“The Threshing Floor”

 “And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.” (Ruth 3:2)

Threshing is a key step in the harvest of barley and wheat. The Reapers cut the barley in the field and then tie it into sheaves. The barley is then taken to the threshing floor. Threshing is beating the sheaves of barley until the grains fall off and gather on the floor. Threshing is faster than picking the grain off of each stalk. There is as much work in threshing as their is in reaping.

Naomi instructs Ruth on what she should to. Naomi tells her to go to the threshing floor but not to let Boaz see her. After Boaz has finished eating and drinking go find where he is sleeping, then uncover his feet and lay down by him. Boaz will tell you what you should do.

Ruth does as she is told and after Boaz had finished eating and drinking she uncovers his feet and lies down by his feet.

Along about midnight Boaz felt something in the place he was sleeping on the threshing floor. He turns to look and finds a woman sleeping at his feet.

And Boaz said, ” 9And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

10And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

11And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

12And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

13Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.

14And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.

15Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.” (Ruth 3:9-15)

Ruth returns to Naomi.

“16And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.

17And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.

18Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.” (Ruth 3:16-18)

Stay Tuned…

“Ruth Meets Boaz”

 “And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.” (Ruth 2:1)

This is a story of a family that has suffered great loss. Naomi’s husband and sons have died. This leaves her and her two daughter’s in law widows. While one daughter in law returns to her mother. Ruth, the second daughter in law, clings to Naomi and travels to Bethlehem in Judah.

Ruth goes into the fields of Boaz, a rich and influental man, he was also related to Naomi. Ruth is not there to work for Boaz. Ruth spends her first day at work picking the loose pieces of grain left in the field.

“And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.” (Ruth 2:4)

Boaz kept his faith in God. God brings Boaz and Ruth together in the field. In the conversation, Ruth wants to know why Boaz has taken notice of her?

“And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.” (Ruth 2:11)

Boaz knew quite a bit about Ruth’s history and now he is seeing Ruth’s dedication to her mother in law.

Boaz gives protection to Ruth. He tells the men to not bother her. He also tells Ruth to stay close to the maidens and go with them to glean the fields. At meal time Boaz invites her to eat with the reapers. Certainly not an intimate lunch for two, but it was a friendly meeting.

Ruth returns home to Naomi. The next day Ruth returns to the fields belonging to Boaz.

“15And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:

16And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.” (Ruth 2:15-16)

Boaz has treated Ruth, who is not Hebrew, very well indeed. Although she still must work in the fields, Boaz has made it easier.

Naomi is impressed with Ruth’s efforts. The two women have a conversation concerning Boaz.

“20And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

21And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.

22And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.

23So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.” (Ruth 2:20-23)

Boaz is obviously interested in Ruth, and Ruth is interested in Boaz. Could this be love?

Stay Tuned…

“Introduction to Ruth”

https://youtu.be/1ZPLuMe8IiU

“Corruption of Religion, Corruption of Morals”

 “And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name was Micah.” (Judges 17:1)

Not long after the death of Joshua Israel fell into Idolatry. The story of Micah is one of those.

Micah’s mother had 1100 shekels of silver. Micah had stolen it. It makes you wonder, why? We don’t know, but there are plenty of things he could have done with the money. Maybe he used it to invest in a business? Regardless of the why, he returns the money to his mother. He is still a thief.

Micah’s mother tells him that she was saving that money for his inheritance. She takes 200 shekels and uses the money to create graven and molten images for Micah’s house.

Micah’s house is full of idols. Micah chooses his son to be a priest of his house. For Micah’s mother it was all about the money. For Micah it was all about the money. Money was their god.

“In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6)

Then came the Danites. Men from the tribe of Dan took Micah’s idols for themselves. Without a Judge to keep Israel in communion with God, they became self-righteous. Anarchy reigned in the land. Israel pays the price.

Stay tuned…

“Sampson and Delilah”

 “Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.” (Judges 16:1)

Samson certainly had relationship issues. Mainly since he had no idea when to keep his trap shut. He told his first wife the answer to his riddle. She was given away to Samson’s best friend. Then the Philistines burned her and her father.

Samson went in to Gaza to sleep with a harlot. The men of Gaza began an assassination plot. They are going to wait by the gate of the city and at the break of dawn they will kill Samson.

Samson didn’t sleep all night, instead he woke at midnight. Samson then went to the gate of the city, ripped it up, posts, bars and all. Then Samson took the gate on his back and took it to the top of a hill in Hebron.

Delilah Entices Samson

Samson loved the woman Delilah. Delilah had other ideas. Delilah had been approached by the lords of the Philistines to find out Samson’s strength. The Philistines wanted to bind Samson so they could use him as they wanted.

Delilah asked Samson how he could be bound up. Sampson lied to her three times about how he could be bound. Delilah persisted. Everyday she begged him to tell her. It is the old argument, “If you love me you will…”. Fill in the blank.

Delilah didn’t love Samson, if she had, she would have not wanted to know the answer.

Samson Relents to Delilah

Delilah continually pestered Samson to know where his strength came from. Finally Samson told her, it was his hair. From birth Samson had never cut his hair.

From the moment God had told his mother to eat or drink nothing unclean, Sampson’s strength came from God. As with everyone in the Old Testament, Samson’s weakness of spirit, is what brings about his downfall.

Samson Imprisoned

Delilah reveals to the Philistine Lords the strength of Samson comes from his hair. They have Samson’s hair cut off while he is sleeping. As a prisoner of the Philistines, Samson’s eyes are put out. Blind and weak he works in the prison of the Philistines.

God Delivers

In time, Samson’s hair begins to grow. As his hair grows, his strength returns. This works to Samson’s and Israel’s advantage.

The Philistines have a grand party and decide to have Samson as their entertainment. Samson is led into the palace by a small boy. Samson asks the boy to place him by the main pillars of the palace so that he would have a place to lean on.

With everyone in attendance the party was at full height. Three thousand Philistine men and women were on the roof to watch the spectacle.

“And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.” (Judges 16:28)

With his hands bound to the two pillars of the palace, Samson with all his might brought the building down on the heads of the Philistines. He slew, with his own life, more than he had killed in life.

“Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.” (Judges 16:31)

Stay Tuned…

“Major Judges: The Jawbone of an Ass”

 “But it came to pass within a while after, in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in.” (Judges 15:1)

Sampson was still infatuated with his Philistine wife. And he returned to her with the gift of a young goat. This becomes a problem. The woman he considered his wife, was married to Sampson’s best friend. The woman’s father tries to get Sampson to wed her younger sister. Sampson has another idea.

Sampson catches 300 fox, tie them tail to tail, and between each pair he ties a torch. Sampson lights the torch and turns the foxes loose in the crops of the Philistines. That must have been a sight. Whirling, burning foxes, setting fire to crops.

The Philistines were upset about this and wanted to know who did it. They all said Sampson did it. The Philistines then burned Sampson’s wife and father.

” 7And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease.

8And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.” (Judges 15:7-8)

God led Sampson to sit in plain sight of the Philistines and the tribe of Judah.

The Philistines were in control of Judah and they took their forces to attempt to tie Sampson up so they could do to him what he did to them. The tribe of Judah approached Sampson and told him they were there to tie him up, not to kill him. Sampson complied and they tied him up.

When Sampson was in the midst of the Philistines they began to yell at him. The Spirit of God came to Sampson. The bonds around Sampson were loosed. Samson found the jawbone of an ass, then slaughtered the Philistines where they stood.

Obviously battling with 1000 Philistines is hard work for one man. Equally obvious is that God was with Sampson. Sampson is thirsty. God provides him with water from the jawbone of an ass.

For the next 20 years Sampson Judges Israel.

Stay Tuned…

“Major Judges: Sampson Part II”

 “And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.” (Judges 14:2)

We know that Samson was born to parents who were very close to God. Sampson does not start out that way. The world around him has devolved into pagan worship, and Sampson had an eye for a girl. That is the way of the world, boys and girls are all about what looks good.

The woman in this case is a Philistine, but Samson had no reason to dislike her for her tribal background. Like a teen in heat, he was only interested in what she looked like. Samson asks his parents to get her for him to become his wife.

Sampson’s parents were not for this. They asked him, you can’t find someone from your own tribe? Sampson was not interested in other girls.

On the way to the city where the girl lived, Samson journeyed with his mother and father. As they approached a vineyard a lion jumped out at Sampson. The Spirit of the LORD came upon Sampson, and ripped the lion apart with his bare hands.

Sampson shrugged it off and went on to speak with the woman he wanted. After awhile Sampson returned to meet the woman and turned aside to see the carcass of the lion he had killed. Right there in the carcass was a bee hive full of honey. Sampson ate the honey, he game some to his mother and father, but didn’t tell them it came out of the lion’s carcass.

Samson’s Riddle

“12And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments:

13But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it.

14And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle.” (Judges 14:12-14)

Sampson has put his reputation on the line with this riddle, and it will come back to bite him.

The men that Sampson had wagered with went to Sampson’s wife. They told her to find out the answer to the riddle or they would burn down her father’s house.

The woman went to Sampson to find out the riddle. She told him, you don’t love me if you don’t tell me the answer to the riddle. Samson told her, I didn’t even tell my parents the answer to the riddle. She kept up with her pleas and he finally told her the answer. Finally the told her the answer. She ran off to tell the men the answer.

The men replied. “And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.” (Judges 14:18)

Sampson went to Ashkelon and the Spirit of the LORD came to him and he killed 30 men, then took the men’s clothes and sheets to pay the wager.

Sampson’s wife left him for Sampson’s best friend. Sampson returned to his parents.

Stay tuned…

“The Major Judges: Sampson Part I”

 “And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not.” (Judges 13:2)

The Conception of Sampson

Just as when an angel of the LORD had told Abraham and his wife Sarah that though she was barren she would conceive a child. This angel was different with its message.

“4Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:

5For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” (Judges 13:4-5)

Manoah’s wife told him what the angel had said, and Manoah wanted to meet this angel. Manoah prayed to God to send his angel again so they could learn what is was they should do.

Once again the angel appeared to Manoah’s wife with the same message. This time Manoah’s wife ran to bring him to the angel.

The angel repeated the instructions to Manoah. Manoah wanted to bring food to the angel, but the angel refused.

“19So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the LORD: and the angel did wondrously; and Manoah and his wife looked on.

20For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.

21But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD.

22And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.

23But his wife said unto him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would as at this time have told us such things as these.” (Judges 13:19-23)

Stay Tuned…

“The Major Judges: The Son of a Harlot”

 “Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.” (Judges 11:1)

Jephthah’s father was Gilead, but Gilead wed another woman and had many son’s. Because, in modern terms, he would be considered a bastard son; his brothers refused him his inheritance, and cast him out. Jephthan fled to Tob and many vain men gathered to him.

In time the people of Ammon made war against Israel. Keep in mind there is no leader in Israel. Israel is ruled by committee, in other words, elders. Leadership by a group of people never works out, because groups of people seldom come to agreement. Group leadership removes responsibility on any one person.

This is where the discussion can go many ways. In this case, I will stick with just one possibilities. The elders of Gilead ask Jephthah to be their captain to fight against the people of Ammon. They picked Jephthah to lead them even-though he had been forced to leave Gilead as a bastard child. His quality as a leader was part of his natural ability to attract followers.

Jephthah was not stupid. He asked the elders of Gilead, “You tossed me out of my fathers house, took my inheritance, and now you need my help? If I do what you ask, will you make me head of Gilead?”(Paraphase Judges 11:7-9)

The elders of Gilead said, “In front of God Almighty, we agree with all you said.”(Paraphrase Judges 11:10)

Jephthah Negotiates with Ammon

Jephthah sends a message to the King of Ammon, “So, why are you planning on fighting us?” (Paraphrase Judges 11:12)

The King of Ammon replies, “Cause you guys took our land and we want you to give it back, peacefully of course.” (Judges 11:13)

The Greatest Argument Ever

( Paraphrase of Judges 11:14-28)

Jephthah sends back this message to the King of Ammon, “Israel did not take the land of Moab, or the land of Ammon. We came from out of the land of Egypt and walked through the wilderness to Kadesh.

When we got there we asked permission from the King of Edom to pass through his land. The King of Edom said ‘No!’. We then traveled all the way around Edom and Moab. We didn’t tread on their land.

After our journey we asked the Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon if we could pass through their land. They didn’t just say no, they tried to kill us. Our God delivered the Amorites into our hands. We possessed that land because our God gave it to us.

The LORD God of Israel gave the land to us, now you say you should possess it? I tell you what, for 300 years you didn’t care about the land at all, now you want it. Why don’t you ask your god Chemosh if he will lead you over us, and the LORD God of Israel will take the lands and we will possess it.”

Jephthah’s Vow

Sometimes we make promises to God that are not required. Jephthah did just that, “30 And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,

31Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD’S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering. (Judges 11:30-31)

After God delivered Ammon to Israel, Jephthah returned home and his only child, a daughter came out to greet him. Did Jephthah offer his daughter up to be a burnt offering? We don’t know. We do know that she was sent into the mountains for two months and remained a virgin. She was certainly separated from her family.

Jephthah judged Israel for 6 years, then he died.

Stay tuned…

“The Conference of the Trees”

“And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother’s brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying,” (Judges 9:1)

Prologue

Abimelech is the son of Gideon (now called Jerubbaal). Israel wanted Gideon to be the King, but Gideon refused the job. Gideon declares God to be King. Gideon went back to his home and begat 70 children.

Israel returned to sin when Gideon died. They forgot God. They forgot all the good things Gideon did for them.

The setting is the city of Shechem, Abimelech is the son of Gideon’s concubine. Israel had turned from God to worship Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.

The Judge of the Pagan’s Abimelech

Abimelech was living with his mother’s family in Shechem. His blood was divided by his family. His father’s (Gideon) family lived in Ophrah. In Shechem, Abimelech began amassing a political following.

Abimelech’s mother’s family supported him to be king, and by way of convincing other’s in the city to follow him; he was financially supported by the priests of Baalberith. Abimelech’s plan is to make himself King of Israel.

The Massacre at Ophrah

After consolidating his power base in Shechem, Abimeleh moves to eliminate opposition in Ophrah. Ophrah is where his brothers of Gideon are residing. At Ophrah he kills 69 of his brothers in one fell swoop. The youngest brother, Jotham survived the massacre by hiding himself.

Abimelech Becomes King of Shechem

All the men of Shechem gather together and elect Abimelech King of Shechem. It is not that they have much of a choice. Abimelech has already consolidated his power through the priests of the pagan’s, and money used to pay off the vain and weak.

The Conference of the Trees

Jotham went up to the top of mount Gerizim and told a story to the men of Shechem as a prayer to God.

“8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.

9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

10 And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.

11 But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?

12 Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.

13 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.

15 And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

16 Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;

17 (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:

18 And ye are risen up against my father’s house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)

19 If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:

20 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.” (Judges 9:8-20)

Give a Man Enough Rope

Abimelech reigned over Shechem for 3 years. Then the worm turned…so to speak. God sent an evil spirit among the men of Shechem.

The men of Shechem set bandits in the passes to Shechem, anyone entering or leaving Shechem were robbed. This is how a rebel force can use your own treasury against you.

Abimelech is expected, as King, to protect his people. Abimelech was only able, through treachery to become King, he had no idea on how to lead a real defense.

Gaal began to gain the confidence of the men of Shechem. As you might imagine the Viking invasion of Britain. Gaal and his men were dancing in the vineyards, drinking and eating the the land of Shechem. Gaal made a mistake. He thought he was mightier than he was.

As the battle wages from Shechem to Arumah, Abimelech appears to be winning. He has used fire to burn the holds in each city. Then things turn.

As Abimelech is overrunning a strong tower in Thebez he leads an attack at the door to the tower. His goal is to repeat the burning of the tower…then wee..a woman drops a millstone on Abimelech’s head. While dying Abimelech asks his armor bearer to run him through with a sword, so that no one could say he was killed by a woman. There is no doubt that the woman had delivered a mortal blow, his armor bearer just added to the insult.

“56 Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren:

57 And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.”(Judges 9:56-57)

Stay Tuned…

“The Major Judges: Gideon”

 “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.” (Judges 6:1)

The Judge Gideon

“7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites,

8 That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;

9 And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;

10 And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.” (Judges 6:7-10)

God chooses the least to demonstrate to the powerful how strong God is. Judge Gideon is threshing wheat by the winepress to hide it from the Midianites.

An Angel of the Lord appears to Judge Gideon. Just as Moses had done, Judge Gideon needs reassurance that God is indeed with him. Judge Gideon knows his family is poor, and Judge Gideon is the most poor of his family.

Judge Gideon provides a sacrifice as the Angel of the Lord told him. In Judge Gideon’s sight the Angel of the Lord causes the sacrifice to burn with fire. God orders Judge Gideon to destroy the altar to Baal and cut down the grove that was beside the altar.

That night Judge Gideon builds an altar on the rock that the Angel of the Lord had commanded him for the first sacrifice. Now sacrificing the bullock of his father, using the wood from the grove, Judge Gideon sends a message to the Midianites. A sure sign of rebellion against the Midianites.

The Midianites begin to form an army to destroy Judge Gideon and his people. Judge Gideon is guided by the spirit of the Lord to sound his trumpet and send messengers to form with him an army.

Judge Gideon is still not convinced he is doing the right thing. So he prays to God, to show him a sign. So, Judge Gideon puts a rug of wool in his tent and says to God, “If by morning the fleece only is covered in dew, I will know you will deliver Israel by my hand”(paraphrase of Judges 6:37)

The next morning Judge Gideon wrings out the fleece and gathers a bowl of water. Still not convinced, he once again asks God to make dew on the ground, but not on the fleece. The next morning Judge Gideon has his assurance. The fleece is dry, while the ground is covered in dew.

Judge Gideon’s Army

When Judge Gideon’s Army has formed the Lord said, “You have too many people in your army”(paraphrase of Judges 7:2) Judge Gideon sent 22,000 people home leaving him with an army of 10,000.

God says, ” 5 So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.

6 And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.

7 And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.” (Judges 7:5-7)

Judge Gideon’s Plan From God

Judge Gideon and his servant spied on the Midianite camp and heard them tell of a dream. One Midianite said he had a dream, ” there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.” (Judges 7:13)

Another Midianite interpreted the dream, “And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.”(Judges 7:14)

Judge Gideon split his forces into 3 companies of 100 men each. Each man had a trumpet and a lit lamp inside a pitcher.

Put yourself in this situation. The Midianites have a huge army like grasshoppers. It is dark and they are already fearful of the battle that may ensue. Suddenly out of the darkness 300 trumpets sound from every direction and lamps suddenly appear! The Midianites flee in fear.

Judge Gideon’s army that had returned to their tents now chased after the Midianites capturing two Midianite princes that they killed.

Judge Gideon’s Chase

Throughout the night Judge Gideon chases after the Midianite Kings. When he arrives at Succoth, “5 And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.

6 And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?

7 And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.”(Judges 8:5-7)

Judge Gideon continues the chase to Penuel.

“8 And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.

9 And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.”(Judges 8:8-9)

Judge Gideon captures the Kings of Midian and returns to Succoth. He discovers the elders of Succoth and beats them with briars. He returns to Penuel and destroys them.

Israel Wants Gideon As King

“22 Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.

23 And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.” (Judges 8:22-23)

Stay Tuned…

“The Major Judges: Part II”

 “And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.” (Judges 4:1)

Judge Deborah

God sold Israel to Jabin king of Canaan and his Captain Sisera. They were held for 20 years under his hand. Jabin had 900 chariots of Iron.

Judge Deborah sent for Barak the leader of the children of Naphtali to bring his 10,000 men to defeat King Jabin. Barak will only go to war with Canaan, if Judge Deborah goes with him. Judge Deborah reminds Barak that if she goes with him God will sell Captain Sisera into the hand of a woman.

Judge Deborah with Barak and his 10,000 men went into battle with Captain Sisera and his 900 chariots of iron. God intervened in the battle and soon Captain Sisera jumped off his chariot and ran away on foot.

Sisera now ran for his life and took refuge in the tent of Jael the wife of Heber. Heber was an ally of King Jabin of Canaan. Jael hides Sisera under a blanket.

Sisera is thirsty after all of this running away and asks for a drink. Jael brought him a bottle of milk and Sisera asked Jael to stand in the door; “If anyone is looking for me, just say I’m not here”(paraphrase of Judges 4:20)

When Jael saw that Sisera was asleep, she took a nail and a hammer, then nailed his head through his temples into the ground. It is here that Judge Deborah’s prophesy is complete. Sisera was sold to a woman.

The Song of Judge Deborah and Barak

Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel. LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water. The mountains melted from before the LORD, even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel. In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways. The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel. They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel? My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD. Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way. They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates. Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam. Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty. Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer. And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart. Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches. Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field. The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money. They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength. Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones. Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty. Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent. He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish. She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples. At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead. The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots? Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to herself, Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil? So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. (Judges 5)

Israel enjoys 40 years of peace.

Stay tuned…

“The Major Judges: Part I”

 “Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;” (Judges 3:2)

Prologue

The disobedience of Israel precedes each of the Judges. This is model that God provides the world. Our sinful nature brings judgement. Israel had left the laws of God, and clung to the wicked world of Canaan. Through the 15 Judges God honors his promise to Israel.

Judge Othniel

Israel through sin had become the sold into the hands of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia for 8 years.

“And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.” (Judges 3:10)

For the next 40 years Israel knew peace. Then Othneil died.

Judge Ehud

“And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.” (Judges 3:12)

For 18 years Israel served under Eglon the king of Moab.

Judge Ehud was a left handed man who had made a dagger 1 cubit long (elbow to finger tip) and had it strapped to his right thigh under his clothes. That is a long dagger!

Israel sent a present to Eglon via Judge Ehud. When Judge Ehud arrived he sent his escorts with the present away and told Eglon he had a secret message for him. Eglon sent his escorts away.

Judge Ehud was alone in Eglon’s parlor which had a porch. Eglon was a very fat man. When the coast was clear Ehud stood and said, “20 I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.

21 And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly:

22 And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out.” (Judges 3:20-22)

The “haft” in terms of an edged weapon is a hooked portion of the blade near the guard. The purpose is to keep the dagger from being removed.

Judge Ehud made his way out of the porch and locked the parlor doors behind him. This caused a delay that allowed the Judge to escape back to his base.

When Judge Ehud was in the midst of Israel he sounded his trumpet and led them to war with Moab and slew the Moabites.

Israel enjoys 80 years of peace.

Stay tuned for Part II…

“The Judges”

 “Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?” (Judges 1:1)

The book of Judges is a two sided story of apostasy of Israel and the deliverance of Israel by the Judges appointed by God. The promises made to Israel’s ancestors had been fulfilled. The entire land of Canaan laid before them, all they had to do was take it. But they didn’t.

Instead Israel began to absorb the pagan rituals and gods of the Canaanites. You would expect the people of Israel to be, every one of them, righteous and close to God. But they didn’t.

The warnings and predictions from Moses went unheeded. Joshua had warned them to remain loyal to one another and to God. But they didn’t.

Using their own self-interest, cowardice, and slovenly respect to each other and to God they will reap what they sow. Israel was expected to take Canaan, not just wait for it to fall.

The book is broken into sections that depict the age between Joshua (the leader) and David (the King). From my perspective it is the “Dark Ages” of Israel, punctuated by the Salvation of Israel by God.

Stay Tuned…

“Joshua’s Farewell”

 “And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.” (Joshua 23:1)

Joshua tells of times past and a look toward the future.

“2And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:

3And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you.

4Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.

5And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.

6Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;

7That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:

8But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.

9For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.

10One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.

11Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.

12Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:

13Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

14And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.

15Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

16When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.” (Joshua 23:2-16)

Joshua renews the covenant.

“1And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.

2And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.

3And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.

4And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.

5I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out.

6And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the Red sea.

7And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season.

8And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you.

9Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:

10But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.

11And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.

12And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.

13And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.

14Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

16And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;

17For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:

18And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.

19And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.

20If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.

21And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD.

22And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.

23Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.

24And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.

25So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.

26And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the LORD.

27And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.” (Joshua 24:1-27)

“Tribal Unity Loyalty to God”

 “Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,” (Joshua 22:1)

Unity and Loyalty are wonderfully positive words. Tribal, comes with many meanings. People who like a sports team will become united around that team, some to the point of violence. Some of those who are a member of the sports team will incite their fans to have all sorts of sinful beliefs. The reason is they are not Loyal to God. That is what becomes the problem.

At this point Israel is a tribe that consists of 12 clans; much like American Native tribes, the tribes across Europe, or family groups. War among families are not unique.

“And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.” (Joshua 22:10)

Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh were building and altar that the rest of Israel were suspicious of. Israel saw this as an altar against the will of God. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The children of Rueben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh explained that this was not an altar for sacrifice, but as a witness to the LORD God, between them and Israel in Canaan.

“And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.” (Joshua 22:33)

Stay tuned…

“31 Kings and the Division of the Land”

 “Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:” (Joshua 12:1)

God led Joshua on a campaign through Southern Canaan, then turned to Northern Canaan. In total 31 Kings had been defeated. These include the Kings of: Jericho, Ai, Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, Eglon, Gezer, Debir, Gedon, Hormah, Arad, Libnah, Adullam, Makkedah, Bethel, Tappuah, Hepher, Aphek, Lasharon, Madon, Hazor, Shimronmeron, Achshaph, Taanach, Megiddo, Kedesh, Carmel, Dor, Gilgal, and Tirzah. (Joshua 12:9-24)

“Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.” (Joshua 13:1)

The Land to yet be conquered includes: “2all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,

3From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:

4From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites:

5And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baalgad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.

6All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephothmaim, and all the Sidonians,” (Joshua 13:2-6)

Joshua is now old and with more than war in mind, he must now divided the land among the tribes of Israel.

Stay tuned…

“The Longest Day”

 “Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;” (Joshua 10:1)

The King of Jerusalem knew he was in danger. He knew that not only would he lose his kingdom, he would lose his life. The King of Jerusalem created a coalition with the Kings of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon. Their first target is Gibeon.

Gibeon was a “Royal City”. It would have mighty walls and defensive works. The Five Kings began the attack with a siege camp. A siege allows for an attacking force to reduce the enemy through lack of food and water. The camp itself will need to provide its own food and water. Given enough time a siege can allow you to defeat a larger force and still maintain your own forces. That is not going to be.

Gibeon was not locked down. They were able to send a message to Joshua to help them. Joshua gathered his forces and went to their aid by night.

“And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.” (Joshua 10:8)

God could have evaporated the Five Kings, but that was not God’s plan. God had an audience. Not just Israel, but everyone on or near the battlefield. God rained stones down upon the enemy. Not accidental stones, but stones guided from heaven to only hit the enemy. God followed that up with hailstones. The number of dead by stones and hail was more than by the sword of Israel.

God wanted everyone to see the power of God, and the wages of sin. “Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.” (Joshua 10:12)

The Five Kings ran from the field and ended up hiding in a cave. Joshua ordered large rocks be used to seal the Kings in until later.

“And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities.” (Joshua 10:20)

Now that the battle has ended, Joshua has his commanders execute the Five Kings and place their bodies in the trees. A message to Israel and Canaan. When the sun sets, Joshua has their bodies entombed in the cave.

Stay Tuned…

“The Deception of the Hivites”

 “And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,” (Joshua 9:3)

This is the story of deception and certainly not a new one. Deception of this sort has its roots in antiquity and continues to the present day.

The Back Story

After the defeat of Jericho and Ai, the kingdoms throughout Canaan knew that Israel was a strong nation. All of the Kings in the land of Canaan built a coalition to destroy Israel. There is always that one group that wishes to appease Israel and in case Israel is destroyed they can appease the enemy coalition. This begins with a sad story.

The Sad Story

The Hivites dressed themselves as a destitute people. They had clothes that were covered in dirt, shoes that were full of holes. They brought wine that was spoiled and bread that was dry and moldy. They told Joshua that they had traveled from a far country to be servants of Israel.

The Story of the Truth

Joshua and the princes of the congregation made a promise to them that Israel would not harm them.

After three days Joshua discovered that the Hivites were not from a far land, they were from next door. They were actually from Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim. The people of Israel were very angry at this and wanted to kill them all. But Joshua stopped them.

Joshua said, “20This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.

21And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.

22And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?

23Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.

24And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

25And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.

26And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.

27And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.” (Joshua 9:20-27)

Stay tuned…

“The Battle of Ai”

 “So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night.” (Joshua 8:3)

When someone is discussing Tactics and Strategy there is a wide difference between the two. The Battle of Ai speaks of Strategy through the use of Tactics. Let’s break it down.

Ai was a target of importance since it was located close to Jericho. Any time an enemy has forces close to where you were, they must be understood. Initially Israel had observed and fought with the City of Ai. Because of the Sin of Achan, God turned his back on Israel and Israel was defeated.

Joshua and Israel had repented of their sin. Now God brings in the teachings of war theory, or in other words, “Cutting off the Head of the Snake”. A snake in its hole will strike out toward a target, then pull back to the safety of its hole. The strategy in this case is to entice the snake out of its hole.

God instructs Joshua to send an ambush force behind the City of Ai. Then with Joshua in command of another force he will lure the King of Ai and his forces to chase after them. This leaves the city of Ai open to attack. The strategy leaves the city of Ai destroyed, and the King of Ai caught between two forces with no where to go.

The end result is that Jericho and Ai are utterly destroyed. With nothing threatening the rear area of Israel, the way forward is open to them.

Stay Tuned…

“The Curse at Ai”

 “But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.” (Joshua 6:19)

At the end of the Battle of Jericho, Israel was ordered to leave everything alone. There would be no plunder of anything. It all belonged to God. There is always someone who will ignore the will of God.

The Next Target

Joshua sent a recon mission to Ai. The men who spied the land reported that they were few in number and would be easy to defeat. Joshua sends 3000 men to destroy Ai.

No sooner had the 3000 arrived at Ai, they turned tail and ran. Thirty Six lost their lives in the battle.

The Message

Something had gone horribly wrong. Joshua prayed to God for an answer.

“7And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!

😯 Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies!” (Joshua 7:7-8)

God Answers

“10And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?

11Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.

12Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.

13Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” (Joshua 7:10-13)

The Search

“14In the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, that the tribe which the LORD taketh shall come according to the families thereof; and the family which the LORD shall take shall come by households; and the household which the LORD shall take shall come man by man.

15And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.” (Joshua 7:14-15)

The Interrogation and Confession

“19And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.

20And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:

21When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

22So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it.

23And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD.” (Joshua 7:19-23)

The Judgement

“24And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.

25And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.

26And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.”(Joshua 7:24-26)

“When The Trumpet Sounds”

 “Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.” (Joshua 6:1)

“13And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?

14And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

15And the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.” (Joshua 5:13-15)

Because of Joshua’s faith in God, God provided him with a holy host of soldiers to pave the way.

The Army of God circles the city once each day for the next six days. At the front of this procession are seven priests with trumpets of Ram’s horns, the Shofar. Behind the priests is the Ark of the Covenant.

On the seventh day they circle the city seven times, each time sounding the trumpets. On the final trip around the wall of Jericho the trumpets sound and the people shout. The walls of Jericho falls flat.

The army had surrounded the city; when the walls fell they went up into the city and utterly destroyed it. Every man, woman, old, and young were killed by the sword. With a notable exception, the harlot Rahab.

The summary is this, God abhors sin, and he had punished Israel for their sin in the wilderness. This punishment was known to the people of Canaan from those in highest station all the way down to the lowest station in life (Rahab). Any of them could have repented and God would have in his grace saved them, but they didn’t. Their idols did nothing to save them.

That is the way of the world now. God, through his son Jesus has been warning sinners for thousands of years, yet many ignore it. Repent of your sin, believe and have faith in God, though his son Jesus will save you for everlasting life.

Stay tuned…

“Crossing the Jordan”

 “And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.” (Joshua 3:1)

Copyright CaptBlackEagle 2020

Rivers are a natural block to travel. The width, depth, and current will stop any foot traffic. Natural crossings, like fords, consist of narrow width, shallow depth, and slower currents that allow travel.

What we know is the Jordan was in flood. The reduces the number of fords available; which gives the enemy fewer places they had to monitor to track the location of Joshua’s Army. God changed all that.

At the front of the Army were the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant. There was a warning to the people, as well as a command to prepare to cross.

“4Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.

5And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” (Joshua 3:4-5)

As soon as the soles of the feet of the priests touch the water of the Jordan; the water parts creating dry land. This allowed the 40 thousand man army of Joshua to quickly cross the Jordan and place themselves directly against Jericho. In effect, this locks the enemy into the walls of their city without the ability to maneuver on the battlefield.

Joshua believed that God would always provide a way, and God did.

Stay Tuned…

“Rahab, Heroine of Jericho”

 “And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.” (Joshua 2:1)

Copyright CaptBlackEagle 2020

Joshua had sent two men to recon Jericho. Recon missions come with special dangers. Not just that spies are executed on sight, but that spies that are caught tend to reveal information of any planned attack. Intelligence missions are a two edged sword.

The spies had penetrated the city of Jericho and picked the seediest part of the city as a base of operations. Anyone new in these neighborhoods are immediately suspect. The King of Jericho was informed that these Israeli spies were not just in the city, but they were lodging with Rahab.

Rahab had already told the spies some very important information.

I know that God has given you this land.

I know the people here are scared of you.

I know God had parted the Red Sea to allow you to escape Egypt.

I know that you utterly destroyed the Amorites.

Rahab added, “And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.” (Joshua 2:11)

The King of Jericho interrogated Rahab about the men who had stayed with her. Rahab took a dangerous track. Instead of telling the King that she knew where they were hiding, she denied knowing who they were. She lied to the King and told him that the men had left and headed toward the river. She further stated that if the King sent his men out of the city they can catch them.

The deception worked. She hid the men on her roof until the Kings men had left heading toward the river. After the gates had been closed she told the men to head into the mountains for three days. Rahab lowered the men out of the city by a rope from her house.

A promise is made. The men tell Rahab that is she keeps their secret she and her family will be well treated. They told her to mark her window with a scarlet thread.

The men returned to Joseph and said, “And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.” (Joshua 2:24)

Stay tuned…

“War in the Promised Land”

 “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.” (Joshua 1:2)

Copyright CaptBlackEagle 2020

War is a term that has many meanings. There is War on Obesity, Crime, Drugs, etc.. There is War between Nations, Cities, Neighborhoods, Families, etc.. War in its simplest form is conflict. The War in the Promised Land is unique.

The War in the Promised land is God’s war. “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.” (Joshua 1:3)

The entire universe belongs to God. God promised Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Israel the Land of Canaan. God also set forth specific commands that Israel will have to obey in order to occupy the Promised Land.

This is a situation in which God has already won the war, but he wants Israel to strictly follow his Laws and Statutes. That is the model to follow.

Joshua will cross the River Jordan into the Promised Land. With God’s mighty hand he will study each target, plan the assault, and how the land will be divided among the tribes.

This War will not be a cake walk. There are many failures of Israel to remain glued to the Laws of God and his directions. It all begins in Jericho.

Stay tuned…

“Joshua”

 “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Joshua 1:5)

Copyright CaptBlackEagle 2020

Joshua started life as a slave in Egypt. He witnessed the plagues on Egypt, the escape across the sea, and the cloud and fire of God that led them. Joshua led the battle against the Amalekites. Joshua’s deep faith in God is why Joshua was the only person to accompany Moses to receive the Law.

Joshua was a military leader. Joshua and Caleb were selected by the tribe of Judah to spy out the land of Canaan. Joshua was ready to follow God’s will to possess the land of Canaan. While the children of Israel lacked faith they are condemned to die without entering the Promised Land.

God selected Joshua to take over Moses’s duties as Military and Spiritual leader. Joshua, as with Moses, is the model of Christ.

Stay Tuned…

“The Meaning of the Song of Moses”

 “Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.” (Deuteronomy 32:3)

Copyright CaptBlackEagle 2020

The Song of Moses is a lyrical poem that begins with the appeal to heaven and the entire world. Moses explains the character of God, the evil of Israel, the consistent love and protection that God provides, the promise to always be with them and us.

The Song of Moses is also a memory device. Poems and songs often tell a story that is has a meter, and is simple. Like memorizing the general parts of a body; “the foot bone is connected to the…shin bone” etc…

What we know from this song is that God loves you, even when we forget he exists, or even hate him. God proves that by the way he led Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and the children of Israel from a simple and small people to a great and powerful people.

The sinful nature of Israel is the sinful nature of the world. God treats us with the justice we deserve and punishes us accordingly.

The Song of Moses reminds us of the impossible task of keeping all of God’s laws. Jesus has paid that debt already. We only have to repent of our sin, believe with all our heart and soul on Jesus the Son of God.

“The Song of Moses”

 “Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.” (Deuteronomy 32:1)

Copyright CaptBlackEagle 2020

“2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.

4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.

6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?

7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.

8 When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

9 For the LORD’S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.

10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:

12 So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.

13 He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;

14 Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.

15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.

17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.

18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.

19 And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.

20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.

21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

23 I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them.

24 They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.

25 The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.

26 I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:

27 Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this.

28 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.

29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

30 How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

31 For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.

32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:

33 Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.

34 Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?

35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

36 For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.

37 And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,

38 Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.

39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

40 For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.

41 If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.

42 I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.

43 Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.

44 And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun.

45 And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel:

46 And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.

47 For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.”

“The Seven Nations”

 “When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;” (Deuteronomy 7:1)

Copyright CaptBlackEagle 2020

Moses makes no bones about it, Israel is to attack the nations of Canaan and utterly destroy them. There are to be no peace treaties; the enemy is to submit completely to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

“For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.” (Deuteronomy 7:4)

No marriages between the nations of Canaan and Israel. This is how Satan enters the relationships between the people and God.

“But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.” (Deuteronomy 7:5)

Crush their altars, smash their images, cut down their groves, burn their graven images with fire; utterly destroy their gods as proof that there is only one God.

“The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:” (Deuteronomy 7:7)

God did not bring Israel as the largest force; instead he brought them as the smallest force. It is by God, and by God alone they will destroy the enemies of humanity. As long as Israel keeps God’s commandments they will prevail.

Stay tuned…

“Narrow is the Way”

Jesus said, “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:14)

Copyright CaptBlackEagle 2020

“And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.” (Deuteronomy 5:1)

Moses repeats the 10 commandments given to the people from God.

“4Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

5And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

Moses reminds Israel to teach the commandments, statutes and Jugements to their children to put them on the posts of their homes.

Moses continues to teach them that God had destroyed all of those that stand against you. It is a model of how God wants us to love him, praise him, and worship him.

Stay tuned…

“These Are The Words”

 “And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them;” (Deuteronomy 1:3)

Copyright CaptBlackEagle 2020

Moses provides a summary of the journey of the children of Israel from bondage in Egypt to the border of Canaan. For forty years and 9 months they have traveled the wilderness.

“The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount:” (Deut 1:6)

Moses tells the children of Israel that he had selected the wise and known leaders among them to rule them.

“16And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him.

17Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.” (Deut 1:16-17)

Moses further tells them to go up and posses the land, the spies have brought you good news. The land is truly Milk and Honey. Through God’s power you defeated Moab and Midian.

Yet, the children of Israel rebelled against going into the land of Canaan. God protected you with a cloud and pillar of fire so you could leave Egypt. He did this right in front of your eyes.

“34And the LORD heard the voice of your words, and was wroth, and sware, saying,

35Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers,”(Deut 1:34-35)

Moses continues with this retrospect history of the journey until Deuteronomy 4:11.

Stay tuned…

“Deuteronomy”

 “These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab.” (Deuteronomy 1:1)

Copyright CaptBlackEagle 2020

Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible. The purpose of Deuteronomy is to repeat the covenant between God and his people. The Hebrew word for this book is elleh haddebarim, which means “These are the Words”. Unlike Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers; Moses is speaking in a more conversational tone to relate God’s promise and future fulfillment.

The setting for Deuteronomy is on the Jordan river across from Jericho, in the land of Moab. Before we start on the book of Deuteronomy, there is something for you to think about.

Find a place that you can use to quietly think back to the earliest time in your life that you can. Now slowly think about the good, bad, and ugly of life from then until now. What significant things can you remember? Which ones are regrets? Which of these events had the greatest impact on your life now? What did God do for you, that you could not do alone?

Now look at your future. Based on your past did God do anything for you? What does God promise you for your future?

“14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:14-18)

That is the purpose of Deuteronomy. Remembering Israels past, its present, and the promise of its future.

Stay Tuned…