Judges 7-8; Luke 22
Preparing Gideon for battle against the Midianites, God emphasizes the importance of people understanding that He gives them deliverance, not their strength and abilities (Judges 7:2).
Like all the other judges of Israel in this period, Gideon has a contradictory personality. On the one hand, he doesn't think much of himself, acknowledging his insignificance, seeking confidence in God, and obeying Him in a great task - attacking and defeating the vast army of the Midianites and "all the inhabitants of the East." On the other hand, Gideon displays excessive cruelty by punishing the people of Succoth and Penuel.
Moreover, he collects spoils of gold and makes an ephod out of it, a sacred object of worship belonging only to priests. This ephod quickly became an idol for Gideon himself and the entire people (Judges 8:27). Additionally, he had many wives (Judges 8:20). Somehow, all this coexisted in one person. This shows that earthly spiritual leaders cannot be exemplary in everything. In some things, they succeed by trusting in God, while in others, they lag behind or openly fail.
Nevertheless, during Gideon's lifetime, the Israelites continued to serve God, but after he died, they quickly abandoned the Lord.
Luke 22 conveys several truths related to the Last Supper, the arrest of Christ, and His trial.
- Celebrating the Jewish Passover with the disciples, Jesus proclaims the establishment of the New Covenant (Luke 22:19-20). This covenant was foretold by the prophets (Jeremiah 31:31-33). Its meaning lies in entirely new relationships between God and people. Now He will dwell in them, not just among them. This covenant is revolutionary. It is based on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, offered by Him for us on the cross;
- Luke 22:22 speaks of the incomprehensible combination of God's sovereign decisions and human responsibility - "The Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed”;
- Responding to Satan's request to God to pressure and strike His followers, Jesus did not pray for God to deliver us from trials altogether but to strengthen our faith in them (Luke 22:32);
- Calling on the disciples to pray with Him in Gethsemane, Jesus focuses their attention more on their own need - "...pray that you may not enter into temptation" (Luke 22:40, 46). In a short time, they faced the most significant temptation in their lives so far, and they desperately needed the strength of God not to fall into it;
- The Sanhedrin officially accused Jesus of blasphemy (making Himself the Son of God) (Luke 22:70-71), but before Pilate, they accused Him of making Himself a king. Manipulating facts is typical of sinful people trying to achieve their ends.
Like all the other judges of Israel in this period, Gideon has a contradictory personality. On the one hand, he doesn't think much of himself, acknowledging his insignificance, seeking confidence in God, and obeying Him in a great task - attacking and defeating the vast army of the Midianites and "all the inhabitants of the East." On the other hand, Gideon displays excessive cruelty by punishing the people of Succoth and Penuel.
Moreover, he collects spoils of gold and makes an ephod out of it, a sacred object of worship belonging only to priests. This ephod quickly became an idol for Gideon himself and the entire people (Judges 8:27). Additionally, he had many wives (Judges 8:20). Somehow, all this coexisted in one person. This shows that earthly spiritual leaders cannot be exemplary in everything. In some things, they succeed by trusting in God, while in others, they lag behind or openly fail.
Nevertheless, during Gideon's lifetime, the Israelites continued to serve God, but after he died, they quickly abandoned the Lord.
Luke 22 conveys several truths related to the Last Supper, the arrest of Christ, and His trial.
- Celebrating the Jewish Passover with the disciples, Jesus proclaims the establishment of the New Covenant (Luke 22:19-20). This covenant was foretold by the prophets (Jeremiah 31:31-33). Its meaning lies in entirely new relationships between God and people. Now He will dwell in them, not just among them. This covenant is revolutionary. It is based on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, offered by Him for us on the cross;
- Luke 22:22 speaks of the incomprehensible combination of God's sovereign decisions and human responsibility - "The Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed”;
- Responding to Satan's request to God to pressure and strike His followers, Jesus did not pray for God to deliver us from trials altogether but to strengthen our faith in them (Luke 22:32);
- Calling on the disciples to pray with Him in Gethsemane, Jesus focuses their attention more on their own need - "...pray that you may not enter into temptation" (Luke 22:40, 46). In a short time, they faced the most significant temptation in their lives so far, and they desperately needed the strength of God not to fall into it;
- The Sanhedrin officially accused Jesus of blasphemy (making Himself the Son of God) (Luke 22:70-71), but before Pilate, they accused Him of making Himself a king. Manipulating facts is typical of sinful people trying to achieve their ends.
Posted in Reading Bible Together