Category Archives: Bible

Ruth INTRODUCTIONThe Book of Ruth tells the simple and beautiful story of Naomi, a Hebrew woman, and her Moabite daugher-in-law, Ruth. Set in the dark days of the Judges, the tale of Ruth and Naomi reminds us that even in the worst of times godly men and women live quiet lives of faith.The book, probablyContinue reading “The 365-Day Devotional Commentary”

RESULTS OF APOSTASYJudges 17–21 “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit” (Jdg. 21:25). History books seldom provide as much insight into a period as do stories of men and women who lived in it. In three brief slices of life, the author of Judges shows us how dark theContinue reading “The 365-Day Devotional Commentary”

SAMSONJudges 13–16 “Samson led Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines” (Jdg. 15:20). This text does not conclude, “and the land had rest.” Samson, for all his physical strength, lacked the inner strength needed to put his people ahead of his own raging desires. Definition of Key TermsPhilistines. Great numbers of theseContinue reading “The 365-Day Devotional Commentary”

ABIMELECH AND JEPHTHAHJudges 9–12 “Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the LORD. And He could bear Israel’s misery no longer” (Jdg. 10:16). Two disadvantaged young men remind us that environment determines no one’s future. What counts are the choices each individual makes in life. OverviewAbimelech, son of Gideon andContinue reading “The 365-Day Devotional Commentary”

GIDEONJudges 6–8 “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (Jdg. 6:14) The hesitant hero of this story did ask God for reassuring signs. And God did graciously reassure him. Gideon’s experience teaches an important lesson about “putting out the fleece.” But not, perhaps, theContinue reading “The 365-Day Devotional Commentary”