4. Old Testament Walkers and Talkers

xi. The Israelites, Samson and Manoah's wife

The Israelites

Thinking

In Judges 10: 10-15, it is reported that the people cried out to God in repentance. God spoke to them firmly reminding them how they had been delivered. They responded by putting away their strange gods (V.16.). It is not clear how these words were received, possibly through a prophet or chief priest at the tabernacle.

There seem to be four points here for me: -

a.. We must remember how God delivered us.

b.. God spoke to all the people.

c.. God probably spoke through a person who was a chosen mouthpiece and servant.

d.. We must put away "strange gods".

Praying

Lord I thank you again today that you have delivered me, and that you have enabled me to know the grace and love of Jesus who died for me. This is a deep mystery, Lord. I marvel at your awesome love and the way you have brought me into your family.

You spoke to all the people, and you continue to do this today. Your invitation is to every person who pauses to hear your voice and then responds to you (Revelation 3: 20).

We don't know how you spoke to these people, Lord, but I need to acknowledge that from time to time you speak with authority today - to large groups of people and through the voice of one person. Such an apostolic or prophetic word to many is different from your quiet voice that I hear as an individual in devotional and conversational prayer.

Listening

My son, remember this - both the public and the private word will be consistent with each other. More important, my words however spoken will always be consistent with Scripture. Be vigilant in applying this test.

Praying

Yes, Lord, I will, and I commit myself again to reading, studying, and assimilating the written word.

Fourthly, I must put away strange gods. In this modern world, I interpret this to mean anything that comes between you and me, or seeks to divert my attention away from you. Lord, I confess to you now the times when I have allowed a preoccupation with created things to divert my attention from you the creator.

Help me today to hold fast to you, and to recognise when anything begins to come between you and me.

Listening

I will, my son, and remember that I will never leave you or forsake you. Awareness of my presence is the strongest resource you have for keeping close to me.

Manoah's Wife

Thinking

In Judges 13: 3-5 and 8-22, it is reported that an angel appeared to Manoah' s wife foretelling the birth of her son Samson.

Praying

Lord, this isn't quite the same as hearing your voice. Neither is it an experience that people report today. It would be easy to gloss over this and ignore the text. Is there anything you want me to take with me today?

Listening

My son, there have been a few times throughout history when I chose to speak this way. Some, but not all are recorded in the Bible. However, you would be surprised how often I have encouraged or spoken to people through an angel without them being aware of this identity (Hebrews 13: 2). You should not be distracted or disturbed by this possibility because the role of an angel can only be to convey my word and turn a person towards me. Occasionally, I may choose this method of communication - even today, but it will be the exception rather than the rule. By contrast, my Spirit dwells within you and speaks to your spirit. Listen for my words to you - every day.

Praying

I'm trying, Lord, and I'm very aware that you are assisting me. Thank you.

Samson

Thinking

God's Spirit came upon Samson as reported in Judges 14: 19 and 15: 14, however this seems to be an empowerment rather than a spoken word. Samson was a very strong man, but when the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, he was able to do extraordinary things - in this case freeing himself from tight bonds and killing many enemies of God's people. In our modern culture, it is often hard for us to accept that this carnage resulted from the filling by the Spirit of God. We need to look deeper for lessons applicable to us today.

Praying

Lord, it is easy to write this off as an Old Testament phenomenon, but I need to trust you today that you will empower me when there is a need or opportunity to do something special for your kingdom. On another occasion, your servant Paul wrote, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4: 13). I have thought about this quite a lot over the years, and now realise that it only applies to things that are completely aligned with your will. When you ask us to do something that seems impossible by human standards, you also give us the power to do it. Then we can stand next to Samson!

Lord, I thank you now for brothers and sisters who have in faith stood up as strong men and women for you. I also need to confess the times I have been a weakling because I didn't trust you. Help me Lord, when next you call, to flex and then move my muscles for you.

The Israelites again.

Thinking

In Judges 20:18-19, 23 and 28 it is reported that the Children of Israel asked God for, and received instructions on how to discipline the tribe of Benjamin. It is not clear how this happened, possibly through an unspecified prophet or chief priest at the tabernacle.

This is an unpleasant story. A Levite had taken a young woman into his house as a concubine or extra wife. We have to accept that this went on in those days and it was a normal part of their social structure. In the course of time, she returned to her father's house and the Levite later went to retrieve her. Then follows a grisly story how he began to return home but needed to stop overnight en route. Thinking that Gibeah, a town of the tribe of Benjamin was safe, he stayed there. The details are vile; the woman was gang-raped by the men of the town. When the news of this had spread across the land, the people were incensed. They sought God's advice and were instructed to punish the Benjaminites. In due course, 25,000 men died.

Praying

Father God. This is an unpleasant story. How do you want me to respond today?

Listening

My son, you and I know that acts like this and worse continue to happen today. Be assured that my response and revulsion have not changed. People who do these things are misguided and evil.

Praying

But Lord, should we as your people be seeking your guidance - seeking to hear your voice on how to handle these matters?

Listening

My son, keep yourselves pure and worthy of my name. Be assured! The day of the Lord will come, and my voice will be heard and obeyed by the hosts of Heaven. My patience will not last forever.

Praying

Precious Lord, make this day come quickly to put an end to the evil and violence that we hear about every day.

Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved.

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