*Day 84/365 (March 25) PORTIONS TO READ*:
*Misunderstanding arise*
The Lord's promise fulfilled -Joshua 21:43-45
Reuben and Gad sent to their homes - Josh.22:1-9
Altar of testimony built which offends the Israelites - Josh.22:10-20
The Reubenites' answer - Josh.22:21-29
The Israelites are satisfied - Josh.22:30-34
*A thought*:
Misunderstandings and disagreements between God's people over spiritual matters are often the most difficult to resolve. This is when we must heed the Scripture's advice, and endeavour (strive earnestly) to maintain "the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace"
(Ephesians 4:3)
*Week #12 Memory Verse*:
Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and
successful.
*JUDGES*
*INTRODUCTION:* The book of judges depicts the life of Israel in the promise d land from the death of *Joshua* to the rise of the Monarchy.
The author and time of its composition is unknown although tradition ascribes the book to Samuel.
You can read judges as a collection of heroic stories. But together the tales tell a less heroic story.
The primary message of Judges is that God will not allow sin to go unpunished. As Exodus established, Israel was God’s people—He was their King. They had forsaken the covenant established at Mount Sinai. In Judges, He disciplined them for following other gods, disobeying His sacrificial laws, engaging in blatant immorality, and descending into anarchy at times. Yet because they were His people, He listened to their cries for mercy and raised up leaders *(Judges)* to deliver them.
Unfortunately, even these godly individuals did not wield sufficient influence to change the nation’s direction. The people’s inability to resist sinful Canaanite influences eventually revealed their desire for a centralized monarchy, led by a righteous king whom God would choose as His intermediary.