Our God is an AWESOME God

The NT equivalent to 'yare' is 'sebomai'.

'Sebomai' occurs 10 times in the NT.

It means 'to revere', 'to be devout', 'to worship'.

[Matt 15:9 / Mark 7:7 / Acts 16:14]

This is another tie between OT & NT, creating continuity.

Worship as reverence of God.

Reverence involves awe.

Our God is an AWESOME God!

Love you X

Reverence & Fear

Our 3rd biblical view on worship is 'fear' or 'reverence' of God.

The Hebrew word is 'yare' and is found over 300 times in the OT. In most cases this word is translated to 'afraid' or 'fear'.

In 80% the object of fear is God.

This 'fear' isn't terror or dread, but awe and respect.

This 'fear of the LORD' is consistant with a way of life that is connected to an inner attitude of reverence towards God.

This way of life is an expression of worship.

Love you X

EVERYTHING is spiritual

Now, in the new testament there are 2 Greek words that convey the same message as 'abad'.

They are 'latreuo' and 'leitourgeo'.

'Latreuo' is found 21 times in the NT and means 'to serve' and 'to worship'. All of the uses of the word 'latreuo' are where service is offered not to other humans, but to God. [Luke 2:37 / Acts 26:7 / Phil. 3:3 / Hebrews 12:28]

The 2nd Greek word 'leitourgeo' is found only 3 times in the NT [Acts 13:2 / Romans 15:27 / Hebrews 10:11] (serving / ministering).

Worship, then, is the expression of service of God not only in religous gatherings, but in every area of life.

This is why if you one of the early christians about how spiritual they were, they wouldn't understand what you were talking about. It's not about what they did on the sabbath, but ALL THE TIME. There is no difference between church-life and life-life.

Everything is spiritual.

In Hebrew, the word for spirit and the word for breath is the same ['ruwah'].

Everything is spiritual.

This meaning of worship can be linked to how we call meetings 'services'.

But we gotta make sure our 'services' really are 'service' of God.

Love you X

Abad

So after looking at the first biblical word and the comparisons between 'hawah' and 'proskuneo', we can start to appreciate 1 part of the essence of worship:

WORSHIP involves humble submission to God.

The next biblical word group shows another side of worship.

Worship involves work or service.

The Hebrew term is 'abad', this word is found 289 times in the OT. Its meaning can be translated 'to work', 'to do', 'to perform', 'to serve' and 'to worship'.

It is most frequently translated as 'to serve' (125 times). The phrase 'to serve the LORD[Yahweh]' is used 56 times.

It is through this phrase we gain another aspect of worship (Exodus 3:12 / Deut. 10:12 / Isaiah 19:21).

The term 'abad' is frequently used during God's instructions for His people on sacrificial rituals and apperatus to enable them to serve (worship) in an appropriate manner.

Love you X

Inward & Outward

Next we look at a New Testament Greek word _ 'Proskuneo'. It is a verb to describe the action of prostrating, or to fall down in adoration.

As well as this outward physical display, it also has an inward attitude of reverence and humility.

'Proskuneo' is the most common word for worship in the new testament [John 4:20-24 / Revelation 5:14], just like 'hawah' is in the old testament.

This adds to the continuity between the OT and NT.

Both these words are about INWARD attitude reflected in an OUTWARD gesture.

Love you X

Bow down

The most commonly used Hebrew word is 'hawah', from the phrase 'hishtahawah' which means 'to bow [down]', 'to do obedience', 'to pay homage' and 'to worship'.

Of the 170 old testament uses of the word 'hawah', about 75 are translated as 'worship'. Around the same number translates 'bow down', 6 times as 'pay honour' and once as 'pay homage'.

BOWING DOWN was a physical response, an action. It was a mark of respect, you bowed to kings.

It was also an act of submission.

So as a word for worship, 'hawah' gives us the idea of honouring God and expressing sumbission to Him.

Love you X

3 words

If we wanna seriously understand worship, we need to look at what the bible says about it.

To know where we are going, we have to know where we have been.

The first step is to look at the original meanings behind the word 'worship'.

Originally the bible wasn't written in english (what?! but Jesus was a christian from oxford!), the Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek.

In the old testament we see SO MUCH history soaked in worship (in all forms). A lot of this helps us to understand what worship is and how we should offer it.

There are 3 main Hebrew words used in the old testament for worship. Unfortunately the lack of expression in the english language means that they all translate to 'worship'.

In basic terms the 3 words break down to Submission, Service and Reverence.

These 3 words link in very well to the Greek words used in the new testament. This is another way (along with theology and prophecy) that the OT and the NT tie together and are consitant.

Each of these key words highlights a different dimension (or focus) that together make up worship as a whole.

Love you X

#3

God ENABLES our worship_

It's through God that we are able to worship.

God accepts this worship because of Jesus' sacrifice, He even delights in it [Romans 12:1 / Philipians 4:18].

Worship, first and foremost, is for God's pleasure and not ours.

The brilliant (and yet ironic) thing is that when we get this right, when we worship God for the right reasons and on His terms, we can truly enjoy Him and the whole worship experience.

Love you X

#2

God REQUIRES our worship_

The relationship between God and His people (under old & new covenants) is established by God and on His terms.

In the old testament the law is given at mount Sinai to Moses to worship God in His 10 commandments [Exodus 20:1] and mentioned elsewhere [Exodus 23:25 / Deut. 6:13].

In the new testament there is just as much focus on worship as a requirement [John 4:22-24 / Romans 12:1 / Hebrews 12:28].

So worship is not only required, it's our duty (regardless of how we feel).

It's about Him, for Him.

Love you X

#1

God DESERVES our worship_

Worship is the right response to who God is and what He has done.
This reason is expressed in the Psalms (98, 100, 104 & 111).

We worship God in His greatness, superiority and goodness.

We worship God for His acts as a creator and redeemer (Rev. 4 & 5).

Love you X

There's no 'I' in worship . . .oh crap!

Biblically, worship is about responding in the right way to God.

In such a self-centred world, where self-fulfilment and self-satisfaction drive our activities and determine our responses. We need to remember that worship is primarily about God.

If we are not careful, worship becomes about us.

"I didn't feel it tonight"

"I didn't get anything out of worship today"

Now of course worship involves me - I'm a participant - but it's not about me or for me.

There are 3 main biblical reasons for worship (and they are ALL God-focused)_

Love you X

Understanding Worship

We all do it (in one form or another).

Sometimes we enjoy it. Sometimes we don't.

Sometimes we feel like it. Sometimes we don't.

So why bother?

Worship is a topic that always starts a debate, violent attack or divide of a church. Worship is an individuals time with God. We all have our preferences, our opinion on the right or wrong way to worship.

'Worship wars' start when my idea of worship isn't the same as someone else in the congregation.

Is this what it's all about?

If the focus is on how we worship then maybe we've missed the point. Maybe we need to look at what worship is, or why we do it.

Love you X

Theories of atonement

This would probably be better titled 'angles of atonement', as christians thoughts on the cross have come from many different perspectives and we (as humans) will never fully understand what Christ did for us.

Here are 3 angles (that carry some truth) . . .

1# The cosmic angle_ on the cross Jesus defeated satan. An early church metaphor phrases it this way. 'Jesus was the bait and the cross was the hook which reeled in our enemy'.

2# The human angle_ The cross reveals us. It rips us and opens us up. All self-justification ends here. We have executed the son of God. To quote Baldrick [fair enough, he's talking about the scarlet pimpernell, but you get the idea!] "he's here to save us! . . . and you've killed him!"

When I survey the wonderous cross,

on which the prince of glory died,

my richest gain I count but loss,

and pour contempt on all my pride.

This same cross reveals the depths of God's love at the same time.

3# The divine angle_ The cross is God's work for Himself before it is His work for us. In the cross He justifies His justice and His mercy.

Love you X

Story of SALVATION

The control of the entire bibles narative can be traced back to the exodus story.

2 things happen in Isreal's deliverance.

First, God's people are set free from slavery to pharoh and the Egyptian gods.

Second, they are set free from the wrath of God.

When the final plague falls upon Egypt, God provides a substitute for the Isrealites. A lamb (clean) is sacrificed and the blood marks their houses, so that the angel of death passes over.

Salvation, then is to be delivered from both bondage AND the wrath of God.

Then in the new testament we see Jesus comes to bring the final exodus. He frees us, not from Egypt or Rome, but from satan and sin. When Jesus lifts the judgement of the law from us, He takes away satan's power to accuse us and hold us in bondage.

Jesus also comes to set us free from the wrath of God.

He is our passover lamb [1 Corinthians 5:7]

His blood protects us.

God now freely forgives sinners through His son.

Love you X

Centre of the New Testament

At the heart of the new testament we find not the ethic of Jesus, or the example of Jesus, or the wisdom of Jesus, or even the suffering service of Jesus, but the CROSS.

All 4 gospels move lead us towards the final week of Jesus.

All preaching in the book of Acts focuses on the cross (and the ressurection/reign of Jesus).

In 1 Corinthians 2:2, Paul tells the Corinthians that he determined to "know nothing While I was with you except Christ and Him crucified".

Hebrews presents Jesus as our great high preist who hasn't gone into the temple in Jerusalem, but heaven itself. Not bringing sacrificial animals blood, but His own blood to atone for sin.

Peter calls slaves to follow the example of Jesus based on the servant in Isaiah 53. (1 Peter 2:21-25)

In 1 John 4:10, John writes "This is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins".

The book of Revelation shows the lamb who was slain as the LORD of the universe. His blood purchased us for God.

Love you X

He chose the cross

The crucifiction and the cross is seen as offensive (for several reasons) . . .

The cross is 'culturally' offensive, it was not talked about in polite conversation. The very idea that a god, immortal and eternal, could be crucified is madness.

It is also 'historically' offensive. Christians claim that a jewish peasant, executed under Roman law, is the LORD and saviour of the world. He alone deserves the term 'christ', not ceaser.

Thirdly, it's 'philisophically' offensive. Rather than the cross just being an illustration of divine love, it is the basis for divine love. The cross shows God's universal love and forgiveness.
The cross shows Jesus' total submission.
Through His death we gain life.

Fourthly, it's 'morally' offensive. To put it simply (thank goodness!) you cannot save yourself.
To look upon this broken, bleeding, peirced, mangled messiah is hard, and some turn away or deny Him. But it's through faith in the crucified Jesus that we are saved.

With all these offences, why did the early christians glory in the cross?

Why did they hold up this bloody instrument of torture?

Rob Bell commented upon the weirdness of the idea of the cross in modern day church. He says that essentially we are displaying a horrible torture/execution device on the wall or roof of our churches. Like bowing down at the foot of the guillotine. Like displaying the lethal injection table in our church. Like wearing a golden minature AK47 around our necks!

Seriously though, it is not the cross itself we display, but the meaning behind it. Much like how Jesus lived and taught, it was never about what was said or heard, but the hidden meaning.

Christianity isn't blatant.

It isn't easy to look at.

We have all gotta do some searching.

Love you x

Our hearts response

Hi I'm back!

So I'm gonna talk about worship.

When dealing with worship, everything (obviously) looks back to God.
But one of the most obvious points to stop at is Jesus (duh!) and the cross.

Crucifixion was the ultimate penalty in the ancient world. It was not only a form of capital punishment, but also torture and shame. To hang there naked, broken, bleeding is bad enough, but then for your body to give up unable to take the weight on your nailed hands (or wrists) and to suffocate.

No 'citizen' could be crucified, this form of death was reserved only for slaves, imigrants and outlaws. This public display of power by the Roman empire was another way for them to become obsessed with controlling every corner of their 'boundaries'.

In 1 Corinthians 1:23, we see Paul describing the 'word of the cross' is folly to Greeks and scandal to the Jews.

Love you X

You gotta suffer me talking at you

Hi, y'all.

Gideon's over (cries of joy!), and now I'm thinking of what to do next as my study!
What's up with me at the moment?...

Matt has suggested that I even record myself reading my study of Jonah or turn it into a mini book (what do you reckon?)

I'm speaking on the morning service of Sun 28th October. My message is entitled 'God loves losers'.

I'm also speaking at the worship confrence on Sat 3rd November. That message is entitled 'Why we worship'.

Here is my plea (to both of you that still read this blog!), please come to these meetings and point and laugh at me, or support me.

Love you X

The end

Gideon has kinda let me down, he once had fire in his belly, he once tore down the baal alters, he once was known as 'baal fighter'.

This man has now turned Isreal's eyes away from the LORD and onto a vest!

This 'turn of attention' is what starts the hebrews back on that slippery down-hill slope to idol worship.

How soon they forget.

After Gideon's death, the story continues, his son Abimelech massacres 69 of his brothers (in one day!) and only leaves Jotham alive. He burnt 1000 men and women to death in a tower at Schechem [Judges. 9:49] and was finally killed himself, whilst attempting to burn another tower. A woman inside the tower dropped a millstone on his head and crushed his skull.

Gideon's story teaches us one main truth (I think);

When we stay close to God - we bear fruit, when we drift away from God - that's when the nettles and weeds come to choke us.

Gideon's life was known as 'mostly good'.

I don't want to have a 'mostly good' life.

I want more.

You don't have to stay hidden in the winepress.

"The LORD is with YOU, mighty warrior"

Love you X

Ephod

An ephod was either an image of God or an idol, as some have argued. An ephod is the vest worn by a hebrew priest. There would be urim and thummim (ask Andy) set into it. These stones were used by the preist to discover the will of God. When both sides revealed the urim (to curse) the answer was 'no', when both sides revealed thummim (to be perfect) it meant 'yes'. If one of each was showing it meant 'no reply'. Kinda like an ancienst magic 8 ball!

This seems like a rediculous construction for Gideon, as he seems to have no need for a vest to communicate with God. 3 problems present themselves when viewing Gideon's obsession with priestly vests . . .

1] Making this ephod (aswell as taking a collection of Midianite nose rings) was Gideon doing something that God hadn't asked him to do. God called Gideon to be a judge, NOT a priest.

2] Maybe Gideon was attempting to make his situation (his fame, success, power) a permanent status, when God only held Gideon in this position on a temporary basis. Gideon had been called to build alters and communicate with Yahweh and save Isreal during the period of his mission, but now the mission was over. Even if things are started by God and are a success, people have a tendancy to 'take it too far' or 'exhaust the possibilities' or 'flog a dead horse' and before we know it, what was once from God, about God and for God, we find ourselves worshipping a vest!

3] Maybe Gideon purposefully diverted the focus of worship away from the main sancturary at Shiloh, because that site was found inside Ephraim territory. This could have been a political move, like Sweden always giving Finland 12 points in the eurovision song contest! Whatever the reasons for this ephod, it is obviously disasterous to the Isrealites. The description of the consequences of this event is the strongest in the book of Judges...

"... Isreal prostituted themselves by worshipping it there ..."

Love you X

The king has left the building

The Isrealites no longer wish for Gideon to be their judge. They want him as their ruler and king. Gideon's reply redeems himself in vs 23 . . .

"I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you."

Gideon viewed his monarchy as a replacement to the LORDs reign and rejected it.

God has rule over Isreal (Theocracy)

After making such an amazing statement, he then goes and makes a ridiculously stupid one!

Gideon asks for an offering . . . to himself! He asks for a portion of each man's plunder. The amount came to 700 shekels (50 pounds) of gold, around 5000 gold rings. He also accepted half-moon and teardrop pendants AND fine purple robes (from Midianite royalty).

Gideon refused the offer of kingship, but accepted the king's treasury and wardrobe. He continues his 'royal' lifestyle by having a vast number of wives and a hareem of concubines. He also made the mistake of having a son by one of these concubines and naming him ABIMELECH (means 'my father is the king').

His final downfall came with his bright idea to make an EPHOD (a preistly vest).

Love you X

Thou shalt not covet

Now came the 'ticker tape parade', the welcome party they'd been expecting.

As they entered Ophrah, the very same voices that had been shouting for Gideons death were now exalting him. (hmmm... sounds like the opposite version of another biblical story!)

But what would become of the princes of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna were personally responsible for the death of 2 of Gideons brothers at mount Tabor.

For Gideon, the answer was simple, they must suffer the most humiliating form of execution . . .

No, not death by girls allowed!

Death at the hands of a boy.

This task was probably given to Jether (Gideon's eledest son) who took the sword in trembling hands and faced these two infamous enemies. Whether through fear or weakness, Jether couldn't carry out his task. So it was left to Gideon to serve the death blow, which he did without hesitation.

Then something glistening caught his eye. The camels were wearing Saharonim (a kind of garment made of gold and silver ornaments and emblems), idols and images of pagan gods.

Gideon took these 'trinkets' for himself ("he covets the precious things" to quote Tubbs from the league of gentlemen). Maybe it was the fact that he was born into a wealthy family made him crave for more? or he had watched these Midianite prisoners with their fancy clothes and jewellery whilst he took the long trek back to Ophrah. Either way, we catch a glimpse of the old 'baal/assherah worshipping' Gideon.

Love you X

Humble pie

Gideon, with his 300 men and Zebah and Zalmunna (great baby names!), headed back to Succoth. It was time for the judge to deal out the punishment.

Somehow, Gideon had a list of the 77 elders from the town. He called them out one by one.

They knew what to expect, Gideon had already told them what fate was awaiting them.

Whips of desert thorns and briars were made infront of the 77 (a sign of bareness and wasteland [Isaiah 7:23 & Luke 6:44]).

Did the people of Succoth use this time as an opportunity to apologize or humble themselves before Gideon? No.

Next was the turn of Peniel.

As they saw Gideon's 300 approaching in the distance did they prepare to welcome them (as they should have originally) ?

Did they arrange to snd a peace offering to honour the local hebrew heroes? No.

A battle quickly began, in which Gideon's men won (of course) and then (as promised) the tower was demolished.

Interestingly to note is that this was a water tower.

Think about it.

The massive importance of having a water tower in your town in the middle of the desert.

To these people water was power.

That tower represented their pride.

What a way to humble the people of Peniel.

Love you X

Butlins

We don't know much about the final battle, Gideon would have passed Nobah (schoolboy sniggers) and the Gaddite town of Jogbehah and travelled along 'the road of those who dwelled in tents', a well used Midianite caravan route. Think 'Butlins' but with slightly more pagan sacrifices, rape and murder.

The Midianites were taken completely by suprise, they had no idea just how tanacious (good word!) Gideon was.

Zebah and Zalmunna were taken captive, as Gideon's 300 rose victorious over the Midianites.

Victory was indeed sweet.

Love you X

Don't give up

The truth is . . . we don't know what Gideon's motives were. All we can do is trust in the grace of God.

"Grace means that the Lord often blesses us even though there are glaring areas of lack in our lives" [J Lucas]

They get the same frosty reception in a place called Peniel (which means 'face of God'), this was where Jacob wrestled the angel [Gen.32:30] Only this time Gideon promised to tear down their tower and not spank them with branches!

After yet another set-back, it was a further 25 miles to Karkor.

Gideon hit a lot of 'brick walls' whilst following the will of God, lots of set-backs, knock-downs, and times when he probably just felt like giving up.

But he didn't.

Are you passing through Succoth, or being turned away by Peniel?

Don't give up!

Love you X

Quotes

Once again there is conflicting arguements about this issue amongst commentators . . . .

Was Gideon wrong to punish the people of Succoth? . . . .

* "Gideon had such great confidence in God that he began to take things into his own hands. Gideon threatened (Succoth) with vengeful words and punished them with exagerated cruelty. One is left to conclude that Yahweh's spirit had left Gideon at this point." [E J Hamlin]

* "It is a personal vendetta which Gideon has been prosecuting so ruthlessly in the Trans-Jordan . . . (earlier) his motivation was obedience to God, but here it is personal revenge . . . how he has changed . . ." [M Wilcock]

Or was Gideon right to punish the people of Succoth? . . . .

* "It is probably correct to see the beating of the elders of Succoth . . . as a judicial sentance carried out as a judge, rather than indicating a personal vendetta or fit of revenge." [D Jackman]

* "The punishment inflicted by Gideon . . . was well deserved in all respects, and was rightously executed . . . having been called by God to be the deliverer and judge of Isreal, it was Gideon's duty to punish the faithless cities." [Kell & Delitzsch]

What d'ya think ?

Love you X

Succoth

Succoth was a small settlement, east of the Jordan, on the dividing line between Gadite and Manassite territories. The sight of Succoth brought with it water, food and shelter. 'Succoth' means shelters or tabernacles, because Jacob built dwelling places there after he had seperated from Esau [Gen. 33:17]

The people of Succoth had too felt the wrath of the Midianites and would have heard the news of Gideon's 300 defeating the enemy.

What kind of a welcome party could they expect when entering this place?

None.

Gideon was probably expecting some kinds of 'ticker tape parade' like at the end of the Ghostbusters movie. However, Succoth refused to help them.

Why?

It's thaught that Succoth were worried about their own skin and anxious not to upset their Midianite neighbours. What if Gideon's 300 failed to finish off the enemy and word got out that the people of Succoth had helped out Gideon?
What would become of them?

Gideon was furious, understandably, he had put up with being taunted and bullied for 7 years by the Midianites, he had allowed his army to walked away and to be worked down to 300, he had suffered humiliation at the hands of Ephraim, and NOW he must put up with these cowards?

So was his promise of "thrashing them with twigs" a direct judgement from God, or just the ramblings of a bad temper?

Love you X

Succoth and see

Pursuing the fleeing Midianites to Karkor was no mean feet. 150 miles right through the middle of the desert. I would imagine after the last 24 hours that Gideon and his 300 had had, this would be more than a little daunting. Just as the band of Hebrews were beginning to loose hope, they see something on the horizon that stirs their souls.

Succoth.

Love you X

Scissors never beats scissors

As these 2 tribes square up to each other on the brink of civil war, Gideon does what any good leader / judge / politician would do. He difuses the hostile situation by grinning like the cheshire cat exlaiming the greatness that is Ephraim.

"What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren't the gleamings of Ephraims grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer?"

Gideon was humbling himself and playing down his own victory.

How far Gideon has come.

Back in the winepress Gideon would never have stepped down from that sort of arguement or insult. In Proverbs 15:1 it says . . . 'A gentle answer burns away wrath'.

Gideon shows us how a leader should be, he resists the temptation to bite back with arrogance or be on the defensive. Gideon quickly and calmly difused a situation that had the makings of an epic, but tragic, civil war.

Gideon refused to answer anger with anger, because (lets be honset) scissors NEVER beats scissors.

Love you X

At this point, I would imagine that Gideon is still psyched up about the miracoulous victory. Still high on adrenaline and excitement. So why now does some criticism rear its ugly head to rob him of his success?

How often have you known some element of your life going SO well and then someone says something or does something or something just happens just to ruin it?

We need to remember that sometimes criticism is for our own good. A prime example of this is Paul's 'thorn in the flesh' to keep him humble.

What we want isn't always the same as what we need.

Love you X

Ephraim's annoyed

In order to capture the retreating Midianites, Gideon would need to enlist some helpers.

Ephraim (another Hebrew tribe) would be perfect. The Midianites were headed in that direction, so they could be trapped from both sides. It was also going to take more than 300 men to sort out this mess of a battlefield, so Gideon called upon the original 32'000 men from Naphtali, Asher and Mannaseh.

The Ephramites were annoyed.

They had been waiting for the opportunity 'to get their own back' on the Midianites (always with the revenge!). When the herald came to announce the news that Gideon's 300 had done the impossible, the people of Ephraim would have been ambivalent (feeling overjoyed as well as furious).

Why didn't this Gideon from Ophrah call the mighty men of Ephraim to help him?

Ephraim was renouned for their impressive track record . . .

Joshua had been from the tribe and ALSO their city of Shiloh had been the home of the tabernacle (God's 9-man super tent!). Mannaseh had been ignored by Joseph, in favour of Ephraim, surely THEY had a right to be involved?!

2 of the most notorious Midianite generals are captured by Ephraimites. Oreb (raven) and Zeeb (wolf) are be-headed and the severed heads are taken to Gideon.

Why?

Was this a good will gesture to honour Gideon and attempt to make peace between the 2 tribes?

Or was this a message to Mannaseh from Ephraim . . . "look at what the mighty men of Ephraim have accomplished"?

From the criticism that follows, it seems that the latter is true.

Love you X

Smashing Jars

So Gideon roused his army of 300 and issued them with their 'weapons'.

Swords? . . . No.

Spears? . . . No.

Bow & Arrows? . . . No.

Halbred? . . . No.

Pike? . . . No.

Sharpened Vedgetables? . . . No!

They were armed with a jar, torch, and a trumpet.

Gideon's strategical battle plan wouldn't have won him a a game of RISK [the game of world domination!] _ On his command they had to blow their trumpet, shout a war cry, smash their jar, wave their torches, and give another shout.

That was it.

End of plan.

Picture the Isrealites removing the jars from their torches, this would surely reveal their exact whereabouts to the enemy. Not to mention shouting

"a sword for the Lord and for Gideon!".

AND thinks about how thinly spread out 300 Isrealites would have to be to surround the Midianite camp. Each man would have been tens, or even hundreds, of yards away from his nearest companion.

Within seconds the Midianites would have been awakened to the sound of 300 trumpets, smashing jars, and shouts.

Jeff Lucas comments . . .

"They shouted for theur lost children. They shouted for the famine years. They yelled and screamed for the loss of their dignity and hope that had been so ruthlessly crushed by Midian."

The Midianites would have been confused and disorientated.

'Surely there were hundreds of thousands of men behind these torches?'

In the blind panic that followed they ended up slashing and stabbing at one another. A few were focused enough to grab little possessions and retreat eastwards down the valley.

The ironic thing was that there had been no huge horde behind those torches and trumpets, no back-up troops, no one at all.

Except God.

Love you X

Can I get a witness?

Now, not only had Gideon recieved reassurance and confirmation that God was indeed with him, he also had the news of the fearful Midianites to report back to the Isrealite troops.

An interesting observation can be made about why God insisted on Purah going with Gideon. Firstly, he could offer protection and assistance if they were discovered, but secondly (and more beneficially) I think God wanted a witness with Gideon to confirm what had gone on.

Up until that point, Gideon had recieved word from God when he was alone, but this time there would be no denying what had happend.

Purah was there too, he saw, he heard, he would remember.

Love you X

Rolling Loaves

So Gideon and Purah (a trusted servant) went down into the valley to 'drop some eaves' on the Midianites. What they heard was even more bizarre than the 'sip' test. . . .

A Midianite sentiry had had a dream in which the cheiftain's tent had been flattened by a huge, rolling loaf of barley bread!

Now, dreams held a lot of weight in these times [Gen. 41] and straight away an interpretation came from a fellow Midianite soldier.

A LOAF OF BREAD_ was a common symbol for the Isrealite nation. Also, barley bread was only eaten by poorer classes, which after many years of invasion and oppression, Isreal was.

Now this loaf was rolling towards a Midianite tent. To a Midianite (nomadic), the tent represented life, EVERYTHING.

To these Midianite soldiers, the dream was all too easy to interpret. Their identity, the fibre of their very being, was about o be crushed by the uprising of the poor, humble Hebrews!_little did they know that these 'humble Hebrews' were only 300 strong.

By now God had planted fear, doubt and terror within the Midianite camp.

Love you X

Whisperings

Father Genardy has a saying _

"do not be afraid . . . . be VERY afraid!"

This would be the sort of mindset that Gideon would have been feeling in this section of the story. Inspite of Gideon's fear (or maybe because of it?), God chose now to speak once again to him.

Yahweh reveals that He is going to give the enemy into Gideon's hands. If Gideon still needed extra reassurance, God invited him to go down to the Midianite out-posts and listen to the whisperings from the sentries.

It's interesting to note that this wasn't a COMMAND from God, it was an oportunity to be used (or not) by Gideon.

What could the Midianites have to say that could possibly encourage Gideon ?

He HAD to find out.

Love you X

Ready and Willing

2/3 of the army were sent home because of their attitude, then 97% of the remainder were sent home because they failed the 'sip' test.

So, now we understand the 1st reduction, but the 2nd still seems a bit weak. Was this just an excuse to reduce the army further or is their something else behind this 'sip' test ?

Some argue that due to the possibility of leeches in the water, the 'scoopers' were seen to be more prudent.

Others say that Gideon only wanted a small commando SWAT - style team and the 'sip' test was just a way of reducing the numbers without offending anyone.

The main focus point is this . . .

God made the announcement that there were still too many.

God became a coach picking his own team.

It's possible that the test was designed to test the character of the soldiers. Those who knelt to drink would leave themselves vulnerable to attack, but those who 'scooped' could keep a watchful eye on their surroundings.

If the test meant anything, it seems God was looking for who would be alert and available, as opposed to those preoccupied with comfort.

Love you X

Its all about attitude

God reducing the army by the first 22'000 was to stop pride and arrogance, but there was also another more tactical reason.

The law spelt it out :

'Then the officers shall add,
"is any man afraid or faint-hearted? let him go home"' [Deut. 20:8]

Everyone knows that good morale is vital in this sort of war scene. Fear and negativity are contagious.

The promised land was hidden from the trekking Isrealites because they chose to believe the negative report from the 10 spies (10 were bad, 2 were good!) [Num. 13:32]

They were beaten without even realizing that they were in a battle.

To some, issues matter more than people.

These people would have been a liability on the battlefield and were better off at home.

Love you X

Weakness in strength

In Judges 7:2 we see one of God's reasons for severely reducing Gideon's numbers. It was to take away Isreal's ability to boast about their great victory over the Midianites.

With so few men, they MUST now recognize that any positive outcome in this battle would be down to God.

This was God attempting to save the Isrealites from their own pride.

However, they soon forgot all about the God who saved them, when in Judges 8:22 they would declare that Gideon had saved them in battle.

Pride has a short memory.

To the Midianites looking on at the 300 men left, they would have laughed and joked about how they'd be back in Midian in time for tea after demolishing this poor excuse for a nation.

But this 'poor excuse' for a nation had a secret weapon on their side . . . the God of the universe!

Love you X

Impossible odds

Then the voice spoke again . . .

"There is STILL too many men!"

So God wasn't happy with the quality of the 10'000 men left with Gideon. The Hebrew translation for this statement is to 'sort them out' the same way that farmers would seperate the wheat from the chaff or goldsmiths seperate pure metal from dross.

This screening process centered around what method Gideon's soldiers drank water from a stream.

If they knelt down and drank they would be sent home, if they scooped water with their hands they could stay.

What sort of mad panic would be rushing through Gideon's mind as he witnessed 9'700 kneel and lap the water?

Gideon's army was now out-numbered 400 - 1.

These were impossible odds [300 against 135'000]

NOW God had some room to work!

Love you X

Too many men?

So, here's Gideon attempting to assess the situation.

Gideon and the 'Isrealite army' were camped on the slopes of mount Gilboa in an area called Harod ['the fountain of trembling']. Across the plain to the north-west on the hill of Moreh was the massive Midianite army.

As he viewed this 'nightmare', with obvious death or capture and torture as the outcome, he hears a voice speak to him. Probably calm at first, so calm that maybe Gideon doesn't hear (or chooses not to listen) and then louder . . . .

"You have too many men"

WHAT? The Midianites outnumbered the Isrealites 4 to 1. How could Gideon possibly have too many men?

God tells Gideon that if any of his troops are scared, they can leave the battlefield and go home.

This sounds crazy!

However, this was a practice commanded from the law of Moses [Deut. 20:8]. But hardly a strategy that Gideon had in mind.

Gideon was feeling down hearted and afraid when he had 32'000 troops. Imagine what he was feeling now 22'000 of those troops had "legged it" back home!

NOW they were out numbered 13 to 1.

Love you x

Shalom seeker

Another interesting point about the 'fleece' incident is this . . . .

The first time Gideon asks that the ground be dry and the fleece still wet. This could have been seen as a normal occurrence, the ground would have probably dried before the fleece.

With the second request we see a truly amazing sight, the ground is wet but the fleece is dry.

Now that IS a sign from God.

In the old testament, dew was considered a sign of provision given [Gen. 27:28] or with held [Gen. 27:39]. Dew was a sign of security, prosperity and salvation. In short, SHALOM.

This was exactly what Gideon was looking for.

Love you x

My wife ROCKS!

It would appear Gideon has become a little addicted to signs from God.

Some people would argue that this sign was very cheeky of Gideon. Not only was he 'testing' God but he also required a double-sign (on his terms!).

When originally reading this portion of the story, I found myself having this out-look on Gideon. However, my wife [Janine], opened my eyes to another possibility.

Another angle to look at this event . . . Gideon was showing belief and faith in God AND in the fact that he could do ANYTHING!

God obliged, probably due to Gideon's faith.

To me, it seemed Gideon was being presumptuous AND lacking in faith of the previous wine press sign. But to Janine, she saw a powerful understanding of who God is and what He is capable of.

Go Janine!

Love you x

Magic [wine press] Moments

Gideon was still worried.

His newly formed army was very large [32'000], but they would still be out-numbered 4 - 1. Their weapons were few and battle knowledge / skill equally low.

Morale was low in the camps of army troops and so too for Gideon.

The miraculous message from the wine press had probably been long forgotten in the harsh light of reality.

Fighting and dying.

Nice!

Gideon needed reassurance.

Gideon needed another wine press moment.

Love you x

Follow the leader

God nurses Gideon forward into usefulness.

The call of Gideon is a process as well as an event, a journey as well as a crisis.

Important steps of development can be seen through Gideon's call to judge / deliverer of Isreal . . .

Gideon's ministry and influence was a gradual thing. He didn't just over night become Super Gideon! The development of faith (Gideon's and ours) is slowley progressive. Gideon didn't go from wine-press coward to nation-saver in one giant leap.

And the same goes for us.

We don't say the 'sinners prayer' on a sunday night and then start our Billy Graham-esq preaching tour on the monday!

This 'call to arms', this battle trumpet is first played to his own family.

Would they respond to the "baal-fighter"?

They did.

So encouraged by his families willingness and support, he took his trumpet "tooting" to the rest of the Manasseh tribe.

They too answered the call. This got Gideon totally buzzing. He went and took his call to the 3 neighbouring tribes [Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali].

These 4 tribes are the ones most hurt by the invading Midianites and would most likely answer Gideon's call.

As blatantly obvious as it sounds, Gideon was a leader because people were willing to follow him and recognized his gift.

He led _ They followed. [in this case into a battle situation where they were heavily out-numbered!]

If someone insists that their calling is in leadership but no one is following them, then they are just walking alone.

Gideon's status as "baal fighter" increased as word - of - mouth (gossip) spread. His popularity grew like a snowball once his family were on board - it made the rest of the Manasseh tribe believe Gideon was from God - once the Manasseh tribe got involved, Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali tribes believed also.

The more people believed and followed Gideon, the more people believed and followed Gideon.

Love you X

A call to arms

Judges 6:34

The rumours had already started, for the 8th year in a row the Midianites were on their way to take the Isrealite harvest (and anything else they liked the look of!). Where once panic and fear would have spread through out the land of Ophrah, now there was something else.

The "baal fighter" was on their side!

Sure, they had no real army or supply of weapons, but this guy was special, even baal couldn't touch him! Maybe the older Isrealites would be comparing him to Deborah.

This was exciting!

'Then the spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon'

The RSV translation can be quite misleading, it says . . .

'The spirit...took possession', suggesting some kind of violent encounter, like with Samson [Judg. 14:6] or with Saul [1 Sam. 11:6].

However, the Hebrew seems to suggest that it's more like 'God's spirit put on Gideon's personality like a garment'.

This is NOT Gideon being clothed with God, but God clothing Himself with Gideon.

Only 2 other biblical characters recieved this unusual description . . .

AMASAI [1 Chron. 12:18]_one of David's generals.

ZECHARIAH [2 Chron. 24:20]_who was THE most unfortunate prophet. After just one message of judgement, he was stoned to death!

Now, as I have already told you, Ophrah didn't have an official army, so Gideon would have to issue a call to arms.

But where to start?

Who would he call?

Love you X

Jerubbaal

GIDEON'S MISSION: TO BUILD UP AS WELL AS BREAK DOWN_

Gideon's first call was a demolishion job, but we must remember that he also had to BUILD and alter to Yahweh.

Destruction then Construction

Here we see Joash viewing the alter with elements of guilt or shame. The realization that he had turned away from God. With his repentance speech we see Joash taking a step back in the right direction. Stepping closer to the Lord.

Gideon's mission didn't just tear down the lies of paganism, it restored the truth of God.

Joash declared . . . "No longer will my son be named Gideon... He is now Jerubbaal. He has wrestled with baal, now lets see if baal will come after him."

So Gideon as gone from a coward hiding in a wine press, to the famous "baal fighter"
Love you X

Market Place

GIDEON'S MISSION_TO LIVE UP TO HIS NAME:

As an Isrealite, it was Gideon's calling to show others to God. To act as a window through which other nations could look through and see God.
As Gideon was cutting down the asshera pole he was living up to his name.

GIDEON means 'one who cuts down'.

Gideon was never meant to hide in the dark.

GIDEON'S MISSION_TO TAKE THE MESSAGE OUT:

Gideon was called to affirm that Yahweh was the Lord God of Isreal in the openess and hustle n bustle of the marketplace. [Judges 6:26]

Secret alters and quiet prayer times are not enough for God. He wants provocative prayer and testamonies.

He wants people who will stand up and be counted.

People who are not afraid to go against the flow or to march to a different beat.

In church today, 1 in every 100 converts come as a result of a special crusade. The same amount come from visitation, the same number again have a crisis and call on the church for help. 3 in every 100 walk into church, hear the message and respond. 5% come through sunday school ministry. 6% come as a result of activities by church leaders.

So where do the rest come from?

Around 80% come as a result of friendship.

The sad thing is that many christians run around, too busy doing stuff in church, that they neglect to live out their faith in the market place.

I've caught myself pre-occupied, serving God in the winepress.

It's time to go to market!

Love you X

Mission impossible

THE WILL OF GOD IN OUR LIVES : LIVING IN THE WHOLE REVELATION OF GOD_

After Gideon's encounter with Melek Yahweh was over he screamed and sobbed and fell to the ground.

Why ?

Some people think that Gideon's theology would suggest that now he had seen God face to face, he must die [Exodus 33:20], although Abraham, Joshua and many others witnessed the Lord and lived to tell the tale.

Others suggest that Gideon, much like Isaiah and Job, was now suddenly aware of his own sinfulness.

Judges 6 : 25&26

This was a BIG task. A 20 man swat team would struggle to demolish the alter of baal in one night.

[A baal alter was found at Megiddo which measured some 26 feet across and 4 1/2 feet high. Made of many stones, cemented together by mud, such an alter would constitute an immense task to destroy and carry away - LEON WOOD]

So Gideon selected some helpers, family servants, hired-help.

This suggests 2 things . . .

*His paid servants were obviously trust worthy.

*He had no friends he could call on for help.

Thats a bit sad.

Love you X

Never forget

THE WILL OF GOD IS FOUND IN MEMORABLE MOMENTS_

Previous to Gideon's culinary escapade, he had asked this man, this Melek Yahweh, this angel of the Lord for some sign to prove his identity.

Gideon had probably forgotten all about his request (pre-occupied with broth!), but the angel had not forgotten.

"Pour out the broth on the ground, put the meat and the bread on that rock".

Throw away the soup? Waste the meat and bread by dirtying it on the floor?

WHY?!

After this miraculous sign was over and the smoke had cleared, Gideon saw that the angel was gone (along with the goat meat and bread!)

So why burn the meal?

Why not eat it? [Gen. 18:8]

Didn't the angel understand the cost of that meal? _ Goats are few and far between (especially in a famine) AND not to mention the precious grain used to make the bread! Grain probably harvested in that winepress with that stupid threshing stick!

It was for this exact reason that the angel of the Lord did this.

Gideon would remember this encounter with God not just for the prophetic words he recieved, but for the things it cost him.

Everytime Gideon saw a goat or looked upon the measely stock of grain HE WOULD REMEMBER.

Love you X

The will of God

THE WILL OF GOD IS DISCOVERED IN THE DIGNITY OF PARTNERSHIP_

From the winepress we can see that God's will is done in a variety of ways . . .

Sometimes we get a straight forward COMMAND from God, like the instruction given to Gideon to become a saviour for Isreal.

Throughout the bible we see countless examples of God's command approach . . .

The Holy Spirit orders Paul to go to Macedonia, Moses obeys the voice from the burning bush.

However, it's wrong to think that this is the ONLY way God communicates his will to us. God is known to take suggestions from US!

Like Gideon's sacrificial meal or Moses suggesting that killing the Isrealites for worshipping idols (again!) would perhaps not be the most productive answer.

Isn't it an exciting ideology? Along side God commanding us to do some stuff, He is also willing to listen to our ideas and in some cases CHANGE His plans!

In no other religion will you find this idea. Nowhere does a god dictate but also care about the opinions of the little insignificants.

NEGOTIATION_ is another aspect to God's will. In the winepress we see that God wants Gideon to demolosh the alters of baal. Now Gideon is willing, but would prefer to carry out this task at night (under the cover of darkness).

"Would that be alright God?"

"Yes" God replies.

Love you X

Friendship and Function

The angel of the Lord offers Gideon (and us) several helpful ideas . . .

THE WILL OF GOD IS FOUND IN GOD_
"The Lord is with you . . ." God doesn't offer instructions or a map with directions. He offers us HIM.

God follows a pattern when calling people to Him.

FRIENDSHIP and FUNCTION

Jesus invites the disciples to follow Him [frienship] and then promises to make them fishers of men [function].

God reveals Himself to Joshua [frienship] and then calls Joshua to get up and cross the river Jordan [function].

God welcomes Gideon "The Lord is with you, Mighty Warrior" [friendship] and then equips him "go in the strength you have" [function].

It is possible to live these 2 elements equally together, but it is also possible to be heavy on one side . . .

FRIENDSHIP_ Loves to have fellowship, sing worship songs and read the bible, but has no interest in dirtying their hands with evangelism or meeting the needs of the community.

FUNCTION_ Hurtling themselves around and physically working for God and finally collapse and burn out because that lifestyle has no sustanance that comes from an inner relationship with God.

THE WILL OF GOD IS IN HIS WORDS_

Gideons initial reply to the angel is "why is all this crap happening to us?"

But God had already answered that question before it had been asked. In the law given to Moses, God revealed a 'cause and effect' treaty.

Obey me and I'll bless you.

Forsake me and I will lift my hand of protection from you.

Now before we all jump on Gideon and call him idiot, doesn't his question sound familiar?

Love you X

He's waiting...

So Gideon is kinda convinced that this IS an angel of the Lord.

He wants to make an offering, but doesn't want the angel to 'leg it' whilst he's gone.

Melek Yahweh confirms that he WILL wait while Gideon does what all of us would do at a time like this . . . . he finds and kills a baby goat, cuts it up into sections of meat, makes a 'bovril' style soup from some of it and bakes some bread!

Several hours later he returns to find the angel still there waiting.

The Lord is waiting for Gideon.

The Lord is waiting for US.

Love you X

I am with you

After God reveals His plan for him, Gideon's insecurity kicks in.

"Who me?"

"Our clan is the least in Manasseh"

"I am the least of my family"

God reassures him with a firm . . . "I am with you"

Gods instruction to Gideon to "go in the strength you have" could be misunderstood to mean that God wanted Gideon to save Isreal on his own (through his own strength).
However, this statement "go in the strength you have" is directly connected to "I am with you".
So what God is more likely to be saying to Gideon is . . . .

"Walk in the strength that you have as a result of the revelation that God is with you".

For Gideon, the winepress represented survival and existance, grain for another sad day.

We can fall into this boring cycle too, going to work to earn money to by food to get strength to go to work . . .

But Gideon (and you & I) was born for SO much more.

Love you X

What?...Me?

"You will save Isreal" . . . "Am I not sending You?" _ declares the Lord.

Gideon has a choice to make.

Stay hiding in the winepress or step out in faith.

Gideon had 2 things holding him back . . . . Cynicism [an inability to trust and believe in God or God's people] and Insecurity [an inability to believe in the value of himself].

The Lord is with YOU, Gideon.

Gideon, YOU will save Isreal.

I am sending YOU.

Go in the strength YOU have.

Yes, Gideon . . . YOU.

As christians today, we can look back through the bible and see many instances where God uses 'ordinaries'. Our insecurities make it very difficult for us to have faith that God could use 'little old me'.

We read and hear about great revivals through out history, but can't seem to comprehend that it could happen where we live. It isn't that we don't believe God is love, it's just we struggle with the fact that God loves US.

This was Gideons problem.

Love you X

Nervous fugitive

After Gideon heard the angel speak "the LORD is with you..." he was probably thinking "WHAT?!...Here in this winepress secretely reaping this harvest so that His people won't starve and hiding in fear of the Midianites?"

'Mighty Warrior' (Gibbor hayil) was a term used to describe a group of noblemen famed for their abilities in battle. Hardly a greeting for a guy hiding in a winepress in fear for his life!

Mighty warriors / Mighty men _ was the term used for the heroic companions of David [a little after Gideon, but you'll get the idea!]. There was Jashobeam a Hacmonite who killed 300 men (with a spear!) in one fight; Eleazar son of Dodai who was with David in the stand of Pas Dammin (sounds impressive!); Abishai the brother of Joab who also killed 300 men in one go; Benaiah son of Jehoiada who went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion!

Gideon wasn't known for his achievements on the battlefield or his abilities in politics.

He was a nervous fugitive.

The rabbis didn't teach that Gideon was a brave man.

Love you x

Melek Yahweh 2 [electric boogaloo]

So who was this Melek Yahweh, this angel of the Lord ?

There are many different ideas of who (or what) he is.

Some say its Theophany [a pre-existant Christ]

Others say he's a cheif or an angelic representation of God on earth.

This Melek Yahweh shows up all the time througout scripture....

comforting Hagar [Gen. 16:7-13] / burning bush with Moses [Ex. 3:2] / appearing before Balaam and REALLY upsetting his donkey! [Num. 22:22] / addressing the nation of Isreal at Bokim [Jud. 2:1] / meeting Joshua to change his clothes [Zech. 3:1] A touch from Melek Yahweh sees Herod eaten by maggots! [Acts. 12:23] / A few years after Gideon's story we see the same angel appear to another threshing floor, but this time it's to David [2Sam. 24:16]

But when he appeared to Gideon, he had no sword of vengance, just a simple message of good news.

Love you x

Melek Yahweh

So in hindsight (or from the vantage point of the observer) we know this guy is an angel, but what does Gideon see?

Radient white, shimmering celestial entity with pure white wings and a glowing halo?

No.
Gideon sees a stranger relaxing whilst he is doing all the work!

What does Gideon hear?

A cherub choir of angelic voices proclaiming "Hosanna!" from heavenly heights?

Or even a thunderous roar of the Zion Lion, proclaiming God's awesomeness and power?

No.

He comes to Gideon (and to us) in our boring normal days.

We must be careful how we treat strangers. (Hebrews 13:2)

An ordinary looking God reveals Himself to an ordinary looking man but has some extra-ordinary information.

*Remember_ God comes to the ordinary.

Love you x

Threshing stick

Judges 6:11

Joash (his name roots back to Joseph) means 'Yahweh has given'. This guy is an Isrealite, a man of the tribe of Manasseh, of God's chosen race. But now he worships baal. Although he ain't royalty, he is quiet well off. He has some power, land, livestock and servants. One of his sons is called . . . .

Gideon. His job (at the begining of this story) is to help bring in the 'secret harvest' of grain. Using an old winepress by Terebrinth (sacred tree). If the Midianites found out they would take it for themselves. He was the youngest son (so had nothing going for him!)

Inside the winepress there was no room for oxen or sledges to aid the threshing. They were forced to use a threshing stick to beat the grain and took it in turns. This was a slow, back-breaking process. Gideon would have been humiliated by 1 of 2 things (or maybe both!);

1) The pagan neighbouring tribes couldn't even be bothered to conquer the Isrealites and claim their land. They just sat back, waited for harvest time and swooped in and took the fruits of their labour and left. (A bit like the grasshoppers in the film Antz)

2) The fact of having to use a threshing stick. This was a farm tool used by the poor (Ruth 2:17)

The winepress should have been a place of joy, rejoicing, celebration at the prospect of new wine ("woo hoo! Party!"). But now it was the scene of humiliation, anger, bitterness and fear (?) [Lamentations 1:15 / Joel 3:13]

Now Gideon notices someone watching them working . . . "How dare he! every man should be helping with the harvest!"

More next time

Love you X

For all the cows

From the outset we see that AGAIN the Isrealites did wrong in the eyes of the Lord.

They were stuck in a cycle . . .

Rebellion. Retribution. Repentance. Rescue.

This wasn't just forgetting to say grace before meals or not saying bless you when someone sneezed.

This was heavy stuff.

Despite that the Lord brought them out of slavery from Egypt and constantly tended for them, they turned away AGAIN and began worshipping false gods and idols. They adopted the gods of their neighbours.

Alters dedicated for Baal and Asherah poles were everywhere in the promise land.

The Isrealites had been falling down like this for hundreds of years. Whilst Moses was up talking with God and getting the 10 Comandments, the people were worshipping a golden calf.

Its all about cows.

Baal (Canaanite) is depicted as a bull. Amon-Re (Egyptian) is a bull. Asshur (Assyrian) is a bull.

There was times when the Lord was with the Isrealites (through the Shofets [Judges]) and the neighbouring nations lived in fear of them. And then there are times when they turned away from the Lord and had to live in fear of the pagans.

In history, this is where we find ourselves in the story. The Isrealites are running scared and hiding in caves. Waiting for the inevitable capture, torture, rape, murder.

Ending on a high!

Love you X

Funky Gideon

OK.

The time has come to begin another bible study (using the wonderful media tool known as 'blogging').

Im currently running through various studies in my quiet time (as well as the studies we do at Oakham), these include . . . .

*Exodus _ Egypt to the promise land

*David _ Shepherd to King

*Nehemiah

*Paul's letters

*Genesis (with thursday youth)

*Ephesians (Sunday mornings)

*Esther (Sunday nights)

Plus, my word for today.

But this isn't enough! We need more bible!

So, via this blog, I'm gonna start a study on Gideon.

I don't know much about Gideon (hence the study!) other than he is one of the judges in the book of Judges and he was a bit of a wuss AND he leaves little bibles in hotels!

So, we set the scene with the Isrealites (God's chosen race) to-ing and fro-ing between worshiping the LORD and various other false gods. Everytime they turn from God something bad happens, everytime something bad happens the turn back to God and cry out to Him for help. (this happens a lot in the whole of the old testament!)

God hears their cries and sends a saviour (of Judge) to help the out. Already in this book we have seen the Isrealites screw up at least 4 times, and God has sent 'judges' to help out (Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar and Deborah).

To help keep the story of Gideon moving AND to keep it relevant to life today I shall be adopting a method called Midrashim.

Midrashim is a teaching (storytelling) method that Rabbis have used since forever. It simply means "to inquire" or "to go in search of", a Rabbi would basically look at how a story could be brought up to date or made more accessable to people here and now.

My next blog will see the start of our study into Gideon. So please familiarize yourself with history [his story] Judges 6,7 & 8.

Also please use this blog to voice your points of view or for any questions through the comments, any feed back will be much appreciated.

Love you X

Questions . . .

I lent a book from Pete's imense library.

It's a book about the questions Jesus asked and why He asked them.

It's a really good book with many interesting ideas for discussion.

I love the different sides to Jesus.

He had so many opposite emotions (or attributes).

I love the way He almost always answered their questions with more questions.

It has opened my eyes to the life of Jesus and how He was so much more than a healer or good teacher.

This will make a very good future sermon or bible study.

Love you x

Growth

In my prayer time yesterday, God revealed a very simple but very real truth.

As a person (physically) the act of growing is to gain your own indepedance and to move away from parents.

This is not the case with God.

When we grow (spirtually) it's the act of losing our independance and growing towards God not away from Him.


Thats it.

Short and sweet.

Love you x

I'm a loser

I like Paul.

He's a great character with a fantastic background.

Just to read where he came from and the journey he took is SO cool.

He started off as a Jew (but no ordinary Jew). His job was to find, hunt down, and persecute christians.

The Pharisees and 'religous' leaders of that time would have thought that when they got rid of Jesus all their problems would be over. However, after Pentecost when the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples and they all started performing miracles and seeing the early christian church grow, these 'religous' leaders would have been a bit worried again.

They needed to nip this 'cult' in the bud, before it got too out of control.

Saul (aka Paul) was a very effective persecutor, and his name was feared throughout the early christians. But God chose Saul, and after revealing Himself in 'illuminating' ways, Saul finally 'saw the light'.

Paul (no longer Saul) now made it his mission to spread the word of Jesus throughout many lands.

It amuses me that in Galatians, Paul is defending the right of the gentiles (non jews) to know the Lord and not to have to become a Jew. Previously, this same dude was killing christians because they didn't follow the law of Moses!

Ironic.

I guess I like Paul's story because God took the most unlikely character, someone who was going out of his way to prevent the spread of the gospel, to be one of the fore-runners for missionary.

We see this all the way throught the bible.... Abraham (too old), Moses (had a stutter), Noah (a drunk), David (danced in his pants), Jonah (racist and coward).

The list goes on and on.

God uses normal people.

God uses losers.

He's got nothing else to work with!

Love you x

Cry out to Jesus

To everyone whose lost someone they love

Long before it was there time

You feel like the days you had were not enough

When you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains

Keeping you back from your life

You believe that there's nothing and there is no one

Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless

Rest for the weary

Love for the broken heart

There is grace and forgiveness

Mercy and healing

He'll meet you wherever you are

Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on

They've lost all their faith in love

They've done all they can to make it right again

Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains

You try to give up but you come bakc again

Just remember that you're not alone in your shame

And your suffering

When you're lonely

And it feels like the whole world is falling on you

You just reach out

You just cry out to Jesus

Cry out to Jesus

To the widow who suffers from being alone

Wiping the tears from her eyes

For the childrens around the world without a home

Saya prayer tonight

How good are Third Day ?