[:en]Tola led Israel for 23 years while Jair led Israel for 22 years.  These 2 judges served by administering the internal problem of the nation.  When the Israelites forsook the Lord and served others gods, the Lord let the Philistines and the Ammorites ruled over them for 18 years.  When they cried out to the… Continue reading [:en]Thoughts from Judges 10[:]

[:en]Abimelech killed his 70 brothers and declared himself king of Israel.  But he was killed by a woman who dropped an upper millstone on his head and cracked his skull (v. 53) *Sin will always find you out*[:]

[:en]The Ephramites were able to kill two Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb.  But they blamed Gideon for excluding them from fighting against the Midian during the selection process. Gideon tactfully gave them a humbling answer that healed their wounds and prevented division.  Gideon pursued the two kings of Midian, Zeban and Zalmunna and personally killed… Continue reading [:en]Thoughts from Judges 8[:]

[:en]As Gideon was preparing a battle against the Midianites, he had 32,000 men with him.  22,000 men were sent home because of fear (vs. 1-3, Deut. 20:1-9).  With the remaining 10,000 men, Gideon took them down to the water.  He only selected 300 men who lapped their hands to their mouths to go with him… Continue reading [:en]Thoughts from Judges 7[:]

[:en]The Midianites, Amalikites and other eastern people invaded the land of Israel.  The Lord sent an angel to Gideon and told him to save Israel out of Midian’s hand.  But Gideon refused saying: “My clan is the weakest in Manasseth and I am the least in my family” (v. 15). He asked God to show… Continue reading [:en]Thoughts from Judges 6[:]

[:en]Deborah and Barak fought a victorious battle.  They sang song of praises to the Lord.  The contents of the song are: Be willing to volunteer and offer yourself (v. 2, 9) Know the mighty acts of the Lord (vs. 4-5) Do not let the inaction of others discourage you (vs. 13-23) God can use women… Continue reading [:en]Thoughts from Judges 5[:]

[:en]Deborah was a prophetess used by God to be a leader for the Israelites.  She knew God’s will and rallied God’s people.  She sent Barack to fight against Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army.  All the troops of Sisera fell by the sword.  While Sisera fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of… Continue reading [:en]Thoughts from Judges 4[:]

[:en]The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.  They intermarriaged with each other and served their gods.  So the Lord had them subjected to the king of Aram for 8 years.  When they cried out to the Lord, He raised up Othniel, Caleb’s younger brother to be their judge.  He overpowered… Continue reading [:en]Thoughts from Judges 3[:]

[:en]Joshua died at the age of 110 and was buried at Timnath Heres, north of Mount Gaash.  Because the older generation failed to teach the younger generation God’s truth, they forgot the true God and joined their neighbors in idolatry and immorality.  In His anger against the Israel, the Lord handed them to their enemies. … Continue reading [:en]Thoughts from Judges 2[:]

[:en]After the death of Joshua, individual tribes fought to claim their inheritance on the remaining land at Canaan.  They defeated the enemy but did not drive them out completely.  As a result, they learned their ways and worshiped their gods. *Be careful not to yoke with unbelievers and follow their ways*[:]