by Sam E. Stone After Joshua died, the children of Israel were led by judges. These influential individuals kept the Hebrew people united until the time that Saul was selected as the nation’s first king. Joshua had been dead about 250 years when the person featured in today’s text—Samson—came onto the scene. Israel had experienced […]
Like a well-watered garden
Another Look by David Faust In an agricultural society one of the worst things that can happen is a drought. When it doesn’t rain, crops don’t grow, grass turns brown, drinking water dries up, and livestock suffers. How terrible it must have been in the days of Elijah when “it did not rain on the […]
Nehemiah’s Supporting Cast
by Dr. Doug Redford Jan Scruggs served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 as an infantry corporal and member of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade. At some point after he returned to civilian life and after the war was over, he began thinking about a memorial of some kind to acknowledge the sacrifice of all […]
Leadership for the long haul
The Editor’s Desk by Shawn McMullen Many of the notable leaders we read about in Scripture share a common characteristic. Think about Moses, Joshua, the judges, the prophets, the kings, and the apostles. The work of some may have been cut short by conquest or martyrdom, but the fact remains they led as long as […]
The Lesson and Life for August 7, 2011
by Tom Moll The reality of God’s unfailing love for Israel is seen in the cycle repeated over and over in Judges. The Israelites fall into sin and cry to God for help. He answers their cries and raises up a leader to deliver them. Then they once again let the culture around them drag […]
