Judges 12-16: Day 052: Journey Through the Bible in a Year

February 22, 2022

Judges 12-16
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Day 052: Journey Through the Bible in a Year
Focus Verses for Today: Judges 14:20-15:3

Spend some time in prayer, seeking God’s wisdom before reading Judges 12-16. Then read Judges 12-16. Let’s journey!

Commentary: Not all judges continued in their mission of uniting Israel. Jephthah was coming off a great victory but wound up dividing the nation and taking personal revenge for a slight he perceived. The references to minor judges serve to remind the reader that this book is not a comprehensive list of all judges, but only a partial. Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon led Israel unremarkably for a combined period totaling 25 years. Samson was born during a time when Israel had turned away from the Lord. Samson was the only child of Manoah and his wife, who could not conceive, and was visited by the angel of the Lord to inform her that she would have a male child. She was told to never put a razor to his head and, that while carrying him, to not drink fermented drink or eat unclean food. The boy was to be a Nazarite, dedicated to God from the womb. His purpose was to begin the liberation of Israel from the Philistines.

We meet Samson again as an adult. Samson is one of the more famous judges, but consider why he is so well known. He had great potential that he squandered, living an ungodly life, often rejecting the Lord and suffering for it. His refusal to follow the Lord also led to the deaths of others. Samson sought to marry a Philistine woman, who betrayed him before they were married. He later kept the company of a prostitute, who also betrayed him, leading to his humiliation and death.

Focus Verses: Judges 14:20-15:3 – Samson was very selfish with the gifts given to him by the Lord. How was he unlike other judges? What motivated Samson to destroy the Philistines? What gifts has God given you? Are you wasting them?

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