Psalm 115:3-4

Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.  But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands.

From Background Notes [BN] for January 25^th & 26^th  written by Pastor Bob Brown:

When Israelites voice deep concern about the loss of Baal’s altar, they implicitly raise questions about his adequacy, as the Psalmist suggests in his artistic portrait of gods that acquire value from gold and silver but who are crafted by the hands of human beings.

Judges 6:28

In the morning when the people of the town got up, there was Baal’s altar, demolished, with the Asherah pole beside it cut down and the second bull sacrificed on the newly built altar!

From Background Notes [BN] for January 25^th & 26^th  written by Pastor Bob Brown:

And so, when Gideon hears the command of Lord Yahweh and agrees to obey it, he takes on a whole world of self-serving religion that has overwhelmed his nation. Before he can possibly defeat the Midianite servants of Baal, he needs to defeat Baal in his midst and in his heart.

Judges 6:25

That same night the LORD said to him, “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one seven years old. Tear down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.

From Background Notes [BN] for January 25^th & 26^th  written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Before Gideon could step a single foot on the battlefield, he needed to put his own house in order, and in so doing clarify the loyalty of his own heart.

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

 

From Background Notes [BN] for January 18^th & 19^th  written by Pastor Bob Brown:

 

For us Jesus, God’s Son, is the revelation of God, the explainer of God, and the one who makes God visible. Jesus is the ultimate sign of God’s direction and guidance: he doesn’t just show the way, he is the way (John 14:6).

 

Judges 6:17

Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me.

 

From Background Notes [BN] for January 18^th & 19^th  written by Pastor Bob Brown:

 

Like Gideon, early Christians asked for a sign of truth and authenticity, and they found it in the Gospel and its messengers which confessed that “Jesus Christ is come in the flesh…” and…

 

Judges 6:24

So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

 

From Background Notes [BN] for January 18^th & 19^th  written by Pastor Bob Brown:

 

By including the phrase “to this day,” the writer invests the Gideon story with enduring importance, suggesting that what happened in ancient times is worth remembering.  Indeed, the biblical text often invites the listener “to remember” and from this lively memory to gain assurance and increase obedience.

Judges 6:17

Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. 

From Background Notes [BN] for January 18^th & 19^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

 

In this week’s study we watch Gideon come to terms with God’s call. He is a cautious man, not easily given to easy certitudes, but operating with what Paul Ricoeur (1913-2005) called “the hermeneutic of suspicion.”