Category Archives: Judges

Notes on Gideon and the God of Israel: Fire and Dew, Evening and Morning

The account of Gideon requiring a sign from the God who has called him to rise up as a deliverer for Israel, has long puzzled interpreters (Judges 6.33-40). Gideon receives a messenger from Yahweh who calls him to action. This … Continue reading

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Judging Judges: The Cutting of the Concubine

I was just asked how one should deal with the story of the Levite cutting up his gang-raped concubine in Judges 19. Here is my short answer. The ending chapters of Judges function at several levels:1) historical context for the … Continue reading

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Esther 3-4 – A Time for Action

3:1-6 – Haman…the Agagite.  Whereas the last we read would have suggested that Mordecai should have been rewarded by the king, we find only the mention of another man who instead receives honors and acclaim from the king…and this man … Continue reading

Posted in 1 Kings, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, Daniel, Deuteronomy, Esther, Exodus, Ezra, Genesis, Isaiah, Joshua, Judges, Leviticus, Numbers, Proverbs, Psalms, Zechariah | Leave a comment

Daniel 12 – The Vision of the End

11:36-39 – The king who exalts himself.  This king does have certain levels of overlap with Antiochus IV Epiphanes (and many commentators believe that this individual is one and the same), but the description does not fit as it did … Continue reading

Posted in 1 John, 2 Thessalonians, Daniel, Deuteronomy, Ezekiel, Ezra, Genesis, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Job, Jude, Judges, Malachi, Mark, Matthew, Nehemiah, Philippians, Psalms, Revelation | Leave a comment

The Old Testament for Seventh Graders (in Four Weeks!) 4

Life Under the Covenant – Joshua-Malachi Story: Living in the Land (Joshua-2 Chronicles) – Israel entered the land of eternal promise, but once they were in the land they failed to live according to the covenant.  The LORD rescued them … Continue reading

Posted in 1 Kings, Amos, Covenant, Hosea, Israel, Jeremiah, Jonah, Joshua, Judges, Malachi, Proverbs, Psalms, Zechariah | Leave a comment

Ezekiel 24-25 – A Time To Mourn And A Time Not To Mourn

24:1-5 – The siege begins. The exact date (January 5, 587BC according to Daniel Block NICOT I:772-774) is given in order to verify that indeed the word of the LORD declared what happened before it could be verified. Note the … Continue reading

Posted in 1 Corinthians, 1 Kings, 1 Samuel, 2 Kings, 2 Samuel, Daniel Block, Deuteronomy, Ezekiel, Genesis, Iain Duguid, Job, Judges, Leviticus, Numbers, Obadiah, Ruth | Leave a comment

Ezekiel 17-18 – Taking Responsibility

17:1-2 – What do “allegory” (Heb. hida “riddle”) and “parable” (Heb.  mashal “proverb”) suggest for reading what follows? 17:3-4 – What effect should the description of the great eagle have on us?  Lebanon is (and was) known for its cedars … Continue reading

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2 Kings 22-23:30 – Josiah – Is There Still Hope?

22:1 – Josiah – son of Amon. He reigned for 31 years (640-609BC) over Judah doing what was right in the sight of the LORD as David had done – he was the ideal king (Deut.17:20) and fulfilled the prophecy … Continue reading

Posted in 1 Esdras, 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, 2 Kings, Acts, Deuteronomy, Exodus, Hezekiah, Joel, Josephus, Joshua, Josiah, Judges, Leviticus, Neco | Leave a comment