52 Weeks in the Word - Week 12

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 Week 12!  I know for several of our readers, last week was a difficult week with many challenges in your personal lives!  We are praying for you.  We want to encourage you all that we serve a faithful God, and I'm sure you all can share testimonies about that!  

Last week we finished the Books of Judges and Ruth.  Judges had some interesting parts that brought up some questions, and the Book of Ruth was more of a refreshment read after reading Judges.    

A brief recap of Week 11's discussions:

  • Jephthah made a vow to sacrifice what first comes through the door to greet him when he returns home.  That ended up being his only child, his only daughter.  The question was raised, did Jephthah offer a human burnt sacrifice to the Lord?  Human sacrifices were against the law that they were under at this time.  Some believe she went to live a life serving in the temple, never marrying or gaining her inheritance.  
  • Judges Chapter 19 in one commentary was simply advised not to read it because the people were so corrupt.  That gives you a baseline for this chapter on the concubine being giving to the group of Benjaminite men, instead of her husband.  She ended up dying and her husband sent portions of her body to all 12 tribes of the children of Israel as a wake up call of how wicked they had become.  And it worked.
  • We also read about Samson and his strength that was a gift from God.
  • The book of Ruth, a reminder of commitment.
Looking ahead to Week 12:
The reading for Week 12 includes: 1 Samuel 1 - 20.

This week we are reading in the book of 1 Samuel.  The author of this book is unknown, but believed to have been written by Samuel and completed by the prophets Nathan and Gad.  Written probably between 1000 - 500 B.C., this book serves as a reminder to us that we are running a race.  It gives us several examples to recognize that it isn't how we start the race that is as important as how we finish!  One of my favorite passages in 1 Samuel comes at the beginning of the book where we read about Hannah and her heart's desire for a child.  

Don't forget to join in with your questions or comments this week!  We love hearing what you have to say.  Your comments are a great encouragement to us as we read as well!

Blessings!

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