TaNaK Tuesdays

My undergraduate degree was in Old Testament studies. I have a deep love for the story of the Hebrew people. Tuesdays have been choosen to talk about all things Old Testament. If you are wondering what TaNaK stands for, it means Torah (5 books of the law), Nevi'im (Prophets), Ketuvim (Writings). This collection makes up the entire Old Testament.
Whenever I read the book of Judges, I become so grateful for Jesus providing a way to stop the cycle of human stupidity. Judges is made up of the cycle of people wandering from God, God sending an oppressor to reignite their passion for God, the people crying out to God, God sending a judge to liberate the people, and then the people enjoy God's blessings, at least until this cycle begins again.
It is a book of violence and unlikely heroes. From a left-handed hero stabbing an obese king while he sits on the toilet, to a woman driving a tent peg through the skull of a warrior, to an army being chosen by their water-drinking technique, to a long-haired muscle man beating people up with a donkey's jawbone, there are plenty of unique stories to stimulate the brain. However, one leaves this book rather discouraged about the state of humanity. And I think this is a good thing.
I see people that are consistently stuck in a cycle of destruction and it absolutely breaks my heart. I can preach to them, teach to them, recommend others who can help, but the cycle continues. And then every once in awhile, God really gets a hold of them and the power of the Holy Spirit transforms the person. As the person transforms, the circumstances that kept them in the cycle previously now have no power. That is the power of Jesus Christ!
Jesus broke the cycle of humanity's need to involve themselves in schemes leading to spiritual and physical death. If you are in a cycle right now, Christ has already paved the way for abundant life. So, seek the help you need, pray your prayers, and work as hard as you can, but remember in the end only God's Spirit has the ability to make the transformation legitamite!