by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Judges 19--21

A Sad Day In Israel

One of the cities of Benjamin commits an unimaginable sin. The rest of the children of Israel are determined to stop the sin, and to rid themselves of the evil men who gang-raped a woman until she died. Israel gathers before Benjamin, requesting that the tribe deliver up the evil men. Benjamin refuses to do it. Judges 20:14 shows what happens next.

14 Instead, the children of Benjamin gathered together from their cities to Gibeah, to go to battle against the children of Israel (Jdg. 20:14).

This whole episode occurs shortly after Israel enters the Land of Canaan. How sad that Benjamin has so quickly fallen into sin. How sad that the tribe is actually willing to fight in war against their own brothers. Sadly, this happens among God's people from time to time, even in the church. Perhaps there is not blood shed, but former friends fight one another. When this happens, someone is not following the example of our Master and Teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you convinced that you are following Him with all your might in every area of your life?

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Luke 7:31--50

Three Marks of Hospitality

A woman, using her long hair, wipes her tears from the feet of Jesus. She then kisses His feet, anointing them with fragrant oil. A Pharisee criticizes Jesus for allowing such a sinful woman to do that. Jesus defends her, but criticizes the Pharisee for failing to show Jesus hospitality.

44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil" (Luk. 7:44--46).

It was good of the Pharisee to invite Jesus into his home, but the Pharisee did not back it up with a proper welcome. Let us learn from this incident to do what we are able to show total hospitality.

1. Seek their comfort. The woman washed the feet of Jesus.
2. Give a proper greeting. The woman gave Jesus a kiss.
3. Present a gift. The woman gave Jesus fragrant oil.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Judges 13--15

Ask God to Revive Your Spirit

Samson single-handedly, with the jawbone of a donkey, kills one thousand Philistines. Then the text says,

18 Then he became very thirsty; so he cried out to the LORD and said, “You have given this great deliverance by the hand of Your servant; and now shall I die of thirst and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?” (Jdg. 15:18).

Therefore, God gives Samson some water, and his spirit returns and he is revived. He asked. He received. Have you labored diligently for the Lord? Are you tired now? Have you asked the Lord to give you water for your soul? Ask. You shall receive.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Luke 6:1--26

The Value of Reading

Often in the midst of controversy, Jesus solved problems easily, as He did in the following incident. On a Sabbath, the disciples of Jesus plucked heads of grain and ate them. The Pharisees confront the disciples, asking them why they are doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath, or at least what they believe is not lawful. Jesus steps in and begins His reply with these words,

3 “Have you not even read this..." (Luk. 6:3).

Just reading the Scriptures would show them that they are wrong in their criticism of His disciples. Of course, a one time reading of Scripture is not enough, because we just cannot remember everything that we read. Therefore, a daily reading of Scripture is what Jesus expects from us. If you are reading Scripture daily, you will be delighted to see how the word of God gives you insight into controversy. Therefore, keep reading. Be patient with yourself. It will pay off.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Judges 11 and 12

He Judged Israel

God has much to say about some of the judges, but others of the judges, He does not say that much at all. Here is all that He says about Elon.

11 After him, Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel. He judged Israel ten years. 12 And Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried at Aijalon in the country of Zebulun (Jdg. 12:11, 12).

That is not much in comparison to Deborah, Gideon, Samson, or Jephthah. Yet, it is more than what is said about you and me! What is the reason for Elon's rising? From what enemy did he deliver Israel? We cannot answer those questions and many others, but we do know that God knows, and that is all that matters.

I do not know the circumstances of your life and the good that you have done, and vice versa, but God knows, and when we stand before Him at the Judgment that is all that will matter.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100