Customer Reviews

Be Available (Judges): Accepting the Challenge to Confront the Enemy (The BE Series Commentary)

5 star:		(8)
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3 star:		(1)
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All of the Bible studies in Warren Wiersbe's "Be" series are good, but this one is especially so. In the past I have found Judges to be a difficult book to read and study. I bought "Be Available" to help in studying for a Sunday
School class I'm teaching on the book of Judges. I'm finding it to be very helpful indeed. Wiersbe goes beyond the historical facts to help the reader understand the "why" things happened as they did. He also applies the lessons of Judges to the lives of believers today. A very helpful book!

This was my first introduction to Dr. Wiersbe. I was rather shocked when I discovered that he has written 150 books. I am a bit mixed on this book. I felt that I could hear the author's point of view more than the Bible itself at times. This came out most clearly in the stories of Deborah and Samson. I have never seen the story of Deborah and Barak laid out from such a male standpoint. I could hear the author wanting to find a way to make Barak the hero. I've always thought it was a story of victory - that God uses the marginalized, even for great and might things. I could also hear the author wanting to show us what a mess Samson was, and how things would have been better if he had been more loyal. Of all the stories of the bible, I think Samson shows us that you can't mess up God's plans.

It was for this slant that the book got a three instead of a four. Dr. Wiersbe is very intelligent, and it comes out from the start. The book is engaging and easy to read from beginning to end, and he provides good study questions.

Be Available by Warren W. Wiersbe is a thoughtful study of the book of Judges. Wiersbe is probably my favorite theologian of the second half of the twentieth century. His writing is always incredibly insightful and inspiring. Be Available goes through the stories in Judges in the years after Joshua's death and before Saul became King of Israel. The Israelites were in a cycle of falling away from the Lord, facing attacks and enslavement from foreign nations, then turning back to God and a judge arising from the people who rescues them and brings peace. This cycle is repeated several times, and there are many lessons in it for Christians. Wiersbe breaks down each story and explains what God was doing in it and what it means for believers today. He even gave my heart some peace over a chapter that always troubled me: Jephthah's sacrifice of his daughter. He makes the Bible very relevant and vital with a writing style that is enjoyable and intelligent.

"BE Available" is a commentary on Judges, but it's written more like a filled-in Bible study or interesting sermon series than a Bible reference book. As in, you could go to a certain chapter and verse reference and read the entry for more information, but the book was designed to be read from start to finish. The book was easy to understand and an enjoyable, quick read.

Each chapter in this book covered 1-3 chapter in Judges. The author tied in relevant Old and New Testament verses, pointed out the meanings of Hebrew words that don't fully translate into English, and explained background historical information that helped to bring out the full impact of the verses. There were 10 to 11 questions at the end of each chapter. Some tested to see if you remembered/understood what the author had said, but others were discussion/reflection questions about how you could apply what you had just learned.

I gained some new insights from reading this book. It's a good, solid study of Judges, especially for those who aren't very familiar with it. Overall, I'd recommend this book as a personal devotional/Bible study for those who want a deeper understanding of the Word.


I received this book as a review copy through the The B&B Media Group.

Reviewed by Debbie of ChristFocus Book Club

We live in a time similar to the period described in the book of Judges. People are living according to their own values, we can't seem to work together or agree on anything, etc. Also, as Dr. Wiersbe points out, there is no king in Israel, and people are in bondage to various enemies. The book of Judges reminds us, that as He did back then, He is currently raising of men and women who believe Him, confront the enemy, and win the victory.

The theme of Judges, according to Dr. Wiersbe, is BE AVAILABLE, and we are reminded that: Obedience brings God's blessings; disobedience brings God's discipline.

BE AVAILABLE starts with a suggested outline for the book of Judges, and also includes a key verse. This study guide is excellent for use with small groups, and individual studies. Like for instance, chapter one includes Judges 1 and 2, and it starts with what could be current day newspaper headings (though actually, they were all taken from Judges). It goes on to include an in-depth study of Judges, with verses to look up (some are printed, but not all.) Then at the end of the chapter is a page (front and back) of discussion questions.

Dr. Wiersbe is a name that I grew up with, as my parents had his entire collection of commentaries and study guides. I was thrilled when, as a young adult, I actually attended the same church as Dr. Wiersbe while my husband attended seminary. We might have spoken once or twice, but I was very much in awe of the man and still am today.

These books were previously published, and are enjoying being reprinted to make them more readily available to today's scholars. If you are interested in a deep Bible study by a respected Bible scholar, then I highly recommend BE AVAILABLE, or any of the other books in the Be series. These are not to be missed.

Warren Wiersbe's studies are wonderful! While I have not read all of them, I would not hesitate to recommend any of the Be Series. If you are looking for help in understanding a particular book of the Bible, this is the series to buy!

I would like to extend a heartfelt "Thank you" to Warren Wiersbe and his publisher for sending me a copy of "Be Available" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

Warren Wiersbe's "Be Available: Accepting the Challenge to Confront the Enemy" is a wonderful commentary on the Old Testament book of Judges. Written in typical, understandable Warren Wiersbe style, this book will illuminate your understanding of the Old Testament book. If we ever needed the lessons set forth in the book of Judges about confronting the enemy, that time is now!

Wiersbe's commentaries are enlightening as a complement to personal study of scripture. But they are also written with questions for personal reflection and group discussion, so they can be used as a study guide for your small group. Either way, this is a valuable resource to add to your Bible study library.

As usual, this commentary provides insight to understanding the books of the Old Testament. Wiersbe provides cross-references between various books in the Old & New Testament and provides unbiased views. If your looking to understand Judges, read this along side of it.

One of the most anointed and gifted theologians of our day is Dr. Warren Wiersbe. `Be Available: Accepting the Challenge to Confront the Enemy' is Dr. Wierbe's Bible Commentary on the Book of Judges.

Here is the synopsis of this book:

God is Looking For a Few Good People. Picture a world where people live according to their own personal standards, where believers can't seem to agree, and where people are trapped in every kind of sin. Sound familiar? While the list hits close to home today, these issues are found in the book of Judges. And it's during times like these when God is searching for those who are ready, willing, and available to confront the enemy.
Part of Dr. Warren Wiersbe's best-selling "BE" commentary series, Be Available has now been updated with study questions and a new introduction by Ken Baugh. A respected pastor and Bible teacher, Dr. Wiersbe shares the insight that God's kingdom advances through those who are available to Him. Based on the book of Judges, this study encourages us to stand for what's right, and step into what God is doing in our world.

Here is the author's biography:

Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe is an internationally known Bible teacher and the former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago. For ten years he was associated with the Back to the Bible radio broadcast, first as Bible teacher and then as general director. He has written more than 160 books, including the "BE" series of Bible commentaries (of which `Be Authentic' is one), which have sold more than four million copies. He and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, Nebraska.

In the Introduction, entitled `The Big Idea,' Ken Baugh, Pastor of Coast Hills Community Church in Aliso Viejo, California, describes what Dr. Wiersbe's commentaries have meant to his ministry and his life:

Dr. Wiersbe's commentaries have been a source of guidance and strength to me over the many years that I have been a pastor. His unique style is not overly academic, but theologically sound. He explains the deep truths of Scripture in a way that everyone can understand and apply. Whether you're a Bible scholar or a brand-new believer in Christ, you will benefit, as I have, from Warren's insights. With your Bible in one hand and Dr. Wiersbe's commentary in the other, you will be able to accurately unpack the deep truths of God's Word and learn how to apply them to your life.
Drink deeply, my friend, of the truths of God's Word, for in them you will find Jesus Christ, and there is freedom, peace, assurance, and joy. (p. 11)

In `A Word from the Author,' Dr. Wiersbe makes this observation:

I think that we today are living in a period similar to that described in the book of Judges:
* There is no king in Israel.
* People are doing what is right in their own eyes.
* God's people can't seem to work together.
* People are in bondage to various enemies.
But here and there, God is raising up men and women who believe Him, confront the enemy, and win the victory.
The challenge of the book of Judges is - be available! No matter how dark the day, God can still work through people who will trust His Word, yield to His Spirit, and do His bidding.
Will you be among them? (p. 13)

The book of Judges takes a look at an amazing chapter in Israel's history. One of the most intriguing people to me is Deborah, a Jewish judge who Dr. Wiersbe describes as `a woman of faith and courage' (p. 45). He goes on in detail:

God had raised up a courageous woman named Deborah (which means "bee") to be the judge in the land. This was an act of grace, but it was also an act of humiliation for the Jews, for they lived in a male-dominated society that wanted only mature male leadership. "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them" (Isa. 3:12). For God to give His people a woman judge was to treat them like little children, which is exactly what they were when it came to spiritual things.
Deborah was both a judge and a prophetess. Moses' sister Miriam was a prophetess (Ex. 15:20) and later biblical history introduces us to Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), Noadiah (Neh. 6:14), Anna (Luke 2:36), and the four daughters of Philip (Acts 21:9). God called Deborah a prophetess and a judge, but she saw herself as a mother to her people. "I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel" (Judg. 5:7). The wayward Jews were her children, and she welcomed them and counseled them. (pp. 46-47)

That is a lot of valuable biblical information; what a pleasure to be able to share Dr. Wiersbe's wisdom and knowledge!

Another interesting person in Judges is Samson. Here is Dr. Wiersbe's description of this man:

Samson was unpredictable and undependable because he was double-minded and "a double minded man is unstable in all his ways" (James 1:8). It has been said that "the greatest ability to dependability," and you could depend on Samson to be undependable.
Bold before men, Samson was weak before women and couldn't resist telling them his secrets. Empowered by the Spirit of God, he yielded his body to the appetites of the flesh. Called to declare war on the Philistines, he fraternized with the enemy and even tried to marry a Philistine woman. He fought the Lord's battles by day and disobeyed the Lord's commandments by night. Given the name Samson, which means "sunny," he ended up in the darkness, blinded by the very enemy he was supposed to conquer
Four chapters in the book of Judges are devoted to the history of Samson. In Judges 13-14, we're introduced to "Sunny" and his parents and we see the light flickering as Samson plays with sin. In Judges 15-16, the light goes out and Samson dies a martyr under the ruin of a heathen temple, a sad end to a promising life. (p. 125-126)

Samson's life is a cautionary tale to not take the life that God has given us, and the Holy Spirit He has entrusted to His believers, and not waste it by getting involved with the temptations of this world.

In the final chapter of the book, `Looking Back and Looking Around,' Dr. Wiersbe looks at how the lessons in Judges can apply to today. One of the points he makes is that `God Still Blesses Those Who Live by Faith:'

It has well been said that faith is not believing in spite of evidence (that's superstition) but obeying in spite of consequences. I might add that it also means obeying God no matter what we see around us or ahead of us or how we feel within us. Faith doesn't depend on our emotions (Gideon was frightened much of the time, and Samson felt he still had his own power) or our understanding of the situation. Faith takes God at His word and does what he tells us to do. (p. 182)

This book includes `Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion.' This book includes `Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion' which are highly insightful, and really get you to think about your answer! I like this question: 'Who are some "losers" (in literature, sports, politics, history, the Bible) became winners?' (p. 122)

I highly recommend using resources from Dr. Wiersbe; our Life Group worked through the study of the book of Galatians, `Be Free: Exchange Legalism for True Spirituality.' I have reviewed other Dr. Wiersbe's books on my blog: `Be Authentic: Exhibiting Real Faith in the Real World ,' reviewing the lives of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (you can read my review here - [...] and `The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: It's Always Too Soon to Quit! - 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon' by Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe - Book Review' (you can read my review here - [...]. I consider Dr. Wiersbe to be one of the Godliest and most insightful theologians in our world today - and we attend church with one of his daughters, so that is another incentive to studying his work!

This book was published by David C. Cook and provided by the B&B Media Group, Inc. for review purposes.

Reviewed by Andrea Schultz - Ponderings by Andrea - [...]