Viewing entries tagged
Judges
This is the last study in our Doctrine of Scripture series. We started our series with a speaking God, and we went through some of the attributes of Scripture — sufficient, clear, authoritative and necessary. Then we studied about the Canon of the Bible, how we have the set of books in our bibles today. Last week, we spoke about how Scripture cannot be broken. And we come to this week, where we want to trace the storyline of the Bible, because we know that what God says will come to pass!
In this second study in our series, we are moving on from the books of Moses to looking at the next set of books — Judges and Kings. These historical books tell us the history of Israel especially 40 years after they left Egypt. Israel’s history shows failure of leaders to rule as God intended, and also tracks Israel’s disobedience. Why is this important for us? The history in these books are our history!
In this final study on the life of Samson, we've finally arrived at the encounter with Delilah, and Samson's eventual downfall. What final lessons can we learn from this flawed hero?
At the end of Judges 14, Samson held a wedding to a Philistine lady, but because he lost a challenge he made with the wedding guests, he went on a rampage to fulfill his part of the bargain. At the end of the chapter, we read of how he went back to his father's house, and as a result, his wife was given to his best man (Judges 14:20). We pick up the narrative in today's study, and we continue to see how the life of this judge of Israel unfolds.
Judges 14 records for us Samson's life, but his story may be surprising to many of us. As we make our way through this chapter, there will be many points that will seem very strange to us. In those moments, let us remember that the words of Judges 14 are also God's words, and there is a reason for these verses to be here.
This series takes us into the life of Samson. Some of us may vaguely remember the narrative from Sunday School classes, but as we take a closer look at each verse in this series, some parts may surprise you!
The Old Testament is made up of different genres, but each of these books of the Old Testament work together to tell one narrative. It is not a collection of short stories, but is really one story.
Here's how each book fits into the larger storyline.
When we read any novel or book, where do we begin? Of course at the beginning, you'd say. It's a no brainer. And the Bible is no different really. I don't know about you, but sometimes I do struggle with reading the Bible. Certain chapters don't make sense. Narratives are easier, but when it comes to law and poetry, sometimes things seem complicated. Is it just for the intellectual few? No!
In this new series, we'll consider what the Bible's storyline is all about. Sometimes we think we know these things and assume that we've understood everything, but it really is worth pausing and reconsidering what the Bible says about itself, about God and about us. Ready? Let's begin right at the beginning, in Genesis to consider who God is and what is God's initial plan for you and me.
