My 'One Year Bible' Journey

JUDGES 21:1 - RUTH 1:22

JOHN 4:4-42

PSALM 105:1-15

PROVERBS 14:25

Today in the old testament it talks about Israels reaction to the war that just happened between Israel and the Benjamites. Israel made an oath to never allow their daughters to marry a Benjamite however they mourned for the loss of a tribe of Israel. It says that all the tribes of Israel gathered together to mourn the loss of the Benjamites when they noticed that one tribe was missing. It was common knowledge that if a tribe refused to join in the assembly before the lord that those people were wicked and should be murdered.

The people of Israel noticed that none from Gilead Jabesh were present at the gathering, so they sent 12,000 fighters to go and wipe Gilead Jabesh off the face of the earth. They said to kill everyone except women/girls that are virgins, and it was done. They took with 400 women with them but killed everyone else.

Since all of Israel made an oath not to marry a Benjamite there was some question as to how the tribe would survive. The Benjamite men were instructed to hide in the vineyard and wait for the Gilead Jabesh virgins to come near, and when they did, they were instructed to take one and run away and keep her for his wife. Soon after the virgins were dancing at night when the Benjamite men ran out and kidnapped the women.

In Ruth it starts out by telling the story of Naomi and Elimelech. They were married and had 2 sons. The 2 sons were married to 2 women named Orpah, and Ruth. Elimelech eventually died leaving Naomi, her sons and daughter in laws alone. About 10 years later her sons died as well. Then it was just Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth. Ruth told the women to go home, to their families so that they can re-marry and become happy again. The women wanted to stay with Naomi but eventually Orpah agreed and left to go home. When it came time for Ruth to leave she refused and told Naomi that they would stay together until death. Naomi eventually stopped pressuring her to leave and they both left town to move to Moab. In the last paragraph of today's reading they stopped in Bethlehem and Naomi now wishes to be called Mara, because the Lord made her life bitter.

In John today it talks about Jesus' journey through Samaria in a town called Sychar. Jesus walked up to Jacob's well and saw a Samaritan woman getting water out of the well. He asked her if she would give him a drink and she replied back saying "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" Jews did not associate with Samaritans. Jesus then starts to explain who he is and the works that he does for his father God. He then explains to her some very personal things about her life to prove to her his powers. She runs to town and gathers people telling them that the savior is with them. Many Samaritans came and many people were transformed into believers after hearing Jesus speak.