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This is a daily scriptural devotional guide from my church Christ Apostolic Church and please kindly expect this from me almost daily because it is a food for the spirit. Thank you
CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE đź“š
(THE LIVING WATER)
DATE: Monday, 16th April, 2018
TOPIC: GOD SENT AN EVIL SPIRIT
đź“– READ: Judges 9:22-28
- When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
- Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
- That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.
- And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.
- And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.
- And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.
- And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?
MEMORISE: God sent a spirit of ill will between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech. (Judges 9:23)
EXPOSITION:
How can God send a spirit of ill will (NIV: an evil spirit)? Isn’t God good and *His steadfast love endures forever (Psa. 106:1)?* Taken into context, the word “evil” does not describe the attributes of God; rather it describes the wrongdoings and treachery between the leaders of Shechem and Abimelech. Such “evil” had its roots in their unholy partnership in the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal. As said in Judges 9:56, the downfall of Abimelech is attributed to God’s righteous judgment; for the man had cold-bloodedly murdered his seventy brothers, to be king.
Furthermore, if we take into context how the word “evil” is used in similar Old Testament passages, we get the sense that Judges 9:23 is a figure of speech to mean that (1) such evil was permitted/allowed by God to happen, and (2) God remains sovereign. So, men’s wickedness and evil shall be turned to goodness for His purposes.
Throughout history, we have witnessed the many evils of men. If not for God’s offer of salvation through Christ, we were also capable of such evils, and even more. The truth is that, all of us are in desperate need of the saving grace of God. It is sobering to be reminded of this truth today. We need the reminder that God is holy and sovereign, so that our souls can be constantly “awakened” to hold on to the sovereign Lord, in “desperation” for growth. Although, the Lord allows evil to happen in this world, it is not of His will that men should behave in such manner.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, help me to rightly appreciate Your sovereign grace, from time to time.
2. Lord, deliver me from all oppressions You have allowed to happen to me because of my disregard for You, in the past.
3. Pray that God should not allow evil to befall you, in any form.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Judges 8 - 9 & Acts 18
Author: CAC WORLDWIDE
Good morning Sir/Ma., have a fruitful new week and do remain richly blessed in the Lord Jesus Christ our Redeemer!
Shalom
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