Tribes in Deborah?

I am reading The Oxford History of the Biblical World.

A few interesting points. There are parallel stories. One of the most surprising is that from the Song of Deborah you count 10 tribes, not 12. Of which 2 are not considered tribes generally.

Sam, Michael and Anna

Once upon a time there were three children called Sam, Michael and Anna. Now these children were best friends and all went to the same school. One day it was RE. Today Miss T. Ollertant was teaching about Buddhism. She told the class that Buddhism was the best religion because it said that good things…

The Call of Ezekial and thoughts on God

What does the call of Ezekiel teach about God – some notes. Eyes – all seeing Moving all over the place – Omnipresent (everywhere) Throne above – in control Noise – power Great expanse – power Living creatures – power

Agents/recipients of wrath

There are many examples in the Old Testament of people and nations being instruments of God’s justice only to find themselves later rebuked or destroyed themselves. Jehu –  After destroying Ahab’s family (2 Kings 9,10) which seemed at the time to be accomplishing the purposes of God. We are later told that punishment will come…

Elijah vs Elisha

When Elijah flees for his life to Mount Horeb God tells him “anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet” (1 Kings 19:15-16). Elijah only got round to anointing the latter. Elisha’s name means “God…

Thoughts on “Samson: A Tragedy in Three Acts” by Shimon Bakon

Article available here  Things that were new to me: There is mention of God moving Samson in his early life and one has to consider how it was that he became a judge, so perhaps he had a golden age that the Bible doesn’t mention. “and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him…

Review of “Gideon and the Ephraimites” by Josiah Derby

Link to article I found this very interesting article on Google. It highlighted a very interesting point I had not noted when I read the passage on Gideon (Judges 6 – 8). In Judges, Chapter 8 we read “Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us like this? Why didn’t you call us when…

The Judges: an overview

Judge: Othniel Tribe: Judah Ref: 3:7 – 11 Oppressor: Aram Naharaim Years of oppression: 8 Years of peace: 40 Judge: Ehud Tribe: Benjamin Ref: 3:12 – 30 Oppressor: Moab, Amalek, Ammon Years of oppression: 18 Years of peace: 80 Judge: Deborah/ Barak Tribe: Naphtali Ref: Chs 4,5 Oppressor: Jabin/ Canaan Years of oppression: 20 Years of…

Order and Creation in the Ancient Near East

The three great influences on the Hebrew Bible are Canaan, Egypt and Babylon. Each of these had well developed beliefs about the gods, creation and order in the cosmos. In the Ancient Near East they had no concept of nothingness before creation. For them the opposite of an ordered creation was total disorder often cast…

The Oracles of Balaam

Numbers 22-24 Balaam son of Beor is a curios character – a man of extremes. He was from Pethor near the Euphrates so hundreds of miles east from Moab. On the one hand he held to what God said. He refused to curse Israel against God’s will. However, he was lured by power and money…

Abraham in context

Just watched video from http://brucegore.com/VideoPlay2.aspx Was interesting but not as good as the videos on Enuma Elish and The Epic of Gilgamesh. Some interesting points. When looking on map I saw the main cities along the fertile crescent: Allepo, Damascus, Haran, Ninevah, Babylon. In ancient covenants each party would walk between animals that had been cut…

Genesis 3 and 4

Similarities between Genesis 3 and 4. 1. God has warned Caan as he warned Adam and Eve. 2. God confronts Caan as he did Adam. 3. A curse is pronounced. 4. There is a sending away. Caan is sent away from farming to being a restless wanderer. 5. There is mercy even in judgement. God…