March 9 – Judges 10:1-9

 

March 9 – Judges 10:1-9

10 After Abimelech there arose to save Israel Tola the son of Puah, son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, and he lived at Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim. ² And he judged Israel twenty-three years. Then he died and was buried at Shamir.

³ After him arose Jair the Gileadite, who judged Israel twenty-two years. ⁴ And he had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys, and they had thirty cities, called Havvoth-jair to this day, which are in the land of Gilead. ⁵ And Jair died and was buried in Kamon.

⁶ The people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth, the gods of Syria, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites, and the gods of the Philistines. And they forsook the Lord and did not serve him. ⁷ So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the Ammonites, ⁸ and they crushed and oppressed the people of Israel that year. For eighteen years they oppressed all the people of Israel who were beyond the Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead. ⁹ And the Ammonites crossed the Jordan to fight also against Judah and against Benjamin and against the house of Ephraim, so that Israel was severely distressed.

So it appears in verses 1-5 there was a period of rest for the Israelites. However, as we continue to read, Israel once again angers God. They engage in idol worship and they forsook the Lord and did not serve him. They spent the next eighteen years being oppressed by the Philistines and the Ammonites.

Yet again we see a nation in distress. The anger of God was kindled against them and their old enemies were once again wreaking havoc on the nation of Israel.

May we seek God as we are pursued by our enemies. May we remember the nation of Israel and how the nation fared when they chose to ignore God and do their own thing. Pray today for the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Heavenly Father, how many times have I ignored Your will for me and set aside the truth of Your word to do my own thing yet expected You to bless me?  I know it is way too common for Your children to disregard You yet come on bended knees begging for You to do this, or give them that.  I think about how I would feel if my kids treated me the way we treat You and I know it has to be hurtful that You give us Your love, Your Son, the promise of salvation and eternal future, besides blessings today and what You get in return is hollow in comparison.  Forgive me Father when I expect things from You.  I have no right to expect anything.  You have already give so much.  Thank You for all You do for me and for Your unconditional love.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen!