Remember back when we started this book, and my mom made the comment, "Oh, no!" When I told her where we were in the Scriptures. Granted, this book is like no other in the Word. It is graphic and gory. Violent and confusing. But between you and me, I have really enjoyed it. There are a few things that I'll be taking with me from the book of Judges.
First, I was amazed at God's grace. His chosen people turned their backs on Him over and over again. They rebelled for decades at a time before God finally lifted His protection and let them be taken over by an enemy army. But while the rebellion had lasted for decades, He couldn't bear to see them suffer for more than a fraction of that time. They would cry out for Him, and He was always ready to scoop them up. We don't even give this kind of grace as human beings. When someone hurts us, we want to make them suffer in return. Revenge isn't about getting even--it's about making our enemies suffer more than we have at their hands. This is not the way our God treats us. We would do well to remember this, and to humbly respond by showing that grace to others.
Second, since this is my first time to read through Judges in my New American Standard version, so I had never seen the term "worthless fellows" used before. I kept noticing it throughout the entire book, and it occurred to me that this was significant. In each instance, these fellows represented a friend or acquaintance in the story that was linked to a horrible deed. I'm gathering that we should be careful who we let into our lives, who we make our friends. There is a difference between being judgmental and using good judgment. And since we are fully responsible for our own actions, we must be extra careful who has an influence on those actions.
Lastly, and this is my favorite lesson from Judges, I was reminded that God isn't looking for a super hero. Don't you ever feel like you can't be effective in ministry because you just don't have it all together yet? I know I struggle with this continually, especially in the last few months. We can look at the judges as some of the most ferocious heroes of the Bible, but did they really have their act together? No way. They each had some enormous flaw, whether is was pride, fear, weakness, or even gender! God isn't looking for someone to save the world. He did that Himself. He isn't looking for a superhero. That's His role. All He wants is obedience. Take that first step in faith, and who knows where it will lead!
Thanks for reading this book with me. I'm looking forward to what's in store for us next! Pray for me, that I can be faithful in this, and I'll be praying for you, too.
Anna
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