JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 6:1__ The fifth judge was Gideon, who fought the Midianites twice. The first time he followed God’s instructions (Judges 7:1); the second time he did not (Judges 8:4). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 6:2 The Midianites oppressed the Israelites so greatly that they were forced to live in DENS and CAVES, and they couldn’t harvest their CROPS. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 6:7 The message of the unnamed PROPHET represents the first time God rebuked the people when they called upon him. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 6:11 THE ANGEL OF THE LORD. See note on 2:1. BEATING OUT WHEAT IN THE WINEPRESS. Wheat was usually threshed on open threshing floors, where the wind could carry away the chaff—and Gideon had access to such a place (see Judges 6:37). The fact that he was doing his threshing with... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 6:22 Gideon feared for his life because he had encountered God’s angel FACE TO FACE (compare Genesis 32:30; Exodus 33:20). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 6:24 TO THIS DAY. See note on Josh. 4:9. The ABIEZRITES were part of the tribe of Manasseh that settled west of the Jordan River (Joshua 17:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 6:25 ASHERAH is sometimes the name of a pagan goddess. Here, it refers to the wooden poles at places where she was worshiped. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 6:32 Gideon’s new name, JERUBBAAL, meant “Let Baal contend,” echoing Joash’s mockery of those who trusted in Baal (v. Judges 6:31). With this name, Gideon became a living reminder of Baal’s powerlessness. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, l... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 6:34 SPIRIT OF THE LORD CLOTHED. See 1 Chronicles 12:18; 2 Chronicles 24:20. Other terms for the Spirit’s activity in Judges 1:1 include “was upon” (Judges 3:10; Judges 11:29) and “rushed upon” ... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 6:36 LAYING A FLEECE. Gideon’s desire to TEST God directly violated Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 6:16). LET NOT YOUR ANGER BURN AGAINST ME. Gideon knew that he was doing something unwise, if not sinful. He already knew God’s will (see Judges 6:14, Judges 6:36). His requests reveal h... [ Continue Reading ]