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Biblical People

Biblical People: Gideon

Gideon is an interesting judge. The Bible gives us three chapters about key events in his life. Some of what he does inspires us and provides an example to follow. Yet he does other things we should certainly avoid. But aren’t we all like that, with both strengths and weaknesses?  In our first story Gideon […]

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Bible

Gideon Doubts God

Ultimately, Gideon, the Judge, obeys God and realizes a great victory, but he first needs a lot of confirmation to deal with his doubts: 1) Gideon first asks for a sign that the angel had really spoken God’s words. God acquiesces; when the angel touches his staff to the food Gideon prepared, it miraculously ignites […]

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Bible

God Talks to Gideon – and Us

Another familiar character in the book of Judges is Gideon (with three chapters devoted to him). Gideon is generally a fearful man who is cautious of God’s call, but who does fully obey God. There are three initial things that God tells Gideon (though an angel): “The Lord is with you mighty warrior!” Gideon’s response […]

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Biblical People

Biblical People: Hezekiah (1)

Five generations after Joash, his descendant Hezekiah becomes king of Judah. He’s one of the few good ones, perhaps the best. The Bible says he trusts in the Lord God. No king of Judah before or after him is like him. He does right like King David. He removes the high places (which King Jehoshaphat […]

Bible Dictionary

The words and names found in this Bible Dictionary section are taken from the Bible or relate to biblical concepts and principles. Note that some of these words may not be present in all translations or versions of the Bible. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O […]

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Bible

Abimelech — A Failure

One of Gideon‘s sons was Abimelech. It is arguable if Abimelech should be counted as a judge. If so, he would be classified as a failure, for he violently seized power, did not fight for or liberate his people from foreign powers, but instead fought internally, with much loss of life as a result — […]

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Bible

A Reluctant Hero

Judge Deborah was a reluctant hero. Deborah, also a prophetess, received instructions from God to relay to Barak. His mission was to lead a battle against their oppressors. When she shared this with Barak, he balked (as did Moses, Jonah, Gideon, and many others when God called them to a task). Barak did not want […]

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Bible

Do As I Do

Just before Gideon goes to battle, he tells his men to “watch me,” “follow my lead,” and “do exactly what I do.” His men did and God used their collective actions to throw the enemy into complete confusion. As a result, a great victory was won. Gideon’s actions were worthy of emulation. From a spiritual […]

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Bible

Here Comes the Judge

When I think of a judge, I immediately conjure up an image of a person wearing a black robe and presiding over a hearing or trial. Indeed, that is the primary definition of the word “judge.” However, that understanding is greatly misleading when reading the book of Judges in the Bible. In the biblical context […]