{"id":55194,"date":"2018-07-09T17:42:42","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T14:42:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wall\/wall-219\/"},"modified":"2022-12-07T18:40:14","modified_gmt":"2022-12-07T16:40:14","slug":"wall-219","status":"publish","type":"wall","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wall\/wall-219\/","title":{"rendered":"chapter-Prophets-Judges-8"},"parent":0,"template":"","acf":{"type":"chapter","wall_id":"219","date":"20260701","book":"Judges","chapter":"8","chapter_main_number":"219","books_group":"Prophets","posts":[{"order":1,"id":"54885","color":"#f8ebe3","size":"1","name":"Judges Chapter 8 - Read by Jonathan Roumie ","post_title":"Judges Chapter 8 - Read by Jonathan Roumie","slug":"judges-chapter-8-read-by-jonathan-roumie","old_id":"54885","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34686,"post_title":"Soundcloud","slug":"soundcloud","old_id":"34686","first_name":"","last_name":"","description":"","short_description":"","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34656,"alt":"","title":"491","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","width":300,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","medium_large-width":300,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","large-width":300,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","1536x1536-width":300,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","2048x2048-width":300,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","post_full_size-width":300,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","home_baner-width":300,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"219","type_929":"4","show_author_image":true,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"JPS Audio Bible","tile_main_caption":"Judges 8","tile_main_caption_size":"2","tile_sub_caption":"read by Jonathan Roumie","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/929-bible\/JPS_Audio_Bible_Judges_Chapter_8_read_by_Jonathan_Roumie","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Judges","chapter":"8","chapter_main_number":"219","date":"20260701","wall_id":"219"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":2,"id":"109678","color":"#f6edf6","size":"1","name":"Gideon Tries To Send A Message ","post_title":"Gideon Tries To Send A Message","slug":"gideon-tries-to-send-a-message","old_id":"109678","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":78133,"post_title":"Josh Blechner","slug":"josh-blechner","old_id":"78133","first_name":"Josh ","last_name":"Blechner ","description":"Josh first finished the Tanach during Yeshiva in Mevaseret Zion. 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At the end of this chapter, Gideon does two odd things. The first occurs after he finally captures the two Midianite kings. Instead of killing them himself, he asks his son to kill them. His son wavers, and so instead, the kings taunt Gideon into killing them. Afterwards, Gideon collects rings from the people to create a fancy robe. Why are these two points included in the story? The answer may have to do with what happens in between.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Gideon is the conquering hero who defeated the Midianites. The people have already gone through a few other judges, and decide they want to appoint Gideon as their king. Gideon refuses and says that God should be the one who rules over the people. Perhaps he was also trying to send a message with his son and the robe. The people approach Gideon because he was a great warrior, and on that alone his children should rule after him. But Gideon showed that just because he was a great warrior, this did not mean his son was. Killing the two captured kings should have been an easy ask. Instead, Gideon\u2019s son was not up to the task. Later in the book of Kings, Israel will learn this lesson the hard way with children of kings not necessarily following in the path of their parents. The text is sending the message that patrilineal leadership is no guarantee of success or safety.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After the people ask him to be king, Gideon collects nose rings from everyone. The last time Israel was asked for nose rings to make something was back in Exodus at the sin of the Golden Calf. And, just like at the sin of the Golden Calf, the people begin to worship the cloak that Gideon makes. The message here is two-fold. The first is that even the most noble rulers can fail. In Exodus, Aaron tried to assuage the people\u2019s fears about Moses by creating a symbol in the Golden Calf. That did not go well. Here as well, Gideon creates this cloak as a message, but it ends up being a snare for the people and for him. The second is that it is important to take things at face value and not elevate them. The people take this victory cloak and elevate it to an idol just like they wanted to take Gideon and wrongly elevate him as a king.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

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Gideon is one of several \u201clay leaders\/shoftim\u201d we will meet. He was a farmer, called upon by God to lead the wayward Israelites against the divinely-ordained, oppressive Midianites. Over the course of this narrative, Gideon\u2019s growth and understanding can serve as a model for the people of Israel.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

When God\u2019s messenger first approaches him, Gideon complains, \u201cWhere is God? Why is God letting the Midianites take over? God brought us out of Egypt and now is abandoning us\u201d (6:11-13). This reminds us of the anger and entitlement of his\/our ancestors in the desert, and lack of accountability for their role in God\u2019s actions. God does not respond to Gideon with anger, but with patience. \u201cTake this strength (hutzpah, maybe) of yours and save Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you\u201d (6:14). When Gideon asks for proof that this is really God (6:19-22) and that God really stands with him (6:36-40), God provides it, again with patience.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Before taking on Midian, God instructs Gideon to remove Ba\u2019al worship from his own community. When the people threaten to kill Gideon for destroying the Ba\u2019al\u2019s altar, Yoash, Gideon\u2019s father, defends him and God (6:25-32): \u201cYou have to defend Ba\u2019al? If Ba\u2019al is really a god, let him defend his own altar\u201d (6:31).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

God and Gideon winnow down the troops from 32,000 to 300, because \u201cIsrael might claim for themselves glory due to Me, thinking \u2018Our own hand has brought us victory.\u201d (7:2). When the Israelites were victorious, they ask Gideon to \u201crule over us, you, your son, and your grandson because you saved us from Midian\u201d (8:22). Seems they missed the point! The people still did not understand that Gideon was God\u2019s human vehicle in the victory against Midian. Without that understanding, the nation is not ready for a human ruler\/king. Gideon knows this well, \u201cI will not rule over you myself, nor will my son. God will rule over you\u201d (8:23).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Gideon then asks the people to give him the gold and silver jewelry that were spoils of the battle with Midian\/Ishmael. He fashions them into an ephod, a garment also used by the priests in their service to God, to commemorate the successful battle and God\u2019s role in it. This reminds us of Aaron\u2019s asking the people for jewelry they took from Egypt, which became the golden calf (Exodus 32:2-4). As in Exodus, the people here \u201cwent astray after it\u201d (8:27) Like Aaron, Gideon\u2019s good intention, when transformed into a physical object of silver and gold, took on a life of its own and was used for just the opposite purpose.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

While Gideon learned much through his experience, the people have a way to go before they are ready to have a ruler to guide them in being God\u2019s partner in the world.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

image:\u00a0Moses, Gideon, Elijah and Samuel by il Baciccio. 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She is currently a freshman at Ramaz Upper School. ","short_description":"Aviva Schilowitz is from Great Neck, New York. She is currently a freshman at Ramaz Upper School. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":58004,"alt":"","title":"Aviva Schilowitz2","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Aviva-Schilowitz2.jpg","width":5374,"height":3583,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Aviva-Schilowitz2-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Aviva-Schilowitz2-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Aviva-Schilowitz2-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Aviva-Schilowitz2-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Aviva-Schilowitz2.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Aviva-Schilowitz2.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1365,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Aviva-Schilowitz2-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Aviva-Schilowitz2-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"219","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Some parenting lessons on violence from Gideon and Atticus Finch","post_main_content_content":"

Judges 8:20-21 reports: \u201cAnd he commanded his oldest son Jether, \u2018Go kill them!\u2019 But the boy did not draw his sword, for he was timid, being still a boy. Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, \u2018Come, you slay us; for strength comes with manhood.\u2019 So Gideon went over and killed Zebah and Zalmunna\u2026 .\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After capturing Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian, Gideon does something unexpected. Rather than kill them, he instructs his son Jether to do it. Jether refuses and Gideon ultimately does it himself. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This calls to mind two similar parenting decisions in <\/span>To Kill A Mockingbird<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In the first, Bob Ewell forces his daughter Mayella to accuse an innocent Tom Robinson of raping her to protect the reputation of Mayella and her family. This seems like unambiguously bad parenting. Mayella learns that lying to protect yourself is fine, even if it means ruining another person\u2019s life. There are hints in the book that, left to her own devices, Mayella <\/span>had potential and was better than her surroundings and upbringing. <\/span>\"Against the fence, in a line, were six chipped-enamel slop jars holding brilliant red geraniums, cared for as tenderly\u2026 People said they were Mayella Ewell's.\"<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n

In contrast, Atticus Finch is faced with a similar but more ethically ambiguous scenario. Bob Ewell tries to kill Atticus\u2019s children, Scout and Jem but Boo Radley, the Finch\u2019s mysterious neighbor, defends the children. In the process, Bob ends up dead with his own knife in his side. Wanting to protect the reclusive Radley from the spectacle of a trial, the sheriff tells Atticus that he is going to conclude that Bob fell on his own knife. Atticus is troubled by the message this will send to his children, who are smart enough to know that this may not be true. However, at the insistence of the sheriff, Atticus relents. In many ways, Atticus is acting similarly to Bob Ewell by expecting his children to keep silent to preserve a falsehood.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

However, I think there is an important distinction between the actions of Bob Ewell and Atticus. Bob Ewell forced Mayella to go against her nature at the expense of an innocent third party. Atticus is asking Scout and Jem to go against their nature <\/span>to protect<\/span><\/i> an innocent third party. The situations are similar but the lessons are different.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

While distinct in some respects from both Atticus and Bob Ewell, Gideon\u2019s lesson to Jether seems more similar to Atticus than Bob Ewell. Gideon is a famous warrior, whose main accomplishments in life were achieved by the sword. In asking Jether to kill Zebah and Zalmunna, against Jether\u2019s nature, Gideon was trying to make Jether a better person, at least in the way Gideon saw the world. Gideon was acting with Jether\u2019s wellbeing in mind, and not out of self-interest.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Written by Aviva Schilowitz together with her father Eli Schilowitz<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Image: John T Takai \/ Shutterstock.com<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":55455,"alt":"","title":"jud8-parenting","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting.jpg","width":7326,"height":4109,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting-300x168.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":168,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting-768x431.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":431,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting-1024x574.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":574,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":862,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1149,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting-1200x673.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":673,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting-749x420.jpg","home_baner-width":749,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"To Kill A Mocking King","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Some parenting lessons on violence from Gideon and Atticus Finch","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":55455,"alt":"","title":"jud8-parenting","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting.jpg","width":7326,"height":4109,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting-300x168.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":168,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting-768x431.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":431,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting-1024x574.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":574,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":862,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1149,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting-1200x673.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":673,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-parenting-749x420.jpg","home_baner-width":749,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Judges","chapter":"8","chapter_main_number":"219","date":"20260701","wall_id":"219"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"373","name":"Literature","old_id":"773"},{"term_id":"428","name":"Parent","old_id":"828"},{"term_id":"463","name":"Truth","old_id":"863"},{"term_id":"625","name":"Lying","old_id":"1025"}]},{"order":5,"id":"55445","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"The Man Who Definitely, Maybe, Probably, Would Not Be King ","post_title":"The Man Who Definitely, Maybe, Probably, Would Not Be King","slug":"the-man-who-definitely-maybe-probably-would-not-be-king","old_id":"55445","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":55294,"post_title":"Sarah Gordon","slug":"sarah-gordon","old_id":"55294","first_name":"Sarah ","last_name":"Gordon ","description":"Sarah Gordon is the Director of Student Activities and Experiential Education at Ma\u2019ayanot Yeshiva High School, where she teaches Talmud and a course on Contemporary Israel. She holds dual MA degrees in Jewish Education and Modern Jewish History from Yeshiva University. She is currently pursuing an Ed.D through Azrieli Graduate School as a Wexner Fellow and Davidson Scholar. She lives with her husband in Washington Heights in NYC.","short_description":"Sarah Gordon is the Director of Student Activities and Experiential Education at Ma\u2019ayanot Yeshiva High School","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":55295,"alt":"","title":"sarah gordon","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/sarah-gordon.jpeg","width":640,"height":640,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/sarah-gordon-150x150.jpeg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/sarah-gordon-300x300.jpeg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/sarah-gordon.jpeg","medium_large-width":640,"medium_large-height":640,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/sarah-gordon.jpeg","large-width":640,"large-height":640,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/sarah-gordon.jpeg","1536x1536-width":640,"1536x1536-height":640,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/sarah-gordon.jpeg","2048x2048-width":640,"2048x2048-height":640,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/sarah-gordon.jpeg","post_full_size-width":640,"post_full_size-height":640,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/sarah-gordon-420x420.jpeg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"219","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"But should he have been? He did name his son \u201cmy father is king\u201d","post_main_content_content":"

Following the defeat of the Midianites, the people of Israel turn to Gideon and ask him to become king. This request for a dynastic rule, \u201cyou, your son, and your grandson\u201d (Judges 8:22), appears to be a rejection of the current, rotating system of Judges, in favor of a stable ruling family.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Gideon is the ideal candidate for the job. He is a creative military tactician and war hero. His appeasement of the men of Ephraim show his diplomatic strengths, while his punishment of the people of Succoth and Penuel are very much the actions of a king, meting out royal justice to those who disobey his directives. He is also seen as a king by others, with Zebah and Zalmunna describing him and his brothers as resembling \u201csons of a king\u201d (8:18). Even his earlier doubts of his leadership abilities (see 6:15-17) parallel him to other reluctant leaders of great stature, such as Moses (Exodus 3-4) and Saul (1 Samuel 9:21).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

However, Gideon turns down the position, stating \u201cthe Lord alone shall rule over you\u201d (8:23). Possibly, Gideon\u2019s refusal reflects a belief that only the religious office of the High Priest should be a permanent institution, alluded to in the fashioning of the ephod, the garment worn by the High Priest (See \u201cWhen the Judges Judges: Exegetical Studies in the Book of Judges\u201d by Yisrael Rozenson, p. 126-131). Or, maybe Gideon thought it improper that the people were choosing a king based on military might.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Surprisingly, while Gideon turns down the official responsibilities of the position, he continues to enjoy the perks of kingship, taking many wives, and naming his son Abimelech, literally, \u201cmy father is king\u201d (8:30-31). Even his act of collecting gold for the ephod is reminiscent of the delaying tactic of Aaron at the golden calf, highlighting the disparity behind Gideon's verbal rejection of the position, but continued use of the role when beneficial to him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

With Gideon\u2019s refusal to rule, the book of Judges takes a dark turn. The next group of Judges is a violent, bizarre group, and the book ends with a civil war. One wonders what the alternate ending would have been had Gideon stepped up to be the leader his people needed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Image: Gideon asks bread of the men of Succoth, James Jacques Joseph Tissot, 1904<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":55446,"alt":"","title":"jud8-sukkoth","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth.jpg","width":531,"height":600,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth-266x300.jpg","medium-width":266,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth.jpg","medium_large-width":531,"medium_large-height":600,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth.jpg","large-width":531,"large-height":600,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth.jpg","1536x1536-width":531,"1536x1536-height":600,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth.jpg","2048x2048-width":531,"2048x2048-height":600,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth.jpg","post_full_size-width":531,"post_full_size-height":600,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth-372x420.jpg","home_baner-width":372,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"The Man Who Definitely, Maybe, Probably, Would Not Be King","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"But should he have been? He did name his son \u201cmy father is king\u201d","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":55446,"alt":"","title":"jud8-sukkoth","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth.jpg","width":531,"height":600,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth-266x300.jpg","medium-width":266,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth.jpg","medium_large-width":531,"medium_large-height":600,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth.jpg","large-width":531,"large-height":600,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth.jpg","1536x1536-width":531,"1536x1536-height":600,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth.jpg","2048x2048-width":531,"2048x2048-height":600,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth.jpg","post_full_size-width":531,"post_full_size-height":600,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-sukkoth-372x420.jpg","home_baner-width":372,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Judges","chapter":"8","chapter_main_number":"219","date":"20260701","wall_id":"219"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"402","name":"Leadership","old_id":"802"},{"term_id":"835","name":"King","old_id":"1235"}]},{"order":6,"id":"55478","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"The Go(l)d Standard ","post_title":"The Go(l)d Standard","slug":"the-gold-standard","old_id":"55478","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34245,"post_title":"Rachel Sharansky Danziger","slug":"rachel-sharansky-danziger","old_id":"34245","first_name":"Rachel Sharansky","last_name":"Danziger","description":"Rachel Sharansky Danziger is a Jerusalem-born writer and speaker who blogs about Judaism, parenting, and life in Israel. She currently lives in Boston, where she teaches about storytelling in the bible and the subversive depths of Hebrew words.\r\n","short_description":"Rachel Sharansky Danziger is a Jerusalem-born Boston-based writer and speaker about Judaism, parenting, and life in Israel. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34246,"alt":"","title":"RSDanziger","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/RSDanziger.jpg","width":1171,"height":1769,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/RSDanziger-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/RSDanziger-199x300.jpg","medium-width":199,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/RSDanziger-678x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":678,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/RSDanziger-678x1024.jpg","large-width":678,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/RSDanziger.jpg","1536x1536-width":1017,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/RSDanziger.jpg","2048x2048-width":1171,"2048x2048-height":1769,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/RSDanziger-794x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":794,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/RSDanziger-278x420.jpg","home_baner-width":278,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"219","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Gideon gives credit to God, but seems to place more stock in gold...","post_main_content_content":"

In Judges, God uses victories to make a point. Yet the Israelites, as we saw in previous chapters, keep forgetting His point in every generation. In Judges 8 we learn that maybe the problem wasn\u2019t one of memory, but of perception. Maybe the Israelites didn\u2019t merely fail to remember God\u2019s redemptions, but rather failed to recognize His hand in them at all.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201cThen the men of Israel said to Gideon, \u2018Rule over us\u2014you, your son, and your grandson as well; for you have saved us from the Midianites\u2019\u201d(8:22).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Israelites fail to attribute their victory to the right source. Furthermore: not only do they attribute their victory to Gideon, they also attribute importance to dynastic rule. It makes sense: in their world, where judges occasionally rise to save them but only after long periods of fear and suffering, isn\u2019t it natural to crave the kind of steady, constant protection that can outlive a ruler\u2019s death?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Natural or not, this desire leads the Israelites to latch onto the wrong solutions. Their periods of subjugation, according to the book of Judges, are not caused by their political practices, but rather by their repetitive betrayals of God. With each judge, God offers them another opportunity to remember their debt to Him, reestablish their loyalty to Him, and thus earn the constant protection they so crave. By focusing on the particular judge and his line as a solution to their problem, the Israelites squander this chance. They grasp onto the tool of their deliverance and ignore the source that gave it power, and so they doom themselves to subjugation yet again.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Gideon seems to understand this underlying danger. \u201c\u2018I will not rule over you myself, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD alone shall rule over you\u2019\u201d (8:23). But Gideon does not correct their misattribution of the victory, and his own actions undermine his point. The man who argued against fetishizing himself or any other ruler, offers the people a golden token to fetishize instead.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Perhaps Gideon thought that a tangible symbol will help the people to remember God. Perhaps, as Yoram Hazoni suggests (in <\/span>The Philosophy of Hebrew Scripture<\/span><\/em>), Gideon thought that he was protecting the people from doing something worse. Whatever his motivation, Gideon\u2019s token leads Israel astray, and serves as a grim lesson: Even those who interpret their present correctly, can sometimes misjudge the way they influence the future. It\u2019s not enough to understand what events are telling us: we must consider how we shape reality in turn.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":55481,"alt":"","title":"jud8-gold-god","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god.jpg","width":1920,"height":1920,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god-1024x1024.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1920,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god-1200x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"The Go(l)d Standard","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Gideon gives credit to God, but seems to place more stock in gold...","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":55481,"alt":"","title":"jud8-gold-god","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god.jpg","width":1920,"height":1920,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god-1024x1024.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1920,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god-1200x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud8-gold-god-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Judges","chapter":"8","chapter_main_number":"219","date":"20260701","wall_id":"219"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"384","name":"God","old_id":"784"},{"term_id":"429","name":"Idolatry","old_id":"829"},{"term_id":"440","name":"Wealth\/money","old_id":"840"}]},{"order":7,"id":"55463","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Imperfect Leadership Versus No Leadership ","post_title":"Imperfect Leadership Versus No Leadership","slug":"imperfect-leadership-versus-no-leadership","old_id":"55463","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":46656,"post_title":"Molly Morris","slug":"molly-morris","old_id":"46656","first_name":"Molly ","last_name":"Morris ","description":"Molly Morris holds a Masters degree in Leadership and Community Engagement. Her particular area of interest is biblical leadership. Molly participates in the 929 initiative with a dedicated group from the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto congregation. \r\n\r\n","short_description":"Molly Morris holds a Masters degree in Leadership and Community Engagement. Molly participates in the 929 initiative with a dedicated group from the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto congregation. \r\n\r\n","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":92561,"alt":"","title":"molly morris","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","width":2192,"height":2488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-264x300.jpg","medium-width":264,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-768x872.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":872,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-902x1024.jpg","large-width":902,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","1536x1536-width":1353,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","2048x2048-width":1804,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-1057x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1057,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-370x420.jpg","home_baner-width":370,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"219","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"The dangers of a political vacuum","post_main_content_content":"

Following Gideon\u2019s role in the deliverance of the Jewish nation from Midianite oppression, the Israelites ask Gideon to become their monarchic ruler. With the language in verse 22 of \u201cRule over us, also your son and your son\u2019s son\u201d, the populace is exploring a new leadership model. After a succession of judges who lead the people to glory followed by what now seems to be the inevitable cycle of the judge\u2019s death - spiritual decline of the people - new oppressor - new judge, could it be that they have become weary of this repeating sequence? Are they now considering that a monarchic dynasty would provide them with a continuity of leadership that would stabilize their nationhood?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Gideon refuses the request, reminding the Israelites that God is their one true King. Eliyahu Assis suggests a tension between Gideon\u2019s refusal to become a king of the Israelites and his subsequent king-like behavior of proffering items that could only logistically be from his own spoils of battle against the Midianite kings. Together with his addition to the contribution of the rest of the people, Gideon creates a conspicuous, if perhaps unintentional monument to his leadership (see his \u201cSelf-Interest or Communal Interest: An Ideology of Leadership in the Gideon, Abimelech and Jephthah Narratives,\u201d Vetus Testamentum, 2005: 106). <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Though Gideon meant for the ephod to remind the Israelites of God\u2019s deliverance of them from the Midianites, it is not surprising, especially considering the precedent of the golden calf, that this ephod \u201cbecame a snare to Gideon and to his house (verse 27)\u201d and started the people down yet another path of idol-worship.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Had Gideon accepted the role of king, he undoubtedly would have groomed a suitable successor and the catastrophe of Avimelech that followed Gideon\u2019s death might have been avoided. Menachem Leibtag (tanach.org) argues that we may learn from this story that Samuel\u2019s point in including it in the Book of Judges is to argue the danger of allowing a leadership vacuum and that, perhaps, equally as dangerous as appointing the wrong person is not appointing anyone.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

When election times come around, we might be well-advised to remember this lesson about balancing no leadership with less than ideal leadership. Had the Israelites benefited from Gideon\u2019s imperfect leadership they may well have avoided the disastrous evil leadership that filled the void. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Image: <\/span>Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians \/ Pixabay<\/span><\/p>\r\n

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Gideon was a complex character. On the one hand, he displayed extraordinary humility and religious devotion. When offered a hereditary monarchy (\u201crule over us; you, your son, and grandson,\u201d v.22), he declined, stating that \u201cneither I nor my son shall rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you\u201d (23).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

And yet, immediately thereafter, Gideon instructed his followers to turn over the golden earrings they had taken as spoils (24) and he fashioned from them a \u201cgolden <\/span>ephod<\/span><\/i>\u201d (apron?) \u201cand all Israel went astray after it, and it became an obstacle to Gideon and his family\u201d (27).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

That \u201cobstacle\u201d (or \u201csnare\u201d) is a euphemism for idolatry is evident in several ways. First is the solicitation of the golden earrings, which are exactly what Aaron had collected from the people to manufacture the golden calf (Exodus 32:2-3). Second is the verb used to describe Israel\u2019s attitude towards it: <\/span>vayiznu<\/span><\/em> (\u201cwent astray\u201d), which literally signifies harlotry or infidelity. (See our comments on Judges 1<\/a>, where we define idolatry as \u201cthe quintessence of disaffection\u201d with God, inviting almost certain disaster.) The third indication takes us back to the Torah, which expressly refers to idolatry as \u201can obstacle\u201d (Exodus 23:33) and warns the Israelites not to tolerate the presence of idolaters \u201clest they become an obstacle in your midst\u201d (Exodus 34:12. See, too, our comments on Joshua 23<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Small wonder, then, that \u201cas soon as Gideon was dead, the children of Israel again went astray after the Ba`alim\u201d (33), they \u201cremembered not the Lord their God, who had delivered them out of the hand of all their enemies\u201d (34) and \u201cthey showed no kindness to the house of Jerubaal, namely Gideon\u201d (35). These three behaviors, idolatry, infidelity and ingratitude, were to characterize the Israelites throughout the era of the judges.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":55476,"alt":"","title":"Jud8-ephod","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Jud8-ephod.jpg","width":489,"height":485,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Jud8-ephod-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Jud8-ephod-300x298.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":298,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Jud8-ephod.jpg","medium_large-width":489,"medium_large-height":485,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Jud8-ephod.jpg","large-width":489,"large-height":485,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Jud8-ephod.jpg","1536x1536-width":489,"1536x1536-height":485,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Jud8-ephod.jpg","2048x2048-width":489,"2048x2048-height":485,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Jud8-ephod.jpg","post_full_size-width":489,"post_full_size-height":485,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Jud8-ephod-423x420.jpg","home_baner-width":423,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Gideon 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\"And Gideon had seventy sons that he had begotten, for he had many wives.\" (Judges 8:30)
\r\n
\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yes there, but for the grace of God, go I;<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>I look at him, that man without a wife<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Or child or anyone to love, his life<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Enclosed by arid earth and barren sky.<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Yes there, but for the grace of God, go I;<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>My tree bears fruit, while his, diseased and rife<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>With fungus and decay, will feel time\u2019s knife<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Sever his branches, sapless, blighted, dry. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Not deeds, not merit, but Your grace, Your grace<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Alone, my father\u2019s God, my people\u2019s God,<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Allows my tree to live, while others die,<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Their brittle autumn leaves without a trace<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Of green, their roots uprooted from the sod.<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Yes there, but for the grace of God, go I.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

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8:2\u00a0<\/span>\u201cAnd he said to them, \u2018What have I done now to you? Are not the gleanings of Ephraim\u2019s grapes better than the vintage of Abiezer?\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Gideon now exhibits a new skill as a leader--the shrewd use of persuasive rhetoric. The Ephraimites had been resentful because Gideon did not summon them to fight in the first stage of the conflict with Midian. He responds with a pointed aphorism that would have spoken to any viticulturist: Ephraim, having been responsible for the capture and execution of Oreb and Zeeb, is so much superior to Gideon\u2019s clan, Abiezer, that the stray grapes it leaves behind in the harvest are better than what Abiezer actually harvests in the vineyard.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

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\u201cPurple\u201d<\/span><\/a> by Brett Lockspeiser: Explore the color purple across Jewish texts.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Go deeper into the chapter....","tile_main_caption":"Sefaria Source Sheets - Judges 8","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Click to get links to learning resources","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":42232,"alt":"","title":"sefaria-words-sunburst","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","width":608,"height":395,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst-300x195.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":195,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","medium_large-width":608,"medium_large-height":395,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","large-width":608,"large-height":395,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","1536x1536-width":608,"1536x1536-height":395,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","2048x2048-width":608,"2048x2048-height":395,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","post_full_size-width":608,"post_full_size-height":395,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","home_baner-width":608,"home_baner-height":395}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"Sefaria word sunburst visualization","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Judges","chapter":"8","chapter_main_number":"219","date":"20260701","wall_id":"219"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":15,"id":"55483","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Points to Ponder - Judges 8 ","post_title":"Points to Ponder - Judges 8","slug":"points-to-ponder-judges-8","old_id":"55483","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38102,"post_title":"929-English","slug":"929-english","old_id":"38102","first_name":"","last_name":"929-English","description":"","short_description":"","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38333,"alt":"","title":"\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","width":1513,"height":860,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-300x171.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":171,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-768x437.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":437,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1024x582.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":582,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","1536x1536-width":1513,"1536x1536-height":860,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","2048x2048-width":1513,"2048x2048-height":860,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1200x682.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":682,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-739x420.png","home_baner-width":739,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"219","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"

    \r\n\t
  1. Not everyone can be Gideon<\/span><\/i>. Remember Gideon\u2019s response to the claims of the Ephraimites (verses 1-3). In just four more chapters (12), we\u2019ll hear a different claim, which gets a very different answer (hint: the word \u201cshibboleth\u201d meaning password comes from that story\u2026)<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  2. Gideon and his self confidence<\/span><\/i>. This time Gideon is completely sure about his victory over the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna. Check out his answers to the folks of Succoth and Penuel (verses 7 and 9).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  3. Blacklisted<\/span><\/i>. Gideon asks a captive youth from Succoth to \u201cdraw up for him a list of the officials and elders of Succoth, seventy-seven in number\u201d (verse 14) of the leadership who would be punished from their lack of faith and support.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  4. Last rites<\/span><\/i>. Dying with honor: that\u2019s what Zebah and Zalmunna request in verse 21: \u201cCome, you slay us; for strength comes with manhood.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  5. Brings back some bad memories<\/span><\/i>. What does the collecting of gold jewelry, such as gold earrings, for making a cultic object, remind you of? Hint - turn back 137 chapters to Exodus 32.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  6. Like (sons of) a king<\/span><\/i>. Officially, Gideon declines the kingship, but there are a number of hints in this chapter that connect him to that exalted status. Zebah and Zalmunna say about his brother that \u201cThey looked just like you,\u201d they replied, \u201clike sons of a king\u201d (verse 18). Gideon sets up a center for all Israel in his town, and he has 70 sons, as kings do (including one named Avimelech - \u201cmy father is king\u201d).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  7. That pistol from the first act\u2026 <\/span><\/i>Will go off by the third act. See verse 31. And remember him come the next chapter.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","post_main_content_image":{"id":86314,"alt":"","title":"Points to ponder","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","large-width":1000,"large-height":1000,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","1536x1536-width":1000,"1536x1536-height":1000,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","2048x2048-width":1000,"2048x2048-height":1000,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","post_full_size-width":1000,"post_full_size-height":1000,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Judges 8","tile_main_caption":"Points to Ponder","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Insights and questions for personal reflection and group discussion","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":86314,"alt":"","title":"Points to ponder","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","large-width":1000,"large-height":1000,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","1536x1536-width":1000,"1536x1536-height":1000,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","2048x2048-width":1000,"2048x2048-height":1000,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","post_full_size-width":1000,"post_full_size-height":1000,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Judges","chapter":"8","chapter_main_number":"219","date":"20260701","wall_id":"219"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false}],"hide_acf":true,"home_image":false,"home_posts":false,"home_posts_title":"","posts_home":[],"static_cube_title":"","static_cube_brief":"","static_cube_color":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall\/55194"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/wall"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55194"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}