Remember, in His Word, God has:

  • Something to see – what does the text say
  • Something to understand – what does it mean
  • Something to apply – what does it mean to me
  • Something to praise – for what are you thankful?

(1) Through the Bible

Day 1: 2 Samuel 21, 22Day 4: 1 Kings 3, 4
Day 2: 2 Samuel 23, 24Day 5: 1 Kings 5, 6
Day 3: 1 Kings 1, 2Day 6: 1 Kings 7, 8

The book of Judges covers a long span of time from the death of Joshua to the time of Samuel. It serves as a stark contrast to the book of Joshua, for rather than seeing the blessings of obedience we see how far a nation may tumble when it suffers from unbelief and idolatry. The nation fails to dispossess the land and put away its idols (remember Joshua 24). We see repeated failures to drive out previous inhabitants, political turmoil, in-fighting, and blatant idolatry. The pattern of behavior in the book of Judges is clear: the people rebel, God brings judgment through foreign oppression, God raises up a deliverer—or judge, and the people repented and turned back to God. When the people fell back into sin, the cycle started over again. Ultimately, it underscores Israel’s need of a Righteous King.

(2) Key Passages

Day 1: Judges 1:1-11,21Day 4: Jdg 2:6-15
Day 2: Jdg 1:22-34Day 5: Jdg 2:16-23
Day 3: Jdg 2:1-5Day 6: Jdg 21:25; Jdg 10:15; 2 Tim 2:13; 1 Thes 5:24

(3) Key Verses

Day 1: Judges 1:1-2Day 4: Jdg 2:1-3
Day 2: Jdg 1:21Day 5: Jdg 2:14-15
Day 3: Jdg 2:27-28Day 6: Jdg 2:16; 1 Thes 5:24

(4) Pre-readers (in the translation of your choice, quoted below from the NLT)

Then the Lord raised up judges to rescue the Israelites from their attackers.”

Judges 2:16