I'm Getting Way Too Much Out of my Bible Study

I get sad when I read of the death of Moses or Joshua even though I know they are in heaven and I can reread their stories anytime I want. It's not like I have to take my Bible back to the library. It is just that I have enjoyed our time together and now we will walk separate paths for a while.

I also get sad when I reach John chapter 12 because the remaining chapters are shadowed by the cross and I'm not ready for Jesus to leave yet.

I got annoyed with God for empowering undeserving judges to deliver the undeserving  Israelites from their enemies until I realized He had also delivered unworthy me.

I got a hit of endorphins from Judges 11 where Jephthah, an outcast, but mighty, bastard, is called on by his people to save his nation. Sounds familiar. I wonder how Jephthah wore his hair?

I also got the connection between the Ammonites and the Palestinians. In Judges 11, the Ammonites ask Israel to give back Ammon's historic land even though God took it from them for being cruel to Jews in their wilderness wanderings. Btw Ammon had not bothered to reclaim it during the 300 years it was occupied by other nations before the Jews conquered it. At least the Ammonites had a king who could rule it. Palestinians? not so much. Jephthah suggested they ask their god for land. Palestinians ask the U.N.

The Lord, as the Angel of the Lord, made a personal appearance and miraculous promise to Samson's mother and her name never appears in the text. Would she be happy about that? relieved? First mention of prenatal diet instructions, being a Nazirite from the womb meant beginning at conception, not birth.

Her husband, Manoah, who heard all the same instructions and promises, still thought they were going to die for seeing the Lord. A sensible wife reassuring her doubting husband. That seems familiar too.

In chapter 14, I got for the first  time how close Samson was to his parents. The words father or mother and father are in the chapter 8 times in 20 verses. He shares his honey with them (although not its gross origin), wants their involvement in his wedding (although that was also customary), justifies not telling his bride the riddle answer because he hasn't even told his parents, goes back home after his bride's betrayal. And what kind of sucky guests threaten the bride on her honeymoon?

     Now that our son is staying sober, and I'm not coming to the Bible like a starving leech, I can enjoy the more subtle textures and flavors of the passages. I feel like we are nearing the end of this time of testing, so I can apply more than just the first aid of wisdom and encouragement. My Bible study is no longer just life support, it is a feast. Frankly, Judges has never excited me before. It is richer and more applicable than I remembered, and I hope I can continue getting way too much out of it.