Day 124

Judges 1:1-2:5, John 4:1-26, Proverbs 11:9-18

Today starts a new book as we move from Joshua to the book of Judges. This is one of the history books that charts the judges of Israel.

Back in Exodus 18 Moses had a visit from his father-in-law, Jethro. Jethro was a bit concerned that Moses and the people were going to wear themselves out and so he suggested that Moses stopped judging on his own. Thus Moses appointed some judges over the people and so a line was started of which this book tells part of the history. One thing that we should note is the fact that no clear leader takes over from Joshua and this is going to prove a bit of a problem for Israel.

There are twelve judges whose stories make up the book starting with Othniel and ending with Samson. In the book we are going to see and hear from some major characters of the Bible but we will also come across some really tough things so prepare yourself now! Above all it is about the decline of Israel as they move away from God and embrace other gods. The Canaanites appear quite a bit and that will be the theme of the book and the problems that Israel goes through.

The conversation with the Samaritan woman sums up the relationship that Jesus came to repair. The decline for Israel did not stop in the book of Judges and there will be a lot of it in the Old Testament. Israel has moved away from God on so many levels and God sends his son. But Christ, the expected Messiah of the Jews, does not just come for this nation, he comes for all people and the offer that he makes to this Samaritan woman is quite clear – I am the water that will give you eternal life.

There are times when we move away from God and things go a bit pear shaped in our relationship with God. But we know that Jesus brings the offer that we will never go thirsty. Let us worship God in our hearts in spirit and truth and renew that relationship.