Remember a few chapters back when the Ephriamites complained to Gideon for not calling on them to help him fight the Midianites? At that time Gilead masterfully turned away their anger by pointing out how much more was their contribution to Israel by their cleaning up of the stragglers of the Midianites. So here in…
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We’re back in the book of Proverbs today as we finish off the week. And chapters 10 and 11 are full of one and two line proverbs, or teachings. Whole sermons could be created from each sentence, and probably have been since these words were first given to Solomon. It almost seems a shame to…
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These two chapters, where Paul teaches that we should not insist on our liberty if it causes others to sin, and that even though he as every right to be supported materially as one who ministers to the believers, and that he becomes what he needs to be in order to reach both Jew and…
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There were two things in these two chapters that seem difficult to reconcile when we think of a loving and compassionate God. The first is in chapter ten. God seems unwilling to save Israel. They have turned away from Him several times in the past, and it seems like He’s had His fill, and He…
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I like what Solomon said in verse two of chapter seven: Be as careful to follow my teaching as you are to protect your eyes. I had a very scary experience with my eyesight last year. My wife, the lovely lady LeeAnn and I had a rare day off, and I decided to take her…
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Let’s quickly look at a couple of different points from today’s reading. These are things that cause some people to wonder what Paul meant, so I hope I can clear them up for you. Let’s first tackle the parts where Paul says he is expressing his opinion. Does that mean that we can discount what…
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Not a great first king for Israel, this Abimelech fellow. Notice that there had not been a great outcry from Israel to have a king, but Abimelech steps up and pretty much insinuates himself into the position. And remember, he is one of seventy-two sons of Gideon, otherwise known as Jerubbaal, and after taking the…
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Solomon’s teaching on adultery is especially timely in today’s pornography soaked world. Remember, Jesus said that if you even look at a woman with lust in your heart, you have committed adultery with her. So don’t think that you’re ok in this department just because you haven’t had an actual, physical adulterous affair. Let’s be…
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You’ve heard it before, right? Someone is doing something that is patently wrong, and when they’re called on it, they drag out the “Judge not that ye be not judged” line. Or someone fails to take a stand on an immoral issue or person because they think it’s not up to them to judge. Well,…
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My goodness but some of these Israelites could be so petty! Did you notice? The beginning of this chapter picks up just after Gideon’s victory over the Midianites, and the men of the tribe of Ephraim took him to task for not including them in the fight. Never mind that Gideon was following God’s instructions…
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