Judges 1-3; Psalm 16; Luke 20
Additional problems will always accompany partial obedience to God. According to God's commandment, the Israelites were supposed to drive out all the pagan nations from the land of Canaan. The purpose of this was to prevent the sinful, destructive influence of paganism on God's people. Unfortunately, the Jews did not fulfill this commandment. After driving out most of the pagans, they left enough of them, making them pay tribute to them (Judges 1:35). Because of this, God did not drive out the remaining nations, making them a snare for Israel (Judges 2:1-3).
This led Israel into a vicious cycle. God's blessings led to a prosperous life. Living in abundance and prosperity, the Israelites turned away from God and began to worship idols. Their lives became filled with sin. As a result, God raised external enemies against them (Judges 3:12). After many years, even decades, of suffering, the Israelites turned to God in repentance. God sent them judges, through whom He overthrew the yoke of the invaders. The Book of Judges contains seven such cycles. Some are described briefly in just a few verses, while the description of others takes up significant space.
Psalm 16 is a thanksgiving to God for Himself, for making us His children. "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance" (Psalm 16:5). My main inheritance is the Lord Himself, not anything else. "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places" (Psalm 15:6). Everything that God sends into my life is good; a certain portion designated by Him reflects His good will. Therefore, the psalmist blesses the Lord and rejoices in Him. Verse 10 is quoted by the apostles in their preaching in the New Testament, proving the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:31; 13:35).
Luke 20 describes the attacks of the Jewish religious authorities that Jesus Christ faced in the last week before His arrest and crucifixion. They attack Him from different angles, trying to catch Him and find grounds to accuse Him of something (Luke 20:20). This is preceded by the parable of the wicked vine-growers, which obviously represents Israel rejecting the Messiah. The chapter ends with a general assessment of the Pharisees and scribes given by Christ (Luke 20:45-47).
This led Israel into a vicious cycle. God's blessings led to a prosperous life. Living in abundance and prosperity, the Israelites turned away from God and began to worship idols. Their lives became filled with sin. As a result, God raised external enemies against them (Judges 3:12). After many years, even decades, of suffering, the Israelites turned to God in repentance. God sent them judges, through whom He overthrew the yoke of the invaders. The Book of Judges contains seven such cycles. Some are described briefly in just a few verses, while the description of others takes up significant space.
Psalm 16 is a thanksgiving to God for Himself, for making us His children. "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance" (Psalm 16:5). My main inheritance is the Lord Himself, not anything else. "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places" (Psalm 15:6). Everything that God sends into my life is good; a certain portion designated by Him reflects His good will. Therefore, the psalmist blesses the Lord and rejoices in Him. Verse 10 is quoted by the apostles in their preaching in the New Testament, proving the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:31; 13:35).
Luke 20 describes the attacks of the Jewish religious authorities that Jesus Christ faced in the last week before His arrest and crucifixion. They attack Him from different angles, trying to catch Him and find grounds to accuse Him of something (Luke 20:20). This is preceded by the parable of the wicked vine-growers, which obviously represents Israel rejecting the Messiah. The chapter ends with a general assessment of the Pharisees and scribes given by Christ (Luke 20:45-47).
Posted in Reading Bible Together