July 20, 2021
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Judges? Here’s today’s reading:
Judges 10 (NIV)
Tola
1 After the time of Abimelek, a man of Issachar named Tola son of Puah, the son of Dodo, rose to save Israel. He lived in Shamir, in the hill country of Ephraim. 2 He led Israel twenty-three years; then he died, and was buried in Shamir.........Continue Reading
Oh my goodness Judges is like the Groundhog Day of disobedience!! They forget God, end up in misery, and cry out for help…over and over! Aren’t we blessed to have God’s mercy, grace, and PATIENCE!!
Judges 10
Israel’s pattern of idolatry is like the allegorical pattern of all mankind, specifically those who have been saved. It shows the dynamics of love, law, disobedience, suffering, prayer, forgiveness then victory. Then it seems like they get bored and go back to idolatry. In my own life, this happens at times too.
After Abimelek the Israelites get a much needed rest period under Tola and Jair. What makes me think the rest period isn’t going to last though?
Haha I liked what Kelly said why do they keep messing up after all God has done for them, what does it take for them to trust the Lord and learn that he is the one and only God.
I think about people that keep going back to their bad habits. Time after time after time. And after time. I just loose interest. . Gods patience and mercy is so beyond for us who sin and repent over and over. What an awesome God we serve!!!!
Judges 10
Two quick accounts of judges that lead Israel for a combined 45 years with apparent peace and obedience at the same time and then as if they can’t help themselves the Israelites turn and follow foreign gods. After 18 years (a long time) of oppression they cry out to God and He gives them a fitting response….why don’t you turn to the gods you have followed and see if they can rescue you. What a stark comparison there is between the true God who has created them and the false gods that they have created. He has power without their help, and the false gods have no power even with their help. And it is as true today with the false philosophies and idols that we put before God. Nothing is a substitute for Him. And yet when Israel truly repents, God cares too much for them to not help. His mercies are endless toward willfully disobedient people.
oppressed you and you cried to me for help, did I not save you from their hands? 13But you have forsaken me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. 14Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!”
15But the Israelites said to the Lord, “We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.” 16Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord. And he could bear Israel’s misery no longer.
“Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods. Therefore I will deliver you no more. 14 “Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in your time of distress.”
And the children of Israel said to the Lord, “We have sinned! Do to us whatever seems best to You; only deliver us this day, we pray.” 16 So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord. And His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel.”
It is sad that they turn to these worthless gods even when it comes down to their time of need they KNOW that they are powerless! It would seem wise to just stick with the One true God.