The Best Commentary On The Bible Is The Bible Itself The Reflections Newsletter Monday, February 22, 2010 Editor's Note:              We invite you to view the CSM website.                                   http://www.creationscienceministries.org **In This Issue**   Welcome to the Reflections Newsletter from Reflect His Glory.  RHG is a co-ministry with Creation Science Ministries.  Feel free to send this to your relatives and friends. The Book of Judges What Does the Bible Say About...? The Book of Judges There is a book of the Bible that has been judged by some public libraries to be unsuitable for children.  Because of this these public libraries have attempted to ban it from their shelves.  Gratefully they have not succeeded.  Strangely enough, the book in question is the Book of Judges.  It contains some graphic material that is so explicit as to shock many of its readers.  However, while it does have some graphic material, it also shows us some of the most colorful and mysterious characters in the entire Bible.  Believe it or not, there are few stories anywhere that can compete for color and intrigue. You will cringe as you read how Ehud goes to visit the king in his summer palace and slides his dagger between the king's fifth and sixth ribs so that the flesh closes around it and the knife cannot be withdrawn.  You will flinch when Jael drives the tent stake through the skull of Sisera and pins him to the ground.  You will make a face in disbelief alongside Gideon as God introduces deep military cutbacks, reducing Israel's army from 32,000 to 300, and then sends this infinitely outnumbered tiny army into battle!  Your heart will drop to its depths with mine when Jephthah's daughter comes out to meet him on his return from battle, and he remembers his impulsive vow to sacrifice the first person he meets to God, and then fulfills that dreadful vow.  Oh my!!  How could he have done that?  You will triumph with Samson as he wreaks havoc among the Philistines, but wonder at his recklessness in allowing the Philistine temptress to worm from him the secret of his strength.  You will also undoubtedly turn with disgust from the story of the Benjamite perversion that marks perhaps the blackest chapter in Israel's history. Fans of historical romance, military history, soap operas, conspiracy theories, spy novels, swashbuckling adventure, or political intrigue will find it all right there in the Book of Judges!  But from a broader and deeper perspective, Judges is essentially the story of a deteriorating nation.  It serves as a sober warning against deterioration in our own nation, and in our own personal lives, as well as the rest of the world. During this period in history Israel had no King.  As a result, everyone did what was right in their own eyes.  There was neglect and mocking of the Word of God.  Because of this neglect and mocking, Israel was in bondage to their various enemies.  The people of Israel would fall into sin and idol worship; this would result in oppression by, and bondage to, their enemies.  They would ultimately appeal to God for help; He would raise up a deliverer; and, soon after their deliverance, they would again fall back into false worship, and cycle would repeat itself, over and over again. The world today is living in a period similar to the Book of Judges.  People are "doing what is right in their own eyes."  Valued possessions and personal position has replaced the rule of God's law in our land.  The Word of God is neglected, even in many of the churches.  His Word is the subject of scorn and ridicule by pseudo-scholars and critics like the Jesus Seminar.  As a result, we too are in bondage rather than enjoying the liberty available in Christ. The Book of Judges, spanning the time between the conquest of the Canaan and the establishment of the monarchy, is a colorful, instructive, and prophetically relevant book to study carefully.  It should be read by all, and be included in Bible studies everywhere.   What Does the Bible Say About...?       In this section of the Reflections Newsletter we answer questions that have been asked.  If you have a question that you would like ask, and do not mind having it printed in the newsletter, (your name will not be mentioned), feel free to send your question in an email to me at biblequestions@reflecthisglory.org.  Of course, you may call me anytime by phone at 801.302-1111. The question for this issue is, "What is the meaning of Jesus' phrase, "...the kingdom of heaven suffers violence," found in Matthew 11:12?"   The context of this verse is of Jesus' remarks extolling the virtues of John the Baptist, who announced the arrival of the Kingdom of Jesus.  In the midst of His comments, Christ Jesus says: And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.  Matthew 11:12  KJV ER The Jewish people in the days of Jesus were looking for a kingdom, but not the kind about which John the Baptist was prophesying, or that was fulfilled by Jesus at that time.  They were searching for a leader who would overthrow the occupying Roman forces in order to reestablish Israel as an independent nation, which would return the scepter to Judah prophesied by Jacob in Genesis 49:10.  Thus, the religious leaders rejected the movement of Christ Jesus and His followers.  "...the violent take it by force" indicates their attempts to appropriate Christ Jesus' Kingdom for their own purposes.  Meanwhile, both Jesus and John the Baptist, as well as most of Jesus' disciples, suffered violence as a result. Jesus stated that this condition existed "...from the days of John the Baptist until now...," at the time that He spoke.  But as we know, it has continued to prevail up to the present time.  Corrupt individuals have endeavored to commandeer the true Church and fashion it into something to suit their own purposes.  Persecution and violence have been widespread throughout Church history.  However, the Church has prevailed, and will continue to do so until Christ Jesus returns at the Rapture to take us home.  Then, after His Second Coming, He will usher in the fullness of His Kingdom during the Millennium.   **MEMORY VERSE OF THE MONTH** And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!  And God granted him that which he had requested. 1 Chronicles 4:10  KJV ER We solicit your prayers and support of this ministry. God Bless. 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