In the book of Judges we learned how the people of Israel, “forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed”, and in chapter two and verse sixteen of Judges, we learn how, “the LORD raised up judges”, where we read,
Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges,
which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.
The verse reads, “Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges,…” The writer began with the words, “nevertheless the LORD” which means “however, notwithstanding and moreover Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God” “raised up judges” or “confirmed and established governors, vindicators, punishers and defenders”. The writer shared how Jehovah God established governors and defenders known as “judges” who performed the following.
The verse continues, “… which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.” The writer added the words, “which delivered them” which means “who rescued and saved them, the people of Israel” “out of the hand” or “from the power, might and authority” “of them that spoiled them” which means “belonging to the adversaries who plundered, robbed and destroyed them, the people of Israel”. The writer shared how the “judges” appointed by Jehovah God rescued the people of Israel from those who had robbed and plundered them.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how Jehovah God is a merciful, kind and loving God even when people have turned against Him. The people of Israel suffered plundering and theft from the people in which they aligned themselves, and when they cried out to God for help, He in His mercy would send a “judge” to rescue them from their foes. God is for us and not against us. He loves us, and He proved His love when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to help us call upon Him with confidence when we suffer from our sinful ways. (See John 3:16; 1 Peter 5:7)
Next time we learn how, “they would not hearken unto their judges”, 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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