Overcorrecting in the family business
Jephthah, disowned by his family, is later sought out by Gilead’s leaders and promised the top position — if he returns to fight against the invading Ammonite army. He accepts, has some arguments...
June 16, 2024
Jephthah, disowned by his family, is later sought out by Gilead’s leaders and promised the top position — if he returns to fight against the invading Ammonite army. He accepts, has some arguments...
June 9, 2024
Jephthah, the son of a prostitute, who has been kicked out of his family’s house and is living in another country, is now asked by Gilead’s elders to lead the battle against the Ammonities. He points...
June 2, 2024
Sixty years after Gideon, Israel is repeating the cycle of worshipping false gods, and is again in dire straits. In particular, the people living in Gilead are being ruled by the Ammonites, who use...
May 27, 2024
In my last reflection, Gideon and his family have become ensnared in Israel’s worship of the gold ephod (a vest worn by the High Priest) made from the spoils of war. However, Israel’s external...
May 19, 2024
With skill and humility, Gideon brings the disgruntled Ephraimites to his side. Now, all of the people want him to be king, but Gideon refuses. He does, however, have one request:And Gideon said to...
May 12, 2024
After a bold strategy that plays on the enemy’s fear, the small army of Gideon has the larger Midianite army on the run. As he chases them across the country, the men of Ephraim help by capturing and...
May 11, 2024
In my last reflection, Gideon overhears the Midianites discussing a dream projecting Gideon’s victory. With this knowledge of the enemy’s fear, Gideon plans and executes his battle strategy:As soon...
May 11, 2024
We’ve now seen Gideon call thousands of men to battle the Midianites, only to have God reduce Gideon’s army to 300 to demonstrate His role in their upcoming battle. The reduction happened in two ways...
April 28, 2024
In last week’s reflection, God encouraged Gideon to sneak down to the enemy’s camp and listen to what they were saying, and he would be strengthened in his efforts to win the battle. Here is what...
April 21, 2024
Through a series of questions and tests, God has reduced Gideon’s army to 300 men while the enemy has tens of thousands of soldiers. God may suspect Gideon’s likely bewilderment at those odds, so He...