Judges and Podcasts

A few months ago I read through Judges and was left with so many questions. Questions about God and Israel, the cultural context, and the events that took place flooded my mind after reading that book.  

I know the God of the New Testament is the same as the God of the Old Testament, but reading through Judges left me confused. I knew if someone asked me questions about the book, I wouldn't have answers. Judges reveals a dark moment in Israel's history, a time when the people continuously did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. So what can this ancient text, filled with violence and evil, teach readers today about God? 

If I had to figure that out all on my own I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get very far. I would rest on faith that the book of Judges is in the Scriptures for a reason and that God is good and faithful, just and merciful even in those dark days. 

But I recently came across J. D. Greear's sermon series about Judges at the Summit Church. And I am certain I will never read Judges the same again. Each judge uniquely points to Jesus and the Gospel in a beautiful way. God's redeeming love for His people encompasses the book. 

In this day, podcasts can easily become someone's excuse for not going to church or being actively involved in the local church. By no means do I suggest for podcasts to replace sitting under the Biblical teaching of a pastor. But, listening to solid, biblical sermons or other thought-provoking, Gospel-centered podcasts throughout your week can definitely enrich your own personal Bible study and help you navigate Scripture with a biblical theology perspective.

So if you find yourself stumped by a particular passage, I encourage you to investigate, to study, to learn. Just don't give up, friend. Our God is good and faithful. He is so much more beautiful than we can imagine. And the more we read and study His Word, the more His beauty and majesty and glory are revealed to us.