In the book of Judges we learned how following Ehud “was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel”, and in chapter four and verse one of Judges, we learn how, “the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD” where we read,
And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.
The verse reads, “And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, …” The writer began with the words, “and the children of Israel” which means “and the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “again did evil” or “another time performed and produced bad, malignancy, disagreeableness and wickedness” “in the sight of the LORD” which means “in front and within the vision and presence of Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God”. The writer shared how the offspring of “Israel” performed wicked acts and deeds yet another time in the presence of Jehovah God.
The verse continues, “… when Ehud was dead.” The writer added the words, “when Ehud” which means “at the time and moment Ehud whose name means ‘I will give thanks or I will be praised’ and was a Benjamite judge of Israel and deliverer of Israel from Moab” “was dead” or “existed as lifeless, without breath and inanimate”. The writer said the people of “Israel” performed wicked acts and deeds at the time “Ehud” had breathed his last breath.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the people of “Israel” returned to their wicked ways as soon as their judge, “Ehud”, died. It seems like they were bent toward “evil” as soon as they had no one to monitor them. God knows “there is none righteous, no, not one” (See Romans 3:10), and “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (See Romans 3:23) Our sins have consequences, “the wages of sin is death” (See Romans 6:23a), and yet, “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. (See Romans 6:23b) When we receive Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the grave after three days as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth, convict us of our sins and lead us to confess our sins so we may be forgiven and cleansed of all unrighteousness. (See 1 John 1:9)
Next time we learn how, “the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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