JUDGES 12-13:
Yesterday, after hearing of three minor judges, we heard of Jephthah. Jephthah was a man of very poor credentials, but he turned out to be a surprisingly good leader. His story shows clearly why it is better not to make rash vows to the Lord. Indeed, the New Testament tells us to not make vows at all.

PSALM 84:
This favorite psalm has inspired many worship songs. Note the theme of joy!

GALATIANS 5:22-6:
Building on the concept of freedom from requirements of the Law in chapter 4, Paul continued on that theme in chapter 5. (Of course there were no chapter boundaries when he wrote his letter!) The freedom Paul described is founded on the idea that we are now controlled by the Holy Spirit. A second very important concept is considering ourselves dead to sinful desires and deeds which were enumerated at the end of chapter 5.

NLT Translation notes:
8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please [God's/the] Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those [who are fellow believers//in the family of faith].
14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord [Christ Jesus//Jesus Christ]. Because of that cross,cmy interest in this world has been crucified, and the world's interest in me has also died.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

JUDGES 10-11:
Yesterday we heard the conclusion of the story of Gideon. It is a pity that Gideon was so successful, but that a half-son and unfaithful people ruined his legacy. I am always very disappointed that Gideon so quickly turns to idolatry after God has worked so fantastically through him. The whole story, including the part about Abimelech, supports the verse which says, "Whatever you sow, that is also what you will reap."

PSALM 83:
This is a psalm asking God to stop being silent when Israel was praying for relief from their enemies. And we now have the background to understand the names mentioned by Asaph.

GALATIANS 5:
In chapter 4, Paul continued to use Old Testament pictures to show the teaching that is central to this book: Gentiles do not need to be circumcised because we have been freed from the Law of Moses. We do not need to earn favor with God. We have already been adopted as sons and are considered heirs of God's promises. Proof of this is that the Spirit of Jesus is in our hearts.

Remember that in Greek, 'faith' and 'believe' have the same root word. Most other English words— like 'operate' and 'operation', show their root word similarity. It is an unfortunate quirk of English that it doesn't work that way for 'believe' and 'faith'. To help you see the cohesion and how Paul is harping on this one concept, I suggest reading this book substituting 'fully believe' for 'faith'.

NLT Translation notes:
Gal. 5:5But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive [through believing//by faith] the righteousness God has promised to us.
[Again, 'faith' and 'believe' are the same root word in Greek, differing no more than 'operate' and 'operation' or 'performance' and 'perform'. In pointing this out and using the verb 'believe' rather than the noun form, I am trying to restore cohesion and clarity. And I do this because the word 'faith' is used today with all sorts of fuzzy and mystical unbiblical meanings.]
6 For when we [fully believe//place our faith] in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is [fully believing//faith] expressing [that belief//itself] in love.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

JUDGES 8-9:
Yesterday we heard of Gideon who led Israel in a miraculous victory over the hoards of Midian using only three hundred men. Gideon struggled with believing that God would actually use him, and God was amazingly patient with Gideon— giving him sign after sign. Because of this, Gideon really is not the best example for us to follow of how to trust God and live a life of faith.

PSALM 82:
Do you ever get upset about injustice on earth? Here is a psalm for you.

GALATIANS 4:
The Jews called non-Jews 'sinners' because they did not follow the Law of Moses. But the Jewish Christians themselves also become 'sinners' if they leave the old system of relying on the Law, but then require non-Jews to be circumcised. The important thing is to be joined as one with Christ, not simply being followers of a religion. Being joined to Christ means dying (considering ourselves to be dead) to old things (including religious practices).

Yesterday in the 3rd chapter of Galatians we heard an important teaching about the purpose of the Law. The Law did not replace the promise that was given to Abraham. And the way for us to follow Abraham and become heirs to the promise given to Abraham (even if we are not his physical descendants) is through _fully believing_ as Abraham did.

NLT Translation notes:
Gal. 4:5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own [sons//children].
[Paul uses the legal Roman law term for the adoption of sons. By their law, such adoption was irrevocable! Men feel squeamish at being included in the Bride of Christ. So in this case, ladies, I suggest that it is good for you to rejoice that you are included as having the rights of sons. This same term occurs in Rom. 8:15, 8:23, 9:4, and Eph. 1:5.]
6 And because we are his [sons//children], God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father."
7 Now you are no longer a slave but God's own [son//child]. And since you are his [son//child], God has made you his heir.
9 So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God [recognizes you as his sons//knows you]), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.