it a bit and hold it in the peeling. Then every time he passes by, he takes a big bite.
A five-year old’s aunt visited for the week end and attended church with the family. When the pastor came up to the podium to give his sermon, the little boy leaned over to his aunt and exclaimed, “Pastor Duane always reminds me that God is magical.”
You probably recognize these passages as snippets of genealogical material. For many people, genealogies are Scripture’s ultimate throw-away lines and responsible for wrecking countless thru-the-Bible reading programs just as they are getting started. I get that. But it might be helpful to look at them another way.
I have marked many Holy Week observances and celebrated many Easter mornings. I was sure I had all the pertinent information and insights about this most sacred time. But recently I saw something that I had never noticed. (Perhaps you, too, have experienced that “when did they put that there” feeling?)
“Joshua fit the battle of Jericho, and the walls came tumblin’ down.” Negro spiritual
When her story begins in Joshua 2, Rahab is just your typical big-city pagan harlot, living in one of the most depraved and idolatrous cultures in recorded history. The city was Jericho of the Canaanites and these were not their best days. Jericho’s nervous residents knew that the upstart Israelites were headed their way with conquest on their minds. That partly explains why Rahab was not surprised to see the two Hebrew spies doing reconnaissance, then agreed to hide them from the king’s men.
Take one godly man and His devout family, a humongous boat, all kinds of animals and tons and tons (literally) of rain. What do you have? The story or Noah, of course. People who have never darkened the door of a church or cracked open a Bible could probably tell us that. It might be the most familiar story in Scripture.
God doesn’t have throwaway lines. Jennifer Kennedy Dean
Throw-away lines are remarks delivered casually or as an aside that seem to have little to do with advancing the storyline. They can often seem unimportant to or disconnected from the narrative.
Who has time for breakfast in our rushed society? Not many, unless it is eaten on the run. Breakfast is my favorite meal to eat at a restaurant with loved ones. I have a few favorite places; not often, but on a quiet Saturday or during vacation.
Jesus’ appearance strengthened those he spent time with during the short time before his homegoing to heaven. His encounters offered proof to the skeptics and opportunity to reconnect with his loved ones powerfully and compassionately. He resolved unfinished business. There was confusion about the meaning of the kingdom of God. Previous notions left the people looking for an earthly political or military kingdom. Not so. God’s kingdom is his spiritual reign for the transformation of lives through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. This awaited them in Jerusalem. Would they ignore his charge and miss out? No! They listened and complied.
The Christ-followers scattered and left Jesus alone when he was arrested (Matthew 26:31 ESV). After his death, they were fearful and confused, unsure of what or who to trust about all the recent events. However, that evening, the day of Jesus’ resurrection, some of the disciples hid in the familiar upper room behind locked doors. They feared the Jewish leaders might persecute them like they had Jesus and bring charges against them.
After the Sabbath, the first day of the week dawned. An angel of the Lord appeared to Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James by the tomb where Jesus had been buried. The angel told the women to let Jesus’ disciples know that he was alive, and that Jesus would see them in Galilee.
