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Phinehas



November 18, 2023 Then the Israelites drew near to Benjamin the second day. This time, when the Benjamites came out from Gibeah to oppose them, they cut down another eighteen thousand Israelites, all of them armed with swords. Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the LORD. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the LORD. And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, ministering before it.) They asked, “Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites, or not?” Judges 20:24-28

 

Judges is a hard book to understand, and it’s a book of vicious cycles.  The people sin and fall into idolatry, God turns them over to their enemies, the people cry out, and God sends a judge to deliver them.  The cause for this behavior is stated throughout the book, and in its last verse:  In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25

 

Mankind left to its own devices is not a pretty sight.  When God is taken out of the picture and replaced with idols, whatever they are, things become chaotic, and many people suffer. Our world today is spiraling out of control because of rampant secularism.

 

Ah, but there’s a nugget of good news in Judges Chapter 20.  And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, ministering before it.)   When the people were hurting and needed direction, they knew where help could be found.  They went to Bethel (The House of God) where the ark of the covenant (His presence) and Phinehas (His servant) were. 

 

Despite the chaos and wickedness surrounding him, there was Phinehas, the faithful grandson of Aaron the high priest, ministering before the Lord.  In every generation God has His “chosen and faithful ones,” and in this last generation, we have an opportunity like no other.  It’s true that the world is becoming more hostile to the good news of the gospel.  Don’t let that dissuade you.  Follow the example of Phinehas and take care to dwell in His presence even more, and people will surely know where to go when they are hurting and/or need direction!--LG


Not so with My servant Moses;

He is faithful in all My house.

Numbers 12:7

 

 

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