The Book of Judges Chapter 5 of 21 (To update)

The Book of Judges 

Chapter 

5

¹ Then Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang on that day saying: ² "When locks are long in Israel, when the people offer themselves willingly bless the LORD!

(The Book of Judges Chapter 5 verses 1 to 2)

Amen oh God my Father may Your name be blessed and worshipped freely and without any form of constraint such as sin Amen. Let us all bless the LORD credit to GloryToFatherGod.

³ "Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes; to the LORD I will sing, I will make melody to the LORD, the God of Israel.

(The Book of Judges Chapter 5 verse 3)

Oh God when I remember how much You love me, my groans and mumbles become melodies of thanksgiving for there is none like You my God and Father Amen.


⁴ "Lord when you went out from Seir when you marched from the region of Edom the earth trembled, and the heavens poured, the clouds indeed poured water.


(The Book of Judges Chapter 5 verse 4)


Oh God my Father when You revealed Yourself to me when I was 18 years old, my heart trembled and my body shook with excitement. It was as if I was having a heart attack or a sudden panic attack. The moment was of fear but glorious that I will always treasure. Amen!


⁵ The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai, before the LORD, the God of Israel.


(The Book of Judges Chapter 5 verse 5)


Apparently oh God my Father we are to witness many similar events such as earthquakes that will be a sign given by You to show us who is really in control of our lives Amen.


⁶ "In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, caravans ceased and travelers kept to the byways.


(The Book of Judges Chapter 5 verse 6)


Oh brothers and sisters while we thank God for the good times we also reflect on the not so good times and turn to God for forgiveness and thanksgiving for having delivered us from our times of tribulation and trouble. If we had to reflect we would all remember those times when we were delivered from some form of tribulation or crisis in our lives Amen.


⁷ The peasantry prospered in Israel, they grew fat on plunder, because you arose, Deborah, arose as a mother in Israel.


(The Book of Judges Chapter 5 verse 7)


Oh God my Father the Israelites of these times seemed to worship Deborah the prophetess more than You for they addressed her as being the Mother of the people, however, in truth You are the true mother and father of Your people Amen. Let us not gratify our politicians as if they were or are our saviours Amen.


⁸ When new gods were chosen then war was in the gates, Was shield or spear to be seen among forty thousand in Israel?


(The Book of Judges Chapter 5 verse 8)


Oh God my Father today we still have war at our gates, since we have been relying on science, economy and technology so much that they have alienated us and have become 'gods' for us who try to replace You the one and only true God.


⁹ My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel who offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless the LORD.


(The Book of Judges Chapter 5 verse 9)


My God and Father I pray for all the leaders of the World during this time of pandemic uprisal. I pray that You give them good sense and judgement in order to make the right decisions for the good of all Amen. May You be blessed and worshipped by all My God and Father Amen.


¹⁰ "Tell of it you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets and you who walk by the way. ¹¹ To the sound of musicians at the watering places there they repeat the triumphs of the LORD, the triumphs of his peasantry in Israel. Then down to the gates marched the people of the Lord


(The Book of Judges Chapter 5 verses 10 to 11)


Oh God, my Father You have done things great and small. You have saved us from our tribulations and misery. We were peasants in our situations. We all were in our situation of Egypt meaning pain and anguish, however, You liberated us from such a time. You baffle the minds of unbelievers however You did it with love, power might and glory. Blessed be Your mighty name Amen!


¹² "Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, utter a song! Arise, Barak, lead away your captives O son of Abinoam.


(The Book of Judges Chapter 5 verse 12)


Arise oh people of God, take heart for this virus will soon come to its end and then we can go for communion as Christians and celebrate the mystery of our faith Amen.


¹³ Then down marched the remnant of the noble; the people of the LORD marched down for him against the mighty.


(The Book of Judges Chapter 5 verse 13)


Your chosen people marched in glory against their enemies, because they were empowered by You. They knew that once You were with them any enemy or obstacle could be overcome Amen. I pray for such a strong faith my God and Father Amen.

¹⁴ From Ephraim they set out into the valley following you, Benjamin, with your kin; from Machir marched down the commanders, and from Zebulun those who bear the marshal's staff; ¹⁵ the chiefs of Issachar came with Deborah and Issachar faithful to Barak into the valley they rushed out at his heels, Among the clans of Reuben there were great searching of heart.

(The Book of Judges Chapter 5 verse 14 to 15)

Oh God my Father when we are faithful we obey and give praise. The Israelites are said to have been faithful to Barak, however it seems that they still had doubts. The biblical author writes great searching of hearts, which might mean anxiety or distrust. Even though they could place their trust in You since they had witnessed many of Your signs and wonders they still had doubts. I pray that You heal us of our insecurity and help us build our trust in You Amen.

¹⁶ Why did you tarry among the sheepfolds, to hear the piping for the flocks? Among the clans of Reuben there were great searching of heart.

(The Book of Judges Chapter 5 verse 16)

Oh God, my Father today You are asking us a very important question. Why did you ask to be baptised as Roman Catholic as a Christian and then you have forsaken your religion with another one, why did you want to be married and then you separated and had your marriage annulled? Where is our faithfulness? What has become of our faith? Amen.

¹⁷ Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan; and Dan, why did he abide with the ships? Asher sat still at the coast of the sea, settling down by his landings. 

(The Book of Judges Chapter 5 verse 17)

Oh brothers and sisters in front of a tribulation or challenge we all react in a different way, some are active, while others are totally passive or simply do not care. I pray that when faced with the challenge of obeying the Good News of the Kingdom we are not found passive, but ready for action. Amen.

The Book of Judges Chapter 4 of 21

 

The Book of Judges 

Chapter 

4

 

¹ The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, after Ehud died. ² So the  LORD sold them into the hand of King Jabin of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor; the commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-ha-goiim.

 

(The Book of Judges Chapter 4 verses 1 to 2)

 

Oh, brothers and sisters, it is our choice to either live and walk in the ways of God, or else walk in the ways of darkness, whatever is the choice the consequences are there and are unchangeable. As brothers and sisters in Jesus, we were never promised a bed of roses, however, if we open the door to evil, it will accept our offer. Amen.

 

³ Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD for help; for he had nine hundred chariots of iron, and had oppressed the Israelites cruelly twenty years.

 

(The Book of Judges Chapter 4 verse 3)

 

Oh God my Father my Champion and my Father. You are able to free us from all of our oppressions if we only place our trust in You and give You full control of our lives. Many times I have offered myself to You however many times I have also denied You that control. I have a strong motivation to give my life totally to You but this body this brain compels me in being obstinate to act according to the flesh. I pray for Your support, my God and Father Amen.

⁴ At that time Deborah a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel. ⁵ She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the Israelites came up to her for judgment.

(The Book of Judges Chapter 4 verses 4 to 5)

Oh God, my Father, this is my wish, to be available to others so that many people can meet me and share their issues and then I can help them with the faith knowledge and skills that You have given me. I pray that if it is according to Your will I get my warrant and then be able to give such service to others in the Millenium Chapel or other places such as Kana Movement on a part-tine basis Amen.


⁶ She sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, "The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you, 'Go, take position at Mount Tabor, bringing ten thousand from the tribe of Naphtali and the tribe of Zebulun. ⁷ I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you by the Wadi Kishon with his chariots and his troops; and I will give him into your hand."

(The Book of Judges Chapter 4 verses 6 to 7)

Oh God my Father, I am convinced that somehow You are going to make me victorious over my situation. You are going to take control of today's meeting and You will turn it in my favour Amen. Thanks Jesus. Amen.


⁸ Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go."

(The Book of Judges Chapter 4 verse 8)

Oh God my Father, many times we say that we want to be convinced believers, we want to renounce the world and all its glory and ambitions, however, we are ready to do so on our terms and conditions and not according to Your will. Amen.


⁹ And she said, "I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." Then Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kadesh.

(The Book of Judges Chapter 4 verse 9)

Oh God my Father many times You enable us to grow up and mature through making the wrong choices in particular situations, however, You still provide us with support so that if the situation turns out in the negative the hurts will be cushioned. I thank You for providing me with my mother at the most critical time of my life Amen.


¹⁰ Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and ten thousand warriors went up behind him;and Deborah went up with him.

(The Book of Judges Chapter 4 verse 10)

Oh God my Father, You choose the right people for the particular assignment at hand. You know us inside out. Amen. I pray that when the time is right You will also call me for a particular assignment although this blog is also one of such tasks Amen.


¹¹ Now Heber the Kenite had separated from the other Kenites, that is the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had encamped as far away as Elonbezaanannim, which is near Kedesh.

(The Book of Judges Chapter 4 verse 11)

Oh God my Father, as You know I have also separated from my former family, for the good of my soul, mind and spirit Amen.



¹² When Sisera was told that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, ¹³ Sisera called out all his chariots. nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the troops who were with him, from Harosheth-gooim to the Wadi Kishon.




(The Book of Judges Chapter 4 verse 12 to 13)



Oh God my Father, brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, the question comes to us if we had to defend our faith in full force, would we be reluctant to join, or hesitant, or would we be front liners meaning that we believe wholeheartedly in our faith Amen.



¹⁴ Then Deborah said to Barak, "Up! For this is the day on which the LORD has given Sisera into your hand. The LORD is indeed going out before you." So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand warriors following him.


(The Book of Judges Chapter 4 verse 14)



Oh, brothers and sisters behold, for this could be the day when God is liberating you from your greatest addiction weakness or giving you victory over the greatest issues of your lives. God is victorious. Now could be this positive day or hour. I thank You God for such positive moments for You have given me many of such times Amen.



¹⁵ And the LORD threw Sisera and all his chariots and all his army into a panic before Barak; Sisera got down from his chariot and fled away on foot, ¹⁶ while Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth-ha-goiim. All the army of Sisera fell by the sword; no one was left.


(The Book of Judges Chapter 4 verses 15 to 16)


Oh God, my Father, when we learn to trust in You nothing that is done in faith and with good intent, is difficult or impossible to accomplish even things that are considered of the world Amen.



¹⁷ Now Sisera had fled away on foot to the tent of Jael wife of Heber the Kenite; for there was peace between King Jabin of Hazor and the clan of Heber the Kenite. ¹⁸ Jael came out to meet Sisera, and said to him, "Turn aside, my lord, turn aside to me; have no fear. So he turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug


(The Book of Judges Chapter 4 verses 17 to 18)


Oh God my Father as we plead each other for their forgiveness we may try to set conditions with You in relation to our relationship, however, You are ready to welcome us back without any conditions and start again as sons and daughters. Amen.


¹⁹ Then he said to her, "Please give me a little water to drink; for I am thirsty," So she opened a skin of milk and gave him a drink and covered him.


(The Book of Judges Chapter 4 verse 19)


Oh God, my Father every day I come before You asking for a drink, for Your Word is both drink and food nourishment for both my body and my soul Amen. Thank You for never refusing my request Amen.



²⁰ He said to her, "Stand at the entrance of the tent, and if anybody comes and asks you, 'Is anyone here?" say 'No'.


(The Book of Judges Chapter 4 verse 20)



Oh God my Father may we be driven by a spirit of generosity and never say nobody who is in need, may our left hand not speak about the actions done by our right hand, and what we do may be kept in secret and be for Your eyes only Amen.



²¹ But Jael wife of Heber took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, until it went down into the ground-he was lying fast asleep from weariness-and he died.


(The Book of Judges Chapter 4 verse 21)


Oh God my Father in truth the peg can be anything, ranging from a weapon to an insult that one is insulted by that in time becomes a false belief which is enough to gradually kill our self-esteem. Amen.


²² Then as Barak came in pursuit of Sisera, Jael went out to meet him, and said to him, "Come and I will show you the man whom you are seeking." So he went into her tent; and there was Sisera lying dead, with the tent peg in his temple.



(The Book of Judges Chapter 4 verse 22)



Oh God my Father, two wrongs do not make a right, and what Jael did could never be justified even if her intentions may have been good. I pray that we never play God and take the role of justice into our hands when we ourselves are not blameless. Amen.



²³ So on that day God subdued King Jabin of Canaan before the Israelites. ²⁴ Then the hand of the Israelites bore harder and harder on King Jabin of Canaan, until they destroyed King Jabin of Canaan.



(The Book of Judges Chapter 4 verses 23 to 24)



Oh God, my Father, You are my victor, my avenger. I need to do nothing to justify myself for You are with me. You make me stand blameless before those who wish to ridicule and harm me by means of their evil schemes Amen. You remove my shame and turn it into confidence Amen.



Oh God my Father, I would like to end this meditation on the fourth chapter of the book of Judges with the following prayer:-


My God and Father Your timing is perfect! You know when it is healthy for us to experience tribulations and persecution, but You also know the time of our deliverance Amen. Teach us to wait and trust in You my God and Father Amen.

 

 

 

The Book of Judges Chapter 3

  

The Book of Judges 

Chapter 

3

 

¹ Now these are the nations that the LORD left to test all those in Israel who had no experience of any war in Canaan ² (it was only that successive generations of Israelites might know war, to teach those who had no experience of it before): ³ the five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaannites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath. ⁴ They were for the testing of Israel, to know whether Israel would obey the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their ancestors by Moses.

 

( The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verses 1 to 4)

 

Oh God my beloved Father I thank You for those grey areas in my life that I still need to be tested in, they are not compulsions or disorders as I had perceived them to be but testing grounds for my healing and for You to see if I will remain faithful to You Amen.


  ⁵ So the Israelites lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites; ⁶ and they took their daughters as wives for themselves and their own daughters they gave to their sons; and they worshipped their gods. 

(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verses 5 to 6)

When put to the test, like you and like me, Israel failed the test and became contaminated by the pagan nations and their people with whom they had been allowed to live for their testing. Today the same thing is happening. In Malta their is an influx of many foreign people and migrants of different culture and religions and the Maltese women are being united in marriage, with the consequence that the offspring end up having to attend a Mosque and learn the Koran instead of being active or members of the Roman Catholic Church. We are also failing the test.

⁷ The Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, forgetting the LORD their God, and worshipping the Baals and the Asherahs.

(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verse 7)

Oh God my beloved Father during our times we also have our idols, in many areas of life, such as fashion, music, football and even technology itself. I pray that You free us from the possession of such means that we are giving so much value. Amen.


⁸ Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram-naharaim; and the Israelites served Cushan-rishathaim eight years.

(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verse 8)

Oh God my Father, You are just in Your ways, when we do good You shower us with praise, however, when we do not obey Your ways You manifest Your anger, which is terrified to experience, however as a loving father, You know how much we can endure, and You never drive us beyond our limits because even though You put us through the test, this is for our own good because You love us and want us to grow out of our sinful ways. Amen.


⁹ But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the Israelites, who delivered them, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.

(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verse 9)

Oh God, my blessed Father, You love us so much that You never turn Your face away or have a deaf ear for our cries and sorrows. You always answer our prayers in some way or another. Thank You, Jesus, for delivering me from many different situations Amen.


¹⁰ The spirit of the LORD came upon him and he judged Israel; he went out to war, and the LORD gave King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram into his hand; and his hand prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim. ¹¹ So the land had rest forty years. Then Othniel son of Kenaz died.

(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verses 10 to 11)

Oh God my beloved Father, how I wish that Your Spirit would also fall on me and make me one of Your spiritual warriors. I wish to have that preaching spirit to proclaim Your Word to others on a full-time basis and help others in the salvation of their souls Amen.


¹² The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. ¹³ In alliance with the Ammonites and the Amalekites, he went and defeated Israel; and they took possession of the city of Palms. ¹⁴ So the Israelites served King Eglon of Moab eighteen years.

(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verses 12 to 13)

Oh God, my beloved Father, once You are out of our lives, there will be a sudden change of status, from that of Sons and Daughters of God to that of Slaves, from that of Conquerors to that of being conquered. I pray that I will always be faithful to You my God and Father Amen.



¹⁴ So the Israelites served King Egdon of Moab eighteen years.

(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verses 14)

Oh God my Father, after spending 16 years of marriage, I am finally free to be myself, free of the stressors of family demands, however, on the other hand, I have a new life which I dedicate to You. I pray to serve You for the rest of my life Amen.


¹⁵ But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. The Israelites sent tribute by him to King Eglon of Moab.

(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verses 15)

 

Oh God, my Father, You always know what is best for us. When You saw that Malta's economy needed a boosting You sent us our new Prime Minister Joseph Muscat a man by whom You helped Malta get out of the rut that it had fallen in and is now competing with greater nations. When the Church needed a booster You sent us Pope St. Francis, a person by which You have given new life to the Roman Catholic Church. I pray that You continue taking care of us, my God and Father Amen.

 

 ¹⁶ Ehud made for himself a sword with two edges, a cubit in length, and he fastened it on his right thigh under his clothes.

(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verses 16)

 

Oh God my beloved Father, I pray that like Ehud we carry our weapons, that are not of a violent nature as in the case of a sword or dagger, but of a spiritual nature. This is the Word of God, which I carry everywhere I go. I pray that You help me in using this weapon for the best of causes Amen.

 

¹⁷ Then he presented the tribute to King Eglon of Moab. Now Eglon was a very fat man. ¹⁸ When Ehud had finished presenting the tribute, he sent the people who carried the tribute on their way.

 

(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verses 17 to 18)

 

Oh God, my beloved Father Ehud had a close encounter with his king so much that he could almost touch him, however, his intentions may have not been that positive since he was armed with a knife. However on reflecting I ask myself about the many situations I had in encounter and fellowship with You practically every day and my intentions. I pray that You keep on purifying my intentions for meeting You, which are to reflect on Your Word and share it with others who are willing to read, listen to Your voice and act in a positive way in their encounter with You Amen. 

 

¹⁹ But he himself turned back at the sculptured stones near Gilgal, and said, " I have a secret message for you, O king." So the king said, "Silence!" and all his attendants went out from his presence.

 

(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verses 19)

 

Oh God my Father many times people offer to share secrets with us, however, at times they may be testing me in order to see if I can keep a secret and not because the issue is a secret. Some may use such situations for their advantage. I pray oh God that You make me aware of such people Amen. 



²⁰ Ehud came to him while he was sitting alone in his cool roof chamber, and said, " I have a message from God for you." So he rose from his seat. ²¹Then Ehud reached with his left hand took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into Eglon's belly: ²² the hilt also went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for he did not draw the sword out of his belly; and the dirt came out.

(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verses 20 to 22)

 

Oh God my Father, there is a saying that says curiosity killed the cat. Having knowledge is healthy however if it is not based on Your will and Knowledge it can cause us great harm, because the logic of our sinful world is much different than that of the kingdom of Heaven. Therefore I pray that we be aware what secrets or knowledge we open our hearts and mind to Amen.



²³ Then Ehud went out into the vestibule, and closed the doors of the roof chamber on him, and locked them.

(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verse 23)

Oh God my blessed Father as humans many times we close the door on chapters of our lives, that are hard to deal or cope with thinking that by doing this the situation is controlled, however when time passes the situation of unfinished business comes back to us.

I pray oh God my Father, that You give me the strength to cope with such situations and be strong especially when the time comes for my daughter to come back home and she will ask many questions. I pray to be humble empathetic and loving to her confrontation because I know how hurt she may be by the situation of separation and by the false beliefs about me that she is being exposed to. Amen. I pray that she tries to contact me again Amen.



²⁴ After he had gone, the servants came. When they saw that the doors of the roof chamber were locked, they thought, "He must be relieving himself in the cool chamber."

(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verse 24)

Oh God, my Father, even though at times I lock the doors of my mind and heart, You are still aware of what I am thinking and feeling. Amen. Thank You for knowing me even more than I know myself Amen.


²⁵ So they waited until they were embarrassed. When he still did not open the doors of the roof chamber, they took the key and opened them. There was their lord lying dead on the floor.



(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verse 25)


Oh God, my beloved Father many times I have had to wait on You and others. Presently I am waiting for a reply from You. I wish that You find me a partner with whom like Adam I would be able to share the rest of my physical life on earth. However even I wish to do so, I am still afraid of opening the doors of my personal chamber in order to let this someone in. My greatest fear is that of remaining alone and that someday I would also be found dead on the floor. However, if and when this has to happen I would still be happy because my soul would be finally freed from the bondage of this world Amen. May Your will be done my God and Father, You know what is best for me Amen.


²⁶ Ehud escaped while they delayed, and passed beyond the sculptured stones, and escaped to Seirah.


(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verse 26)




Oh God my Father, I pray for those people who for some reason or others had to flee their homeland or their own homes due to domestic violence or other forms of abuse Amen.




²⁷ When he arrived, he sounded the trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim; and the Israelites went down with him from the hill country, having him at their head.




(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verse 27)



Oh God my beloved Father how quick we are to respond to the leaders of the world, to follow in their footsteps to believe in every word that they say. On the other hand, how sceptic we have become when listening to priests and others who proclaim Your Word. I pray that You make us more receptive to You my God and Father Amen.




²⁸ He said to them, "Follow after me; for the LORD has given your enemies the Moabites into your hand." So they went down after him, and seized the fords of the Jordan against the Moabites, and allowed no one to cross over. ²⁹ At that time they killed about ten thousand of the Moabites, all strong, able-bodied men; no one escaped. ³⁰ So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest eighty years. ³¹ After him came Shamgar son of Anath, who killed six hundred of the Philistines with an oxgoad. He too delivered Israel.




(The Book of Judges Chapter 3 verses 28 to 31)



Oh God my Father during the course of life, we are exposed to many voices which all have a different message to proclaim, however all point in different directions. Many times we need to discern those which have their roots and origins based on You and the truth, from those which are false and misleading and which have their roots in the world. Amen.




In light of this meditation on the third chapter of the book of Judges, I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:



Many times my God and Father You permit us to experience both positive and even negative situations, with a particular purpose. We call such circumstances as crisis or even tragedies, such as death or even a separation. However by means of such situations You pass Your message on to us, for during such moments we are receptive to Your voice, because You burst our bubble of alienation and come to speak to us personally Amen. I thank You for such moments Amen.