God’s story in god’s people

I think Samson is one of the most intriguing characters in the Old Testament. Consider his life: First, Samson is often alone, with no friends. Second, when God’s Spirit comes upon him, Samson is supernaturally strong. Early in his life, “the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him” (Judg. 13:25). Ultimately, his death becomes the most significant moment in his life story.

Let’s review the nation of Israel’s recurring cycle described in the book of Judges: rebellion, oppression, crying out to God, deliverance, peace, and then relapse, only to repeat the cycle. Samson’s story begins during a forty-year period of Philistine oppression. God heard the people’s cries, appeared to a woman who had been unable to have children, and promised her a son who was to lead Israel.

Currently, in our devotional series, God’s Story in God’s People, we are focusing on the leaders of Israel after they conquered the promised land—first the judges, then the kings. The first judge was Othniel, followed by Ehud (known for being left-handed), Shamgar, and Deborah. We have been studying the fifth judge, Gideon.

The book of Judges describes how God’s people repeatedly fall into a cycle of sin. They rebel against God, face oppression from their enemies, cry out to him in despair, and God listens and rescues them. For a while, they live in peace, but then they fall back into rebellion, and the cycle begins again.

Let’s be honest—too often, we trust our own ability to choose what’s best. And speaking for myself, when I decide based on my desires rather than on what God wants me to do, my own judgment usually puts me in a risky position. Here’s why. Scripture tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jer. 17:9). Turns out, we are our own worst counselors. There is an entire book of the Bible that clearly confirms this. 

The land of Canaan was inhabited by wicked nations under God’s judgment (Gen. 15:16). Israel’s conquest of the promised land began with Jericho, but they faced setbacks—they were defeated at Ai because of Achan’s sin (Josh. 7). Achan saw, desired, and took, following the pattern of sin. 

Forty years after God led Israel out of Egypt, he brought them into the promised land. The nation camped on the plains of Jericho and “kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month” (Josh. 5:10). Since leaving Egypt, the people had been eating manna daily. But now, the manna stopped, and they began to enjoy the “fruit of the land of Canaan” (Josh. 5:12). 

Someone has said that God is seldom early, never late; he’s always right on time. It’s true, God acts according to his perfect timing. If you are waiting for God…keep waiting. When it’s time, he shows up in amazing ways.

Joshua learned much from his mentor, Moses, including what to do and what not to do. When Israel was ready to enter the promised land forty years earlier, Moses sent twelve spies to scope it out. It didn’t go well. Ten came back fearfully reporting that there was no path to victory because giants were in the land. Only Joshua and Caleb disagreed. But the people went with the majority report. As a result of their disobedience, Israel wandered in the desert for the next thirty-eight years until every person twenty years or older had died.