DebChats

Isaiah 53 teaches what theologians call "the substitutionary atonement." In what sense does the Servant act as a substitute to bear our sins? Put it in your own words. I do not have to go to hell because 'the Servant' went there for me. I do not have to be sick because 'the Servant' took on my illnesses. I do not have to be poor because 'the Servant' was made poverty for me. I do not have to sacrifice or bear sin because 'the Servant' sacrificed and bore sin for me. I could go on and on about what 'the Servant' has done for me. I no longer have to live under the curse and I am victorious over the devil and his demons because of 'the Servant'. 'The Servant' did more than bear my sins .. 'the Servant' made me free from the law of sin and death and gave me life eternal. Thank you Jesus!

Which New Testament parallels to Isaiah 53 convince you that Jesus himself saw his own mission and destiny spelled out in Isaiah 53? If you aren't convinced, what stands in your way? John 15:25 and Is. 53:3. Matt. 16:21 and Is. 53:7. These are just two that I sought out and found. I am sure there are many others. I do not need convincing. I believe Jesus is our Savior .. I have believed this since I can remember.

From how large a group of people does God remove sins in Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12? In what sense is this a universal sacrifice of salvation? In what sense is Jesus' sacrifice wasted on some people? There is not any mention of how many exactly, but there is reference that there will be many that accept this salvation. And many nations as well. It is universal in the fact that whomever desires "salvation" or "forgiveness of sins" can receive both. Before Jesus, only the nation of Israel could receive "forgiveness of sins". Though I disagree with the concept that Jesus's sacrifice was wasted, I think I understand the question .. Just as there will be many who accept the sacrifice, there also will be many who do not accept this sacrifice. Though the bible clearly states that God wishes ALL to repent and accept the sacrifice (2Pet.3:9), the bible also states that Jesus bares the sins of 'many' (Is.53:12). To say that Jesus bares the sins of many would tell me that He did not bear the sins of 'all'.

What do you think God intended animal sacrifice teach us about sin? About holiness? About God's nature? I believe that God had the animal sacrifice as a law to keep His people aware of sin. Those lost are not aware of sin and God did not want His people lost. Though, we are all God's people .. Those lost after the death and ressurection, refuse to accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We can have faith and we can have charity apart from God - we have faith in many things and can be charitable in many things - but we cannot have holiness apart from God. Jesus was holiness. Holiness is a state of being and the opposite of uncleanness (1TH.4:7). We inherit this "holiness" or state of being when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. We could not have inherited this "holiness" without the death of Christ. I believe the very nature of God is love and also law. The death of Jesus was this love and law in action.

In what sense is God's provision of animal sacrifice for forgiveness of sins an expression of his mercy? Were animal sacrifices actually adequate to atone for human sin? God's provision of animal sacrifice was to ready and to maintain the habit and ritual of atoning for our sins. Just as the "lost" have no sense of their sins, everyone could have lost their sense of their sinful natures. Knowing God cannot abide with sinful natures, He made a way of keeping us close until He could rid us of sin. Isn't He awesome?? Animal sacrifices did not wash away sin. It did keep man in touch with God, but until the "holy veil" was rent, we could not as individuals come to the throne of our Father. Jesus is the only one that could make this possible.

What are the basic elements involved in a sacrifice for sin? (Leviticus 4:32-35; 5:5-6) Which of these are still necessary for forgiveness of sins today? Which are no longer necessary? Why? I understand the basic elements to be an animal, an altar, a priest, and confession. Confession is still necessary for forgiveness of sins today. We need no longer to sacrifice animals, nor to have altars, nor to go to a priest. Confession is necessary because we must be aware of our sin in order to bring it to God and let Him change us in that sinful area.

Why is animal sacrifice repulsive to modern people? How much of this has to do with a city vs. a farming way of life? It is repulsive because most modern people do not see the slaughter of animals. There food is prepackaged and prepared so they think of slaughtered animals as a steak or hamburger or pork chop. Might be interesting to ask how repulsive this is to a butcher. I would say this compares greatly with city vs. farm life. Most who are raised on a farm or work the farm see animals slaughtered. City people do not.

Why is anger an appropriate response to sin? What is the difference between capricious or uncontrolled anger and anger that brings about justice? God always uses anger in it's proper persepective. Anger is an appropiate response because God is righteous and sin is not. Anger also reveals God's mercy. The difference would be the outcome. Capricious or uncontrolled anger would result in fear or spread even more anger. Anger that brings about justice results in .. justice.

Because in John1:29, John the Baptist, also claims He takes away the sins of the world. The only way to do atone for sin in the OT, is to sacrifice an animal, many times a lamb. There is also reference to this in 1Peter1:19 and Rev.12:11. Lev.4:32-35 is a reference in the OT. Note that in Lev.4:27 states this sacrifice of a lamb - is for the common people. I believe this to be a "radical concept" because in the OT, there was no such sacrifie - sacrifice was an individual or congregational atonement for the Israelites. Sacrifice was not made available to the world.

Hello. My name is Debbie. I completed the Gideon online bible study and enjoyed it immensely so here I am .. Back for more! I have known Jesus all my life but did not get saved until eleven years ago. Getting to know the Word has been a lifesaver. I hope to understand things about Jesus even more .. in this study.

The Israelites experience peace in the land for 40 years. The Israelites become strong enough to ward off their enemies.

It is looked upon as prostitution or adultery because our relationship with God is like a marriage. God only is to be worshipped, spiritually. To worship another or another thing is like "having an affair" behind God's back. God has a covenant (or contract) with his people, much like marriage vows. I face temptations such as food (especially sugar), TV, family to mention a few. I keep most of these at bay (or in their proper perspective) bye fasting and prayer. I even have to fast from the internet and TBN, occasionally.

A snare is anything that keeps us in bondage and disobedience. It is a trap. The ephod becomes the center of focus and worship among the Israelites. Just as the altar of Baal had been a snare of Joash and his family and all who came to worship the altar. It becomes sin when it results in disobedience to God and His Word. Therefore, we must be aware of God and His Word. Sin is sin, with or without our knowledge of sin. Idolatry was the essence of sin here. The ephod was worshipped, not God. Gideon has provided the ephod and he knows better that to leave the ephod standing, for the Israelites to come worship.

An ephod was a garment worn by high priests and later worn by David and Samuel. Some ephods are very colorful and this signifies they are of rank. I imagine the ephod that Gideon made to look like a golden apron.

Gideon asks for an "earring" from each individual. Gideon was not wrong to ask for or take the reward. Christians still seek and take such rewards to this day. The sin began when the Israelites saw the value and splendor of the ephod and became so enamored with the ephod, that they began worshipping the ephod.

Gideon refuses because he knows the Israelites need God, not a human leader. It would be taking credit for something that someone else did. In other words .. It was God's idea to free the Israelites, not Gideon. It was God's plan that worked to free the Israelites. They were not in correct covenant with God and they were hungry for a leader.

Gideon slays them because they killed his brothers. This is a prime example of "an eye for an eye". I believe he was just in killing these men. The dangers of letting them go is too great. There are many reasons God would forbid us taking revenge. We live in a world of deceitfulness and emotions. It would be chaotic to take our own revenge. God brought His kingdom here to this earth for those that want to live in it .. We must live by His Word .. not our feelings or our own reasoning.

Because they are afraid of the Midianites. They see how small Gideon's army is and I am sure they are aware of how large the clan of Midianites are. Their sin is not trusting God but believing in their fears instead. I do not see Gideon as justified by punishing them. Someone said it is a time for "an eye for an eye". I do not even see this punishment as an eye for an eye. Gideon did not let them be starved, he beat them to a bloody pulp. "Vengeance is mine" saith the Lord. These Israelites were not out hunting Gideon's army and causing starvation upon them. Gideon came to them and they were afraid. God should handle the punishment. When others are afraid for their lives and do not have trust or faith in God.

Because Gideon has them on the run and afraid now. He must follow through with defeating them or they will gather their wits and retaliate sooner or later. The danger is .. the problem will always return at some time or another, if we do not deal with it fully.

To come and take the waters of Bethbarah and Jordan from the Midianites possession. The Ephraimites are angry because Gideon did not call on them to help in the battle. Gideon assures the Ephraimites that their job is as important and they needed to be where they were. He tells them God delivered Oreb and Zeeb (princes of Midian) into their hands. I have learned that it is wise to not see ourselves or our jobs as "the most important". God truly does the work ... And everyone has a job to do for God.

Gideon divides the army three companies so that they can surround the Midianites and create an illusion of a large army. (The dream works ties in with this strategy.) This strategy is clever. The trumpets are quite noisy .. Adding to the illusion of being surrounded. The Midianites now feel outnumbered and afraid. The pitchers are to break adding to the noise and creating a sense of chaos. The torches instill even more fear, as the Midianites fear their tents being set afire. The result is chaos amongst the Midianites. This works because the Midianites are focused on escaping, instead of fighting or retaliation. Isn't God a genius?

The rolling barley loaf is a "symbol" of Gideon and his sword and the capturing of the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the others. God does this so that Gideon is encouraged. Gideon sees many enemies and his own army is very small in comparison. God wants Gideon to know He is with him.

I do not know why God told Gideon to choose the lappers as opposed to the kneelers. I wondered which one I would be if I were there. I suppose I would be a lapper if I were not all that thirsty. However, I would kneel if extremely thirsty. This does not answer the question .. but is interesting.

1. Because "faith" is scary. God's directions may appear improbable or even impossible and we are surrounded by logic. However, if all things were logic, then no one would need faith. 2. God's thoughts are not always our thoughts and His ways are not always our ways, so there will be many times God's directions do not make sense to us. Disobedience and it's consequences is the danger here. 3. There are times when we cannot seek confirmation. We need not be afraid of being wrong by following what we think is God's direction when we cannot get confirmation. God can always take what is wrong and make it right. He can do nothing with fear. I would rather be wrong than afraid.

God felt the army was too large (32,000) because when they captured the Midianites, Gideon and his army may have felt inclined to believe they had captured the Midianites due to their own size and capabilities and not according to God's power. It is imperative for Israel to know that God has not forsaken them, therefore God must shrink the army so Israel knows HE is the one responsible for delivering them from the Midianites and others. Their faith and allegiance must be to God, not Gideon and his army. The pressure of performance and possible failure and extreme responsibility would be some of the pressures felt by Gideon, had he NOT obeyed. Gideon obeyed fully when God gave him reassurance when he sent him to overhear the Midianites speak of being captured by Gideon and his small army.