April 2 Readings

You can also check out all these Reading Plans Blogs to go through the Bible in a year from Back to the Bible Reading Lists:the Chronological Reading Plan blog; OT and NT Together blog; Historical Readings blog; Blended Readings blog and Beginning to End blog In addition, there is the Theophilus1 blog in the One Year Bible format and The Daily Bible in Chronological Order

The Back to the Bible OT and NT Together Reading Plan

Index of OT + NT Together

Judges 16-18; Luke 7.1-30


Samson
Judges 16-18
King James Version with Web Encyclopedia Links: Judges 16; Judges 17; Judges 18; Luke 7;
Micah and the Danites

Judges 16
Samson slept with a prostitute, fell in love with Delilah. The Philistine leaders wanted to find out the secret behind Samson's strength, and offered Delilah money to find out the strength of Samson. After several false answers that Samson gave Delilah about the secret of his strength, he finally gave in and told her the secret of his strength which was the shaving of his hair with a razor. she betrayed him, they gouged out his eyes. Samson died by pulling down the pillars of the temple and killing many more when he died than when he was alive.

What do we learn from the life of Samson. God uses even the sinfulness of man to accomplish his purpose to bring glory to His name. The Holy Spirit was involved in the the life of Samson when he had exhibited these great strength in killing the Philistines. Samson was a slave to his lust, he chose the wrong women in his life and that was his downfall. Despite all of Samson's weaknesses and faults he was listed among the heroes of the faith (Hebrews 11.32). The important lesson to learn is God can use sinners who are willing to be used by Him.

Judges 17
The action of one family can influence a nation for good or bad. We have seen this with the Billy Graham's family. The action of that one family has brought glory to God's name and has brought many into God's Kingdom and has influenced the nation for good. There are may examples of bad families that has influenced the United States. But today, we are looking at the family of Micah. This family was devoted to idolatry. The man, Micah created idols, his mother encouraged him to make idols and out of her mouth came blessings and curse (James 3.9-10). She care more about money than her son! Micah had hired a Levite. This Levite should know better because all Levites were consecrated to God and he knew the Law. He was only wanted money, he definitely was not a servant of God.

Judges 18
The Levite compromised himself further by going to the Danites because they offered him more money. From this corruption in the one family spread to a clan then to a tribe and this affected the whole tribe of Dan. The Danites had sent our spies and discovered this Levite, hired him as their seer, and took his idols with them. Micah and his neighbors overtook the Danites, tried to recapture the Levite and the idols but failed. To make matters worse, the Danites attacked Laish In the process, where innocent people died, and burned down their city. They renamed the city Dan and made the city a center of worship for their idols. The irony was that they were living in 'a place that lacks nothing whatever' yet there was one thing they lacked and it was God's blessing on their lives.

What do we learn from the life of Micah. Sin is like yeast, a little of it makes the dough rises. The Levite, of all the people should know better. Sometimes we compromise ourselves instead of standing up for what is right. The Levite sold himself for money just as Judas Iscariot sold his soul for thirty pieces of silver.

Judges 16, with Commentaries, verse by verse
Judges 17, with Commentaries, verse by verse
Judges 18, with Commentaries, verse by verse

Division of the Land
Tribal Lands
Pett on Samson
Pett on Micah
Division of the Land
Tribal Lands

Links to Commentaries and other References - Judges


Luke 7.1-30 with Commentaries, verse by verse
In Luke 7.1-10; Matthew 8.5-13, Luke told the story of the healing of the Roman centurion's servant. It is interesting that even Gentiles came to Jesus for healing. The centurion cared for his servant and wanted Jesus to healed him. We have to understand the power and authority that a Roman centurion has the authority over 100 men. The Romans occupied Israel at that time. It is interesting to note the attitude of the centurion, he did assert his authority nor was he proud nor arrogant. Instead he was humble. In verses 6-8 When Jesus was near the house he said, " 6Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, "Go,' and he goes; and to another, "Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, "Do this,' and he does it." (NKJV) This man what authority was but even more, he knew Jesus had AUTHORITY to heal his servant. Jesus was amazed at the faith of this centurion, He said that 'He has never seen faith so great like the Centurion in Israel, and He healed his servant.

God has a special love for orphans and widows (Psalm 68.5). Jesus went into the town of Nain (Luke 7.11-16; 1Kings 17.17-24; 2Kings 4.32-37; Mark 5.21-24, 35-43; John 11.1-55) and saw some people carrying the dead body who was the son of a widow. He said to her 'Don't cry.' He went up and touched the coffin and said to the young man in the coffin 'Young man, I say to you get up.' The people were all filled with awe. We are in the Passion week and this Sunday will be Easter Sunday, we should realize that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. He rose from the dead so will we. Jesus' heart reached out for this widow (v. 13). Jesus wept (John 11.35) at Lazarus' grave. God know how we feel when we lose a loved one, that was why He went to the cross to defeat death!

John the Baptist's disciples came to him and told him about the miracles that Jesus did. He sent two disciples to ask him if He was the one to come or should they expect someone else. At that time Jesus was perfoming many miracles, He told the two disciples the verse from Isaiah 29.18-19 18 In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see. 19 Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. He gave John a gentle rebuke 'Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.'


Luke 7-8.3 IVP Commentary

Links to Commentaries and other References - Luke

Bible Study Tools
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian

This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.