When people read the Bible, they may be surprised to find shocking stories of wickedness mixed with stories of great faith, sometimes in the very same people. In other words, it contains stories of people like us. Judges reports on the chaotic situation in Israel after the death of Joshua during which a series of deliverers rescued God’s people time and time again from self-inflicted problems. At the end of the book, things spiraled out of control, but this failure reveals the main point of the book. In the end, the judges could not have lasting success but were signposts pointing forward to the answer to their failures and ours.
God has always been with his people, in various ways and temporarily in Old Testament times and later and permanently in human flesh.
The Parable of the Banquet illustrates the various responses to the generous invitation of the King.
As Jesus finally approached Jerusalem, he admonished the leaders and affirmed his mission.
