Judges 4-6; Luke 21
The cycles of Israel departure from and return to God continue. "...and the Lord delivered them..." (Judges 4:2), "And the children of Israel cried out to the Lord..." (Judges 4:3). This time, God delivers Israel through Deborah. Although, according to divine design, the leaders of society should be men, women have to take on this role in certain circumstances.
In all situations, it is evident that the Lord delivers Israel; the credit belongs to Him, not the leaders. The leaders, the judges God chose, were merely instruments in His hands. The Lord raises enemies against Israel during their departure from Him, and the same Lord delivers them after their repentance.
The calling of Gideon is interesting from several perspectives:
- Gideon understands his weakness and inability to become a leader for Israel (Judges 6:15).
- Gideon understands that God has delivered them into the hands of the Midianites (Judges 6:13).
- Nevertheless, the Lord calls him "a mighty man of valor" (Judges 6:12) and tells him, "...go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel..." (Judges 6:14).
- Gideon's strength lies in God (Judges 6:16).
- Gideon's zeal in purifying Israel from idolatry speaks of his dedication to God (Judges 6:25-31).
- But before going against the Midianites, Gideon asks for signs several times to ensure that God will indeed be with him, and God gives them to him for his confirmation (Judges 6:33-40).
Luke 21. The famous sermon of Christ on the Mount of Olives speaks of the future of the Israelite people and the whole world. It is possible that, as in many prophecies, these words of Christ had both a near fulfillment (what was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD) and a final fulfillment, what will happen during His second coming. Some of the events listed by Christ were fulfilled in 70 AD (Luke 21:24), while others will be fulfilled in the future (Luke 21:25-28).
In all situations, it is evident that the Lord delivers Israel; the credit belongs to Him, not the leaders. The leaders, the judges God chose, were merely instruments in His hands. The Lord raises enemies against Israel during their departure from Him, and the same Lord delivers them after their repentance.
The calling of Gideon is interesting from several perspectives:
- Gideon understands his weakness and inability to become a leader for Israel (Judges 6:15).
- Gideon understands that God has delivered them into the hands of the Midianites (Judges 6:13).
- Nevertheless, the Lord calls him "a mighty man of valor" (Judges 6:12) and tells him, "...go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel..." (Judges 6:14).
- Gideon's strength lies in God (Judges 6:16).
- Gideon's zeal in purifying Israel from idolatry speaks of his dedication to God (Judges 6:25-31).
- But before going against the Midianites, Gideon asks for signs several times to ensure that God will indeed be with him, and God gives them to him for his confirmation (Judges 6:33-40).
Luke 21. The famous sermon of Christ on the Mount of Olives speaks of the future of the Israelite people and the whole world. It is possible that, as in many prophecies, these words of Christ had both a near fulfillment (what was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD) and a final fulfillment, what will happen during His second coming. Some of the events listed by Christ were fulfilled in 70 AD (Luke 21:24), while others will be fulfilled in the future (Luke 21:25-28).
Posted in Reading Bible Together