Old Testament reading: Judges 6-7
Judges 6 marks the beginning of Gideon’s leadership to deliver Israel from the Midianites. The Midianites came against Israel as locusts, meaning they devoured everything in their path, leaving no green thing behind as food for man or beast. We should remember that God’s punishments in these particular cases did not necessarily include relocation or enslavement (cf Judg 2:14-15, although in this case they did hide in the caves and mountains – 6:2). Verse 6 says Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites. They were sowing, but their harvest was spoiled by Midian. What little was harvested they attempted to hide (6:11). Gideon serves to show than any man can be great in God’s service if he refuses to let his lot in life serve as a hindrance. Gideon was from the weakest clan of Manasseh, and he was the least among his father’s house (6:15). Nevertheless, the Lord called him a mighty man of valor (v 12). Let’s stop looking for excuses not to be great in God’s service! We are also reminded that there is no need to fear when God is with us. God does not require our assistance to defeat His enemies.
New Testament reading: Revelation 16-18
These chapters bring to a close the visions and prophecies against Babylon, revealing to us the ultimate complete victory we have in and through Christ Jesus. Following the sounding of the seven trumpets, the seven angels are commanded to pour out the bowls of the wrath of God upon the earth. Those who had given themselves over to worship the beast are punished with unspeakable ruin: foul and loathsome sores, scorching with heat, darkness and pain so great that it caused men to gnaw on their own tongues. Chapter 16 reveals the hardness of heart within so many. Though dreadfully tormented with disease, fire and pain from the bowls of wrath, these did not repent and give God glory (Rev 16:9, 11, 21).
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