Category: Biblical Reflections

One of the most amazing stories tells of Gideon's continued journey toward being a champion in Israel as a judge.  Coming off his destruction of the Baals and Asherahs, Gideon puts a fleece before the Lord.  He laid the fleece of wool on the threshing floor and tested God by saying if the fleece was … Continue reading Gideon’s Army of 300 (Judges 6:36 – 7:25)

In the midst of the oppression by the Midianites, an angel appeared to Gideon while he threshed wheat in the winepress.  The angel called him a mighty man of valor.  Gideon questioned the faithfulness of God because of the problems with Midian.  The Lord told Gideon to go in the power God was giving him … Continue reading The Beginning of the Story of the Fifth Judge: Gideon (Judges 6:11 – 35)

Deborah and Barak sang a song and rehearsed the account of Israel's deliverance from Jabin.  They sang about the tribes of Israel and the work that was done, and then Jael was touted as the savior of the people.  After the song, there was the statement that the land had rest for forty years. After … Continue reading The Song of Deborah (Judges 5:1 – 6:10)

A very short story about the third judge simply says,"Judges 3:31 (NKJV)  31 After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad; and he also delivered Israel."  It is short and sweet, but points to the amazing power of God working through a willing individual. … Continue reading The Third & Fourth Judges: Shamgar & Deborah (Judges 3:31 – 4:24)

In this passage we begin to learn of the pattern of Israel's life that persisted for years.  They would serve false gods, be judged by the Lord, and then God would raise up a judge to save them.  The first idolatry was the worship of the Baals andAsherahs.  They were then judged by the Lord … Continue reading The First Judges of Israel: Othniel and Ehud (Judges 3:7 – 30)

God left certain nations in Israel in order to test the generations of the children of Israel.  Some did not know war, and God wanted them to be taught to know war.  The Philistines, Canaanites, Sidonians, and the Hivites were left.  These were also left to test Israel as to whether they would obey the … Continue reading The Nations That Remained (Judges 3:1-6)

The writer of Judges revisists the death of Joshua and his burial and the faithfulness of Israel during the lives of the elders appointed under Joshua's leadership.  However, once that generation died out, a generation arose "who did not know the Lord nor the work He had done for Israel." This new generation began to … Continue reading Death of Joshua and Israel’s Unfaithfulness (Judges 2:7 – 23)

Manasseh did not drive out all of its land's inhabitants.  Neither did Ephraim, nor Zebulun.  Asher, Naphtali, and Dan left foreigners in their lands as well.  With these incomplete conquests, the Angel of the Lord (thought to be a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus) came up from Gilgal to Bochim and reminded the Israelites of the … Continue reading Incomplete and Disobedience (Judges 1:27 – 2:6)

After the death of Joshua, Caleb had a distinct role in the leadership of Israel.  Judah led all the tribes into battle, and they and Simeon went to battle against the nations residing in their respective inheritances.  In the process, Caleb promised his daughter Achsah to whomever would attack and take Kirjath Sepher.  Othniel responded … Continue reading Continuing in Canaan (Judges 1:1 – 26)

Joshua calls together the tribes and children of Israel to recount the history of God's deliverance of Israel from the bondage in Egypt, their trek through the wilderness, and their conquest of Canaan.  He then calls upon them to fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth.  He challenges them to serve God … Continue reading The Covenant at Shechem and Joshua’s Death (Joshua 24:1 – 33)