Ancient Future Ministries

We look at Sampson's death and see that to the very end of his life Sampson continued to be self-centered. His prayer at the end of his life was for vengeance on the Philistines for their enslavement of him. He isn't interested in the welfare of his people or God's glory. 

We also introduce the last five chapters of Judges. In these remaining lessons, the writer of Judgers turns from the deliverers to the people of Israel and their succumbing to the complete Caanization of God's people.

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

Sampson continues to walk a fine line coming closer and closer to revealing the true nature of his relationship with God and the reason for his strength. With each successive lie, Deliah nags Sampson more until he finally reveals the secret of his strength. 

Deliah earns her 5500 shekels of silver and Sampson is captured by the Philistines. They gouge out his eyes (the source of many of his temptations - the lust of the eyes). The lords of the Philistines send him back to Gaza where he had wreaked havoc on the local economy and set him to grind grain. 

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

 

Sampson continues his self-centered ways even when it appears that he is acknowledging his dependence on God in his time of need.

We are introduced to Deliah and the beginning of Sampson's demise in chapter sixteen. 

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

In this podcast Sampson destroys the Philistines economy. Israel sides with their persecutors and takes Sampson into captivity. (A side note regarding this incident is that the only army that Sampson ever raises is for the purpose of taking him captive!) Sampson continues to show his contempt of his life-long Nazirite vow by using a jawbone of a donkey to kill a thousand Philistines.

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

In chapters thirteen through sixteen we meet Sampson, the last and worst of the Judges in the book. It is interesting that when God wants to do something amazing He often sends a baby. (Think Hannah and Samuel, Moses and his parents, Elizabeth and John the Baptist, Mary and Jesus)

the Angel of the Lord comes to the wife of Minoah. She seems to have a deeper commitment to the Law than her husband. M.inoah seems more interested in being in control vs. obedient

In chapter fourteen we see Sampson breaking a number of the laws in the Torah. It is interesting to see that someone so selfish and self-centered is used by God to begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines. 

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

Three minor Judges point out the continued downward spiral of the spiritual condition of the nation of Israel. The take away of the end of chapter twelve is the judges care more about their power and position rather than following God's commandments.

In chapters thirteen through sixteen we meet Sampson, the last and worst of the Judges in the book. It is interesting that when God wants to do something amazing He often sends a baby. (Think Hannah and Samuel, Moses and his parents, Elizabeth and John the Baptist, Mary and Jesus)

the Angel of the Lord comes to the wife of Minoah. She seems to have a deeper commitment to the Law than her husband. M.inoah seems more interested in being in control vs. obedient

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

If Jepthah's negotiating skill is lacking with the King of Ammon it fails completely with the Ephraimites. The tribe has been a bit of a bully previously and is again guilty of throwing its weight around trying to horn in on the spoils of war. 

Pronunciation becomes the key to survival for the warriors of Ephraim. 

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

In this podcast we meet the outcast Jepthah. Interestingly after the elders of the clan sided with the rest of Jepthah's brothers and disinherit him they have to come back and ask him to lead them into battle against the Ammonites. 

Jepthah is a shrewd negotiator with his clan but fails with the King of Ammon. He makes a rash vow to God to offer a burnt offering if he wins the battle. His daughter ends up being the offering. Did he really offer his child on an altar? Did she never marry and become a Tabernacle worker? Why didn't dad know about the escape clause in the Law? 

What are the lessons does God want us to learn?

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

How often do we abuse God's grace? We know that our sins are forgiven, everyone we will ever commit. So it doesn't matter if we continue to commit the same sin over and over again. Much like Israel, we presume on God's goodness and grace to continue to allow us to sin with little or no consequences. 

What happens when God decides to let us go our own way a d then doesn't help us out of a jam? 

These are the questions we discuss in this week's podcast.

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

Sometimes we are so close to the subject we can't see what is walking right beside us. This was certainly true of the two disciples who were journeying to Emmaus. 

So often we are slow to hear but when we do our hearts burn within us. When that happens how do we respond to this burning in our hearts? This is the question we look at in this podcast.

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.