Old Testament reading: Judges 4-5
Judges 4 marks a unique time in the history of God’s people, for after their rebellion following the deliverance and leadership of Ehud, the only person fit to deliver Israel from Jabin was Deborah. Barak was called to lead the army, but even he did not have enough faith or leadership to go at the command and promise of God. Deborah made it plain to him that he would receive no glory for his victory, as the observers would say that the Lord sold Sisera (Jabin’s captain) into the hand of a woman. This sorry situation pictures all too well the problem of the lack of male leadership in our homes, in the church, and in society in general. Male leadership is God’s plan, but when the men fail, someone has to come in and take up the slack. Thank God for faithful women (like my mom) who step up and fill the void left my men who shirk their God-given responsibilities. May God repay you all a hundred fold!
New Testament reading: Revelation 12-15
Revelation 12 records the war in heaven with Michael and his angels fighting with the dragon and his angels. Not only were they defeated, no room was found anymore for them in heaven. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (v 9). I would be interested to know how our Jehovah Witness friends would explain this account, as they believe Jesus is the incarnate form of Michael the arch angel. In Jude 9, Michael the archangel is recorded as disputing with the Devil concerning the body of Moses. How could Jesus be Michael the archangel when this dispute obviously took place after Jesus Himself appeared to Moses as the I AM (Ex 3:14). Jesus identified Himself as I AM in John 8:58. Jesus was also the One through whom all things were created (cf John 1:1-3; Col 1:16), not Michael. Yes, I know this reading also contains “the number of the beast,” but we still have three more readings in this schedule, and I intend to comment on something different each time… so keep reading with me!
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