Vickie

Jesus is with us (His Church) always, walking among us (Holy Spirit). He is not only among us, but also "keeps our light burning" (tending to the lampstands) by edifying us through the Holy Spirit, because we are His and He cares for us.

Jesus is the Head of the Church. Here His sovereignty is shown to John to prove He is Lord, not just a teacher. We are to be encouraged and elated to know that He reigns over our lives! We must recognize and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior, because that is the basis for our whole faith--without Him, we have no communion, or right to commune, with the Father!

The continents of Africa, Asia, Asia-Minor, and parts of Central/South America are experiencing the worst of Christian persecution. Revelation shows that we will triumph through ALL tribulations and will prevail with Jesus!

The Father is eternal--Creator of all things from the beginning of time to the end of days. Jesus, too, proclaims He is eternal--beginning and end of all time--in other words, He IS God, Creator, Sovereign Lord.

To witness to others in times of persecution, especially, proves Who Jesus is--Savior of the World, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, for why else would ordinary people put themselves at risk to proclaim Him? Take the disciples, for example. As disciples, they were weak, emotion-driven and fearful. After the Resurrection and the Day of Pentecost when they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Jesus' Helper), they went forth boldly, proclaiming Him even to the death. So should we, as frail, fallible humans go forth boldly to proclaim Him, not being afraid of what others may think, say or do. For, after all, He has already won the war...we just have to fight the battles! I pray for the boldness and conviction to tell everyone about Him. And, as for us (the United States) not being persecuted: we may not be in danger of being beaten or martyred (yet), but it IS persecution when we are no longer able to pray in our public schools, in our courts, or display our Lord's name and commandments!

Hi! My name is Vickie, I live in New Mexico (yes, that is in the United States!) with my wonderful husband and 4 kids (15, 9, 7 and soon to be 3). We are active in our small Southern Baptist church. I participated in the Gideon study in the spring, but had to drop out at the end because of time constraints (we have an internet business, kids/school, I do the church newsletter and church website, and I am in charge of one of our women's ministries...making sleeping bags for the homeless...not much free time! Think I need to cut back somewhere...maybe sell the children LOL! ) I am looking forward to this study. I read Revelation when I was a Christian newbie, and it was difficult at best! It is hard to understand it all when we know that God's Word is infallible and inerrant, but Revelation is so full of hyperbole and imagery that it is hard to know what it is saying to us!

Well, I feel like I'm just repeating myself. Well, I feel like I'm just repeating myself. But, again I want to say I believe God wanted to show the Israelites that no matter how many animals were sacrificed, the sin was a continual problem. The priests had to sacrifice hour after hour, day after day, for hundreds years. That is an awful lot of blood shed! In requiring a payment for sin, the Israelites were to learn that there is always a reaction to their actions. God is just, God is righteous and holy, and he cannot look upon His unholy, unrighteous, unjust people without an atonement. I think this shows us that God is not only just, but also forgiving...a God of second chances, a God of a million second chances! Thank You, Father, for being so loving and kind. Thank You SO much, Jesus, for saving us!

Hi, Everyone! I'm Vickie, from New Mexico, and happy to be back with another of Pastor Ralph's studies. My husband and I, along with our 4 children, are active in a First Baptist Church near our home. I am in charge of the church newsletter, am developing a website for the church and have just started a homeless sleeping bag ministry ("My Brother's Keeper"). My husband teaches the RA's (Royal Ambassadors...young boys 6-12 years) at our church and is a Yokefellow. We have a home internet business selling toys and my husband is finishing his 25-year career with the Army. Thanks for sharing your interests and I look forward to "hearing" what all of you have to say about our Lord and His Word!

I must be on Pastor Ralph's sheet of music...I already submitted my answer to this question in Q4! To reiterate: no animal sacrifice, no matter how perfect the animal, no matter how many were offered, no matter how sincere the offering was given, would ever be enough to cover our sins. God was trying to show the Israelites (and us, through the Scripture) this. Only the one, truly PERFECT sacrificial Lamb could atone for all our sins! Thank you, Jesus!

Greetings, everyone! I could offer an animal every hour in the day to atone for my sins, and it would never be enough. I think this is the point God was trying to make to the Israelites: it's never going to be enough; we are sinners and will always be sinners; there aren't enough animals in the world to offer as sacrifices to cover all our sins. So, He, in His Awesome Grace, sent His only Son to be the final, ultimate sacrifice, that we might ALL lay our hands on Him in His perfection, giving our sins to Him, allowing us to be perfected through Him! That is the element of true sacrifice!

Thanks, Patty, for the great insights! Wonderful! Many (many ) years ago, when I was 12, I went with my uncle to a meat packing plant. I was so incredibly repulsed by the overwhelming smell of blood, the sight of the stripped carcasses and the sound of the cows in the distance (I was sure they were screaming in pain) that I couldn't eat meat for years after. It wasn't until I became physically ill from my poor eating habits that I again ate meat. As a Christian, I now know that God gave us animals for our use. And, it has been speculated that He never intended man to be a meat-eater, but, of course, He knew from the beginning of our creation that we would be eating meat after the flood. It has also been proven that vegetarians live an average of 12 years LESS than those who choose to add meat to their diet. I'll stick with my steaks. I think God intended for us to be repulsed by the sacrifices...knowing that was the end result of our sins, I believe it was intended to be a deterrent. Of course, Jesus, being the ultimate and final sacrifice, has released us from the bondages of continual atonement slaughter, giving us GRACE instead!

Hi, Everyone Anger is an appropriate response to sin for GOD, but not for us. He created us to be like Him, and when we fail, as we always do, He has perfect justification to be angry. Praise Him that He is long-suffering, loving and forgives us! We have no right to be angry at another's sin, as we are all sinners. We must first look at ourselves (I can't see the speck in your eye because the lumber yard in mine is getting in the way!) Otherwise, we are being self-righteous. The only person who was ever justified in His anger, was, of course, Jesus, being wholly man and wholly God, and perfect in every way. Of course, I think it is righteous and just for us to be angry at the world's sins in general. It is our duty to proclaim the Word for the truth. The only time I think we are justified in our anger over sin, is when it is directed at our own shortcomings. Of course, it would be nice if I could say I'm never angry ...

It's great to be back with you all, and to see so many new faces! You all have so eloquently answered the questions, so I would just like to say thanks for the insights! Blessings to you all!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! In his humble beginnings as a judge, Gideon was able to abolish Baal and Ashtoreth from "their" hold on the Israelites. Of, course, we know of the mistake he later made with the ephod. No leader is perfect, especially in our world today with all the evil complications, but we can only pray that they will be wise in their decisions. I think Gideon's most positive influence on the People Israel was his refusal of kingship. His answer to the people that God is their king must have opened the eyes of at least a few...if a man who could have "everything" (materially, at least) could refuse it to serve his God, then perhaps there was "something to it"! I look at many of the TV "Evangelists" with their $1000 Armani suits, surrounded by gilded furniture, asking for money for their ministry, and am saddened to think of the influence they have on so many people. I have to remember Jesus' words: "Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:33-34 (NKJ)

"Spiritual unfaithfulness is turning love to another source just as prostitution and adultery do. Love is drawn from God to a substitute and attention is focused in places other than God." That was perfect, Darlene! I have nothing to add to that, except that Jesus called His church His bride! As for my adultery, I get too wrapped up in our businesses and the family, etc., to focus my attention on God. I oftentimes fall asleep exhausted at night without even so much as a "good night" to Him! Our pastor discussed last night how God wants us to rest so that we may reflect on our day and on Him...that hit home! When I'm too tired, hungry, etc., I get angry and cannot turn my attention on Him!

Q4. What is a snare? In what way does Gideon's ephod ensnare his family and the people of Israel? (8:24-27) How can something be a sin if we don't see it as a sin? What was the essence of the sin the Israelites committed? What is the essence of Gideon's sin? The ephod ensnares (traps) Gideon's family by becoming a millstone around their neck: Gideon probably made it as a reminder of their victory, but the idolatrous people of Israel were soon looking at it as their new tangible god, and now Gideon and his family were seen as the caretakers of the ephod, maybe even as demi-gods themselves. So many times we don't see a mistake as a sin...or we justify the sin we're committing with excuses: "Everybody cheats a little on their taxes! The government doesn't need my money!" "It was just a little lie so I wouldn't hurt her feelings." "It's not hurting anybody, and nobody will know." If it says in Exodus 20:1-17 or in Matthew (or anywhere else!) that it's a sin, THEN IT IS A SIN! The essense of the sins committed were in not following the One True God and in not seeking His counsel before creating a graven image. AGAIN

I found an excellent description of the ephod: Jewish Encyclopedia -- Ephod It gives the history, description and uses of the garment.

Gideon's sin was not in the payment he requested, nor was it in the making of the ephod. The sin was in not seeking the Lord's guidance. He obviously did not ask the Lord what he (Gideon) was to do next. He went full-steam ahead with his own plan (making the ephod), and subsequently, he and all the Israelites suffered the consequences. How many times I have been like Gideon! The Lord will give me a victory, and I turn it into something ugly to serve myself. How incredibly sad. Oh, Heavenly Father, please guide my in Your ways, Lord, to become more like You. Do not let me run my own race, Father. I know I cannot win that way. Let me follow Your path in everything I do. Amen.

In denying the kingship, Gideon was trying to live up to his new name "Jerubbaal" (Let Baal Plead) and focus the Israelite's attention on their true king: The Lord. Until the Lord decided to appoint the first human king (Saul), any other appointment could be viewed as treason against the Lord. Of course, the Lord would not have allowed it anyway if it weren't in keeping with His will. I think the reason the Israelites wanted a human king was to have someone tangible to worship...someone they could see and hear...much like those believers of today who must have an artist's rendition of Jesus to view in order to make Him "real". God wants our faith that He indeed is real, is omnipresent, and is omniscient!

Of course, Gideon was justified in his feelings of anger toward these two men. They had killed his brothers! Whether he was acting as an agent of the Lord, who can say? Gideon made many mistakes while acting on his own, and this may have been one of them. We as Christians, of course, cannot seek vengeance. I am reminded of so many scriptures (many I quoted for Question 4 ) , but the one that strikes me most is the quote of the powerful words of Jesus as he hung dying on the cross, while in excruciating pain and feeling abandoned by all: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Luke 23:34. What an example to us!

Of course, these leaders were acting (or not acting) out of fear. I think they also were perhaps more than a little arrogant in their refusal, with an attitude of, "Why should WE help the likes of YOU?" This is something we should never be guilty of...we are to help our fellow man. "If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,' but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?" James 2:15-16 In seeking revenge, Gideon may have been acting as an agent of the Lord. We are not told whether this is the case or not. However, when Jesus came, he fulfilled and clarified the Word, teaching us not to seek revenge for ourselves. "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." Matt. 7:1-2 and "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Matt. 5:44-45 Lord, help me not have a vengeful heart. Help me to show Your love to all. Let me be a light of Your love and set aside my pettiness to serve You.

The Lord knows all hearts, even those against Him. If He wanted a people destroyed, He had good reason! Time and time again, the Israelites had fallen to idol worship. (See Judges 1-2 for only one example) The Lord knew that all temptation to do so again must be removed. "For the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you." Deut. 23:14 The Lord delivered me 9 years ago from "partying." Now, I am sickened just to eat at a restaurant that has a bar...the "enemy camp." We, as God's adopted children, must keep our camp clean and holy and stay away from the enemies' camp!

Gideon asked the Ephraimites to capture the watering places from the Midianites. The Ephraimites complied, but were angry, feeling they were left out of the more important task...the battle. Gideon assured them the task they completed was even more important than what he accomplished. God shows us through Gideon's example how to assuage hurt feelings and to bring the focus back on Him.

Usually, not everyone in an army company would carry a torch, since one hand would carry a weapon and the other a shield. Just a few would carry the light. Likewise, not everyone in a company would be the bugler. Hence, the sound of so many trumpets and the sight of so many torches must have led the Amalekites and Midianites to think they were surrounded by hundreds of thousands, while they sat unprepared. As for the breaking of the pitchers, besides suddenly revealing the light, perhaps it is symbolic: like the breaking of the hold the heathen nations had on Israel.

Barley was not as well-liked or as expensive as wheat in those days. So, the idea of a tiny loaf of bread made from barley striking a tent 100 times its size and collapsing it was significant to the Midianites and Amalekites. They realized the barley represented the small number of Israeli soldiers who would come against them and strike them down. Even if God had not sent away the 31,700 soldiers, the army of Israel would still have been incredibly outnumbered (ref. Judges 7:12) And, don't you know that God gave this dream and its interpretation to the Midianites so that their confidence would be shaken? Don't you just love how He uses even our enemies? PRAISE GOD!