Herald Development Kunsults

Herald Broadcasting Network presents BibleBanquet, a daily devotional on the book of Judges
Let’s read Judges Chapter 14
Of all that we have read, this is the sum:
Samson desires a wife of the Philistines. (1-4) Samson kills a lion. (5-9) Samson's riddle. (10-20)
Here are some beautiful lessons we may draw from this reading:
1. As far as Samson's marriage was a common case, it was weak and foolish of him to set his affections upon a daughter of the Philistines. Shall one, not only an Israelite, but a Nazarite, devoted to the Lord, covet to become one with a worshipper of Dagon? It does not appear that he had any reason to think her wise or virtuous, or any way likely to be a help meet for him; but he saw something in her agreeable to his fancy.
2. He that, in the choice of a wife, is only guided by his eye, and governed by his fancy, must afterwards thank himself if he find a "Philistine" in his arms. Yet it was well done not to proceed till Samson had made his parents acquainted with the matter.
3. Children ought not to marry, nor to move towards marriage without the advice and consent of their parents. Samson's parents did well to dissuade him from yoking himself unequally with unbelievers. It seems that it pleased God to leave Samson to follow his own inclinations, intending to bring out good from his conduct; and his parents consented, because he was bent upon it. However, his example is not recorded for us to do likewise.
4. By enabling him to kill a lion, God let Samson know what he could do in the strength of the Spirit of the Lord, that he might never be afraid to look the greatest difficulties in the face.
5. Samson was alone in the Philistine vineyards, whither he had rambled. Likewise, young people consider not how they expose themselves to the roaring lion that seeks to devour, when they wander from their prudent, pious parents and godly fellows. Nor do men consider what lions lurk in the vineyards, the vineyards of red wines.
6. Our Lord Jesus having conquered Satan, that roaring lion, believers, like Samson, find honey in the carcass abundant strength and satisfaction, enough for themselves, and for all their friends. Samson's riddle literally meant no more than that he had got honey, for food and for pleasure, from the lion, which in its strength and fury was ready to devour him. But the victory of Christ over Satan, by means of His humiliation, agonies, and death, and the exaltation that followed to Him, with the glory thence to the Father, and spiritual advantages to His people, seem directly alluded to in Samson's riddle.
7. And even death, that devouring monster, being robbed of his sting, and stripped of his horror, is followed by eternal victory to the redeemed of the Lord. In these and other senses, "out of the eater comes forth meat, and out of the strong, sweetness."
8. Samson's companions obliged his wife to get the explanation from him. Lesson: A worldly wife, or a worldly friend, is to a godly man, as an enemy in the camp, who will watch every opportunity to betray him. No union can be comfortable or lasting, where secrets cannot be entrusted, without danger of being divulged. Satan, in his temptations, could not do us the mischief he does, if he did not plough with the heifer of our corrupt nature. His chief advantage against us arises from his correspondence with our deceitful hearts and in**ed lusts. This proved an occasion of weaning Samson from his new relations.
9. It were well for us, if the unkindness we meet with from the world, and our disappointments in it, obliged us by faith and prayer to return to our heavenly Father's house, and to rest there. See how little confidence is to be put in man. Whatever pretence of friendship may be made, a real Philistine will soon be weary of a true Israelite. Beware!
Prayer: May the LORD help us to cherish and maintain the enmity between light and darkness, good and evil, Christ and Satan, and holy and unholy. May we never be unequally yoked with unbelievers, in Jesus' name. Amen and Amen.

Herald Broadcasting Network presents BibleBanquet, a daily devotional on the book of Joshua
Let’s read Joshua chapter 20
Of all we have read, this is the sum:
The law concerning the cities of refuge. (1-6) The cities appointed as refuges. (7-9)
Here are some beautiful lessons we may draw from this reading:
1. When the Israelites were settled in their promised inheritances, they were reminded to set apart the cities of refuge, whose use and typical meaning have been explained in Hebrews 6:18 KJV:
"That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us."
2. Those cities, as those also on the other side Jordan, stood so that a man might in half a day reach one of them from any part of the country. God is ever a Refuge at hand. They were all Levites' cities. It was kindness to the poor fugitive, that when he might not go up to the house of the Lord, yet he had the servants of God with him, to instruct him, and pray for him, and to help to make up the want of public ordinances.
3. Some observe a significance in the names of the cities with application to Christ our Refuge. Kedesh signifies holy, and our Refuge is the holy Jesus. Shechem, a shoulder, and the government is upon His shoulder. Hebron, fellowship, and believers are called into the fellowship of Christ Jesus our Lord. Bezer, a fortification, for He is a stronghold to all those that trust in Him. Ramoth, high or exalted, for Him hath God exalted with His own right hand. Golan, joy or exultation, for in Him all the saints are justified, and shall glory.
Prayer: May the Holy Spirit inspire us today, to flee into the Almighty God, our Strong Tower, that we might hide in Him and be saved, now and forevermore, in Jesus' name. Amen and Amen.

Herald Broadcasting Network presents BibleBanquet, a daily devotional on the book of Deuteronomy
Let’s read Deuteronomy Chapter 20: Laws about Military Service

Of all we have read in this chapter, this is the sum: Exhortation and proclamation respecting those who went to war. (1-9) Peace to be offered, What cities were to be devoted. (10-20)
Here are some beautiful lessons we may draw from this reading:
1. In the wars wherein Israel engaged according to the will of God, they might expect the Divine assistance. The Lord was to be their only confidence. In these respects they were types of the Christian's warfare. Those unwilling to fight, must not be forwarded. Unwillingness might arise from a man's outward or inward perceived condition. God would not be served by men forced against their will. Thy people shall be willing, Psalm 110:3. In running the Christian race, and fighting the good fight of faith, we must lay aside all that would make us unwilling. If a man's unwillingness arose from weakness and fear, he had leave to return from the war. The reason here given is, lest his brethren's heart fail as well as his heart. We must take heed that we fear not with the fear of them that are afraid, Isaiah 8:12. The Lord has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, power and of sound mind, 2Tim 1:7.
2. The Israelites were directed about the nations against whom they should make war. This is a show of God's grace in dealing with sinners. He proclaims peace, and beseeches them to be reconciled. Let it also show us our duty in dealing with our brethren. Whoever are for war, we must be for peace.
3. Of the cities given to Israel to war against, none of their inhabitants must be left. Since it could not be expected that they should be cured of their idolatry, they would hurt Israel. These regulations are not the rules of our conduct, but Christ's law of love. We battle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers. Our weapons of warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, and casting down imaginations, bringing low, everything that exalts itself above God. In the war against self, nothing should be left, lest they beset us again with temptations.
4. The horrors of war must fill the loving heart with anguish upon every recollection; and are proofs of the wickedness of man, the power of Satan, and the just vengeance of God, who thus scourges a guilty world. But how dreadful their case who are engaged in unequal conflict with their Maker, who will not submit to render Him the easy tribute of worship and praise! Certain ruin awaits them.
5. The number or the power of the enemies of our souls should not dismay us; nor let even our own weakness cause us to tremble or to faint. The Lord will save us; but in the ongoing cosmic war, let none engage, whose hearts are fond of the world, or afraid of the Cross and the conflict.
6. Care was to be taken that in besieging cities, the fruit-trees should not be destroyed. God is a better friend to man than he is to himself; and God's Law consults our interests and comforts; while our own appetites and passions, which we indulge, are enemies to our welfare. Many of the Divine precepts restrain us from destroying that which is for our life and food. The Jews understood God’s restraint as forbidding all willful waste upon any account whatsoever. Every creature of God is good, so nothing is to be abused. We may live later to want what we carelessly waste.
Let’s sing: Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; onward into battle see his banners go! Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. Like a mighty army moves the church of God; brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod. We are not divided, all one body we, one in hope and doctrine, one in charity. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane, but the church of Jesus constant will remain. Gates of hell can never 'gainst that church prevail; we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng, blend with ours your voices in the triumph song. Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King, this through countless ages men and angels sing. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before. Hallelujah! Amen and Amen.