This week’s passage revolves around the tension between Abimelech, son of Gideon, and the corrupt leaders of Shechem who put him in power over Israel. First, we see Abimelech plotting and seizing power with the help of his mom, and hiring a gang of thugs, all with the blessing of these leaders. But the dynamic soon changes as God causes division between these two evil parties. Having fallen out of favor with the leaders of Shechem, Abimelech dodges assassination plots from both the leaders and their new golden boy, Gaal. Abimelech’s life comes to a swift, violent, and, as one can imagine, prideful end. Following the retributive slaughter of Shechem’s leaders and people, Abimelech leads an invasion attempt against a neighboring city and is killed by at the hands of a woman. Following the account of Abimelech violent beginning and ending, the author notes the judges who followed him and reminds the reader of the reality that these Israelite judges would come and go, but there is a greater leader to hope for.

Northwest Gospel Church - East Vancouver

Trail Blazer

In one of the oddest battle scenes in history, Israel defeats Midian by blowing trumpets and breaking jars. We’re told that the Lord set the swords of the Midianites against each other, and Israel won. In chapter 8, we see Gideon win another battle, but the narrative is quite different. The author took great care to remind us of God’s presence at every turn in chapter 7, but that language is oddly silent in chapter 8. After the battles, we see the continual downward spiral of both Gideon and the Israelites. He leads the Israelites in improper worship practices, where Israel “whored after” the ephod that Gideon made after his victories in battle. Years later, Gideon dies, and the cycle of the book of Judges continues.

Faithful in Remembering

We’re now with our next judge: Gideon. What immediately sticks out (compared to the judges of chapters 3-5) is the length of this narrative, which spans three chapters of the book. More time is spent on Gideon than Ehud, Othniel, Shamgar, and Deborah... combined. While the flannel graph Sunday school lessons of our youth may have us believe that Gideon is the hero of this three-chapter story, what we actually find is a man who is a coward, questioning God at every turn. What hope is there for Israel when even the judges exemplify the weakness of the people?

Profiles in Cowardice

Once again, the people of Israel do what is evil in the sight of the Lord. Already, we’ve seen the same story twice. Remember the pattern that was laid out for us in chapter 2: God’s people do what is evil, they are oppressed, they repent, God sends a judge to deliver them, and then there is a time of peace. And this week is no different. There’s evil (4:1), the Israelites cry out to God for rescue (4:3), God sends Deborah (4:4-24), and there’s a time of peace (chapter 5). There is one way that this week’s text differs from what we’ve explored so far in the book of Judges: we get a glimpse into the mind of the judge through a song (chapter 5). Here we see Deborah recount the events of chapter 4 in song, giving glory to God and reminding the Israelites of God’s goodness.

The Mother of All Judges

This week, we’re introduced to our first three judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar. It’s also here that we see the first two examples of the pattern we were introduced to in chapter 2, a pattern that we’ll see throughout the book: God’s people do what is evil in the sight of the Lord, they are oppressed, they repent, God sends a judge to deliver them, and then there is a time of peace.

Living Legends

The first two chapters of Judges grab the reader’s attention immediately, as it opens in the middle of a war. This is a Holy War. God’s people have been commanded by Him to enter the Promised Land and execute God’s judgment on the wicked nations therein by “devoting them to destruction” (Judges 1:17). From the outset, the reader gets a taste of this dark and exceedingly odd book. A king named Adoni-bezek faces God’s judgment, as his weird fetish of cutting off thumbs and big toes of the kings he defeats gets visited on him. The reader is also confronted by a foreshadowing of what is to come. The tribes of Israel fail to follow the Lord. They “did not drive out” the inhabitants of the land, instead intermarrying with them and falling into idolatry, worshiping their pagan gods. But though Israel is in the process of abandoning the Lord, the book of Judges exists, because the Lord refuses to abandon His people. In chapters 1 and 2, we meet a fickle people and a faithful God.

He Sent Them Judges

This week, we come to the close of The Story series. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 is a passage that deals with the return of Jesus along with the full and final consummation of redemptive history. This passage offers hope to all believers that Jesus will one day return and will, as he has promised, make all things new.

The Rest of the Story

It's as Israel is settling in the Promised Land that God issues an interesting command. "Appoint cities of refuge ... that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there." It is in these cities alone where the manslayer could find protection from the avenger of blood, and it is in this passage where we see an incredible picture of the savior who redeems us from the penalty of our sin.

The Hero of the Story

This week, we continue in our four-part biblical theology series, The Story. Looking at Genesis 3:1-10, we see Adam and Eve, the first humans, rebelling against God and allowing death to enter into the world. Here, we see that on the day we defied God, we struck a deal with death.

Backstory

Andrew Murch • What is the story of Scripture? We're familiar with the stories of Scripture, but what is the overall story of Scripture? Over the next four weeks, we'll examine where we come from, why we exist, how we became as we are, how our world’s brokenness developed, and what answer God gives to the pain that plagues us. Join us this Sunday as we explore the Origin Story of humanity.

Origin Story

Andrew Murch • This week, we come to the end of our "If I Could Tell You One Thing" series. Psalm 2 is both a warning and a call to wisdom; wisdom that is practiced when we submit to King Jesus. Here, we see that there is no refuge from Jesus, only in Jesus.

Everything in One Thing

Josh Lane • This week, we're continuing in our "If I Could Tell You One Thing" series with Philippians 3:2-14. The Apostle Paul exhorts the Christians in Philippi to "press on" and remain in Christ despite what they will face. Here, we see that in Christ, our future is far more certain and beautiful than our past and present.

Press On!

Brent Kimball • “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?" The question of forgiveness is an important idea for Christians to understand. As followers of Jesus, we have been forgiven of a debt that we could never pay back. In light of that forgiveness, we ourselves are called to practice forgiveness. In our passage this week, we see that the forgiven are forgiving.

The Forgiven

Nathan Noorlun • The Lord is near... This simple reality changes absolutely everything for absolutely everyone. As we continue in our If I Could Tell You One Thing series, we come to Philippians 4:5-23. Here, the Apostle Paul is writing to the church at Philippi, reminding them of the nearness of our God and of the imminent return of Jesus. We cannot hope to face the affliction and hardships of this life without recognizing the amazing reality that our Lord is near.

The Lord Is Near

Jake Gamble • "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God..." Our passage this week, Hebrews 4, reveals the incredible reality that despite sin and rebellion, God's people will enter the perfect rest that is only offered through Christ. Here, we see that there will be true rest offered through the Great High Priest, Jesus Christ.

The Sabbath Rest of God

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Northwest Gospel Church - East Vancouver

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