Reading
SAA Notes
You will notice a downward spiral as judge succeeds judge. Othniel marries Caleb’s daughter Acsah. He has the spiritual strength of the wilderness generation. Israel’s long-time enemies are all mentioned – Aram, Moab, Amalek, Ammon, the Philistine confederation. Political decay on a national scale is a dangerous time for any people.
SJA Notes
* God Above, may we bless You at all times, Your praise continually in our mouth. Let us Your people exalt Your name together!
“And the land had rest for …”
This periodic rest is repeated through the book of Judges.
This is a sign of God’s providence to His people, giving them rest from their enemies, time to enjoy the land.
However. This is also a sign of what was wrong.
The rest was limited! Finite.
This is why we need Jesus.
The rest Jesus brings is ETERNAL.
Though we see as through a glass dimly now, we trust that our true and complete, fulfilled, rest comes in the _not yet_, when our King returns to take us home to glory.
God is building for us a new heaven and a new earth, where this rest is.
This is a place, as we read in Revelation 21, where God will dwell with us, His people, wiping away every tear. Death shall be no more.
Rest eternal. Dwelling with God, Him with us. Free from pain, corruption, sin.
Hallelujah!
* Father God,
Thank You and praise You for Your wonderful promises to us.
We hold to the strong and steady hope in the true sabbath rest that You have promised us. Life eternal.
Thank You for saving us, our new life in Jesus.
Amen.