The Mysterious Numbers of the Book of Judges
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Jephthah and the Grace of God (The Rp Esident's Desk) Stephen Bauer Southern Adventist University
Perspective Digest Volume 16 Article 6 Issue 2 Spring 2011 Jephthah and the Grace of God (The rP esident's Desk) Stephen Bauer Southern Adventist University Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, and the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Bauer, Stephen (2011) "Jephthah and the Grace of God (The rP esident's Desk)," Perspective Digest: Vol. 16 : Iss. 2 , Article 6. Available at: http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol16/iss2/6 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Adventist Theological Society at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Perspective Digest by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Bauer: Jephthah and the Grace of God (The President's Desk) Jephthah and the Grace of God By Stephen Bauer The appearance of Jephthah in Hebrews 11 presents an interesting conundrum for the Bible student. Why did the author of Hebrews (whom I accept as Paul) highlight a man as a heroic example of faith to be emulated when he seems to have offered his daughter as a human sacrifice? In short, what did the author see in Jephthah’s story that merited his inclusion in the all-star list of faith heroes found in Hebrews 11? For those less familiar with Jephthah, his story is found in Judges 10–11. In short, Israel had been unfaithful yet again and, thus, had fallen under the abusive dominion of the Philistines and Ammonites for 18 arduous years (10:6-9). -
The Book of Judges – “Downward Spiral”
The pattern devolves until there is absolute darkness and despair THE BOOK OF JUDGES – “DOWNWARD SPIRAL” Judges 8 What is the basic message of Judges? 24 And Gideon said to them, “Let me make a request of you: every one of 27 • the repeated failures of Israel to love God you give me the earrings from his spoil.” … And Gideon made an and the inadequacy of all the judges to truly rescue Israel ephod of it and put it in his city, in Ophrah. And all Israel whored after it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and to his family. The Book of Judges is a series of redemption cycles: 30 Now Gideon had seventy sons, his own offspring, for he had many (1) the people rebel against God wives. 31 And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, (2) God allows the people to suffer from their sins and he called his name Abimelech. 32 And Gideon the son of Joash died in (3) the people cry out to God for deliverance a good old age and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, at Ophrah (4) God sends a judge – a deliverer of the Abiezrites. (5) there is a period of rest and peace Judges 13:1-2 1 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the You see this pattern in the first judge – Othniel | Judges 3:7-12 LORD, so the LORD gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty 2 Stage 1 – Israel rebels against God years. -
The Book of Judges Lesson One Introduction to the Book
The Book of Judges Lesson One Introduction to the Book by Dr. John L. May I. The Historical Background - Authorship Dates of the events of the book are uncertain. It is a book about and to the children of Israel (Judges 1:1). Since the book is a continuation of history following the book of Joshua, many scholars believe that it was written after the death of Joshua (after 1421 BC). However, others think that it was written even later than this, for Judges 18:1 and 19:1 imply that there was a king in Israel at the time of writing. That would necessitate a date of 1095 BC or later. If you base your belief upon Judges 1:21, 29, a date of approximately 1000 BC would be a date that would place its writing during the time of Samuel and the reign of the kings. This would tie in nicely with the Jewish tradition that the author was Samuel. There is neither an inspired statement nor an implication as to the place of composition To determine the time span involved in this book, it is unlikely that the years each judge is said to have ruled could be added together, for the total would exceed 490 years. However, Wesley states in his notes on the Book of Judges that the total is only 299 years. The reason for this is that their years of service may coincide or overlap with the years of some or other of the judges and this allows Wesley to arrive at his figure. -
PROMISED LAND 1: Lesson Five, Jephthah, Samson, Consequences of Decline Judges 10 - 21
1 PROMISED LAND 1: Lesson Five, Jephthah, Samson, Consequences of Decline Judges 10 - 21 Subject: Jephthah and Samson’s stories and two accounts of internal threats illustrate Israel’s moral and spiritual decay. Main Idea: Living by our own foolish “wisdom” results in personal and social disaster. Principles: 1. Bargaining with God is unnecessary and can end in disappointment . 2. Living according to our passions is perilous. 3. As the home goes, so goes the nation. Introduction Have you ever acting on your own foolish “wisdom.” i Hopelessly lost, you continue driving down one road after another, refusing to ask for directions. You try something new in the kitchen, confident you don’t need to consult a recipe. You muscle a repair when you should have used your brain. We do all kinds of crazy things we later laugh over, don’t we? But when a person or a family or a people group makes a habit of living this way, the consequences are no longer laughable. The book of Judges gives us a picture of the personal and social disaster that resulted when the Israelites chose to live by their own foolish “wisdom.” The end of Joshua and the book of Judges tell us that the Israelites failed to drive the Canaanites from the land. As a result, the Israelites became increasingly “Canaanized.”ii The text suggests that the Israelites still acknowledged Yahweh, but they had demoted Him to a position of one god among many and also worshipped the Baals, the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites and the gods of the Philistines (Judges 10:6, 1 Samuel 4:8). -
14.17A Ibzan, Elon, Abdon Composite Lesson
14.17a Ibzan, Elon, Abdon (Judges 12:8–15) “Check” it out; opinion, inference, supposed conversation, or fact one can verify follows [. .] indicates a remark to the teacher that usually should not be read. It also indicates answers to questions. Visuals and Tools: Pictures and other visuals found at the end of this lesson. Please give credit to the sources of pictures. Check “Activities” and “Handwork” found below for additional materials. Bible Time Tips and Terms to Teach: Vocabulary words are enlarged for flashcards at the end of this lesson. Print, cut out, and glue to card stock, or just print on colorful cardstock. secular: attitudes, activities, or other things that have no Bible or spiritual basis spouse: husband or wife peace: the resting of the soul in God Scripture: (ESV) Judges 12:8 After him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel. 9 He had thirty sons, and thirty daughters he gave in marriage outside his clan, and thirty daughters he brought in from outside for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years. 10 Then Ibzan died and was buried at Bethlehem. 11 After him Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel, and he judged Israel ten years. 12 Then Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried at Aijalon in the land of Zebulun. 13 After him Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel. 14 He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys, and he judged Israel eight years. 15 Then Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried at Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites. -
Who Were the Judges? 1 Samuel 12
Who were the Judges? 1 Samuel 12 • 11 And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe. • 12 And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king. Simple Time line How was Israel set up politically • Moses under God’s instruction, • Founded a tribal confederacy immediately after the Exodus from Egypt. • Ten commandments etc • Detail everyday living down to layout of where each tribe lived and their duties. How was Israel set up politically • Considered as a loose union of 12 tribes • Bound together by a common constitution and law but still kept individual identity. • God was the direct leader of the nation assisted by a representative. – AKA Moses then Joshua • A core group under the rep communicated God’s instruction to the individual tribes. – After Joshua no single leader appears • Instead,' regional "Judges" were raised for each generation Judges 2 • 16 Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which Judges have good delivered them out of the rule hand of those that spoiled Apostacy God raises them. ( depart gives a from faith 19 Judge • And it came to pass, when and belief) the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more Cry out to Hardship than their fathers God from God The time of the Judges • Moses • Joshua • Judges – 15 Judges Judges • Military roll chosen by God to rescue the people from their enemies • and establish justice and the practice of the Law amongst the hebrews The beginning of the Judges Othniel • Othniel was the first of the Judges. -
Heshbon (Modern Hesbdn) Is Located in Transj Ordan
THE HISTORY OF HESHBON FROM LITERARY SOURCES * WERNER VYHMEISTER River Plate College, Puiggari, Entre Rios, Argentina Heshbon (modern Hesbdn) is located in Transjordan, about 20 miles east of the Jordan where it enters the Dead Sea. The remains of the old city are covered now by two hills, 2,930 and 2,954 feet above sea level respectively. According to the latest available statistics (from 1961), the village of Hesbdn has 718 inhabitants. Heshbon in OT Times Heshbon appears for the first time in the Biblical record as the capital city of Sihon, the Amorite king defeated by Moses. However, the region in which Heshbon was located is mentioned much earlier in the Bible. In Gn 14:5, Chedor- laomer and his confederates appear as smiting successively the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, and the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim (i.e., the plain of Kiria- thaim). Kiriathaim has been identified with el-Qerei ydt, about five miles northwest of Dhz'bdn. It appears together with Heshbon in Num 32:37 among the cities rebuilt by the This article is a condensation of a B.D. thesis covering the same subject, deposited in the James White Library of Andrews University. * "Heshbon," Encyclopaedia Biblica, eds. T. K. Cheyne and J. S. Black, I1 (London, I~OI),col. 2044. "mi Dajani, director of the Department of Antiquities of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Letter to the author, December 12, 1966. 8 Num 21 :21 ff. 4 Siegfried H. Horn et al., Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary (Washington, D. C., 1960)~p. -
The Judges TP45
LEADER’S GUIDE BIBLE STORYLINE 4th- 5th Q5 Why Did God Use Judges? PursueGODkids.org Lesson Overview Big Idea In today’s lesson, we’re talking about a sad time in Israel’s history. In previous God sent judges to save the lessons, we’ve learned how God rescued the Israelites from slavery and Israelites. performed many miracles to get them safely to the Promised Land. Well, they finally got to the Promised Land, and all was great, until the people forgot Key Question about God. Even though God had given them land, other people were living Why did the people forget there, too. These people didn’t know God and they did terrible things. Over about God? time, this way of life started to rub off on the Israelites! God’s people started doing terrible things, too, and they stopped listening to God. So, to get their Memory Verse attention, God would send nations to conquer the Israelites. The Israelites Judges 2:16 “Then the Lord would cry out to God for help and then God would send a judge to save raised up judges to rescue the them. Now, a judge at this time wasn’t a judge like we know today. A judge Israelites from their attackers.” was like a political or military leader who God would raise up to defeat the enemy. With every victory, the people would remember God. But, then they would go back to their bad choices, get attacked, cry out to God and God would send a judge to save them. Here’s the point. -
Heavenly Priesthood in the Apocalypse of Abraham
HEAVENLY PRIESTHOOD IN THE APOCALYPSE OF ABRAHAM The Apocalypse of Abraham is a vital source for understanding both Jewish apocalypticism and mysticism. Written anonymously soon after the destruction of the Second Jerusalem Temple, the text envisions heaven as the true place of worship and depicts Abraham as an initiate of the celestial priesthood. Andrei A. Orlov focuses on the central rite of the Abraham story – the scapegoat ritual that receives a striking eschatological reinterpretation in the text. He demonstrates that the development of the sacerdotal traditions in the Apocalypse of Abraham, along with a cluster of Jewish mystical motifs, represents an important transition from Jewish apocalypticism to the symbols of early Jewish mysticism. In this way, Orlov offers unique insight into the complex world of the Jewish sacerdotal debates in the early centuries of the Common Era. The book will be of interest to scholars of early Judaism and Christianity, Old Testament studies, and Jewish mysticism and magic. ANDREI A. ORLOV is Professor of Judaism and Christianity in Antiquity at Marquette University. His recent publications include Divine Manifestations in the Slavonic Pseudepigrapha (2009), Selected Studies in the Slavonic Pseudepigrapha (2009), Concealed Writings: Jewish Mysticism in the Slavonic Pseudepigrapha (2011), and Dark Mirrors: Azazel and Satanael in Early Jewish Demonology (2011). Downloaded from Cambridge Books Online by IP 130.209.6.50 on Thu Aug 08 23:36:19 WEST 2013. http://ebooks.cambridge.org/ebook.jsf?bid=CBO9781139856430 Cambridge Books Online © Cambridge University Press, 2013 HEAVENLY PRIESTHOOD IN THE APOCALYPSE OF ABRAHAM ANDREI A. ORLOV Downloaded from Cambridge Books Online by IP 130.209.6.50 on Thu Aug 08 23:36:19 WEST 2013. -
David's Elite Warriors and Their Exploits in the Books of Samuel And
The Journal of Hebrew Scriptures ISSN 1203–1542 http://www.jhsonline.org and http://purl.org/jhs Articles in JHS are being indexed in the ATLA Religion Database, RAMBI, and BiBIL. Their abstracts appear in Reli- gious and Theological Abstracts. The journal is archived by Library and Archives Canada and is accessible for consultation and research at the Electronic Collection site maintained by Library and Archives Canada (for a direct link, click here). Volume 11, Article 5 MOSHE GARSIEL, DAVID’S ELITE WARRIORS AND THEIR EXPLOITS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL AND CHRONICLES 2 JOURNAL OF HEBREW SCRIPTURES DAVID’S ELITE WARRIORS AND THEIR EXPLOITS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL AND CHRONICLES MOSHE GARSIEL BAR-ILAN UNIVERSITY INTRODUCTION In this article,1 I intend to elaborate and update my previous publi- cations dealing with King David’s heroes and their exploits as rec- orded and recounted in the book of Samuel and repeated—with considerable changes—in the book of Chronicles.2 In Samuel, most of the information is included in the last part of the book (2 Sam 21–24), defined by previous scholars as an “Appendix.”3 To- day, several scholars have reservations about such a definition and replace it with “epilogue” or “conclusion,” inasmuch as these four chapters contain links among themselves as well as with the main part of the book.4 In any event, according to my recent research, 1 This article was inspired by my paper delivered at a conference on “The Shaping of the Historical Memory and Consciousness in the Book of Chronicles” that took place in the spring of 2010 at Bar-Ilan University. -
A Theological Reading of the Gideon-Abimelech Narrative
YAHWEH vERsus BAALISM A THEOLOGICAL READING OF THE GIDEON-ABIMELECH NARRATIVE WOLFGANG BLUEDORN A thesis submitted to Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education in accordance with the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts & Humanities April 1999 ABSTRACT This study attemptsto describethe contribution of the Abimelech narrative for the theologyof Judges.It is claimedthat the Gideonnarrative and the Abimelechnarrative need to be viewed as one narrative that focuseson the demonstrationof YHWH'S superiority over Baalism, and that the deliverance from the Midianites in the Gideon narrative, Abimelech's kingship, and the theme of retribution in the Abimelech narrative serve as the tangible matter by which the abstracttheological theme becomesnarratable. The introduction to the Gideon narrative, which focuses on Israel's idolatry in a previously unparalleled way in Judges,anticipates a theological narrative to demonstrate that YHWH is god. YHwH's prophet defines the general theological background and theme for the narrative by accusing Israel of having abandonedYHwH despite his deeds in their history and having worshipped foreign gods instead. YHWH calls Gideon to demolish the idolatrous objects of Baalism in response, so that Baalism becomes an example of any idolatrous cult. Joash as the representativeof Baalism specifies the defined theme by proposing that whichever god demonstrateshis divine power shall be recognised as god. The following episodesof the battle against the Midianites contrast Gideon's inadequateresources with his selfish attempt to be honoured for the victory, assignthe victory to YHWH,who remains in control and who thus demonstrateshis divine power, and show that Baal is not presentin the narrative. -
Three Conquests of Canaan
ÅA Wars in the Middle East are almost an every day part of Eero Junkkaala:of Three Canaan Conquests our lives, and undeniably the history of war in this area is very long indeed. This study examines three such wars, all of which were directed against the Land of Canaan. Two campaigns were conducted by Egyptian Pharaohs and one by the Israelites. The question considered being Eero Junkkaala whether or not these wars really took place. This study gives one methodological viewpoint to answer this ques- tion. The author studies the archaeology of all the geo- Three Conquests of Canaan graphical sites mentioned in the lists of Thutmosis III and A Comparative Study of Two Egyptian Military Campaigns and Shishak and compares them with the cities mentioned in Joshua 10-12 in the Light of Recent Archaeological Evidence the Conquest stories in the Book of Joshua. Altogether 116 sites were studied, and the com- parison between the texts and the archaeological results offered a possibility of establishing whether the cities mentioned, in the sources in question, were inhabited, and, furthermore, might have been destroyed during the time of the Pharaohs and the biblical settlement pe- riod. Despite the nature of the two written sources being so very different it was possible to make a comparative study. This study gives a fresh view on the fierce discus- sion concerning the emergence of the Israelites. It also challenges both Egyptological and biblical studies to use the written texts and the archaeological material togeth- er so that they are not so separated from each other, as is often the case.