Judges 9 presents the story of Abimelech, Gideon’s son. This is a relatively unfamiliar story. It is never taught in Sunday School and it is not a very popular topic for preaching. This is possibly because it is so gruesome, so horribly sad, and because it seems to have no redeeming value. It is a […]
Readings: Joshua 23, Judges 1 Judges 1 serves an an introduction to the entire book of Judges, setting the stage with a list of triumphs and tragedies, fulfillments and failures. A Positive Beginning The Book of Judges begins by telling the reader that Joshua, the great leader of the conquest, has died. […]
Readings: Joshua 5, Judges 2-3:6 The Angel of the Lord Judges 2 opens with the Angel of the LORD appearing to the people of Israel at Bochim. First, notice the Angel goes up from Gilgal. What was He doing in Gilgal? The last reference to the Angel of the LORD in the Bible is when […]
There is no direct reference to the angel of the Lord by that name or title in the book of Joshua. However, there is a record of “a man . . . with a drawn sword in his hand” who confronts Joshua as he contemplates his attack on the city of Jericho. The man identifies […]