Sin Comes Home

"And Adonibezek said, threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and great toes cut off, gathered their meat under the table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died” (Judges 1:7 KJV).

One of the kings of Canaan that the Israelites fought against was a man named Adonibezek. He was an evil man. When he was captured, the Israelites cut off his thumbs and big toes (Judges 1:6). In our verse is a statement made by Adonibezek after his capture. This statement record some important truths about sin – it concerned the awareness of sin, the affliction of sin, and the acknowledgement of sin.

Awareness of sin – “God hath requited me.” Adonibezek’s statement indicated that God was fully aware of the evil that he had done. God knows all that we think, say, and do. We may hide our sin from people for a season, but we can never hide ours sin from God. If we would live in the consciousness that God sees all, it would improve our conduct immensely.

Affliction of sin – “So God hath requited me.” Adonibezek recognized that his affliction of losing his thumbs and big toes was judgment for his sin. He recognized two things about the judgment on sin. First, the certainty of judgment. Adonibezek eventually was judged. Many people laugh at the idea of Divine judgment. But when it comes, they will stop laughing. Divine judgment is certain. Second, the character of judgment. Adonibezek was judged the same way he had sinned. Judgment often comes in the same manner in which we have sinned. Indeed, we reap what we sow.

Acknowledgement of sin – “As I have done, so God hath requited me.” Adonibezek acknowledged his sin in this verse. All sinners will eventually have to acknowledge their sin. At first they may try to justify, or even deny their sin. However, sooner or later, they will acknowledge their sin. Yet, some may not acknowledge their sin until they stand before the judgment seat of God. At that time it will be too late. Confession of sin now and receiving Christ as your Savior, will keep a person from eternal judgment.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“No life is more secure than a life surrendered to God!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Conflict (fight)

In 2 Timothy 4:7 we read, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” (NASB).

Conflict (fight) is the Greek word agon (αγων). The word speaks of the conflict or contest for victory in the Olympic and Pythian Games. It refers to strife, contention, a competition, a contest, a race, a struggle against opposition.

In secular Greek agon was used generally of any struggle, trial, or danger. Other secular meanings include a battle and an action at law, trial. Agon also described a number of people brought together, a gathering or an assembly and thus was used to refer to the actual place where the contest took place. The first century Roman world was acquainted with these Greek athletic terms since the Greek stadium was a familiar sight, and the Greek athletic games were well known in the large cities of the Empire.

Paul used the term agon to vividly illustrate the intensity of purpose and activity that should characterize Christian living and service. By using agon Paul is referring to the agonizing life and death spiritual struggle. When a person places faith in Christ, he is transferred by God’s Spirit from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light and of God’s beloved Son. This means entering into the agon, the stadium, to engage the powers of darkness in spiritual warfare. Paul fought (agon) the good fight, and so can we.

Bible Facts

In Judges 1:7 we are told about three score and ten (70) kings who had their thumbs and great toes (big toes) cut off. Physically mutilating prisoners of war was a common practice in ancient Near East. It rendered them unfit for future military service.

Bible Trivia

What happened to Daniel after he had given thanks to God by his open window?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: How did Paul say we should let our requests be made known to God? By prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6)

That’s in the Bible

“Man after your own heart”

“But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you” (1 Sam. 13:14 NASB).

The phrase man ‘after your own heart’ refers to a person who shares your beliefs and values. It is a person akin to a soul mate. When King Saul reigned over Israel, the prophet Samuel told him that because of his disobedience, God had sought “a man after His own heart” to be the next king of Israel. That man turned out to be David. In like manner, anyone who has “kept what the Lord commanded” can also be a man (or woman) after God’s own heart.

Did You Know – Christian History

James Earl “Jimmy” Carter, Jr. was born October 1, 1924. He is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. Raised in rural Georgia, Carter was a peanut farmer who served two terms as a Georgia State Senator and one as the Governor of Georgia, from 1971 to 1975. Carter is widely regarded as the first openly Born Again president, and perhaps the most Evangelical president in U.S. history. He is an active Sunday school teacher and has written inspirational Christian books. Carter attended First Baptist Church in Washington D.C. while he was President. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

A Little Humor

As the boat was sinking, the captain lifted his voice to ask: “Does anybody know how to pray?” One man spoke confidently in answer: “Yes, Captain, I do.” The captain nodded. “That’s all right then,” he declared. “You go ahead and pray. The rest of us will put on life-belts. They are one short.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“We owed a debt we could never repay; He paid a debt He did not owe!”