Ladies Bible Study – Page 12

Judges ~ Lesson 9

September 8, 2021September 14, 2021 Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,

Questions to Consider

1. Go back to lesson 3 (link above) and review your answer to the first part of question 5, Israel’s pattern of sin and repentance in 2:16-23. How does today’s passage fit this pattern? How does today’s passage fit the theme verse of Judges (21:25), “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”?

2. Briefly review lesson 8 (link above) to set the scene for this week’s passage.

3. Read 1-2. Who were Jerubbaal and Abimelech? (1) Was Gideon’s son supposed to rule over the people? (2) Who was supposed to rule over them? Before you read any farther in chapter 9, think about this: The book of Judges is a case study of what happens when people reject God’s authority over their lives in favor of their own authority over their lives. How has that worked out in Judges so far? How do you think that’s going to work out for Abimelech and the people of Shechem in Chapter 9?

How did that work out for you before you got saved? Consider that every time you sin, even as a Christian, you are rejecting God’s authority (His commands in His Word) in favor of your own (“I’ll do what I want.”). How does that work out for you, even as a Christian?

4. Read 3-21. Who was Baal-berith? (4) Explain (16-20) the parable Jotham told in 7-15. What was the message he was trying to get across to the people of Shechem and to Abimelech? Had the people of Shechem “dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house and have done to him as his deeds deserved”? (16)

Compare Jotham’s courage and actions (16-21) to his father Gideon’s courage and actions. Consider Jotham’s (21) and Gideon’s actions to protect themselves and minimize danger to themselves at the hands of evil men while / after doing the right and godly thing. Does this indicate cowardice or prudence? Why?

5. Read 22-57. Summarize, in your own words, the plot line of this story. How does God’s justice bookend (23-24, 57) this story and point to God as the perfectly just judge? How does this story drive home the point that God should have been the One to rule over the people? That they should have submitted to His rule and authority instead of trading it for their own rule and authority?

The “Tower of Shechem” (46) and the “strong tower” of Thebez (51) were reinforced, military towers. Many fortified cities of the time built these towers for the exact purpose we see in this passage – so that, if the city were under siege, its leaders (and often the majority of the town, see verses 49, 51), could lock themselves into it and, hopefully, survive the onslaught. Those inside the tower had the advantage of height and could shoot (arrows) or throw things (53) down onto the enemy. Those attacking the tower had the disadvantage of being exposed in an open area. How does this knowledge help you better understand passages like these?

Compare 52-54 – Abimelech’s shame over a woman killing him – with God crediting women – Deborah and Jael – instead of Barak, with the victory over Sisera (lesson 5, link above). Does Abimelech’s shame help you get even more of a sense that the story of Deborah is not a “girl power” story but a “man up” story?

What was the “curse of Jotham ” (20) mentioned in verse 57?

6. “Bible trivia” question: Where else in Scripture is the event in 52-54 described, and why is it mentioned there? (Check your answer here.)

Homework

Verse 23 says that “God sent an evil spirit”. Does this indicate that God somehow approves of evil or that God instigates sin or forces people to sin? Consider how evil Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem already were and how many evil spirits were already hard at work in their lives and this situation. How can you tell from the text that this particular evil spirit mentioned in verse 23 was not inciting anything that was against the will of Abimelech or the men of Schechem?

Look up the cross-references for verse 23. Since God is completely sovereign over every aspect of the universe, can evil spirits (demons) go anywhere or do anything without God permitting them to do so? Think about all of the demons that must be at work in the world today. Are any of them acting outside of God’s control? Upon comparing verse 23 and its cross-references, can you see how these references to God “sending” an evil spirit are simply pulling back the curtain a bit on the spiritual realm to give us a glimpse of how God specifically uses a particular evil spirit in a particular situation?

Suggested Memory Verse

Judges Bible Study

Judges ~ Lesson 8

September 3, 2021September 7, 2021 Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,

Read Judges 8

Questions to Consider

2. Briefly review lesson 7 (link above) to set the scene for this week’s passage.

3. Remember that the Bible didn’t have chapter and verse markings when it was originally written. Judges 8:1 picks up in the middle of a story. Back up and read 7:24-8:3, and the first part of chapter 8 will make more sense.

Describe in your own words what’s going on here. What happened? (7:24-25) What did the men of Ephraim think should have happened – why were their noses out of joint? (8:1 – think about the ego of men as it relates to covering themselves in the glory of battle, and the fact that Ephraim was called up in the middle of the battle).

How did Gideon’s reply (8:2-3) appease the Ephraimites? (Think about the gleaning / harvest comparison, the military glory of killing the enemy’s leader, and the reference to Abiezer.) Explain the wisdom of Gideon’s reply.

4. Read 4-17. Just for reference, which Midianite leaders had Gideon already captured and put to death, and which Midianite leaders was he now pursuing? (8:5)

Think about the intensity of hospitality in Israel at that time – the kind of hospitality that compelled Israelites to take in even strangers as overnight guests. Also consider the strong sense of brotherhood that existed among the 12 tribes of Israel. Look at the words and actions of the men of Succoth and Penuel through that lens and describe how dastardly they were.

As judge, was Gideon’s response justified? Did he act out of personal retaliation, or out of meting out justice, and to set an example for Israel for the future? What is the common, underlying principle between Gideon disciplining the men of Succoth and Penuel and New Testament church discipline? When there’s “sin in the camp,” why is it necessary for that sin to be rooted out from among God’s people? What are the benefits of dealing with it biblically? What are the potential consequences of letting it fester?

5. Read 18-21. How does this wrap up the story of the battle against the Midianites?

Notice the theme of manhood and masculinity that saturates this passage. Examine each verse and what it says about what makes a man a man. Do any or all of these ideas line up with what Scripture says about being a godly man? Which Scriptures about godly manhood do these ideas bring to mind? How would the portrayal of manhood in this passage stack up against Jesus’ portrayal of godly manhood?

6. Read 22-35. Why did the men of Israel want Gideon to rule over them? (22) Was Gideon the one who saved them from Midian? Who was? How does this explain Gideon’s response in verse 23?

What was an ephod? Why do you think Gideon made an ephod? How did Gideon compromise between the end of verse 23 and the beginning of verse 24? How does compromising on God’s rule and reign always lead to idolatry? Notice how idols bookended Gideon’s life. He started by tearing one down and ended by setting up another.

When you see someone singled out and named in a seemingly random piece of information like Abimelech is in 30-31, keep an eye out for that person and/or piece of information in a future passage (we saw this in lesson 5).

“The people of Israel did not remember the Lord their God who had delivered them from [their enemies]…” (34) “Do this in remembrance of Me.” – Jesus, referring to the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19). How prone are we to forgetting the Lord our God who delivered us from the Enemy through Christ? How does the Lord’s Supper, the gathering of the saints, and the proclamation of the Word help us to remember?

Israel idolized Gideon. They idolized the ephod. And as soon as Gideon died, they idolized Baal-berith. Gideon risked his life to tear down Israel’s idols, and yet fell into idolatry himself at the end of his life.

Think back to lessons 6 & 7 (links above) and the lengths God went to in order to send the message loud and clear to Gideon and to Israel that He alone is God, that He alone saves, and that He alone was to get the glory for the victory over Midian. Why didn’t they get it?

Do passages like this ever pierce your heart? Do you ever wonder if there’s something you’re just not getting even though God has gone to great lengths in Christ and His Word to make it loud and clear to you? Spend some time in prayer asking God to help you avoid the failure of Gideon and the Israelites, to open your eyes to any areas of your life in which you’re not getting it, and to help you obey and stay faithful to Him.

Homework

Think about the words and actions of the men of Succoth and Penuel in light of what the New Testament teaches and shows us about Christian hospitality and care. What is one tangible way you can help provide for a brother or sister in Christ this week? Go do it.

Suggested Memory Verse

Judges Bible Study

Judges ~ Catch Up Week

August 25, 2021August 23, 2021 Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,

I’m out of pocket this week, so you get a catch up week!

Catch up on any lessons you might be behind on, go back and do any of the homework you may not have had time for, review your memory verses, or if you’re already caught up, you could even read ahead in Judges a little. It’s your week to use as you see fit. Happy studying!

Judges Bible Study

Judges ~ Lesson 7

August 18, 2021August 17, 2021 Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,

Read Judges 7

Questions to Consider

2. Briefly review the end of Judges 6 to set the scene for today’s passage.

3. Using a good Bible map, attempt to locate all of the places mentioned in today’s passage.

4. Read 1-3. How many men did Gideon start out with (3)? How many men did Midian, the Amalekites, and the people of the East have? Do the math (the number of the enemy divided by the number of Gideon’s men) – how many of the enemy were there for every one of Gideon’s men? And yet God said whose army had too many men? (2) Why did Gideon’s army have too many men? (2)

Notice the “spoiler” God gives Gideon in verse 2. How might that have allayed Gideon’s fears and reassured him?

Keep the 22,000 fearful men who left (3) in mind as you read the remainder of today’s passage. What blessings and opportunities did they miss by giving in to their fear?

Looking back at chapter 6 (and ahead to 7:10-11), notice the motif of Gideon’s fearfulness. Compare Gideon’s fearfulness to that of the 22,000 (3). Did Gideon give in to his fears or follow and obey the Lord despite his fears? How was He able to do that? What blessings and opportunities came to Gideon as a result of following and faithfulness despite fear? Think about how many times in Scripture God says “fear not” or “do not be afraid”. How is Gideon a good example to us of how to respond to God and His Word when we are afraid?

5. Read 4-8. Think about God’s reasons (2) for so severely reducing the size of Gideon’s army alongside some of God’s actions we looked at in lesson 6 (link above): God bringing Israel “very low,” God choosing the weakest man from the weakest clan to lead Israel in battle, God having Baal’s altar and the Asherah pole torn down and replaced by His own. How do God’s actions indicate that He wants it clear – to Gideon, Israel, the Midianites, and the world – that He alone is God, that He alone saves, and that He alone is to get the glory for this victory?

Most reputable theologians agree that there is little, if any, spiritual or tangible significance to God using the way the men drank (5) to separate out the 300 men He wanted with Gideon. It was just an expedient and easily visible way to show Gideon who He wanted. But consider God’s sovereignty over such a small thing. Who created these men with either a natural or learned propensity to drink each way? How did God use such a small thing to guide each man’s life in this situation? How does God choosing these particular 300 men and not the 9700 other men demonstrate to us the concept that God has his own reasons for the choices He makes and we aren’t always privy to those reasons? How does all of this impact your understanding of God directing our steps?

With Gideon’s army now reduced to 300, do the math again. How many of the enemy were there to every one of Gideon’s men?

6. Read 9-18. Notice again the motif of Gideon’s fear. How did God reassure him? (9b, 10-11) How does this demonstrate God’s compassion and mercy toward His children who are faithful, yet fearful? Did Gideon have any real reason to be afraid? What was his response to God’s reassurance? (15a)

How do you suppose the Midianites knew who Gideon was? (14) If they knew who Gideon was, what did they also know about God? Did the Midianites have a real reason to be afraid? How could the same dream (13-14) gave courage to God’s faithful servant, but frighten unbelievers?

How does Gideon, the cake of barley bread (13-14), point ahead to Jesus, the Bread of Life that came down from Heaven – and will one day return – with a sword?

7. Read 19-25. Think about the motif of shining light into darkness. (16, 19-20) What does light represent in Scripture? Darkness? How does this passage point us to Jesus, the light of the world? How does it point to us, His followers, as the light of the world? As Gideon experienced temporally (21b), what is often the effect, spiritually, of shining the light of Christ into the enemy’s darkness? Does the darkness or the light eventually win in the end? (24-25)

Homework

Think about the fearfulness of Gideon, the 22,000, and the Midianites in today’s passage. Now consider your own fearfulness. Are you now, or have you ever been, in a situation that caused you to be fearful? Did you, like the Midianites, have good reason to be fearful because you were an unbelieving rebel? Were you fearful but faithful as Gideon was? Did you let fear or faith inform your actions? Did fear cause you to flee, like the 22,000? What blessings or opportunities did you miss out on by fleeing in fear, or did you experience by remaining faithful despite your fear? Ask God to help you learn from today’s passage and from your own experience about responding to scary situations in faith despite your fears. You may wish to read my article Fear Not: 9 Biblical Ways to Trade Worry for Trust.

Suggested Memory Verse

Bible Study, Mailbag

The Mailbag: What Is the Verse Mapping Method of Bible Study?

August 16, 2021August 15, 2021 Michelle Lesley

Originally published June 19, 2017

What is the “verse mapping” method of Bible study? Do you recommend it? A friend was asking about it and she is a big follower of Proverbs 31 Ministries, which was a red flag for me.

This is an excellent question, because there are lots of different Bible study methods out there, some good, some not. And you want to make sure you’re using a method that will help you correctly understand the text so you can grow in your faith.

I had never heard of verse mapping either, so I did what I usually do when I’ve never heard of something but want to know what it is- I Googled it. And several red flags popped up for me too.

The first hit I got was this article written by someone who thinks Beth Moore is an exemplary Bible teacher and that The Message is a reliable translation. She linked to an article on verse mapping at Proverbs 31, whose author says we need to “listen to God’s voice“. The Proverbs 31 article linked to another blogger – “the one who taught us how to verse map” – who recommended closing your eyes, letting your Bible fall open and pointing to a random verse as one way to choose a verse to map.

The rest of the first two pages of search results all seemed to be from Christian women’s blogs, none of whom I was familiar with. That’s not to say there’s necessarily anything wrong with those women or their blogs, I’m just saying I didn’t see any well known, doctrinally sound ministries recommending verse mapping in the most popular Google results.

I get the impression from these articles that verse mapping methodology can be a bit fluid. The first blogger used a journal and made copious notes (her method appeared to me to be more akin to inductive Bible study). The other two used an index card and wrote very few notes. So it would seem there’s no one set way to do verse mapping, but the general idea is to pick a Bible verse and dissect it (in various ways, depending on which method of verse mapping you’re using) as your daily Bible study format.

Separating the method itself away from the taint of false teachers, some of the recommended techniques in verse mapping are solid and could be very helpful, such as using commentaries, looking words up in the original Greek or Hebrew, writing down what is happening in the verse, and looking at the immediate context of the verse. These are all good principles of biblical hermeneutics, and if you use them as part of a systematic study of a book of the Bible or as part of a study on a biblical topic, your understanding of God’s word will be greatly aided.

The problem is, a) using it as your sole form of Bible study isn’t going to teach you all that studying longer passages of the Bible will, and b) those aforementioned good techniques are mixed in with some bad techniques, so you have to be discerning enough to tell which is which. And, chances are, if you’re discerning enough to do that, you’re probably a good student of the Bible who’s already using the good techniques of verse mapping, so you don’t really need it.

The bad techniques?

1. Choosing random verses to dissect
There’s more to the context of a verse than just the couple of verses that immediately precede and follow it. There’s how the verse fits into its chapter, book, testament, and the overall narrative of Scripture. If you skip through Scripture picking out a verse here and a verse there to analyze you’re going to misunderstand those verses because you’re not going to know the larger context they fit into in their own immediate story and the story arc of redemption. Can you imagine studying any other piece of literature – a Shakespearean sonnet, the Declaration of Independence, a medical journal article – this way, picking out a random sentence or two here and there? Of course not. Then why would we study the Bible this way?

2. Personalizing the verse
One of the techniques verse mapping recommends is to cross out all general referents (you, they, we, etc.) and replace them with your own name. Do not do this.

First and foremost this exhibits utter disdain for the God of the universe who wrote the Bible. If He wanted your name to be in Scripture, it would already be there. You don’t get to change, even temporarily, what He wrote, and to think it’s OK to do so is arrogant and irreverent. These are the very words of God Himself- do you really dare to change them?

Second, it’s an extremely self-centered way to look at Scripture. The Bible isn’t about you and it wasn’t written to you. When those words were penned, there were real, live people – just as important as you – on the other end, and none of them were you because you hadn’t been born yet.

Third, doing this will almost certainly give you a wrong understanding of the verse. “You” doesn’t always mean you personally, Buttercup. Sometimes “you” means Israel. Sometimes “you” means the church. Sometimes “you” means Amos or Cain or Judas or Philemon. Sometimes “you” means God. Sometimes “you” even means Satan. And sticking your name in for one of these “you’s” is going to lead you away from a correct understanding of Scripture, not toward it.

3. Focus on anything that jumps out at you
Again, this is a very self-centered way to look at Scripture. Just because something jumps out at you doesn’t mean it’s the main point of the verse or that it has significant spiritual import. Certainly, if there’s a word in the verse that you don’t understand you should look it up. Or, if you find some concept in the verse interesting, go ahead and search out the cross-references for clarity. But don’t assume that word you’ve looked up or that concept you find interesting is the meaning of the verse just because it happened to catch your attention. When we study the Bible, we search for what God meant by that verse.

4. Find verses that minister to you
Now I ask you, if you follow that guideline, how often are you going to pick verses out of Leviticus that have nothing to do with your life today? When will you pick verses that step on your toes and convict you of sin? Will you ever examine hard verses that take a lot of historical and cultural understanding? At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this is a self-centered way to look at Scripture. Yes, the Bible can bring us comfort and reassurance, but the Bible isn’t a bottle of aspirin. You don’t just pop a couple of verses whenever you have a headache. The Bible isn’t there to minister to you. It’s there to equip you to minister to God, the church, your family, the lost. There’s a reason God wants pastors to preach the whole counsel of God – we need all of God’s word, even the parts that don’t “minister” to us.

In conclusion, I would not recommend verse mapping as a whole the way it is presented in the aforementioned articles, but some of the individual techniques I noted can be helpful as part of your regular, systematic study of Scripture.

If you need a little help learning how to study your Bible using good study habits, click the Bible Studies tab at the top of this page.

If you have a question about: a Bible passage, an aspect of theology, a current issue in Christianity, or how to biblically handle a family, life, or church situation, comment below (I’ll hold all questions in queue {unpublished} for a future edition of The Mailbag) or send me an e-mail or private message. If your question is chosen for publication, your anonymity will be protected.