HeIsGreater

1 Samuel 5:5 Learn!

1 Samuel 5:5 That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold. It is amazing to see the ability of people to stick to beliefs that have been proven false, ineffective or dangerous. We see it all the time withContinue reading “1 Samuel 5:5 Learn!”

1 Samuel 1:6-7 Conception

1 Samuel 1:6–7 Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. Today’s text is the perfect example of theContinue reading “1 Samuel 1:6-7 Conception”

Ruth 4:7 Shoe Room

Ruth 4:7 (Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.) Some people have lots of shoes, and not just women. Some men collect shoes, especially athleticContinue reading “Ruth 4:7 Shoe Room”

Judges 19:1 Rampant Sin

Judges 19:1 In those days Israel had no king. Now a Levite who lived in a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim took a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. I am still surprised by the depth to which humans can dig. I’m not talking about the mining of precious metals, but the moralContinue reading “Judges 19:1 Rampant Sin”

Judges 15:7 Revenge

Judges 15:7 Samson said to them, “Since you’ve acted like this, I swear that I won’t stop until I get my revenge on you.” Revenge can be a powerful emotion. Justice and revenge can’t occupy the same territory. They are incompatible. Once the spirit of revenge enters, it is never satisfied. Revenge leads to warContinue reading “Judges 15:7 Revenge”

Judges 11:30-31 Overkill

Judges 11:30–31 And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: “If you give the Ammonites into my hands, 31 whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” Sometimes it can beContinue reading “Judges 11:30-31 Overkill”

Judges 8:23-24 Golden Clothes

Judges 8:23 But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.” 24 And he said, “I do have one request, that each of you give me an earring from your share of the plunder.” (It was the custom of the Ishmaelites toContinue reading “Judges 8:23-24 Golden Clothes”

Judges 7:19 Psychological Warfare

Judges 7:19 19 Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. Terror can be a very powerful thing. Hitler thought that the British peopleContinue reading “Judges 7:19 Psychological Warfare”

Judges 2:10 Rinse and Repeat

Judges 2:10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. There is no sadder situation than when someone, having been warned of the consequences of their actions, still continues to do the actions. The warning is rightContinue reading “Judges 2:10 Rinse and Repeat”

Joshua 24:19 Bad News

Joshua 24:19 Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. Some people do a good job of saying goodbye. Others are terrible at it. And still others avoid it all together.Continue reading “Joshua 24:19 Bad News”