I sat by my daughter as I watched her put all the pink beads side-by-side. In a moment of sheer joy she declared, “Look, Mom, I made a pattern.” I told her, “No, a pattern is something that repeats itself. Pink, purple, pink, purple is a pattern.” There was something in talking about patterns with my daughter that sparked a thought about the Israelites in Judges 2.
The Israelites had their own pattern: The people would live according to the laws of the nations around them, and their lives would be destructive and immoral. God would appoint judges over the people and use them as an instrument of salvation to fight back against their enemies, and then the people would be saved and there would be peace. But when the judges passed away, the Israelites would turn away from God’s ways again.
They should have heeded the warning from Moses: “Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mind as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your grandchildren” (Deuteronomy 4:9).
We have patterns too. And my objects of affection aren’t that different from the Israelites. Israel’s idol worship is similar to my own cycles of sin. Why would anyone choose sacrifice and obedience over doing what they want to do? These sin patterns can hold positions of power over my bank account, my time, and my worship. Even in sin, I want the comfort of a life of pink, purple, pink, purple. But Jesus throws an orange in there to disrupt my sin and bring me back to His ways.
Jesus disrupts those sin patterns with His love in the form of a Sunday morning song, holding hands with a friend in prayer, prompting me to read my Bible when I have other pressing things to do, a sermon that convicts my pride, a text of encouragement, a warm cookie shared with my kids, and kind words spoken from God through my husband. These are the ways He breaks up my patterns of sin and calls me back to God’s ways over my ways.
His love prompts us to believe and hope in Him over the hope we find in worldly things. Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.” Our perfect judge, Jesus, is our instrument of salvation. Unlike the judges, who died and left Israel to try and keep God’s commands on their own, Jesus is always with us. His Spirit is always available and near to show us how to live for Him. We may waver, but Jesus is an anchor that grounds us to His promises—a faithful promise to help us make new patterns of living for Him through His love.
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97 thoughts on "Sin and Judgment"
Convicting to say the least. ❣️
So grateful that He steps in and leads us in a way that blesses us and pleases Him!
Thank you Lord that you are so kind to nudge us back to obedience. I pray that we would heed the scripture to be diligent not to forget You. That we would grow in fear of the Lord and teach it to our children. Amen
Thankful for this time to stop and consider what patterns of sin is in my life.
Just reading the first two chapters of judges and Isaiah with my home group I kept asking myself how the Israelites could continue over and over with the same patterns despite Gods blatant anger and the Lord humbled me so quickly by reminding me that I am no different despite the examples of hardship and pain laid out so plainly as a result of sin and idolatry. So thankful I started this study so I can recenter myself on Him!
Amen
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This chapter is convicting. There are many projects that I start, or think will be good or even Godly to pursue, and I have to wonder if the Spirit is asking me to check my motives. Is it possible these cool ideas are idols or distracting me from God?
I am reminded of the saying “old habits die hard” or something like that. Makes me reflect on how many times I have turned away from God and how much thought it takes to consciously turn towards the Father. I will be thinking about this as often as I can this week.
Thank you Jesus for always bringing me back to You.
After reading this, I am reminded to not fall back into my old patterns of avoiding God and trying to do everything on my own. I’ve struggled with trying to find happiness and every time I do it’s because I’m not trusting or believing in God and His word. Thanks and Glory be to God for his reminders and constant redirection, we could never come back without his grace.
Love to you, Crys
Thank you for sharing Molly. I feel that same way, just with my Dad.
I have been feeling off and not myself. I’ve been more negative and judgmental, not having grace and love for those around me. I’ve also had this nagging feeling to get my bible, attend a service, do a bible study. Here I am. It was God bringing me back to him. This solidifies I am doing what God wants me to do by moving closer to him through this bible study.
I’m so happy I’m deciding to do this study right now. God is so faithful and so good.
This study is so fitting for what is happening right now to Israel. They did not obey God’s command to drive out the pagan nations and look at their turmoil today. What a convicting message to me about obedience to his word even when it doesn’t make sense.
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Hi sisters! I would like to ask for prayers for my boyfriend, Jose. He’s been actively looking for a job for 4 months now and he still hasn’t received a job offer. It’s been a tough time for both of us emotionally and financially. Please pray that he receives favor and encouragement from the Lord. And that he gets the best job offer soon. Thank you so much!
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I pray I stay diligent in my walk with God and teach my children about Him. I love Him and I want them to truly know and love Him more than anything!
It’s in scripture somewhere saying if the wife is diligent her husband will see and eventually come around. My grandmother is proof in this. After 40 years of being obedient, by grandfather finally came to the faith.
I think it’s so important to realize that God loves us with or without our sin!!!! But because we love him so that we choose not to do it. It’s SO easy to forget about him when things are well and to remember him when things go bad. This is probably one of my buggest patterns. I don’t want to just cry out to him when things are bad. I want to cry out to him every day!!
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My favorite verse in todays reading is Deuteronomy 4:9 It is a good reminder not to forget all God has done for me all the the prayers he has answered,blessings he as giving me, and so much more.
In trying to relate this study to my life, I am seeing how important it is to remember what Jesus has done in my life. Israelites wouldn’t do what Moses said, which was to teach their children and their children’s children about God, and after a while, there would be a generation that didn’t know God, or what he’s done and wouldn’t follow Him. Instead, they would worship false gods.
I think of my own life, when I’m not as in tune with praying or studying the Bible, and I’m just doing routine things then I tend to forget about the “why“ on why I follow God. My mind starts wandering and it gets so easy to just do what I want to do or what would please me and I start to think less about what God thinks about it or even worse I have apathy towards what I think God will think. And similar to the Israelites, when I start feeling empty or if something happens, I go to God in desperation, but it’s also so hard for me to go back because if it’s a continual seeking there is momentum to go off of but when I haven’t gone to him in such a long time, I feel like I don’t even know where to start. I feel like spiritually I want to feel the satisfaction of being full of God the first time I go back to him, but sometimes that’s not the case. Sometimes it takes a few days of consistent prayer and reading the word for me to feel like God is with me when in reality, if I just stayed consistent, even in the really hard days, I wouldn’t have to go back in desperation, but He would just always be by my side.
Just like it said in Hebrews 10:23 I need to hold fast with confidence, commitment, and a confession without wavering. I need to hold on to Jesus and what He’s done in my life, and what He will continue to do in my life. It said in the Faith life Study Bible that, “holding the confession means maintaining a consistent confidence in the salvation Jesus brings through his faithful life, death and resurrection”. I feel like this is what PJ has been preaching about, it is all about the cross and understanding the cross, that I know just the fact that Jesus died for me will always be enough for me to want to follow Him.
This is so convicting but I am so thankful we have Jesus’s grace to cover us, because Judges seems to prove that we can’t do right on our own, we need his help, or else we fall into patterns of sin. Thankfully he can give me strength to refuse the darkness and walk in his light!
I prayed today, that I don’t become like those Israelites who teetered back and forth. I am grateful for a savior, my Redeemer Jesus Christ! Where would I be, if not for Him? I shutter to think. Lifting you all in prayer. Welcome to all who have joined us.
Judges 2 is a significant chapter in the Bible that explores the recurring cycle of disobedience, punishment, repentance, and deliverance that characterizes Israel’s relationship with God. This chapter marks the transition from Joshua’s leadership to the era of the Judges, illuminating how the Israelites repeatedly fall into sin and are rescued by Judges, appointed by God.
Themes
1. Disobedience and Rebellion
2. God’s Forgiveness
3. Cycle of Sin and Redemption
4. The Role of Judges
5. God’s Unending Mercy
Topics
1. Disobedience of Israel
2. God’s Rebuke
3. The death of Joshua
4. Rise of new generations
5. The Canaanites
6. Israel’s repentance and punishment
7. The cycle of judges
People
1. The Angel of the LORD
2. The Israelites
3. Joshua
4. The Canaanites
5. The Judges
Locations
1. Bochim
2. Joshua’s burial place in Ephraim
3. Canaan
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the pattern of disobedience and repentance among the Israelites in Judges 2 reflect the struggles we face in our spiritual lives today?
2. What do you think are some of the reasons why the new generation of Israelites did not know the Lord or the work He had done for Israel? How can this be prevented in our time?
3. How does the repetition of sin in Judges 2 relate to the concept of generational curses today?
4. How does God’s response to Israel’s disobedience manifest His justice and His mercy?
5. In your life, how have you experienced the cycle of sin and redemption?
6. What parallels can be drawn between the role of the Judges in Israel and the role of spiritual leaders today?
7. What consequences do the Israelites face for their disobedience, and how does this apply to our lives today?
8. How can you break a cycle of sin in your life, as seen in Judges 2?
9. How does the story of Judges 2 inspire you to have a better relationship with God?
10. What lessons can modern society learn from the Israelites’ cycle of disobedience and repentance?
11. How does God demonstrate His patience and love in Judges 2, and how does this impact your understanding of God’s character?
12. Discuss the relevance of Joshua’s death and the rise of a new generation that did not know God in today’s context.
13. How does Judges 2 challenge our understanding of obedience to God?
14. What role does repentance play in the cycle described in Judges 2?
15. Discuss the significance of the Angel of the Lord’s message to the Israelites. What does it teach about obedience to God’s commandments?
16. How does Judges 2 emphasize the importance of remembering God’s deeds in our lives?
17. How can we ensure that future generations remember the works that God has done for us?
18. In your opinion, why did God continue to send Judges to deliver the Israelites despite their constant disobedience?
19. Discuss the concept of spiritual leadership as exemplified by the Judges.
20. How can the events of Judges 2 inform our understanding of God’s sovereignty in situations where disobedience is prevalent?
Bible Hub Chapter Summaries and Bible Study Questions
I feel like you are describing my husband here! I’m continually praying that he will grow in his relationship with the Lord, it’s not something I can do for him. After this reading today, I’m thinking there is more i can do by simply being obedient, reading my bible daily, teaching my children and letting God use me to show him the love of Jesus everyday. Ultimately it his heart and his choice to listen and obey God but I can do my part by setting an example in our house of obedience that will hopefully help lead him in the right direction.
@Melissa Adams, thank you for responding! YES! I absolutely agree that Christ is our savior, rescuer, deliverer, and as you added, redeemer! Amen! …That said, there’s something to be wrestled with here, I think. Bear with me…When we use the expression in English that “He is our perfect judge,” we are not employing the Hebrew understanding of that word, which was I think how it was used in the devotional. The Latin/Greek/English all carry the connotation and even denote judges as being in the legal sphere. In this context, Jesus Himself explained that he came not to judge (hand out judgement), but to save. In this illustration, we can see that the one who saves us from judgement cannot also be the one who issues judgement, hence the distinct persons of God the Father and God the Son. Nevertheless, can we see, looking back, that one could compare the role of the shophetim during the time of the Book of Judges to Christ? Of course! …interestingly, in v.22, the Lord then says “I did this to test Israel. This word “test” is akin to a “judicial trial” in which God will be the judge “to see whether or not they would keep the Lord’s way by walking in it.”
Reading the words God’s way over my way, reminded me of my last vist home to say a final loving farewell to my dearest Daddy, called home.
We were travelling towards the funeral home when our driver asked if we could give his friend a lift as he could see him waiting at the bus stop.
When the young man settled himself, I introduced myself, he then told me his name was. “Godsway”
I’m sorry I said. Godsway came the response..
My jaw hit the floor. That right there was a loaded name! That for sure is “a no room for error name”! I mean, you couldn’t even have a ‘pattern’ in life with that name!
That is a ‘committed’ name! No messing, seriously!
I jest about that beautiful name, I should have asked more as to why he had such a heavy name. I bet there will be a BUT GOD story to it!
So very thankful for Jesus and His love, that disrupts my sin patterns in whatever way He knows how. Thankful for Him who gives me the opportunity time and time again to get it right, Thank-you Jesus, Thank you.
AMEN..
Hugs..
I found myself quite frustrated at Israel’s cyclical pattern of sin and repentance. “Why aren’t you learning your lesson?” I want to say to them. But then I was struck with the realization that I am the same. I have my own cyclical pattern that I need to break. I pray God will help me break this pattern.
Agree
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Absolutely! By your own definition of savior, rescuer, or deliverer. Jesus is our savior, rescuer, deliverer, and redeemer.
YES!
Thank you for sharing! Truly insightful
What amazed me about this chapter is how each time God hears their cries and tried to help them. God loves us so much and sometimes we so easily take that for granted. He desperately wants what is good for us, if we would just listen and obey.
I completely agree!
I am so grateful for this community. I love reading through all the comments of the take-aways from the reading, real-life issues, and how you relate them, prayers, all of it.
I have been trying to dive into resources on how to disciple my children. How do I successfully do this when I’m just learning? How do I bring Jesus into the conversation of everyday things? So I’ve been open about sharing my weaknesses and how He is Strong, how He provides me with what I need. We’re opening the Bible on a whim, memorizing scriptures from Sunday school, sharing with them how God works in my life. It’s just that simple. I overcomplicate everything, but He’s already laid it out for us. And after this reading it really drives home the importance of leading my kids to Christ. Thank you, God for your grace and mercy!
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God disrupts our patterns of sin with his love. What a great reminder. God does not abandon us in our sin, and though we may suffer consequences, he stays with us and brings us back to Him. The Lord your God is a compassionate God!
How faithful is His love! His grace never runs out, and He will never give up on me.
The thing that stuck out to me the most was how important it is to teach our children about God. When we don’t, it affects generations and creates so much harm for others. I truly believe that our current societal struggles are a result of a lack of keeping God in homes, schools, government, etc. When we don’t keep God as the center of our lives, everything else falls apart.
Spot on!
I did the study and then had to run to a vet appointment with my little old dog. She’s my constant companion and I’m hoping to have her around for many more years.
I loved this, “Our perfect judge, Jesus, is our instrument of salvation. His Spirit is always available and near to show us how to live for Him. We are so lucky to have this help from God on how we should be living. All we need to do is stay in His Word, pray, and ask Him for help. Yet why do we get so caught up in sin?? My guess is the world tends to be alluring with telling us the opposite. I’m trying to remember what I read here and follow through in my day. It’s amazing how often I can fail!
I was reading the scriptures of today, and the event that happened in Israel last week just flashed back, and it was like seeing the Bible come alive. Truly the word is alive, sharper than any sword, and everything is prophetic, timely released. However, to see with my own eyes, through the news footage, how the children of Israel (literally children, babies) of the Israel were utterly destroyed as prophesied, it was heart wrenching. God’s word is to be taken seriously. Consequences have been prophesied, warned against, cautioned against. Chills were running down my spine. “When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the Lord your God and obey His voice” (Deuteronomy 4:30). Praying for Israel, and the young generations to turn to God. I was in a mom’s group of a local community, someone brought up a question how she was a Christian and her husband was not, and now they have kids she wanted her kids to be brought up as Christians but there was tension, and she asked for advice. 80% of the responses were, let your kids make their own decision when they grow up. That was the most foolish advice I have ever heard. That is like saying, leave them to chance, leave them to the social media, youtube, ig to sway them to whatever idols they want to bow down. And in today’s reading, the Bible says… teach them daily, let them hear my Word and learn to fear me all the days they live on earth. “Gather my people, let them hear my word, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on earth, that they may teach their children also”(Deuteronomy 4:10). I am so glad I belong to SRT community. This world and the majority of people out there are lost. Heed not their advice. May we make God and His Word a priority of our day, our focus and attention that we don’t wander out there like deers in headlights. Lifting prayers over you dear shes as I read along your comments. Be blessed dear sisters.
An important point I thought to share, as it may help other ladies as well. I learned, while diving into the meaning of “judges,” these judges are not comparable to judges in our modern judicial system, thus the term can conjure up ideas that do not track with the original term. Rather, the Hebrew “Shophetim,” which are more like a saviors, rescuers, or deliverers who were appointed by God (if legitimate) and had been raised up by a certain tribe(s) [not centralized] for a certain time for a limited purpose. — This understanding, then, makes me question Bailey’s statement in today’s reading here that “our perfect judge, Jesus, is our instrument of salvation.” I need to dig deeper myself, but I’m wondering, is Jesus, in fact, our judge?
I did it again – posted before I meant to. Or erased my comments all together. I just want to say that I’m learning and growing even on just the second day of this study.
It’s so sad to see the patterns of sin that the Israelites kept falling into. But I have patterns, too. Something big happens in my life, and I seem to forget that God has promised to be with me every step of the way. Orange beads get thrown in there that gently call me to return to Him. I pray that I can see the pattern. I pray that God will, busting orange beads and reject them before they take over the entire cycle of sin. I pray for all of the requests as I come to them. I’m especially praying for those children who have gone astray. May God speak to their hearts, and they have the opportunity to return to Him and find all the good things He wants to give them. Have a beautiful rest of today, She’s. Let’s all determine to talk to Jesus and follow His plan in our lives.
I love studying with all of you,and I know we are learning with each new lesson.
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I wrote this in the margin of my book because it is so true ❤️
Lord, help us to share with our children and our children’s children Your goodness. What You have done. What You can do. Who You are!
The Beautiful inheritance You have for us is for us, but also for the generations beyond us. You have a blessing and a call on our kids and kid’s kids
I meant to say discipling not disciplining lol**
Dang. So many of you echo what the Lord was speaking to me through this study– it is IMPERATIVE to pass on the legacy of faith to the next generation. Absolutely essential! If any of us miss this, we are missing out on the work Christ has called us to do with our lives. Even if we don’t have children or grandchildren, we could be disciplining them in the church body or even praying for them. I am speaking as a single woman, lol. I don’t have kids, yet. But God still calls me to pray over the next generation. There are so many ways we make an impact here. We have no excuses. Preaching to myself. This is God’s command.
Deuteronomy 4:9-10 “Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mind as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your grandchildren. The day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, the Lord said to me, ‘Assemble the people before me, and I will let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days they live on the earth and may instruct their children.’
@Molly R- I am glad to see you here and feel for you as you describe your struggles. God is faithful. May He continue to bring unity to your home, may He draw your husband nearer to Him. May your husband wake up to the war around him and volunteer to witness to Christ in deeper ways. May he have eyes to see and ears to hear the way God loves him and desires more for him. May he not ignore the nudging of God’s Holy Spirit telling him to go deeper…
Lord, I thank you and praise You for Your love for Molly and her family. May she stay diligent in keeping your Word and teaching it to her children in love. I pray that for all the parents and grandparents here.
@Colleen D- thinking of you and your father. God have mercy on you and continue to bless you with wisdom and peace as you follow Him in this.
@Taylor- praying peace to Haley as she sorts through the emotions of a breakup. It is so hard to let go when we are spiritually tied to someone. I pray God gives her deeper insight on why it is necessary to move forward and that she takes courage in doing so. I have been through that and know the struggle. May you also be patient with your friend as she walks through this one day at a time.
@Suzanne Nelson- I pray you find the strength of God to help you say no to these habits. Only by His Spirit to we find strength. May He show you why it is important to Him to be a good steward and may you have the faith and love in your heart to do well with what He has given you. I’ve been there. He is patient and able!
I am so very thankful that Jesus is always with us—in us—even in the midst of our patterns, loving us tenderly. Amazing grace.
Being a graduate student and trying to keep my focus on the Lord is so hard. Worries of exam grades and practicals consume my mind, when I should be thankful that the Lord placed me where I am. I find that I get into a routine & don’t allow myself to fully open up to what the Lord is trying to tell me. I feel like I fall to the sin of idolatry, which is my education. But praise that we have a compassionate God, who meets me where I am. I’m thankful for this shared community & look forward to the rest of the series.
Praying for you and your son Jessica H. Welcome Christina Boggs- such a wonderful group of shes! Taylor I echo your prayer about Jesus disruption Praying God continues to toss me orange beads!
I have to confess, I was dreading this study – especially after 4 weeks of “missing all of you,” the thought of starting back in community with Judges was not what I was hoping for. I eyeballed ahead at “Give Thanks” and thought, “now there is a topic I want.” Want, but not need. I needed this study. Need it. I have been plagued with conviction over the last year, really, and have toyed with obedience, but was just feeling the effects of the consequences and responding to that. It’s been a cycle – as none of us are immune to the patterns of sin in this broken world.
I wish you could all see my study book this morning – so many notes!!! I am devouring this study with a fervency. Yesterday on Day 1 was like a lancing of a boil in my soul. I was humbled and grieved. I ended the day in absolute emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion from pulling on the anchor chain in my own stubbornness to steer my ship how I wanted to. I know who my Anchor is, but I continually get lulled by the peaceful waters I find when I let that Anchor hold me fast where I should that I get the idea that I should go when I should stay, or stay when I should go…always finding a storm when I lead.
My Anchor is always faithful, and is again. I am running back to Him with tears of joy. BUT, I fear my husband has never really acknowledged HIS Anchor. He was raised in a Christian home and professes all the things he should, but I don’t see it in his life. He seems to be sleep walking. I have known him for almost 23 years and I have never really seen a true passionate love and a claiming of a personal, real relationship with Christ. I would love to see him come alive in Christ, to be a man of God in a way that others will know, including me and our children. He has never been baptized, and I believe that he will be. I don’t say this as anything negative towards him. He is really a good man, good husband and father, and one of the kindest people I have ever met, but I just think there is more that God has for him, but I think he needs to take some steps of his own….Like the podcast for week 1 referenced: we expect that obedience to God will be easy simply because God says that God will be with us. But obedience takes stepping out in faith, out of our comfort zone, and out of the pattern we get stuck in. My husband needs “AN ORANGE BEAD!”
Thank you, Shes! I have so missed being with you!!!
That devotional was beautiful.
Some highlights from my study:
From Vines Expository Bible Notes: ”
Every generation faces either degeneration or regeneration. This is an important message for us. We need to consider this question for our own generation and the one that will follow: Will the generation experience degeneration or regeneration? …
The Lord affirmed His faithfulness in the midst of Israel’s unfaithfulness. Though we may desert the Lord and be unfaithful to Him, God is faithful to keep His promises to us (2 Tim. 2:13).
Even today, parents who have done their very best to teach their children about the Lord have children who reject the faith. Every generation has to have its own personal relationship with God. Parents can give their children the fabric and the thread, but it is up to that individual child to take what the parent has provided and weave the robe of his or her own convictions. Salvation is not transferred by heredity. … The tragic sin cycle of rebellion, retribution, repentance, and restoration in the Book of Judges is a reminder for our generation. Judges should challenge parents and grandparents to teach their families the Word of God, about salvation, and the importance of loving the Lord because of all He has done for us. If we do this, the next generation can experience regeneration instead of degeneration.”
From NKJV Wiersbe Study Bible:
“When you forget the Word of God, you are in danger of forsaking the God of the Word, which explains why Israel turned to the vile and vicious worship of Baal. … The people wasted their suffering. They didn’t learn the lessons God wanted them to learn and profit from His chastening.
We can easily make the same mistakes the people of Israel made, and if we do, we should not be surprised if we experience similar consequences.”
I am reminded that no one is an island. My sin affects others as well as myself. Conversely, my faith can affect those around me! I am responsible for teaching my kids and grandkids, nieces, nephews about the Lord. It is an issue of both personal conviction/obedience AND corporate conviction/obedience.
Praying for your needs as listed and those not spoken. Praising God for clarification on a medical issue! Excited to see you new ladies as well as gathering again in one study!
Lord break my pattern of sin. I am on repeat with the same sins. Help me to stay focused on You every day and start over with my eyes on Jesus. You are my only anchor.
Praying for our sisters of SRT and prayer requests.
The commands to teach our children cannot be taken lightly. We see generational consequences when “another generation rose up who did not know the Lord.” This isn’t only our own children but the children of the community we live in. It does take a village.
“What other nation is so great as to have there gods near them the way, the Lord, our God is near us whenever we pray to Him.” Deuteronomy 4:7
Truly we are a blessed people to have a God that draws near to us when we draw near to Him. He is compassionate – even when our suffering is brought on by our own sin; He is merciful – not giving us the punishment we deserve; and so graciously lavishing His love on is. Thank you God! Please help me to learn from the wrongs Israel did, & not fall into their patterns of sin. Thank you for Your compassion.
Praying for each of your requests. Thank you @Kelly Neo, and all of you who remember our wayward children in prayer!
Have a blessed Tuesday!
“They had forgotten what the Lord had done and what He had said.”
So one of two things was true: either the older generation had failed to instruct their children and grandchildren in the ways of the Lord, or if they had faithfully taught them, then the new generation had refused to submit to God’s law and follow God’s ways.
Just a reminder to me of how important it is for me to continue teaching my grands about God. I have the opportunity every Tuesday and Thursday as I do their homeschooling with them. Some days I’m so tired, but I can’t let that stop me from the important work God has given me.
Praying for all of us with prodigal children. One of four of mine have walked away from church. She seems to still trust God as in listening to Christian radio stations but her two boys (age 12 and 7) are not being raised in church and it breaks my heart. But I know that God is in control and He has a perfect plan for each person. I will never stop praying!!
Hugs to all my sisters this morning. ❤️
Thanks be to God for sending His son to redeem us and the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us. Praying for our children so they recognize God’s love and forgiveness. Blessings to all!
Jessica H. I understand your son’s rebellion is difficult to watch, it’s painful to have him go through the consequences of it too. As God shows us, over & over & over, He extends grace & love. We change, for a time, and we constantly give in to our sinful ways- pride, gossip, other “gods”… and thankfully Jesus. Just that, so thankful that Jesus graciously comes to us. He always meets us, showing his full love. I pray that even while your son rebels that God will give you peace that He has not forgotten your son. That He will give you a full heart to lavish on your son all the grace & love possible.
Such a good devotional today.
I have a prayer request for my 20 year old son. He is really struggling with anxiety, hopelessness, and then guilt because he is a believer. He feels he can’t break out of it and I think it makes him doubt that he is truly saved. If you could also pray wisdom and understanding for my husband and I as we walk through this with him. We so desire to shepherd his heart well.
We must remember to always stay connected and seek Jesus in all things. Otherwise we run the risk of staying in our sin. Thank you Jesus for your gift of salvation.
We cannot escape from God, he never leaves or forsakes you as a Christian. We may stray, our kids may go their own way, but God will have mercy and receive us back every time when our heart is true.
@Kelly Thank you for your prayers, always!
@Christine Boggs- Welcome, glad you are here! You will feel God speaking into your life, nudging you back, praise God!
Praying also for @Adrienne (I think), that your life has a purpose and a plan, even in tragedy. Ashes to beauty, is the promise!
Oh Christina I loved your post so so much.
This is a great devotional as we dive into a difficult book of the Bible. Echoing the many prayers for children who aren’t walking with the Lord in spite of their upbringing and even early professions of faith. Then I have to consider the many ways I rebelled, & the Lord welcomed me into the fold with open arms. Thank you Jesus.
As the disobedience of the children of Israel is narrated throughout the OT, I find myself saying “Stop, don’t do that! Look what the Lord has done for you and brought you through!” all the while knowing that they disobeyed time and again. God’s restraint in His anger over their blatant disregard for the covenant He made with them is a “wow” moment every time I read about it. His mercy, discipline and grace protected, instructed, guided and drew them back over and over. And for me, same … so thankful. Praying I am showing Jesus to those around me, especially the children – that they may learn, know and remember.
Praying for the wayward children, family members and friends of my sisters here. I see those in my own life that compromise and distort God’s word so that their disobedience is “okay” or that have completely turned their backs to Him – pray without ceasing.
COLLEEN DEVEAU – praying for your dad’s recovery and rehab availability
KELLY (NEO) – thank you for your faithfulness in remembering these children and grands
TAYLOR – praying for Haley
AMBERLENE – praying for comfort, strength and peace
Jesus is our anchor!
Pink, purple, pink, purple… Just. Don’t.
Like the Israelites, we can do the same things over and over again. (We are doing just what we do, you know, without thinking even?!?!?!) It reminds me of the disciples also. Jesus was RIGHT THERE with them, but they just didn’t “get it”. Let us not be like that, sweet She’s. Let Him throw in those orange beads to break our pattern of sin.
@Jessica H I so understand – similar experience with my sons. The teen years are so much more difficult than I anticipated. I’m at the “pray and keep them alive until they’re 18” phase of parenting. Lifting your family up in prayer.
Thank you Jesus for disrupting the patterns of sin in my life and never running out of mercy and grace <3 May I find my hope in You over worldly things.
Can you please lift up my friend Haley in prayer? She moved to England to get her masters and her boyfriend of 5 years dumped her after she had been in England for two weeks. Now they've been having these unhealthy back and forth conversations that are not productive and are just causing her more heartache. I pray she has the strength to fully remove her ex from her life. Thank you <3
Wonderful devotional to accompany today’s reading. Thank you Lord for your mercy, patience, and sovereignty.
KELLY (NEO) thank you for continuing to pray for my two sons and daughter. I have started praying scripture over them. God will see to it.
FOR ALL OF YOU SHES WHO HAVE WAYWARD CHILDREN, I am praying now that they will fall into Jesus’ arms and that the pattern of sin will be broken in Jesus Name. Amen and Amen.
I am in a similar situation and it is bringing so much stress into my life! I think that I am going to learn from this experience though. I got engaged and I can see that I need to break my cycle of overspending so that I don’t bring it into my marriage. It’s tough now but I think the lesson will bear fruit! Hang in there!
This study is hitting home, as I have a teenage son that is greatly rebelling and turning away from everything we believe in after professing faith himself. We are praying that God interrupts his patterns of sin and brings him to repentance, but his heart is so hard right now. I have a new appreciation for how God’s heart breaks over our sin, and how He loves us so much anyway. I’m so thankful He is always there for us to cry out to and know He will hear.
I feel into a sin cycle if you will after the revenge passing of my mother. Attending church and getting into the word were replaced by TV, chores and general sloth. My orange bead moment was an ad for the Advent study. God knows my heart for Advent and the Christmas season. So I jumped into the subscription box which landed me here in Judges for my first study
Lord thank You for Jesus and His lifesaving Blood of Mercy and Grace. Amen
Sharing the link From the Bible Project, the illustrated summary of Judges. https://youtu.be/kOYy8iCfIJ4?feature=shared
I appreciate the piece about how Jesus interrupts our sin patterns “throws an orange [bead] in there” to break them. Even though we continually cycle through sinful patterns, He will always be there.
I want to hold onto the hope I have in Jesus without wavering!
You can do it! Make a budget and stick to it as much as you can. It won’t be easy, but God will give you the strength to prioritize and make sacrifices to get out of that vicious cycle of using credit cards. The borrower is slave to the lander, a Bible verse says! Praying for you!
♥️ Timely scripture message to remind us to pray for our country, our leaders, the church and Israel ♥️
I love how the scripture mentions that God handed them over to the marauders but a few verses later he raised up judges who saved them from the marauders. God may allow situations to happen to is due to our choices and sin but He will save His people even in disobedience ❤️
I started a cycle of using credit cards. Then I need to use them again because there isn’t enough cash on hand the next month for everything we want to buy and to pay the cards from last month. This reading is a disruption to push me to stop this cycle.
I’m thankful for the reminder that Jesus is our anchor!!!
Reading the cycle of disobedience and repentance today brought home the idea of God the Father, and we the parents. It’s exhausting to watch. There’s hope, then despair, then hope again. I can be so proud of my daughters, then so frustrated by them, often within the blink of an eye. What resonated with me today is that God never threw in the towel. He never stopped longing for his children to be restored to Him. We know where this story is going. I echo KELLY (NEO)’s prayers for all of you longing for your children to be restored to a relationship with God.
I was moved by the outpouring of prayers for me yesterday! It’s a rough patch for sure with these painful feet, but I’m clinging to hope and perseverance. Fortunately I get to do some extra sitting this week as I wrap up my remaining parent teacher conferences.
Thank you Jesus for being our anchor and pattern breaker
“After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works he had done for Israel.”
Even though we cannot control a child’s choice to follow Jesus, we need to proclaim Jesus and the good news of salvation to the children in our lives and to shepherd (disciple) them. Then trust God that His Spirit will do the rest.
Praying for the hearts of
SHARON, JERSEY GIRL – Jonathan & Nicholas
RHONDA J – Brayden & Savanah
TRICIA CAVANAUGH – your children
BRANDY SMITH – your son
HEATHER O’MALLEY – your sons
DEBBIE – Brandon
MIA FAITH – grandson
And all of you Shes with children who have tet to surrender their hearts to Jesus