Scripture Union Daily Guide Thursday 15th May 2025 Devotional Message
Today’s Daily Guide 15 May 2025 Reading By Scripture Union
TOPIC: Continuing the Conquest of Canaan
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OPENING PRAYER: Lord, I pray that you lead me into your truth as I meditate on your word in Jesus name.
INTRODUCTION TO JUDGES
The Book of Judges gives an almost chronological account of the spiritual and political state of the Israelites as they tried to settle down in the Promised Land. ‘Judges’ refers to ‘rulers’, ‘deliverers’ and ‘leaders’. Joshua allocated territories to the different tribes before his death (Joshua 13-22). He had also challenged the leaders and the people to be faithful to God Almighty (Joshua 24:14-28). However, what we now see in Judges are cycles of unfaithfulness, God’s punishment, cry of repentance, God’s forgiveness, and provisions of a rescuer for the people and back to unfaithfulness. These incidents cover the period from the death of Joshua (about 1250 BC) to the emergence of Samuel, the prophet as the last ‘judge’, and Saul, the first king of Israel (around 1050 BC). The moral standards of several of the ‘judges’ are questionable. We realise, therefore, that the emphasis is that God was responding to the crises and raised those leaders to rescue Israel because He ever remains faithful to His covenant and promises.
SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Judges 1:1-16
1 Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, “Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?”
2 And the Lord said, “Judah shall go up. Indeed I have delivered the land into his hand.”
3 So Judah said to Simeon his brother, “Come up with me to my allotted territory, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I will likewise go with you to your allotted territory.” And Simeon went with him. 4 Then Judah went up, and the Lord delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand; and they killed ten thousand men at Bezek. 5 And they found Adoni-Bezek in Bezek, and fought against him; and they defeated the Canaanites and the Perizzites. 6 Then Adoni-Bezek fled, and they pursued him and caught him and cut off his thumbs and big toes. 7 And Adoni-Bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to gather scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me.” Then they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.
8 Now the children of Judah fought against Jerusalem and took it; they struck it with the edge of the sword and set the city on fire. 9 And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who dwelt in the mountains, in the [a]South, and in the lowland. 10 Then Judah [b]went against the Canaanites who dwelt in Hebron. (Now the name of Hebron was formerly Kirjath Arba.) And they killed Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.
11 From there they went against the inhabitants of Debir. (The name of Debir was formerly Kirjath Sepher.)
12 Then Caleb said, “Whoever attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give my daughter Achsah as wife.” 13 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, took it; so he gave him his daughter Achsah as wife. 14 Now it happened, when she came to him, that [c]she urged him to ask her father for a field. And she dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you wish?” 15 So she said to him, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.”
And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
16 Now the children of the Kenite, Moses’ father-in-law, went up from the City of Palms with the children of Judah into the Wilderness of Judah, which lies in the South near Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.
QUESTIONS FOR MEDITION:
► Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
► Q8: Is there any other Biblical passage that can help me understand this passage better?
Today’s passage is set in the background of Joshua’s death (Judges 1:1). What did the Israelites inquire from the Lord and what was His answer (Judges 1:1,2)? God answers prayer, for it is His delight to give us His kingdom. Notice the invitation for teamwork and collaboration that the people of Judah gave to those of Simeon (Judges 1:3). How often do you involve others in God’s work?
Notice the series of victories that God gave the Israelites (Judges 1:4-13). There are great victories that can be achieved when people work together and seek God’s guidance. How can this inspire you to be intentional to collaborate with others, and to corporately seek God’s guidance?
Caleb’s faithfulness in upholding the vow that he made in Judges 1:12 is commendable. How faithful are you in keeping the vows you make in your journey of faith? Reflect on Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 and Matthew 5:34-37. What basic principles regarding making vows can you draw from these two passages?
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER:
Dear Lord, tune my heart to always seek your will and guidance, and in moments of need and difficulties, grant me victory and success.
One Year Bible Reading Guide:
1 Samuel 24-26, Matthew 11.
One Year Bible Reading Guide, Hard Copy Version:
2 Samuel 13-15
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN
Thu May 15, 2025
PRAYER FOCUS
SUCF.
…do not be conformed to this world but be ye transformed. Rom12:2
THANK GOD FOR:
* The good representation of SUCF ministry in the campuses. • For all the leaders and their commitment to kingdom work in the campuses.
PRAY FOR:
* The grace and power for SUCF to stay unpolluted in the campuses. • The transforming power of the cross will be evident in SUCF members.
PRAY AGAINST:
* The gates of hell and worldliness in the campuses.
Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God. (Scripture Union Daily Guide 15 May 2025)
