この箇所の日本語訳はまだありません。英語の原文を表示しています。
Devotion 1 of 2: Judg 9
In this chapter we see Abimelech, one of 70 sons of Gideon (8:30), seize power by hiring men to kill 68 of his brothers (v.5). Only the youngest, Jotham, was able to escape by hiding. The men of Shechem supported Abimelech and made him king (v.6), but he is not considered as one of Israel’s judges.
Later on, ill will developed between Abimelech and the men of Shechem, and they split apart (v.23). They eventually went to war, with Abimelech killing thousands of Shechemites (v.39-49), but in the end, he was killed when a woman in a tower threw an upper millstone on his head, severely injuring him (v.50-55).
One important spiritual lesson to learn from this episode is that Abimelech didn’t develop good relationships with people, including his family, as evidenced by him killing 68 of his siblings! When a leader doesn’t cultivate good personal relationships, splits, betrayals and inside fighting will explode and bring down his power.
In the family, church, company and nation, let’s always strive to build good relationships with people. As Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” When we do, we will thrive; when we don’t, we will divide and fall.
この箇所の日本語訳はまだありません。英語の原文を表示しています。
Devotion 2 of 2: Judg 10
We see the 6th and 7th judges, Tola and Jair, very briefly in this chapter (v.1-4). But sadly, after they died, Israel once again did evil and worshiped the pagan gods around them (v.6), resulting in them being harassed and oppressed by their enemies (v.7-9)!
Looking at all 12 judges, it is interesting to note that although we don’t know all their tribes, the ones we do know show that they came from various tribes. Here is what I found:
1. Othniel – Judah, same as Caleb (Num 13:6)
2. Ehud – Benjamin (3:15)
3. Shamgar - Unknown
4. Deborah – Ephraim (4:5)
5. Gideon – Manasseh (6:15)
6. Tola – Issachar (10:1)
7. Jair – Gilead was in Manasseh (Num 32:40)
8. Jephthah – Gilead was in Manasseh (11:1)
9. Ibzan – Probably Bethlehem of Zebulun (Joshua 19:15), not of Judah (12:8)
10 Elon – Zebulun (12:11)
11. Abdon – Ephraim (12:15)
12. Samson – Dan (13:2)
Totals: Judah – 1, Benjamin – 1, Ephraim – 2, Manasseh – 3, Issachar – 1, Zebulun – 2, Dan – 1 (7 tribes!)
Tribes with no judges: Simeon, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Reuben (5 tribes)
One interest fact is that Manasseh, the smallest tribe, produced 3 judges, more than any other tribe! Let’s remember that God chooses the weak and lifts up the humble to accomplish great things for His glory!
— Pastor Elmer Inafuku