Thursday, September 20, 2007

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 ?

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