The Book of Judges: Part 3 - Ch.7-9 (Gideon & Abimelech)

The Book of Judges: Part 3 - Ch.7-9 (Gideon & Abimelech)

1. Wholeness of the sick and Home to the exile, give us grace to seek the well-being of those among whom we live, so that all people may come to know the healing of your love and new voices join to give you thanks in Jesus’ name. Amen. OPENING PRAYER

2. JUDGES Part 3: Ch.7-9

3. STORYTIME Judges 7-8: Gideon

4. Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink. JUDGES 7 :5-6

5. Those who drink water in a kneeling position w/heads in the water to lap it up are: (1) an easy target, (2) unaware of any enemy movement when they drink, …The alternative is to lie down flat (where one presents less of a target) and to keep alert, bringing water to the mouth while continuing to look around. CRAIG KEENER

6. Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family. JUDGES 8 :27

7. STORYTIME Judges 9: Abimelek

8. Hurriedly he called to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that they can’t say, ‘A woman killed him.’” So, his servant ran him through, and he died.  JUDGES 9:54

9. Who killed Abimelek  son of (Gideon)? Didn’t a woman drop an upper millstone on him from the wall,  so that he died in Thebez? 2 SAM 11 :21

10. It is noteworthy that in this book based on a male warrior culture, first Jael and now this anonymous woman of Thebez deliver deathblows to an enemy. In a more seductive feminine mode, Delilah will bring down the Israelite hero Samson. ROBERT ALTER

11. REFLECTION TIME Fear

12. The experience of fear is 100% normal and part of being human REFLECTIONS ON FEAR

13. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb… find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, …— not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds. C.S. LEWIS (1948)

14. The experience of fear is 100% normal and part of being human Fear overrides our ability to think/ act rationally, triggering our fight/ flight/freeze/fawn response REFLECTIONS ON FEAR

15. The experience of fear is 100% normal and part of being human Fear overrides our ability to think/ act rationally, triggering our fight/ flight/freeze/fawn response Hyperactive fear = symptom of PTSD REFLECTIONS ON FEAR

16. The experience of fear is 100% normal and part of being human Fear overrides our ability to think/ act rationally, triggering our fight/ flight/freeze/fawn response Hyperactive fear = symptom of PTSD Surely God knows/understands this (“ If you are afraid …”) REFLECTIONS ON FEAR

17. Do not be afraid = 56x in the OT 24x in the NT Often only viewed through the lens of a command that = sin if broken REFLECTIONS ON FEAR

18. Better viewed through the lens of: Challenge/encouragement REFLECTIONS ON FEAR

19. Better viewed through the lens of: Challenge/encouragement Something to pay attention to REFLECTIONS ON FEAR

20. Better viewed through the lens of: Challenge/encouragement Something to pay attention to Something to be grateful for REFLECTIONS ON FEAR

21. Better viewed through the lens of: Challenge/encouragement Something to pay attention to Something to be grateful for Something to seek help for REFLECTIONS ON FEAR

22. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light,  and the Lamb is its lamp.  The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.  On no day will its gates ever be shut,  for there will be no night there.  REV 21:23-25

23. This is the ending. Now, not only day only shall be beloved, but night too shall be beautiful and blessed and all its fears pass away. ( The LOTR: The Return of the King ) J.R.R. TOLKIEN

24. God of all ages, you have revealed your grace in our Savior, Jesus Christ. As we wait patiently on his return, strengthen us to live in your justice, that with open hearts we may hear and accomplish your will, through Christ, who lights our way to you. Amen. CLOSING PRAYER