1Samuel 15-17

Overview of chapter 15
The Lord passed a message on to Saul through Samuel instructing Saul to destroy the Amalekites, not allowing anyone to live among the people or the animals. Saul gathered a large army and defeated the Amalekites, but he and his army spared the king and the choicest of the animals. The Lord let Samuel know of Saul’s sin and Samuel went looking for him. He was told that Saul had set up a monument for himself. Samuel caught up to Saul and confronted him. Saul tried to defend his actions by saying that the animals were saved to sacrifice to the Lord. Samuel long winded answer was pretty simple, God desired Saul’s obedience not sacrifices, and because of Saul’s disobedience the Lord has now rejected Saul as king.

Saul confessed his sin, and begged Samuel to pardon this sin, but Samuel told him that the Lord would not change his mind. Saul was able to convince Samuel to go and worship the Lord with him, and Saul in a too little too late move killed the king of the Amalekites.

Overview of chapter 16
While Samuel was grieving over Saul the Lord visited him and told him it was time to anoint a new king, one that the Lord would show him from the family of Jesse. Samuel went to Bethlehem where Jesse and his family lived to sacrifice and he invited the family of Jesse. As Samuel went one by one to Jesse’s sons the Lord told him that this was not the one He had chosen. After seeing all the sons that Jesse had introduced Samuel was told that one more son was out tending the flock.This last son was David, the youngest, and he was the Lords choice. Samuel anointed him and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. At the same time the Spirit left Saul and he was terrorized by an evil spirit.

Saul’s servants convinced Saul that a good musician would make the evil spirit go away, and they knew just he guy - David the son of Jesse. When David played for Saul it always gave him peace, which caused Saul to love David.

Overview of chapter 17
The Philistine army gathered on a mountain top to fight Israel and Saul and his army gathered across the valley on another mountain. The Philistines sent out a giant named Goliath to challenge the Israelites. He wanted a one on one battle winner takes all. For 40 days he issued his challenge and none of the Israelites were willing to fight him.

Meanwhile, David was told by his father to take food to his three older brothers who were serving in the army. When David arrived at the camp he heard Goliath’s challenge he asked around to see what the deal was. He was told that the Israelite that defeated Goliath would be awarded great riches and be able to marry Saul’s daughter. David decided to fight Goliath and when Saul heard it he tried to talk David out of it. David defended his valor by telling how he had killed, lions, and bears to protect his sheep with the help of the Lord.

Saul outfitted David with his armor, but David refused it because he was not used to wearing it. As he approached Goliath he had only a stick, sling and 5 rocks to fight him with. When Goliath saw David coming out to fight he was angry, and berated him with insults. The two charged each other, and as David ran he flung a stone at Goliath that struck him in the forehead and Goliath fell face first to the ground. Then David grabbed Goliath’s sword and cut his head off.

When the Philistines saw this they were scared and ran away, but the Israelites pursued him.

Reflection
Do you substitute traditions for obedience to God? When you sin are you quick to repent and worship God. Do you examine yourself for sin to repent of before you worship God? Do you judge people based on their appearance? When up against tough times do you rely on God to bring you through?

For Further Study
Anointing oil: Exodus 29:5-7, Exodus 30:23-25, Psalm 23:5, Psalm 45:7, Mark 6:13, Hebrews 1:9, James 5:14

1Samuel 13-14

Overview of chapter 13
After Saul was confirmed as king at the age of 30 he choose for himself 3000 men as soldiers, and sent 1000 of them with his son Jonathan. Jonathan and his 1000 soldiers defeated some of the Philistines, and Saul then called all of Israel’ soldiers to meet him at Gilgal. The Philistines then gathered together a large army of men and chariots, which scared the Israelites and many of them went into hiding in caves.

As Saul prepared to do battle with the Philistines he offered burnt and peace offerings to the Lord (a major no-no for a someone who is not a priest). When Samuel the priest heard this he rebuked Saul and let him know that his kingdom would not endure and trouble was in the future.

Meanwhile, the Philistines had divided into three groups and were preparing to attack the Israelites. It should be an easy victory since the Israelites were not allowed to play with sharp things (they even have to ask the Philistines to sharpen their axes, plows, and hoes).

Overview of chapter 14
Jonathan decides to enter the Philistines camp, because he believes in faith that the Lord will give the Israelites victory regardless of the numbers. He takes his faithful armor bearer with him. As they approach the camp they decide to make themselves known from a distance and if the Philistines call them to camp then they will know that God will grant them the victory. The Philistines did invite them to camp and Jonathan and his armor bearer slaughtered 20 Philistines, and that scared the rest of the Philistines so they started to flee.

Saul was able to see the Philistines fleeing so he asked around to find out who was chasing them and he found out it was his son Jonathan. Confusion spread amongst the Philistines and Saul and his men began to pursue them. This sight gave courage to those who were hiding and they joined the fight as well as the Israelites who were the Philistines slaves.

Saul foolishly instructed his people to chase them until they were all caught and instructed them not to stop and eat along the way. Because they had no food the Israelites were worn out. Jonathan had not heard the order and he ate, which gave him strength. The Israelites were so hungry that after they defeated the Philistines they did not wait to cook their meal, they ate it raw, including the blood (major no-no in the law). When Saul heard this he set up a kitchen for them to cook it first.

Saul desired to continue to chase the Philistines until every last one was destroyed and he inquired of God as to whether this was a good idea. Unfortunately for Saul God was not answering him anymore. Saul decided to see whose sin had led to God departing so he separated himself and his son out by lot and it was determined that Jonathan eating the honey against Saul’s vow was the cause of God not answering. Jonathan should have been put to death, but the people refused to kill him.

The rest of Saul’s reign would be marked by war.

Reflection
How careful are you to worship God only in ways that are acceptable to Him? Do you believe that Jonathan was an example of faith or foolishness as he entered the camp? How often do your fleshly appetites (not just for food) cause you to sin? Is it often after a time of foolish decision making?

For Further Study
Confusion, God’s tool: Genesis 11:6-10, Exodus 14:24, Exodus 23:27, Deuteronomy 28:15-20, Psalm 144:6

1Samuel 9-12

Overview of chapter 9
A man from the tribe of Benjamin lost his donkey’s and sent his son and servant to look for them. They searched for several days and could not find them, but before returning home they decided to visit a prophet (also known as seer in those days) of God to see if he would tell them what happened to the sheep. As they approached the city that Samuel was in they were told where to look for him as he was preparing for a feast. The Lord had already told Samuel that he would meet Saul at this feast so when they met Samuel invited Saul to eat with him and then have a sleepover. Saul agreed, although he was unsure why he was receiving this great honor since he was just a poor donkey farmer from the smallest tribe in Israel. The next day as Samuel was walking Saul and his servant out he asked for a few moments alone with Saul.

Overview of chapter 10
After the servant walked on ahead Samuel poured oil on Saul and told him that the Lord had chosen him as the ruler of Israel. In order to prove this Samuel prophesied exactly how Saul’s journey home would go, including some very specific details that could not be accidental or even faked. These things happened as promised and on that day the Lord changed Saul into a new man in his heart.

Samuel called the Israelites together at Mizpah and showed them by lot that the Lord had chosen Saul as their king at their request. Saul tried to hide, but the Lord knew where he was, and the people took him and rejoiced over their new king (he was head and shoulders above all the rest). Many valiant, godly men followed Saul, but a few worthless men despised him.

Overview of chapter 11
The Ammonites besieged the city of Jabesh-gilead east of the Jordan in the land of the half tribe of Manasseh. The inhabitants sent word to the rest of Israel seeking deliverance. Saul got the message and it angered him. He sent a warning to all the sons of Israel that they would join him in this fight against the Ammonites or he would cut them to pieces. That got their attention and an army of 300,000 men who defeated and scattered the Ammonites. After this the people partied.

Overview of chapter 12
Samuel called all Israel together and put himself on trial to show that he had been blameless in his service of Israel (a fact which was proven to be true). He then gave the people a short history lesson to remind them that if they follow God then God will give them success, but if they do not they will be destroyed. He went on to further explain to them that even though it was sinful that they request a human king when they had God for a king, the Lord would keep the same bargain with them - walk in His ways and live, otherwise they would be destroyed.

Reflection
Do you judge people by their appearance? Do you attempt to hide from your responsibilities? Does it anger you to see the world attack God’s people (both Christians and Jews)? Do you take comfort in the knowledge that God will protect those who follow him?

For Further Study
Prophets: Genesis 20:1-7, Exodus 15:20, Numbers 11:25-29, Deuteronomy 13:1-5, Deuteronomy 18:22, John 1:45, John 4:44, Acts 2:18, Romans 12:6, 1Corinthians 11:4-5, 1Corinthians 12:28, 1Corinthians 13:2, 1Corinthians 14, Ephesians 4:11-13, 1Thessalonians 5:20 , 1John 4:1

1Samuel 4-8

An Overview of Chapter 4
The nation of Israel attacked the Philistines who were in the land and were defeated. The elders of Israel had this bright idea that if they took the ark of the covenant into war as a good luck charm they would win for sure. It turns out they had the perfect guys for the job in Hophni and Phinehas, Eli’s wicked sons. Seeing the ark got all the Israelites excited and caused the Philistines to freak out, but in the end the Philistines still won the victory, captured the ark, and killed Phinehas and Hophni as Samuel had prophesied. When Eli heard that the ark was captured he fell backwards and his considerable weight caused him to break his neck when he landed - killing him. Phinehas’s wife was pregnant and when she heard the news it pushed her into labor. She died during the labor, but her child was born.

An Overview of Chapter 5
The Philistines put the ark in a temple with their god Dagon, but when they came in the next morning they found their wooden god bowing down to the ark. They put it back, and the next day they found their god bowed down with its head and hands cut off.

The Lord was not happy that the Philistines had captured the ark so he caused tumors to be on the men of the town that the ark was stored. Each time the Philistines moved the ark the tumors would fall on the city that had it. Many people died and the rest lived in agony with tumors.

An Overview of Chapter 6
After seven months the Philistines decided it was time to give the ark back to the Israelites. To insure that the ark was the cause of their problems they hitched it to so cows and decided if God wanted it returned to Israel then that is where the cows would go. In addition they filled the ark with golden tumors and mice as an offering.

Of course God wanted His ark back so the cows went to the Israelites in the city of Beth-shemite. When the people their saw it they rejoiced and took the cart and used it to burn the cows as a sacrifice to God. Of course they still had no clue that the ark was holy to God so some of them (50,070) took a peek inside and God killed them. After that the people were afraid so they sent it to the town of Kiriath-jearim.

An Overview of Chapter 7
The ark remained at Kiriath-jearim for 20 years and a man named Eleazar was consecrated to care for the ark.

Samuel spoke to the Israelites telling them to repent and return to the Lord by removing all their idols and false gods, and serving the true God with their hearts. The people gathered together and fasted and confessed their sin to God and Samuel offered a burnt offering. When the Philistines saw all the Israelites gathered together they assumed it was for war so they came out and fought them and Israel defeated them and took back the cities that they had previously lost.

Samuel served as the judge of Israel at this time, and once a year took a trip to three cities to judge the people their.

An Overview of Chapter 8
Samuel grew old and appointed his sons as judges, but they were dishonest judges who took bribes and perverted justice. Because of this the elders of Israel demanded a king to replace the judges. This was a slap in the face to God who was their king. Samuel prayed about this and God told him that the people could have a king, but that Samuel was to warn them that their king would take their sons, daughters and a portion of their produce for himself and make the people his slaves. When that happens the Lord will not answer their cry for help because it is what they asked for. Even with this warning the people desired a king.

Reflection
Do you have good luck charms or routines? Do you believe in luck? Does God believe in luck? Do you use what God has set aside as holy (like your body, time, finances) for unholy uses? When was the last time you cleaned house of ungodly things? When was the last time you fasted, repented and cried out to God with your whole heart? Do you ever ask God to give you things you know are not within His will?

For Further Study
Ark - Exodus 25:10-22, Exodus 40:1-3, Leviticus 16:2, Numbers 3:29-31, Numbers 10:35-36, Deuteronomy 10:2, Jeremiah 3:16, Hebrews 9:3-5, Revelation 11:19

1Samuel 1-3

An Overview of Chapter 1
A man named Elkanah had two wives, Peninnah who had children, and Hannah who had no children. Peninnah would harass Hannah, but Elkanah would give her more and loved her more. Each year they would go to the temple to offer sacrifices and Hannah cried out to God vowing that if He gave her a son she would dedicate him to the Lord.

The Lord heard her prayer and she had a son whom she named Samuel. When he was weaned she took him to Eli the priest and offered sacrifices for him.

An Overview of Chapter 2
Hannah prays a prayer of praise to the Lord. In her prayer she rejoices in her salvation, says there is no one like the Lord, calls Him a God of knowledge, a God who brings death and resurrection, shatters those who contend with Him, and will one day strengthen and exalt His anointed king. Following this prayer she gave her son to serve Eli the priest. Each year his mom would bring him a new outfit to wear. Hannah was blessed by God and had five other children.

The priests sons were worthless unbelievers who were robbing the people and making it so that they did not want to bring sacrifices. In addition they were having sex with the women who came to the temple to worship (equivalent to modern day sex scandals). Eli knew about this and did nothing about it.

A prophet of God came to Eli and delivered a message from God. Basically God had decided to punish Eli and his sons. Eli’s sons will be killed and someone else will take their place.

An Overview of Chapter 3
One evening Samuel heard a voice calling him and he thought it was Eli, but it was the Lord. This happened several times and finally Eli explained that it was the Lord and he told Samuel how to answer. Samuel did as he was instructed and the Lord stood before him and spoke. The Lord told Samuel that Eli and his sons sin could not be atoned for. Samuel was afraid to tell Eli what he was told, but Eli convinced him to tell. From that time on everyone knew Samuel was a prophet.

Reflection
Do you use the blessing God has given you to harass those who have not been blessed? When you are distressed do you pour out your soul to the Lord in prayer? Do you make accusations without knowing all the facts? Can it be said of you or your children that they are growing in stature and favor both with the Lord and with men? Do you fear sharing the truth of God with those who are in opposition with God?

For Further Study
Sheol: Genesis 44:31, Numbers 16:30, Deuteronomy 32:22, Psalm 9:17, Psalm 49:15, Proverbs 7:27, Proverbs 15:24, Luke 16:19-31.

Ruth

An Overview of Chapter 1
A man named Elimelech from the tribe of Judah took his wife and kids to the land of Moab to escape a famine. While there, his two sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. The man and his sons both died over the course of ten years and his widow Naomi decided to return to Judah. She requested that her two Moabite daughter-in-laws stay in Moab. Orpah agreed, but Ruth refused saying, “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 I will be buried.”

So Ruth and Naomi returned to Bethlehem, and when the women of the city saw them they asked if it really was Naomi. Naomi said her name had changed from Naomi (sweetness) to Mara (bitterness).

An Overview of Chapter 2
Ruth asks Naomi if she can go to the field of Boaz and pick up the remnants that the reapers left laying in the field. When Boaz saw her gleaning he asked who she was, and when he realized she had come with Naomi he treated her like one of her maids, and even let her drink from the water that his servants were carrying and gave her lunch. He instructed his workers to leave extra grain for her. When she returned to Naomi she told her all that had happened and Naomi instructed her to work the rest of the harvest at Boaz’s field.

An Overview of Chapter 3
Naomi instructed Ruth to lay at Boaz’s feet when he was sleeping, and she did as she was told. Boaz woke up from his sleep and asked who was laying at his feet. Ruth answered and asked Boaz if he would take her as a wife. Boaz said he would, but he was not the closest relative and hew would first have to find out if the closer relative wanted to be her kinsman redeemer. He gave Ruth some food and sent her away.

An Overview of Chapter 4
Boaz met with the close relative and the elders of the city to see if he would be willing to redeem Ruth and Naomi’s land. The relative could not afford the land so he refused. Now Boaz was a shoe-in to marry Ruth. Boaz payed for the field that was Naomi’s husband and married Ruth. They had a son named Obed and Naomi became the babies nurse. From Boaz and Ruth’s lineage came king David (and eventually Jesus).

Reflection
When you have struggles in your life do you become bitter? How loyal are you to your in-laws? Could you have shown restraint as Boaz did when tempted sexually? What means could you provide gleanings for the poor in your town?

For Further Study
Gleaning: Leviticus 19:9-10, Leviticus 23:22, Jeremiah 49:9, Matthew 12:1
Kinsman redeemer: Genesis 38:6-10, Leviticus 25:23-28, Deuteronomy 25:5-10

Judges 19-21

An Overview of Chapter 19
A Levite’s concubine left him and returned to her father. After four months the Levite went to find her and bring her back. He met the girls father and they were glad to meet each other and stayed together for five days. On the journey home the Levite and his concubine were staying in the square of the city Gibeah, and an older man invited them into his home. In the middle of the night the men of the city surrounded the house and pounded on the door requesting that the Levite be given to them for sex. The old man refused and offered his daughter and the Levites concubine instead. The men refused, but old man forced the concubine outside. The men of the city raped and abused her all night. When the Levite was leaving the house the next morning he found his concubine dead. The man took her body home, and then cut her up into 12 pieces and sent a piece to each of the tribes of Israel to show what had happened.

An Overview of Chapter 20
The Israelites were disgusted by this act and gathered together to find out what had happened. The Levite told his story and the Israelites decided overtake the city of Gibeah. They sent men back home to gather food and bring it back for the army. Next they sent men to the tribe of Benjamin requesting that the men who were guilty of this be handed over. The people of the tribe of Benjamin refused, and instead gathered an army to fight their brothers - the rest of Israel.

The men of Israel cast lots to see who would attack first, and the lot fell to Judah, who was handily defeated by the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites cried out to God, and God told them to fight again the next day. Again the tribe of Benjamin was victorious. The Israelites cried out to God again, this time fasting and offering burnt and peace offerings. The next day Israel attacked and God helped them destroy all but 600 of Benjamins army. Those 600 hid in the rocks for four months.

An Overview of Chapter 21
The Israelites had sworn that they would not allow their daughters to marry any of the men from the tribe of Benjamin and they had killed all the non-virgin women of the tribe of Benjamin (leaving only 400 women). This left 200 men from the tribe of Benjamin without wives, and the Israelites feared that the tribe of Benjamin would seize to exist. They devised a plan that allowed them to get around their promise to not let their daughters marry the men of Benjamin. At the next feast the remaining 200 men from the tribe of Benjamin were to kidnap any women that wander out into the vineyard and take them as wives. They did this, then returned and rebuilt their cities.

Reflection
If your spouse left you would you follow and attempt to make amends? Are you hospitable to strangers? Is it important to you that guilty people are punished? Do you seek God through prayer and fasting when you are having times of trouble?

For Further Study
Benjamin - Genesis 49:27, Psalm 68:27, Zechariah 14:10, Acts 13:21, Romans 11:1, Philippians 3:5, Revelation 7:8.

CONGRATULATIONS!
YOU JUST FINISHED THE BOOK OF JUDGES!

Judges 16-18

An Overview of Chapter 16
Samson traveled to Gaza and slept with a hooker, but while he was their the men of the city decided to wait for him and kill him by the locked city gates. About midnight Samson decided to leave town, and when he found the gates locked he just ripped them apart and carried them off to the top of a mountain.

Samson then moved on to the valley of Sorek and fell in love with a woman named Delilah. The Philistines convinced her to find out what his weakness was. Initially Samson just toyed with her and them by telling them certain types of ropes and pins could hold him, but every time that they would bind him and attack him he would break the ropes. Eventually Delilah bugged and annoyed him to the point that he told her his strength was in being a Nazarite and if his hair was shaved the oath would be broken. She had his head shaved while he slept, and the Philistines captured him and gouged his eyes out.

While Samson was imprisoned his hair started growing back and he prayed that the Lord would return his strength. The Philistines brought him out to mock him during a festival with 3,000 people in attendance. Samson used the strength that God had given to him and and pulled the pillars of the building down causing the building to fall and kill him and everyone else in the building. His family came and got him and buried him. He had been a judge in Israel for 20 years.

An Overview of Chapter 17
A man named Micah stole 1100 pieces of silver from his mom, but when he heard how upset she was that it was missing he confessed and returned it to her. She decided to dedicate the money to the Lord, but she apparently didn’t know the ten commandments because she had some of the silver turned into graven images and idols. The idols were kept at Micah’s house, and Micah set one of his sons as a priest. During this time their was no leadership in Israel and the people did what ever they wanted.

A Levite was traveling through and Micah payed him to be a priest as well. Micah was convinced that he would be blessed because he had a Levite for a priest.

An Overview of Chapter 18
The tribe of Dan had never taken possession of the land that was their inheritance and now they were looking for some land to call their own. They sent five spies out, who came to the house of Micah and stayed the night. While their they recognized the Levite and asked him to inquire from God to see if things were going to go will on their journey and he told them it would. They left Micah’s house and came across a quiet town that they liked called Laish. They returned to their brothers and told them that they should take this city.

As the Danite army was traveling to Laish they also came across Micah’s house and sent the five spies in to take the idols. They also convinced the Levite to come with them, because it was better to be a priest to many men then to one. Micah was not happy with this, but he backed down when he realized that he and his neighbors could not fight the whole army.

The Danites continued on and destroyed Laish, rebuilt it and named it Dan.

Reflection
What are your God given strengths and weaknesses? Have you ever done dumb things for people that you loved? Is it possible to rightly worship God using methods that God does not approve of?

For Further Study
Idols: Exodus 20:4, Deuteronomy 4:25, Deuteronomy 27:15, Psalm 115:4-8, Romans 1:25, Galatians 5:19-21, Colossians 3:5, Revelation 22:15.

Judges 13-15

An Overview of Chapter 13
Again the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and were given to the Philistines as slaves for forty years. During this time an angel of the Lord visited a barren woman whose husband, Manoah, was from the tribe of Dan. The angel told her that she will give birth to a son and that from the womb he would be a Nazarite. When the woman told her husband he asked God to see the angel for himself. His wish was granted and the angel repeated his message to Manoah. Manoah asked the angel to stay so they could eat, but the angel said instead of eating offer the meal as a sacrifice to the Lord. As the sacrifice was burning the angel ascended to heaven in the smoke. Manoah and his wife then realized that it was not an angel, it was the Lord, so they worshipped God.

The woman gave birth to Samson and the Lord blessed Samson and sent His Spirit to Samson.

An Overview of Chapter 14
Samson saw a pretty Philistine woman and begged his parents to let him marry her. His parents were not happy about it, but Samson was insistent that she be his wife. We also discover that the Lord would use this mixed marriage to take advantage of the Philistines. On his way to visit his girlfriend Samson killed a lion with the help of the Lord. Later that lion was filled with honey which Samson and his parents ate. At the wedding feast Samson challenged his 30 groomsmen with a riddle about the lion. The winner would get 30 new outfits. The men could not figure it out so they convinced Samson’s wife to help them. She convinced Samson to tell her and she told the answer to the men. Samson was so angry that he killed 30 men and took their clothes to pay his debt, then he left his wife. She hooked up with Samson’s best friend.

An Overview of Chapter 15
Some time later Samson decided he wanted his wife back, but found out she was with his best friend. This really angered Samson so he caught 300 foxes, tied them together in twos and put torches in their tales then let them run through the Philistines crops. The end result was that the Philistines crops were destroyed. As retribution the Philistines burned Samson’s father in law and his wife.

Samson then decided to take revenge for their death and he killed all the men involved, then hid out in a rock in Judah. The Philistines came looking for him and the leaders of Judah gave him up to them bound with rope. The Spirit of the Lord empowered Samson and he broke out of his bonds and slaughtered 1000 men with a donkey’s jaw bone. Then the Lord miraculously provided Samson with a drink of water. Samson became the judge of Israel for 20 years.

Reflection
When God gives a message to your spouse do you trust them or request that the message be given to you as well? When you see God working, do you take the time to worship Him? What undesirable circumstances has God used in your life to do His work? Do you respond to problems with anger? How has the Spirit of the Lord come upon you in the past? How has the Lord miraculously provided for you?

For Further Study
Nazarite: Numbers 6:1-21, 1Samuel 1:11, Luke 1:15, Acts 18:18.

Judges 10-12

An Overview of Chapter 10
After Abimelech died Israel was judged by Tola from the tribe of Issachar for 23 years, and then Jair from the tribe of Manasseh on the East side of the Jordan for 22 years.

After Jair died the Israelites once again choose to serve other gods which angered the real God. God allowed them to be enslaved by the Philistines who afflicted them for 18 years. The Israelites cried out to God, but He refused to listen to them and told them to call out to their new gods. The Israelites admitted their sin and put away their false gods and began serving God and He eventually took pity on them. The leaders of Gilead (from the half tribe of Manasseh on the East of the Jordan) decided whoever would lead them into battle would become their chief.

An Overview of Chapter 11
The tribe of Gilead was so desperate for a leader that they called their half brother Jephthah whom they had driven out of the land to fight for them. He agreed to, but only if he would become the leader of their tribe as they promised.

Jephthah started by negotiating with the sons of Ammon, but they were unwilling to deal. Jephthah explained that the Lord had given the land to Israel, and if Chemosh (the Ammonites god) wanted them to have the land he would have given it to them. Jephthah then made a vow to the Lord that he would give whatever comes out of his house first would be burnt as a sacrifice if God gave him victory. The Lord did give Jephthah victory and when he returned home it was his daughter who came out of the house first so she was to be a burnt offering to God.

His daughter asked if she could have two months to mourn because she was a virgin and he allowed it, then he sacrificed her. It then became a tradition in Israel that the women of Israel would remember her.

An Overview of Chapter 12
The tribe of Ephraim is angry with Jephthah because he fought Ammon on their side of the river and they didn’t get to join in so they fought each other. Ephraim was defeated and 42,000 of their men died that day and the Gileadites captured the fords of Ephraim and killed those who tried to cross over the river. Jephthah ruled for six years than died.

Judges that followed Jephthah:
Ibzan (Judah)- 7 years
Elon (Zebulun)- 10 years
Abdon (Ephraim)- 8 years

Reflection
What can you do to insure your children do not follow other Gods after you are no longer in their life? What black sheep does your family have and should you bring them back into the family? How faithful are you at keeping promises you have made?

For Further Study
Human sacrifice: Genesis 22:1-19, Exodus 13:15, Leviticus 27:28-29, Jeremiah 32:35, Ezekiel 39:17-18, Ephesians 5:2

Judges 8-9

An Overview of Chapter 8
The warriors of Ephraim were jealous that Gideon had been successful in fighting Midian and complained to Gideon because he didn’t invite them to the war. Gideon told them they would be more famous than him because they captured the two kings, Oreb and Zeeb. Gideon and his 300 men continued to chase the Midianites and as they passed through the towns of Succoth and Penuel the leaders of those towns refused to feed Gideon’s army. Gideon promised to harm them after he finished off Midian. Gideon destroyed the rest of the Midianite army then returned to the two cities that had refused to help him. He tortured and killed them.

After all of Gideon’s success the men of Israel asked Gideon to be their king, but he refused. Gideon took some of the spoil of the war and made a golden ephod (like tank top) and placed it in the city of Ophrah. Unfortunately the people began to worship the tank top. Gideon had many wives who bore him 70 sons and also a concubine who bore him a son named Abimelech. There was peace in Israel for 40 years, but as soon as Gideon died the people again worshipped the Baals.

An Overview of Chapter 9
Abimelech decided he didn’t want to compete with his half brothers to be king of Israel, so he made a deal with the people of Shechem and killed all of them except Jotham - Gideon’s youngest son. After Abimelech was made king, Jotham spoke a curse over the men of Shechem saying that if they had not acted with integrity in appointing Abimelech they would be destroyed by fire.

After Abimelech had reigned for three years, the Lord caused strife between the people of Shechem and Abimelech. A man named Gaal got drunk at a party and cursed Abimelech. Wanting to cause trouble the ruler of Shechem sent a message to Abimelech that Gaal was trying to get Shechem to overthrow Abimelech. Abimelech raised his army and destroyed Shechem and killed the leaders of Shechem in a fire (see curse of Jotham).

Abimelech then captured the city of Thebez, and many people hid in a tower. When Abimelech approached the tower a woman dropped a millstone on his head. Abimelech did not want to die at the hands of a woman so he had his servant finish him off.

Reflection
What silly things do you worship, or allow to take you away from God (TV, internet, friends, etc.)?

For Further Study
Shechem: Genesis 12:6, Genesis 33:18, Genesis 34:24-27, Joshua 21:20-21, Joshua 24:25, Psalm 108:7, Acts 7:16.

Judges 6-7

An Overview of Chapter 6
Again, the Israelites acted evil and God gave them into the hands of Midian. The Midianites oppressed the Israelites so much that the Israelites hid in caves in the hills. Israel finally cried out to God and he brought them a prophet who reminded the people that they had not obeyed Him. The angel of the Lord then visited a man named Gideon. Gideon questioned why God would allow all these terrible things to happen, where were the miracles that God had shown his forefathers. The Lords answer was that He was sending Gideon.

Gideon requested a sign, and the Lord brought fire from a rock to consume Gideon’s offering as a sign. That same night the Lord told Gideon to destroy the cities altar to Baal and their Asherah pole. Gideon did so and built a new altar and offered a sacrifice to God using the wood from the Asherah. The men of the city were not happy with this, but Gideon’s dad told them if Baal was a real god, let him contend with Gideon concerning his altar.

Following this Gideon called the men of Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali to join together to fight Midian. To be sure that God was with them Gideon asked for more signs and God provided them.

An Overview of Chapter 7
The Lord told Gideon that there were too many warriors to fight Midian, that they people would be boastful and think they had done it without God’s help. First Gideon sent away 22,000 men who were afraid, leaving only 10,000. That was still too many and God narrowed the number down to 300 warriors to fight Midian.

Knowing that Gideon was afraid the Lord allowed him to see that the Midianites were afraid of the Israelites led by Gideon. The Lord’s battle plan was simple but strange. The Israelites were to take torches and cover them with pots. They were to carry trumpets instead of swords. When they got to the Midianite camp they blew the trumpets and broke the pots revealing the torches. The already scared Midianites began wildly swinging their swords killing their own soldiers. Then the Midianites fled and the Israelites pursued them and killed their kings.

Reflection
Do you see a pattern in your life of doing evil, suffering consequences, then returning to God? Do you question why God allows bad things to happen to you? What battles has God fought for you?

For Further Study
Signs: Genesis 1:14, Genesis 9:13, Psalm 86:17, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 12:38-39, Acts 2:43, 1Corinthians 1:22-24, 2Thessalonians 2:8-10

Judges 3-5

An Overview of Chapter 3
The Lord left several nations in the promised land as a test to see if this generation of Israelites would obey the commandments of the Lord. Of course they did not so they intermarried with the foreign nations and worshipped their gods. This angered God so He allowed them to be sold into slavery. At this time the first judge arose in Israel, Caleb’s son-in-law Othniel and he led the Israelites to victory. He reigned for 40 years.

After Othniel died the Israelites became wicked in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord sold them to the Moabites. The Israelites cried out to God and He raised up a new judge, Ehud. Ehud killed the king of Moab personally and led the Israelites into victory over 10,000 Moabites. Ehud lived for 80 more years and their was peace in the land.

An Overview of Chapter 4
The easily predictable sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud died. This time God sold them to the Canaanites and after 20 years of slavery the Israelites cried out to God. The Lord raised a new judge, the prophetess Deborah. She called for Barak and instructed him to raise an army from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun. The Canaanite army had 900 iron chariots, but the Israelites still defeated them. Sisera, the commander of the the Moabite army, fled to the tent of an Israelite woman - Jael. She told him to hide under a rug, and while he was under their she drove a tent peg through his head.

An Overview of Chapter 5
Deborah and Barak sing a duet of praise to the Lord. It retells the story of how Israel followed other gods and then the Lord brought Deborah to save them. It also speaks of the tribes that helped fight, and those that did not. Also mentioned are Jael, and the mourning mother of Sisera.

The land was peaceful for 40 years.

Reflection
Do you look at the problems in your life as a test from God? Can simple obedience help you pass the test. If you were to sing a song that represented your relationship with God, what would it be?

For Further Study
Prophetess: Exodus 15:20, Judges 4:4, 2Kings 22:14, Nehemiah 6:14, Isaiah 8:3, Luke 2:36, Acts 21:9, Revelation 2:20

Judges 1-2

An Overview of Chapter Judges 1
After Joshua’s death the people of Israel wanted to get to work removing the rest of the Canaanites from the land. The Lord ordered Judah to go first, and with the help of Simeon they were able to remove the Canaanites from their land. Caleb, from the tribe of Judah, made a contest out of it, telling the warriors that whoever captured Kiriath-sepher would get to marry his daughter. The winner was Othniel and Caleb his daughter and some land with springs on it to Othniel. Judah then joined with Simeon and drove the Canaanites out of the hill country, but they could not drive them out of the valley because they had iron chariots (ultimately for their own lack of faith). Even though Judah had sacked Jerusalem for the tribe of Benjamin, Benjamin did not drive the people out as they were supposed to.

The rest of the chapter describes how each of the remaining tribes failed to follow God’s word and remove the Canaanites, even after they became powerful enough to enslave them.

An Overview of Chapter Judges 2
The angel of the Lord visits the Israelites to tell them personally that the Canaanites will become a thorn in their sides because they did not drive them out fully as God had asked.

Although the people followed and worshipped God until Joshua and all the elders he appointed were alive, when they died the next generation did not worship God. The sad point is made that they did not know about what God had done for Israel (apparently their parents just didn’t teach them). This next generation worshipped other gods, which angered the the Lord and He allowed them to be enslaved. Each time they were enslaved they would cry out to God and He would have mercy on them; He would allow a judge to rise up amongst the people and lead them out of slavery. When the judge would die, the people would return to idolatry and God would return them to slavery. The Lord used the other nations to test Israel.

Reflection
Judah and Simeon worked together to accomplish what God had asked them to do, who do you work with to accomplish God’s goals in your life and theirs? What gifts are you preparing for your children to start them out in life? What have you let stay in your life that God would like you to drive out completely? Do you teach your children the truth about God so that they will follow Him after you are gone?

For Further Study
Chariots: Exodus 14:7-29, Exodus 15:19, Deuteronomy 20:1, Joshua 11:1-8, Judges 4:12-16, 1Kings 20:21, Psalm 20:7

Joshua 22-24

An Overview of Chapter 22
Joshua called the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to a meeting. He told them that they had fulfilled their promise to Moses and could return to their land east of the Jordan. Before they left he warned them to observe God’s commandments and laws, to love, serve, and hold fast to the Lord. Then he blessed them and sent them on their way with their portion of the spoil.

The two and a half tribes built a large altar on the west side of the Jordan before they crossed. When they rest of Israel heard about this it angered them so they prepared for war and sent Phinehas and a representative from each tribe to confront them about this. The two and a half tribes calm their fears by telling them that it was to serve as a reminder between the two portions of tribes that they serve the same God. They all agreed this was ok and war was avoided.

An Overview of Chapter 23
Joshua is old and gathers all the Israelites and reminds them that God will get the remaining people out of the land if the Israelites will live according to the law. Joshua also offers the prophetic reminder that they will someday break the covenant they made with God and be removed from the land.

An Overview of Chapter 24
Joshua reviews Israel’s history starting with Abraham, then Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. He briefly covers their travels from Egypt to the land of the Amorites, the Moabites and how they crossed the Jordan to claim the land. Joshua charged them to fear and serve God, telling them they have to make a choice for themselves if they will serve the true God, as Joshua will, or serve the Gods that their fathers and enemies around them served. The people chose God and Joshua writes it down as a covenant and sets up a stone as a reminder.

At the age of 110 Joshua died and was buried, and they buried the bones of Joseph who had been carried up out of Egypt, and Eleazar died as well.

Reflection
Has it been your experience that when you serve God fully that He takes care of you? Would you describe your relationship with God as one where you love, serve, and hold fast to Him? What would you tell your friends and family if you knew you where about to die? Choose for yourself who you will serve, either the God of the Bible or someone/something else.

For Further Study
Phinehas: Numbers 25:6-13, Numbers 31:1-6, Judges 20:24-28, 1Chronicles 9:20, Psalm 106:28-31

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU FINISHED THE BOOK OF JOSHUA!

Joshua 19-21

An Overview of Chapter 19
The second lot fell to Simeon, and they received their inheritance from the land of Judah (because Judah’s portion was too big). Then the lots fell to Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan respectively. Dan increased the size of their land by by capturing Leshem. After all the tribes were given their inheritance Joshua was given a city in Ephraim as the Lord had promised him. Now they were finished dividing the land.

An Overview of Chapter 20
Six cities of refuge for manslayers were designated. The tribes of Naphtali, Ephraim, Judah, Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh each gave up a city for this purpose.

An Overview of Chapter 21
The 48 cities of the Levites were divided between the families of the sons of Levi - Kohath, Gershon, and Merari. Hebron was one of the cities given to the Levites, but because it belonged to Caleb the Levites did not get the fields, those belonged to Caleb.

The Lord kept all His promises to give the land to the sons of Israel.

Reflection
Do you believe in chance? Would you be willing to let your future be decided by a roll of the dice? Where do you find refuge? Would you be willing to give up some of what you have so that others could be given refuge? Has God been faithful to keep His promises to you?

For Further Study
Promised Land: Genesis 28:14-16, Genesis 50:24, Nehemiah 9:8, Hebrews 11:8-10.

Joshua 16-18

An Overview of Chapter 16
The lot for the sons of Joseph describe their land as being in the north. Joseph had two sons who were counted as separate tribes and Ephraim’s portion is described here. Some of the Canaanites were not driven out of Gezer, and they became slaves.

An Overview of Chapter 17
Manasseh’s portion is described here. This tribe is divided in half because some choose to stay outside the land of inheritance and they were given Gilead and Bashan. The daughters of Zelophehad were given a portion as promised by Moses. Manasseh’s borders and cities are described. Manasseh did not take immediate possession of all their cities, but eventually they forced the Canaanites living their into slavery.

The tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim complained that they had to share Joseph’s portion. Joshua told them they could have the hill country that contained a forest and Canaanites. He instructed them to clear the forest and get rid of the Canaanites.

An Overview of Chapter 18
The tent of meeting was set up in Shiloh and all the Israelites met with Joshua there. Joshua seems agitated that the tribes were not busy taking the land that God had provided for them.

Now that the southern and northern portions of the land have been given to the tribes of Judah and Joseph, the rest of the land will be divided amongst the remaining seven tribes. Joshua sends three people from each tribe to describe and divide it by cities. They wrote this information in a book and provided it to Joshua who then cast lots to choose the portion of land that each of the tribes would get.

The tribe of Benjamin’s lot, its borders and cities are described in this chapter.

Reflection
When God tells you to get rid of something, do you try to justify keeping it because it is useful? Do you complain about the amount of provision that God has given you? Do you have a tendency to put off the work that God wants you to do so you can meet with the people of God?

For Further Study
Lots: Leviticus 16:8-10, Numbers 26:55-56, Joshua 7:14, Psalm 22:18, Proverbs 16:33, Proverbs 18:18, John 19:24, Luke 1:5-9, Acts 1:15-26.

Joshua 12-15

An Overview of Chapter 12
This chapter lists the kings that were defeated by Israel as they entered the land. Moses led the Israelites as they defeated two kings to the east of the Jordan, and that land was given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh. Joshua led the Israelites after Moses death and they defeated 31 kings on the west side of the Jordan river, and this land will be divided amongst the remaining 9 1/2 tribes of Israel.

An Overview of Chapter 13
Joshua is an old man at this point and the Lord instructs him to go ahead and divide the land among the tribes. Some territory remains unclaimed, but God promises to drive out the inhabitants. The reminder is given that the Levites inheritance was God and the offerings given to Him. We are also reminded that the Reubenites, Gadites, and half of the tribe of Manasseh were given their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan.

An Overview of Chapter 14
Joshua, Eleazar, and the heads of the tribes of Israel began dividing the inherited land by lot. The first tribe they gave land to was Judah. Caleb, the faithful spy who is now 85 years old, was from Judah and asked if he could have the land that he spied out, Hebron, and it was given to him.

An Overview of Chapter 15
The borders of the land of Judah is explained in great detail. Within this land is the hill country of Hebron which was given to Caleb. Caleb defeated the three giant sons of Anak. Then he promised to whoever captures the city of Kiriath-sepher would be able to marry his daughter. A man named Othniel completed the task and asked his new bride to ask her father for some land that had springs on it, which he gave her. This chapter also lists out the names of the cities on the borders of Judah. It is also pointed out that the sons of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites from the city of Judah.

Reflection
Have you ever made a list of the things you have overcome with God’s help? What things would you put on that list? Caleb was described as following God fully, could the same be said about you? What do you plan on giving anything to your kids when they get married that will help them start their life? What sins are you having trouble driving out of your life? Do you ever feel like giving up like the sons of Judah did with the Jebusites?

For Further Study
Othniel: Judges 3:8-11

Joshua 9-11

An Overview of Chapter 9
After the kings in the promised land heard of Israel’s victories over Jericho and Ai they joined together to fight Israel.

The people of Gibeon approached Joshua wearing worn out clothes and carrying old bread. They told Joshua they were from far away (which was a lie) so that he would make a covenant with them sparing their lives, and in return they would be Israel’s slaves. Joshua agreed, but three days later he discovered that they lied. Joshua was still obligated to fulfill his vow to the people of Gibeon so they served Israel as lumberjacks and water boys.

An Overview of Chapter 10
After hearing Gibeon had a deal with Israel five kings got together and attacked Gibeon. The people of Gibeon sent a message to Joshua asking for help. The Lord told Joshua not to fear these kings, so Joshua and his army marched all night and attacked. The Lord confused the kings and threw large hailstones from heaven, killing most of them. Joshua asked the Lord to keep the sun out until the battle was over and the Lord granted his request - the sun stood still for 24 hours.

The five kings hid in a cave, but Joshua found them and had the cave sealed off until the battles were done. After the battle Joshua brought all the kings to his leaders and had his leaders stand on their throats. He told them that God would do the same to all their enemies. Joshua hung the five kings, then put them back in their hiding place and sealed it off again.

Joshua and Israel fought and destroyed Libnah, Lachish, Gezer, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir, because the Lord fought for Israel.

An Overview of Chapter 11
Four more kings gathered together to fight Israel, but the Lord told Joshua not to fear them and Joshua defeated them. Joshua also took Hazor. Israe took all the spoil of the cities and the cattle.

Joshua and the Israelites fought with the kings of the land for a long time, because God had hardened their hearts so that God may use Israel to destroy them. Joshua also killed off all the Anakim (giants) in the hill country.

Reflection
Would you keep a promise you made, even if you later found out that the other party involved was lying?

For Further Study
War: Psalm 27:1-3, Psalm 144:1, Ecclesiastes 3:8, Hebrews 11:32-34, Revelation 2:16

Joshua 5-8

An Overview of Chapter 5
When the Amorite and Canaanite kings heard that the Israelites had crossed the Jordan by God’s miraculous provision their hearts melted.

Then the Lord spoke to Joshua and instructed him to circumcise all the men because they had not been circumcised by their faithless fathers. After all the men were circumcised they stayed at camp until they healed. While they waited there they observed Passover and the feast of Unleavened bread. Manna no longer was given or necessary for the Israelites.

While Joshua was outside Jericho he saw Jesus, and worshipped Him.

An Overview of Chapter 6
The walled city of Jericho was locked down because they feared the Israelites. The Lord gave instructions to Joshua for capturing Jericho. The Israelite army was to march around the city one time a day for six days followed by priests carrying trumpets and the ark of the covenant. On the seventh day the they were to march around the city seven times, then blow the trumpets and the people are to shout as loud as they can and the walls will fall down. When the city falls they are to destroy everything (except the gold, silver, and bronze) and everyone (except Rahab and her family). Nothing else was to be taken from the city, if anything was taken it would cause curses to fall on Israel. It all happened as the Lord had commanded, except...

An Overview of Chapter 7
...Achan, a man from the tribe of Judah, took some of the things from the city of Jericho and God was hot about it. As the Israelites attempted to take the city of Ai the Lord did not allow them to be successful. Joshua is torn up about the defeat and questions why God would allow them to be defeated. God then informs Joshua that someone in Israel has sinned.

God devises a very public way to single out the offender. Once Achan is discovered Joshua asks him to confess. Achan admits his sin of covetousness and tells where the items were hidden. All the people of Israel stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies as well as the stolen items, then buried them under a pile of stones.

An Overview of Chapter 8
Now the Lord promises to help Israel defeat Ai, and gives Joshua a battle plan. Joshua is to take a small group of soldiers to draw the army of Ai out of the city and a large contingent of men was to enter the city from behind and burn it. Meanwhile an ambush waited for the king and his men near the town of Bethel. All the people of Ai were killed and the King of Ai was hanged. This time the Lord allowed Israel to take all the cattle and the spoil of the land.

After the victory Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal as Moses had instructed (Deuteronomy 27-28), and offered sacrifices there. He wrote the law of Moses on the stones. Half the Israelites stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half stood in front of Mount Ebal and Joshua read the curses and the blessings. After that Joshua read all the law to the people.

Reflection
Is Jesus the “commander” of your life? Are you willing to follow God’s way, even if it doesn’t make sense? Do you have secret sins that you are hiding? Do you take the time to read the Word of God to those you are responsible for (spouse, family, etc.)?

For Further Study
Covet: Exodus 20:17, Deuteronomy 5:21, Joshua 6:18, Mark 7:21-23, Romans 7:7-8, 1Corinthians 5:11, Ephesians 5:5.

Joshua 1-4

An Overview of Chapter 1
After Moses death the Lord began to speak with Joshua. He instructs Joshua to take the people across the Jordan and take possession of the promised land. God defines the borders of the promised land, then promises Joshua that if he is careful to follow the commands of God that he will be given success in all he does.

Joshua tells the people to prepare to enter the land, and reminds the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh that they had promised to help their brothers enter the land. They respond to him saying they will do everything he says and kill anyone who does not obey Joshua.

An Overview of Chapter 2
Joshua sends two spies into the land to check out the city of Jericho. While in Jericho the spies hide at Rahab the harlots house, and the king of Jericho hears they are there. Messengers are sent to Rahab instructing her to send the Israelite spies out, but she lies and tells the messengers that they left to go back to the other side of the Jordan.

After the messengers leave Rahab tells the spies that all of Jericho is afraid of the Israelites and offers a deal to the spies. She promises to keep quiet if they will save her and her family when they return with their army to overtake Israel. The spies agree and tell her to hang a scarlet rope out her window so that everyone will know not to kill her.

The spies leave her house by lowering themselves down the outside wall of Jericho and return to their people avoiding the main road. When they get back to Joshua they give him the news that all the inhabitants of the land are afraid of the Israelites.

An Overview of Chapter 3
Joshua told the people that they will know it is time to enter the land when they see the ark of the covenant leave with the priests. They are to follow at a distance of about half a mile. Joshua instructed the people to consecrate themselves.

The Lord then told Joshua that He will exalt him and make the people know that He is with him like He was with Moses. He told Joshua that when the priests carrying the ark set foot into the Jordan river, the waters would separate and the people would be able to pass through on dry land. Joshua instructed the priests to do what God had told him. When the priests entered the water it stood up in heaps on either side and the entire nation of Israel passed through the waters.

An Overview of Chapter 4
The Lord instructed Joshua concerning setting up a memorial at the Jordan river. A representative from each tribe was to carry out of the river bed a stone to be set up and Joshua was to carry 12 stones to the middle of the Jordan river. The stones on the bank of the Jordan were their so that when the Israelites children asked about the their fathers could tell them the story of how God brought them across the river into the promised land. After everyone was through and the memorials were set up the priests carried the ark out of the water and the river flowed again as normal. This all occurred on the 10th of the first month (Abib - March,April) of the 40th year of the exodus, four days before the Passover feast.

Reflection
When God passes leadership on to a new person, do you immediately support the new person, or do you have a tendency to wait and see? Rahab obviously lied, was it a sin? What memorials have you set up, or should you set up to teach your children the things God has done?

For Further Study
Memorial: Exodus 3:14-15, Exodus 12:14, Exodus 17:14, Leviticus 2:9, Joshua 4:7, Psalm 38:0, Psalm 70:0, Acts 10:4

Deuteronomy 32-34

An Overview of Chapter 32
This chapter contains the song that God told Moses to teach the people so they will know how to return to Him after they start following other Gods. The form of the song is this:

Asking that the teaching will be heard,
Proclaiming the Lord as the Rock,
The people have acted corruptly,
Is that how they repay God,
Remember what your parents taught you,
God cared for Jacob and gave him everything,
But, Israel (Jeshurun) got fat and forsook God,
They made God jealous, they neglected the Rock,
The Lord saw this and rejected them,
The Lord was jealous and angry,
The Lord will make them jealous and angry,
He will heap misfortunes on them,
He will not completely destroy them so that other nations will think they did it,
The problem with Israel is a lack of counsel and understanding,
Vengeance is God’s,
God will prove their is no other God’s and that He brings life and death,

Moses instructs the people to take this song to heart and to teach it to their children. Then God tells Moses that it is time to go to the mountain and die, and reminds him that it was his lack of faith that caused this.

An Overview of Chapter 33
Before Moses leaves for the mountain to die he blesses each of the tribes of Israel.

Reuben - life and many men.
Judah - God will be their help against adversaries.
Levi - the Lord will accept their work.
Benjamin - security will come from Him.
Joseph - his land will be blessed and he will get choice things.
Zebulun and Issachar - great fishermen.
Gad - he will execute the justice of the Lord.
Dan - a lion’s whelp.
Naphtali - given possession of the sea and the south.
Asher - favored by his brothers and walk through life leisurely.

An Overview of Chapter 34
Moses did as instructed and climbed the mountain and saw all the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses was still a strong man with a sparkle in his eye when God killed him. God buried Moses at an unknown location. No one like Moses has existed since who knew God face to face. Now Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom and the people followed him.

Reflection
What would you teach your children so that in the days they go astray from the Lord they will remember it and repent? Do you take the time to bless you children? Are you willing to follow God until the very end, even if you don’t get to fulfill your dreams?

For Further Study
Blessing: Genesis 12:2, Genesis 27:30-38, Genesis 48, Proverbs 10:22, Proverbs 11:11, Proverbs 24:25, Matthew 5:1-11, Matthew 10:13, Matthew 26:26, Luke 24:51, Romans 4:1-7, Romans 12:14, 1Corinthians 4:12, 1Corinthians 14:15-16, Galatians 3:9, Galatians 3:14, Ephesians 1:3, James 1:12, James 1:25, Revelation 22:7.

CONGRATULATIONS YOU FINISHED DEUTERONOMY
CONGRATULATIONS YOU FINISHED THE PENTATEUCH

Deuteronomy 30-31

An Overview of Chapter 30
Moses starts this chapter out by prophetically proclaiming that both the blessings listed and the curses listed will in fact happen to the nation of Israel. Moses also tells the Israelites that they will return to the Lord and when they do God will restore them to the land no matter where they are in the world. Then God will “circumcise” their hearts so that they may love Him. The Lord will also give them great prosperity and God will rejoice over their repentance. Moses tells the people that the commandments that he is instructing them are not beyond their reach, but in fact the word of God is near them, in their mouths and in their hearts so that they will obey it.

The Israelites have been given a choice between following God and living happily or not following God and dying in misery. Moses encourages them to choose life by loving God, obeying Him, and holding tight to their relationship with Him.

An Overview of Chapter 31
Speaking to all the people of Israel the 120 year old Moses tells the people that they will be entering the land without him. They will not be going without leadership though, as the Lord will go before them and prepare the way, and Joshua replace Moses as their human leader. Moses encourages the people to be strong, courageous, and not afraid of the journey ahead. Moses calls Joshua up in front of all the people and encourages him as well.

Moses wrote out all the law and gave the written copy to the priests and the elders of Israel. Moses instructed them to call a national assembly every seven years and read the law to the people so they will hear, learn and fear the Lord so that they will do what the Lord has commanded.

The Lord calls Moses and Joshua to a special meeting at the tent of meeting, where He meets them in the pillar of cloud at the doorway. The Lord tells Moses that the Israelites will turn from Him and worship other gods when they become prosperous, which will lead to the curses warned of before. God instructs Moses to write down a song that He will use to testify against the people, and Moses is to teach it to the people.

The Lord commissioned Joshua and encouraged him to be strong and courageous, telling him the he will succeed at bringing the Israelites into the land.

Moses instructs the Levites who are in charge of the ark (the Kohathites) to put the book of the law next to the ark of the covenant. He then tells them that they will rebel against God after he is dead. He tells the Kohathites to assemble the elders and officers of Israel so he can tell them about their future failings.

Reflection
Is it encouraging to know that God knows your future failings, but still loves you? Is the Word of God near you, in your mouth and in your heart so that you will obey it? God has given everyone a choice between eternal life and eternal death, which do you choose? Does knowing that Jesus has gone before us to prepare a place for us give you courage and strength to follow God? Once every seven years all the law was to be read to all the people, do you read through the Bible once every seven years?

For Further Study
Deuteronomy 10:16, Joshua 4:4, Romans 2:29, Colossians 4:8

Deuteronomy 28-29

An Overview of Chapter 28
Blessings of diligent obedience to the commands of God, and curses of disobedience are listed in detail. The blessings include multiple offspring for you and your animals, ample produce from your land, prosperity, and military dominance over your enemies. The curses seem to be the inverse of these, given in much greater detail, some of which are very disgusting.

An Overview of Chapter 29
The Israelites enter into a covenant with God at Moab, a different covenant made with their fathers at Horeb. It says that they have seen the power of God and His ability to keep this agreement - prosperity for the Israelites, and making them His people. The agreement is similar to the agreements between God and Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob making God their God. Once again curses are listed that describe for those who do not follow after God all the destruction that will come to them.

Reflection
What blessings has God given you? What warnings has God given us concerning obedience? If you have ever tried living outside of God’s obedience did you feel cursed?

For Further Study
Covenant: Genesis 6:18, Genesis 9:12-13, Genesis 15:18, Genesis 17:21, Exodus 2:24, Job 31:1, Psalm 25:10, Psalm 50:16-21, Psalm 111:9, Isaiah 24:5, Matthew 26:26-29, 2Corinthians 3:5-6, 2Corinthians 3:14, Hebrews 8-9

Deuteronomy 24-27

An Overview of Chapter 24
Miscellaneous laws:
- if a man divorces a woman, then she remarries and her new husband divorces her or dies the original husband cannot remarry her.
- when a man marries he is free from military service for one year.
- no one should take for a pledge on a loan something required for the borrower to earn a living.
- the penalty for kidnapping is death.
- follow the Levites instructions for leprosy.
- don’t enter someone’s house to accept a pledge on a loan.
- a poor person’s pledge should be returned before bedtime.
- don’t oppress poor people, but pay them daily for their work.
- father’s will not be punished for their sons and vice versa.
- justice is due to aliens, orphans, and widows.
- do not pick your crops, trees or vineyards clean so that the poor may eat.

An Overview of Chapter 25
Miscellaneous laws:
- judges are to observe the punishments they decide.
- do not muzzle an ox while he is threshing.
- a man should marry his brothers widow.
- if a man does not marry his brothers widow, then she will take his sandal and spit in his face in front of the elders, and everyone will call him “the man with one sandal.”
- if a woman touches a man other than her husbands genitals while fighting to protect her husband she is to have her hand cut off.
- you should not cheat people using faulty weights.
- when you enter the land blot kill off all the Amalekites.

An Overview of Chapter 26
When the Israelites enter the land and they bring in their first crop the first fruits are to be brought to the place where the Lord chooses and are given to the Levites. Then they will all worship God. In the third year all the tithe will be given to the Levites, the strangers, orphans, and widows to eat. They will ask God to bless His people and their land because of their faithfulness to obey God.

An Overview of Chapter 27
When the Israelites enter the land they are to set up large stones coated with lime on Mount Ebal and write all the words of the law on them. They will also build an altar their to offer burnt offerings on. This place will be used as the tribes agree to the terms of curses that God will give to them based on their following the law. Half of the tribes will agree to the curses on Mount Ebal, and half the tribes will agree to the blessings on Mount Gerizim.

The Levites will yell out the laws that will lead to curses if they are broken, and the tribes will answer amen after each of the laws is read.

Reflection
Do you connect the blessings and curses of God with your obedience or disobedience? Do you give your tithes and offerings as a part of your worship of God?

For Further Study
Curses: Genesis 3:11-19, Leviticus 24:10-16, Job 2:9, Psalm 37:22, Proverbs 3:33, Proverbs 26:2, Mark 11:21, Luke 6:28, Romans 12:14, Galatians 3:10-14, Revelation 22:3

Deuteronomy 21-23

An Overview of Chapter 21
If someone is found dead in a field between two cities then the Elders of the closest city must offer a sacrifice and proclaim that they are not responsible for this death. Then they ask God to remove the guilt on the land because of the innocent persons death.

If a soldier takes a wife from a captive nation, the wife must first shave her head, do her nails, take off her slave clothes and mourn her parents for a month. If later the man decides not to be married to her, he must not mistreat her, but let her go peacefully.

If a man has two wives and the firstborn son comes from his unloved wife, then he is to treat that son well, and not give the position of firstborn to the younger son of the loved wife.

If parents have a rebellious teenager who will not obey they are to take them to the city gate and all the men of the town will stone him.

No one who is hanged will remain on the tree overnight (New Testament occurrences - John 19:31 and Galatians 3:13).

An Overview of Chapter 22
Miscellaneous laws:
- If an Israelite sees a lost item or animal (or even a hurt animal) of another Israelite he is required to take care of it until it can be returned to the original owner.
- Men and women must wear gender appropriate clothing.
- If you see some baby birds in a nest you can take them, but you cannot take their mother.
- If you build a house it must be safe.
- Things that were not intended to be mixed together should not be mixed together.
- Tassels should be worn on your clothes as a reminder of the commandments of God (Numbers 15:38-40).

Laws for sex:
- If a new husband claims his wife was not a virgin then a system is set up to determine if that is true, which basically required people to save the sheet the first had sex on, and the blood stained cloth would be given to the girls parents as proof of her virginity. If she was a virgin, then the elders of the city will make fun of him and fine him. If she wasn’t, then she was to be stoned to death.
- If someone is caught in adultery, then both patterns will be killed.
- If an engaged girl is raped, but doesn’t cry out for help she and the rapist will be killed, if she does cry out, then only the rapist will be killed.
- If a man and woman have sex and neither are married, then they are required to get married.
- A man cannot have sex with his mom, or step-mom.

An Overview of Chapter 23
Those who cannot worship God among the nation of Israel:
- emasculated men.
- illegitimate children.
- Ammonites and Moabites.

Israelites should be friends with Edomites.

Keeping the camp of the army clean:
- night time emissions would make you unclean for one day.
- a dumping ground should exist outside of camp for a bathroom, and the results should be buried.
Miscellaneous laws:
- if an escaped slave is found you do not give them back to their master.
- Israelite men and women cannot be prostitutes.
- money earned through prostitution cannot be brought as an offering to God.
- Israelites could not charge other Israelites interest, but they could charge foreigners.
- vows were to be kept.
- you can eat from a vineyard or field you are passing through, but no doggy bags.

Reflection
Jesus told us all the law and all the prophets hinge on loving God and loving your neighbor. Look at the laws listed above and try to categorize them as loving God, loving your neighbor or both.

For Further Study
Greatest Commandment: Matthew 22:34-40

Deuteronomy 17-20

An Overview of Chapter 17
Several laws are listed here:
- no sacrifice should have a blemish or defect.
- if someone is rumored to be serving other gods, their is to be a thorough investigation.
- if they are found to be guilty (two or three witnesses) they are to be stoned to death.
- the witnesses cast the first stone.
- if a case is too difficult to decide then the priest or judge will hear the case.
- if someone does not abide by the ruling of the judge then they are to be stoned.

A prophecy is given that the people will ask for a king in the new land, here are the rules for the king:
- God chooses the king.
- he must be an Israelite.
- he will not have a bunch of horses.
- he will not send any of his people to Egypt on business.
- he will not have a bunch of wives (they will turn his heart from God).
- he will not have a bunch of money.
- he will write his own copy of the law.
- he will read the law daily.

An Overview of Chapter 18
Because the Levite will not receive an inheritance in the land they are to be paid with the sacrifices of the people. They get the shoulder, cheeks, and stomach of the animal sacrifices. They get some of the first fruit offerings. If a Levite comes to serve in the tabernacle by his own free will, he will receive the same payment as all the other Levites.

People not aloud to live in the land (if they are found they are to be killed):
- people who sacrifice their children to other gods.
- people involved in divination, witchcraft, omens, sorcery, spell casting, mediums, spiritists, or anyone who talks to dead people.

A test is given for a false prophet. If someone prophesies and the thing does not come true then the Israelites are to kill him.

An Overview of Chapter 19
The description of the cities of refuge is given again here, as well as the laws for determine if a death is accidental or murder. The murder suspect can run to one of the cities of refuge to be protected until a judgement is made in their case. If they are guilty then a member of the victims family may kill them.

A law is given telling people not to move the boundary marks that will be established at the division of the inheritance.

Cases should be investigated thoroughly, and if a witness lies they will receive the punishment that would have went to the accused.

An Overview of Chapter 20
Military laws.
- don’t be scared, God has it under control.
- the priest will give a benediction before they leave for battle.
- the officers will send all soldiers home who are in a new house, growing a new vineyard, engaged, or scared.
- before fighting offer terms of peace (mainly that the other side become your slaves).
- all the men will be killed (everyone will be killed as they enter the promised land).
- if you besiege a city for a long time, don’t cut down the fruit trees because you can eat the fruit.

Reflection
Do you offer God the best of what you have or the leftovers? When you have difficult problems with other believers do you bring the situation to the church leadership? Do you support those who serve in the church.

For Further Study
Witness: Leviticus 5:1, Deuteronomy 5:20, Proverbs 14:25, Matthew 15:19, Acts 1:8, 2Corinthians 13:1, Philippians 1:8, 1Timothy 5:19, Hebrews 10:28-29.

Deuteronomy 14-16

An Overview of Chapter 14
Some miscellaneous laws are given here:
- you shall not cut or shave yourself for a dead person.
- clean and unclean animals are listed (see notes from Leviticus 11).
- you can’t eat roadkill, but you can feed it to a stranger.
- don’t boil a baby goat in its mothers milk.
- tithe every year.
- all that was tithed was eaten in fellowship with God (notice that there seems to be two different tithes listed here, a yearly tithe and a separate tithe brought every three years to be shared with the needy.
- if you were too far away from the tabernacle to eat, you could sell your tithe and use the money for a BBQ when you get to the tabernacle.
- make sure you take care of the Levites, the lonely, and the travelers in your town.

An Overview of Chapter 15
Every seven years all debts are forgiven. This will prevent poor people from entering the land. If someone is poor then lend to them freely. If another Israelite is sold to you then you can keep them as a slave for seven years, but then you are to free them and provide for them as the leave. If they desire to stay then pierce their ear and they will be a bondservant for you for the rest of their life.

Consecrate the firstborn of your animals and eat it whether it is clean or not, but do not eat the blood.

An Overview of Chapter 16
The feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, Weeks, and Booths are described again here. These are to be times of remembrance, celebration, and rejoicing. The Israelites were instructed to provide for the Levites, lonely, and travelers during these times. During these times all men were to appear before the Lord, and bring a gift to Him.

The Israelites are to appoint judges and officers when they get to the land. They are warned not to put up Asherah poles or other cultic pillars.

Reflection
Do you give a tithe based on what you have? Do you consider eating with other believers as fellowshipping with God? What debts are owed to you that could be forgiven? Who is poor among you that you can bless? Do you present yourself before God on occasion throughout the year and bring Him a gift?

For Further Study
Bondservant: Psalm 18, Proverbs 14:35, Proverbs 17:2, Romans 1:1, Galatians 1:10, Philippians 2:5-7, 2Timothy 2:24, James 1:1, 2Peter 1:1, Jude 1:1, Revelation 1:1, Revelation 15:3

Deuteronomy 11-13

An Overview of Chapter 11
This is an exhortation to Israel to love God, know His rules and follow them. A logical argument is presented that basically says, “You saw how mighty, and wonderful God is, so you should do what He says. If you do what He says, He will make sure things go well for you.” With this exhortation is also a warning not to walk away from God, because if you do you will have no success.

In order to keep God’s commandments it was important that you are constantly reminding yourself what they were and that you were to do them. One way this was done was with symbols tied to your body and attached to your home. In modern terms they were WWJD bracelets and bumper stickers.

An Overview of Chapter 12
A list of some of the laws they were to follow when they enter the promised land.
- destroy all places of demonic worship of false gods.
- destroy the altars and implements used for false gods.
- worship God where He tells you to.
- don’t worship God in places designed to worship false gods.
- don’t eat blood.
- take care of the Levites.

This list is followed with another exhortation to follow God. The people are told not to try and check out what gods were served in the land they are going, and are told that the people who lived their previously were even sacrificing their children to these false gods.

An Overview of Chapter 13
If someone claiming to be a prophet tells you to worship other God’s besides the true God (like Joseph Smith, and Mohammed did) then you are to kill them. This is described as purging evil. The same death is required when an entire city begins to follow other gods, after it has been established by a thorough investigation.

Reflection
Do you connect your actions with Gods blessings? How do you remind yourself of God’s instructions for your life? Look at where you live, are their evil things in your home that need to be destroyed? Do you allow yourself to dabble in unholy things?

For Further Study
Fear God: Genesis 22:12, Exodus 18:21, Psalm 25:14, Psalm 66:16, Psalms 86:11, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 10:27, Proverbs 14:26-27, Proverbs 16:6, Ecclesiastes 8:12-13, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Acts 9:31, 2Corinthians 5:11, Revelation 15:4.

Deuteronomy 8-10

An Overview of Chapter 8
Moses tells the Israelites the reason they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, it was so God could humble them, and test what is in their hearts. He let them go hungry so that they would understand that man does not live on bread alone. This was the Lords discipline (training) similar to how a father trains his son. Moses warns the Israelites to remember these lessons so that when they get to the land and God gives them all the great things He has promised they will not become proud, forgetting that it was God who gave them all their blessings.

An Overview of Chapter 9
The Israelites are told before they enter the land that they will defeat great nations, but that it will not be them doing the fighting - it will be God. This foreknowledge is given to them so when it happens they will not think they did this on their own. They are reminded that they were not chosen because of their righteousness, in fact their fathers actions were not righteous at all. If God had judged them based on their righteousness they would have been destroyed in the wilderness, but each time they deserved destruction Moses interceded for them. Moses would spend 40 days fasting and begging God to save the Israelites; he did this on two different occasions (when they made the golden calf, and when they rebelled 38 years earlier and refused to enter the land). God described the Israelites as stubborn, wicked, sinners and yet He made them His people.

An Overview of Chapter 10
Moses recounts how God made him make new tablets for the ten commandments because he broke the first set in anger. God also instructed that those ten commandments be placed in the ark of the covenant. Moses reminds them that the tribe of Levi is to serve the Lord.

In return for choosing, blessing and protecting Israel God asks a few things in return. He expects the Israelites to:
- fear Him
- walk in His ways
- Love Him
- serve Him
- keep His commandments and statutes

This is the God who owns the heaven and the earth, and he has chosen to give love and affection to the nation of Israel (what an awesome privilege). God does not show partiality or take bribes, He protects widows and orphans, and provides for aliens. He expects His people to do the same.

Reflection
How has God humbled and tested you? Do you pridefully take claim for the blessings God has provided you? Do you fast and beg God for the souls of those who deserve destruction? Do you take the time to praise the owner of heaven and earth who has decided to show His love and affection to you? Seeing the character traits of God listed in chapter 10, do you have the same character as God?

For Further Study
Discipline: Deuteronomy 8:5, Psalm 118:15-18, Proverbs 3:11-12, Proverbs 12:1, Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 22:15, 1Corinthians 11:32, Hebrews 12:5-11

Deuteronomy 5-7

An Overview of Chapter 5
Moses repeats the commandments that the Israelites are to follow when they enter the land. These are known as the ten commandments:

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make for yourself and idol.
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
4. Observe the sabbath day.
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness.
10. You shall not covet.

After reminding the Israelites of these commandments he also reminded them that they feared God when they heard His voice, and so they asked Moses to talk to God in private. They had promised to do everything God and Moses discussed.

An Overview of Chapter 6
The commandments, statutes, and judgments of God were taught to the people by Moses so that they would follow them when they enter the promised land. If the people follow these laws then God would bless them. A big emphasis is put on teaching these laws to their children and grandchildren so that they will fear God, love God, and do what He has commanded. When asked by their children why they follow God they are instructed to tell them about all God did for them when the were taken out of captivity in Egypt and led to the promised land.

An Overview of Chapter 7
God encourages the Israelites by telling them He will remove seven mighty nations from the land, little by little so Israel can manage the takeover of the land. After God removes these nations the Israelites are to completely destroy the people, their idols, and alters. They are reminded not to intermarry with them because they will turn their children to other Gods. God calls the Israelites holy people, His own possession.

If the people do what is instructed concerning removing the people of the land, then God will love, bless, and multiply them. God will help dispossess the people of the land by sending hornets, and great confusion.

Reflection
Lets take a ten commandment test. Do you place anything ahead of God in importance? Do you worship anything or anyone other than God? Do you use the Lord’s name in vain? Do you take a day each week to rest and remember God? Do you honor your parents? Are you guilty of murder? Have you committed adultery? Are you a thief? Are you a liar? Do you desire what other people have?

For Further Study
Commandment: Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 6:13-22, Genesis 21:4, Psalm 19:8, Psalm 71:3, Proverbs 19:16, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Isaiah 48:18, Matthew 5:17-19, John 13:34, John 14:15, Romans 7:7-12, 1Thessalonians 4:1-8, 1John 2:3-11, 1John 3:23-24, 2John 1:5-6