Categories
Discussions Prophets and Writings

Judges 16 — Samson’s prophetic downfall

https://hallel.info/wp-content/uploads/file/080517%20Judges%2016.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:00 — )Subscribe: RSSSamson’s "downfall" at the hands of Delilah and the Philistines is a popular Bible story. However, Samson is more prophet — often a messianic figure — than delivering judge. Other than "I won’t leave you alone," what is the message God is telling us?

Categories
Discussions Prophets and Writings

Judges 15 — Samson’s mysterious jawboning about donkeys

https://hallel.info/wp-content/uploads/file/080503%20Judges%2015.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:53 — )Subscribe: RSSThe stories of Samson’s mighty victories with a jawbone of a donkey and torches lit between foxes’ tails are favorites in children’s books. Was Samson just a clever brute hero, or is God trying to send a message down through the ages about what […]

Categories
Discussions Prophets and Writings

Judges 14 — Samson’s prophetic parable

Samson is often depicted as a hedonistic yet blessed mealy-minded muscleman, but the Bible puts him forward as a ruler of Israel. Actually, he was a prophet too, as seen in his riddle to the Philistines in this chapter.

Categories
Discussions Prophets and Writings

Judges 12–13 — Samson also rises

The account of Samson, the strongman of ancient Israel is well-known. Yet what was so important about the Nazirite vow, which partly involved no haircuts, he and his mother were made to take? Who is God’s mystery angel named Wonderful and God-like.

Categories
Discussions Prophets and Writings

Judges 11:12-40: Jephthah’s rash vow seals daughter’s future

Yeeftakh (Jephthah), whose name means “he opens,” is one of the most tragic of the judges of ancient Israel. His rash vow to God that ended being fulfilled by his daughter as a sacrifice disturbs many people. However, a close look at the account suggests quite a different outcome.

Categories
Appointments With God Purim

Reflections on Purim, the Feast of Lots in the book of Esther

Many think Purim, the festival connected to the Bible book of Esther, is a minor Jewish holiday, but it speaks even more loudly to believers in Messiah Yeshua. It’s about the past and our future.

Categories
Discussions Prophets and Writings

Judges 10:1–11:11: Israel’s backsliding leaders Tola, Jair, Jephthah

This passage looks at three leaders of ancient Israel: Tola, Yair (Jair), and Yeftah (Jephthah). After 45 years under the guidance of the first two, Israel then slid into devotion to the gods of surrounding nations. Israel finally realized the oppression under Philistia and Ammon was to turn them back to the LORD, Who led the nation out of bondage in Egypt.