Judges 19:1-20:36
As we close out Judges today and tomorrow, we come to our final story, and it is heartbreaking. This is the story of the Levite whose wife/concubine was murdered by the men of Gibeah. The Levite wants justice for this death and Israel assembles together to decide how to handle the situation. So the people and their leaders listen to what happened and then they all decide "as one man" to go up against Gibeah (Judges 20:8-11). Now before there was any fighting, the tribe of Benjamin is asked to give up the men of Gilead who committed the crime. They refuse and war breaks out. Day 1--Israel loses 22,000 men. Day 2--Israel loses an additional 18,000 men. Day 3--Israel defeats Benjamin.
Now here's what I noticed from this sad story. The people of Israel got it backwards. When the Levite presents his case to the assembly, the leaders and the people react emotionally. They don't seek God's direction or guidance but instead take justice into their own hands. It's only when they are putting their plan into action that they then seek out and inquire of the Lord.
What does this passage show us about seeking and following God's will? How do we get to the place where our first reaction is to think/ask "What is God's will for me in this situation?" Tami W.
Oh Lord, please guide each decision i make today with grace and wisdom. Allow me to react to the challenges of the day by first seeking your guidance.
Seek G-d's council first to avoid a serious blunder!
We must be prepared. It is so difficult that I live in the world and yet am not supposed to be of the world. I've made so many wrong choices. God knows my heart, but I must know my own heart as well. I confess but repenting and turning from even the littlest thing is hard. Only Jesus can help me make retribution and that helps not to do it again. But as far as my future and ours we should look forward to His coming and serve Him with all our heart.I can try Spiritual disciplines but I will trust in His greater perfect Saving Grace.
We must always seek God's advice before we make our plans. He has to be in it from the beginning. It is not that God does not trust us because He knows us but sometimes we are of the opinion of "my did I just do that? I am just awesome". but no we did not just do that and no we are not awesome. God is awesome and He did it through us. All the glory goes to Him.
The more time you spend with a person, the more that person "rubs off on you." The more time you spend with God and the Bible, the more He is going to "rub off on you."
Try to never hurry or rush into things. Seek the Lord's guidance through prayer, and perhaps some help from good christian friends as well.
A good friend is not afraid of telling you what you should hear . . . in place of what you want to hear.