A Troublemaker Leads to Downfall We know nothing about Gaal except what appears in this passage in the book of Judges. Though the text often mentions him as the son of Ebed, Scripture tells us nothing about his father either. What we do know is that Gaal moves with his family to the town of […]
The widow of one of Elisha’s followers comes to him for help. Her husband left her with an outstanding debt, Since she has no means to pay off the debt, the creditor demands her two sons become his slaves. Elisha asks what resources she has. “Nothing,” she replies, “except for a small jar of olive […]
Jotham Curses Abimelek and Runs Away When Abimelek returns home to murder his seventy brothers, only Jotham (1), the youngest one, survives. He hides to escape execution. When Jotham learns the people of Shechem have made his half-brother their king, he climbs a mountain. From this lofty position, he shouts to them. He shares a […]
A Legacy of Evil Abimelek (2) is the son of Gideon (also called Jerub-Baal). The Bible first lists his mother as Gideon’s concubine and later as his slave. Either way, the boy has a less-than-ideal start to life. But this does not excuse his behavior as an adult. He could have risen above the circumstances […]
A Left-Handed Judge Kills the Enemy King to Free the People It takes some time for God’s people to take possession of the land he promised them. Once they do, a distressing cycle recurs. They turn from God and do evil, he allows a foreign power to conquer them, and they cry out to the […]
One Man’s Disobedience Impacts the Entire Nation At last it’s time for Joshua to lead the people into the land God promised to give them and take it. First up is Jericho. But they don’t attack the city as we’d expect. Instead, they march around it for seven days. On the seventh day, the priests […]
Daughters Receive Inheritance in Promised Land Zelophehad has five daughters but no sons. His girls are Mahlah, Noah (2), Hoglah, Milkah (2), and Tirzah. Zelophehad dies in the desert before he can receive his allotment of property in the promised land. Since he has no sons to receive his inheritance in his stead, the girls […]
Instant Judgment The nation of Israel has a problem with sexual immorality. Some of their men are involved with Moabite women, indulging themselves sexually with these foreigners, something the law of Moses prohibits. Then these women entice the men to worship with them and offer sacrifices to Baal instead of God. God is not pleased. […]
Son of Eleazar and Grandson of Aaron Phinehas is the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron. This means that Phinehas is Aaron’s grandson. While the Israelites are in the desert getting ready to take the promised land, an issue of sexual immorality arises between some of the men and Moabite women. This effectively aligns […]
The Sons Receive Judgment for Their Sins Aaron has four sons. They are Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. With Aaron as the first priest, all four boys are destined to follow him. With Nadab and Abihu as the oldest two, they take the lead in this. Nadab and Abihu, however, fail to follow God’s precise […]