Judges 1:1-2:9

Big Idea

The book of Judges begins with the death of Joshua and the people of Israel inquiring about who will go up against the Canaanites to fight against them.

Commentary

The LORD says Judah will go up and gives them the land.

The people of Israel do not drive out the Canaanites in some areas.

The angel of the LORD speaks to the people of Israel and says they will not drive out the Canaanites.

The people of Israel serve the LORD all the days of Joshua and the elders who outlived him.

Joshua dies at the age of 110 years.

The people of Benjamin do not drive out the Jebusites.

The house of Joseph goes up against Bethel and the LORD is with them.

Adoni-bezek is defeated and his thumbs and big toes are cut off.

The men of Judah capture Jerusalem and set it on fire.

Caleb gives Achsah to Othniel as wife.

Achsah asks for springs of water and Caleb gives them to her.

The Kenites go up with Judah and settle with them.

Claims

• The LORD is with Judah and gives them the land.

• The people of Israel do not drive out the Canaanites in some areas.

• The angel of the LORD speaks to the people of Israel and says they will not drive out the Canaanites.

• Joshua dies at the age of 110 years.

• The people of Benjamin do not drive out the Jebusites.

• The house of Joseph goes up against Bethel and the LORD is with them.

Popular Mistakes

Misunderstanding

<The people of Israel drive out all the Canaanites>

Correction

<The people of Israel do not drive out the Canaanites in some areas>.

Misunderstanding

<The angel of the LORD is always with the people of Israel>

Correction

<The angel of the LORD speaks to the people of Israel and says they will not drive out the Canaanites>.

Application Questions

1. What does it mean for the LORD to be with Judah and give them the land?
2. Why do the people of Israel not drive out the Canaanites in some areas?
3. What does the angel of the LORD mean when he says the Canaanites will be a snare to the people of Israel?
4. How does the death of Joshua affect the people of Israel?
5. What can be learned from the example of the house of Joseph going up against Bethel and the LORD being with them?

Luke 21:29-22:13

Big Idea

The kingdom of God is near and will come suddenly, but Jesus' words will not pass away.

Commentary

Jesus tells a parable about the fig tree and the kingdom of God.

The parable is meant to illustrate that when signs are seen, the kingdom of God is near.

Jesus warns the disciples to watch themselves and stay awake, lest they be caught off guard by the day of the Lord.

Jesus teaches in the temple during the day and lodges on Olivet at night.

The chief priests and scribes seek to put Jesus to death, fearing the people.

Satan enters Judas Iscariot and conspires with the chief priests to betray Jesus.

Jesus sends Peter and John to prepare the Passover.

Peter and John follow the man with water to prepare the Passover.

The Passover lamb must be sacrificed on the day of Unleavened Bread.

Jesus gives specific instructions for preparing the Passover.

The disciples must stay awake and pray for strength to escape the coming events.

Jesus' words will not pass away, even when heaven and earth pass away.

Claims

• The kingdom of God is near when signs are seen.

• Jesus' words will not pass away.

• The day of the Lord will come suddenly.

• The disciples must stay awake and pray for strength to escape the coming events.

• Satan is working to betray Jesus.

Popular Mistakes

Misunderstanding

<The kingdom of God is a physical place>

Correction

The kingdom of God is a spiritual reality that is near when signs are seen.

Misunderstanding

<Jesus' words will pass away like the earth>

Correction

Jesus' words will not pass away, even when heaven and earth pass away.

Application Questions

1. How can we watch ourselves and stay awake in the face of the coming events?
2. What does it mean to pray for strength to escape the coming events?
3. How can we apply Jesus' words to our own lives, even when we are not facing the same challenges as the disciples?

Psalm 90:1-91:16

Big Idea

The Psalm is a prayer of Moses, the man of God, to God, asking for guidance, protection, and deliverance.

Commentary

The Psalm begins by establishing God's eternity and omnipresence, emphasizing that He has been the dwelling place of His people throughout all generations.

Moses reflects on the fleeting nature of human life, comparing a thousand years to "yesterday when it is past" (v. 4).

The Psalm highlights the consequences of God's wrath, stating that His anger brings humans to an end and His wrath deters them (v. 11).

Moses asks God to teach him to number his days and get a heart of wisdom, acknowledging the limited time humans have on earth (v. 12).

The Psalm describes the benefits of dwelling in the shelter of the Most High, including protection from harm and deliverance from evil (vv. 1-16).

Moses quotes God's promise to deliver and protect those who hold fast to Him, emphasizing the importance of trust and faith (v. 14).

The Psalm concludes by emphasizing God's power and protection, stating that He will command His angels to guard His people and that no evil will befall them (vv. 11-16).

Claims

• God is eternal and omnipresent, having been the dwelling place of His people throughout all generations (v. 1).

• Human life is fleeting and subject to God's wrath, with a thousand years being compared to "yesterday when it is past" (v. 4).

• God's power and anger are beyond human comprehension, with His wrath bringing humans to an end and His anger deterring them (v. 11).

• Those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High will be protected from harm and delivered from evil (vv. 1-16).

• God will command His angels to guard His people and that no evil will befall them (vv. 11-16).

Popular Mistakes

Misunderstanding

God is a distant and uninvolved deity, only intervening in human affairs occasionally

Correction

God is actively involved in human lives, guiding and protecting them.

Misunderstanding

The Psalm is a pessimistic and fatalistic view of human existence, emphasizing the inevitability of death and suffering

Correction

The Psalm is a prayer of hope and trust, acknowledging the limitations of human life while emphasizing God's power and protection.

Application Questions

1. How can we, like Moses, ask God to teach us to number our days and get a heart of wisdom?
2. What does it mean to dwell in the shelter of the Most High, and how can we experience this protection and deliverance in our lives?
3. How can we hold fast to God in love, as described in verse 14, and what are the benefits of doing so?
4. What does it mean to trust in God's power and protection, and how can we demonstrate this trust in our lives?
5. How can we, like the Psalm, emphasize the importance of God's steadfast love and faithfulness in our lives?

Proverbs 13:24-25

Big Idea

The passage emphasizes the importance of discipline in child-rearing and its relationship to the consequences of one's behavior.

Commentary

The passage uses contrasts to highlight the differences between the righteous and the wicked.

The rod is associated with discipline, which is necessary for a child's well-being.

Loving one's son involves discipline, which is a key aspect of responsible parenting.

The righteous are characterized by satisfaction, implying that they have a sense of fulfillment and contentment.

The wicked are characterized by suffering want, indicating that they lack the necessities of life.

The passage assumes that discipline is a necessary aspect of child-rearing, and that it is a key factor in determining one's character.

The use of contrasts in the passage emphasizes the importance of making choices that lead to a righteous lifestyle.

The passage implies that the consequences of one's behavior are a direct result of the choices one makes.

The righteous are described as being satisfied, while the wicked suffer want, highlighting the consequences of their actions.

The passage concludes with a contrast between the righteous and wicked, emphasizing the importance of making choices that lead to a righteous lifestyle.

Claims

• Whoever spares the rod hates his son.

• He who loves his son is diligent to discipline him.

• The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite.

• The belly of the wicked suffers want.

Popular Mistakes

Misunderstanding

The passage is saying that physical punishment is the only way to discipline a child

Correction

The passage is saying that discipline is necessary for a child's well-being, and that it can take many forms.

Misunderstanding

The wicked are lazy and don't work hard

Correction

The passage is saying that the wicked suffer want, implying that they lack the necessities of life due to their behavior.

Application Questions

1. How can I apply the principle of discipline in my own life?
2. What are some ways that I can show love and care for my children through discipline?
3. How can I distinguish between discipline and abuse in my parenting?
4. What are some consequences of not disciplining my children?
5. How can I prioritize my own spiritual growth and development to become more righteous?
6. What are some ways that I can help others who are struggling with their own behavior and consequences?