Tues.’s Devo - On the Road to Emmaus

Read: Judges 9:22-10:18; LUke 24:13-53; Psalm 100:1-5; Proverbs 14:11-12 God punished Abimelech for killing the 70 sons of Gideon. He sent a spirit of division among the leading citizens of Shechem. They plotted to set an ambush to kill Abimelech of which he was warned. *** Gaal moved to Shechem and grew popular among the leading men there. During their annual festival to their god, he began cursing Abimelech and challenged the people to revolt. When Abimelech’s man, Zebul heard about it, he informed Abimelech. He suggested that Abimelech and his men come at night and attack the city early in the morning. *** Abimelech’s men divided into four groups and attacked from all sides. The first two groups drew the men of Shechem out of the city while the other two entered the town and drove Gaal and his brothers out. *** The next day, the men of Shechem went out to the fields to fight Abimilech. This time, Abimelech divided his men into three groups and attacked and captured the city. He leveled the city and scattered salt over the ground so nothing would grow. *** The leading men of the city who didn’t go out to war, went and hid in the temple of Baal-berith. Abimelech set the temple on fire burning 1,000 of them. Abimelech then went to the town of Thebes to capture it. The people went to hide in a tower. They climbed up on the roof to watch for Abimelech. He decided he would set it on fire also, but a woman from the roof dropped a millstone on his head. Abimelech knew he was going to die, so he ordered his servant to kill him so no-one could say he died at the hands of a woman. The servant killed him with his sword and the army dispersed. So God avenged the blood of Gideon and his sons. *** Tola judged Israel the next 23 years and when he died, Jair judged for another 22 years. After he died, Israel completely abandoned the Lord to worship Baal, Ashtoreth and other gods of their enemies. God turned them over to the Philistines and the Ammonites for 18 years. When the Amorites crossed over the Jordan and began oppressing the land of Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim, the Israelites finally cried out to the Lord and repented for abandoning him. God told them he would not rescue them, they needed to get help from the gods they had chosen to worship. The Israelites begged the Lord and put away their gods and served the Lord. *** The armies of Ammon gathered at Gilead to fight Israel. The leaders of Gilead made a pact that whoever attacked the Ammonites first would rule over them. *** In Luke, the people were returning to their homes after the historic Passover where Jesus was crucified. Two disciples of Jesus were walking the seven miles back to Emmaus. They were discussing all that happened when Jesus appeared and began walking with them. He questioned them about what they were talking about. They were amazed he hadn’t heard. They told him about Jesus’ death. They described Jesus as a prophet, a might teacher and their hopes that he was the Messiah. They had heard from the women that angels had told them that he was alive. All they knew was that his body was missing. *** Jesus was upset at their lack of faith. He explained from the time of Moses what the prophets had written in scripture all about who Jesus was and what he would do. When they came to their town, they begged Jesus to come in and have a meal with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. When he broke it and gave it to them, their eyes were opened and they recognized him. He disappeared before their eyes. *** They were so excited they went back to Jerusalem and found the eleven disciples and other followers. They told the two that Jesus had risen because Peter had seen him. The two told their experience and while they were telling it, Jesus appeared and greeted them with peace. He showed them his hands and feet. While they were reorienting themselves, he asked for something to eat. He explained to them the gift of salvation which is for everyone who repents and believes. Then he told them that he was sending the Holy Spirit to them. He led them to Bethany where he blessed them and was taken up to heaven. They went back to Jerusalem filled with joy and praise. *** Lord, we know that you are prophet, priest and king. We exalt you as all three and thank you for giving us hope through your salvation. May we walk with your Spirit inside us doing your work on the earth.