Author Archives: Joseph Malekani

Judges 18b Commentary A chapter of counterfeits. Micah has the appearance of a religious man. But Micah is a thief who uses stolen money to cast a range of idols.The thought is that he would escape divine punishment by practicing religion, albeit a forbidden religion.Micah has sufficient zeal and enough money to sponsor his paganContinueContinue reading “Judges 18b Commentary”

Judges 18 Commentary The chapter begins with what seems like a disclaimer. The human author seems to reflect on the sad events of these last pages of Judges with an explanation: “In those days Israel had no king.” The prophetic understanding would be that Israel had no King of kings. The statement is an enigmaContinueContinue reading “Judges 18 Commentary”

Judges 17 Commentary We should not be fooled by the lip service to the name of the LORD by the characters in this chapter. They have clearly forgotten the first two Commandments. We have encountered this kind before – people having a very vague picture of worship but still proceeding with their worship. The worshipContinueContinue reading “Judges 17 Commentary”

Judges 16b Commentary Samson’s story isn’t a good example for men. But the story of Joseph is. While Samson willingly exposes himself to wickedness, Joseph runs away from the scene of wickedness. The outcomes and impact of both men are worlds apart. Then we have Joab, Israel’s military commander, who is the exact opposite ofContinueContinue reading “Judges 16b Commentary”

Judges 16 Commentary Chapter 16 winds down the story of Samson. What a story! It is a nice Sunday school story, but every grown man knows men don’t have to be this dumb. Samson is an embarrassment to the menfolk. There can be an easy conclusion to the story: With his hair, Samson is strong;ContinueContinue reading “Judges 16 Commentary”

Judges 15 Commentary One can decide to focus on the awesome strength of Samson and never get disappointed. Imagine the strength of a single man who rounds up a pack of 300 foxes! Most men will have problems catching one chicken! It took three thousand men from Judah to ask him to surrender to theContinueContinue reading “Judges 15 Commentary”

Judges 14 Commentary His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” Indeed, isn’t there an acceptable man or woman among the brethren? Must you go to the nightclub to get a spouse?In Deuteronomy 7ContinueContinue reading “Judges 14 Commentary”

Judges 13b Commentary “He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” Verse 5b. Actually, Samson would be killed by the Philistines! How God’s great and awesome plans are undone by men’s wickedness! “Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eatContinueContinue reading “Judges 13b Commentary”

Judges 13 Commentary Samson’s birth is detailed because of the special circumstances around it Samson is a miracle child, so is Israel. They both come from barren situations. They are both consecrated to the LORD at birth – before birth, long before birth. Samson’s mother and Sarah have children specifically born for a purpose. TheyContinueContinue reading “Judges 13 Commentary”

Judges 12 Commentary Ephraimites, again. Gideon dealt with Ephraim’s arrogance and indifference with tact and wisdom. A civil war was abated. Jephthah isn’t Gideon. Wisdom isn’t common knowledge! Foolishness, arrogance, and pride all take root within God’s community, and a civil war claims forty-two thousand lives. The saint’s enemy has many identities. Jephthah defeats oneContinueContinue reading “Judges 12 Commentary”