If you have, may Abimelek be your joy, and may you be his, too! But if you have not, let fire come out from Abimelek and consume you

 Judges 9:1-21

Abimelek son of Jerub-Baal went to his mother’s brothers in Shechem and said to them and to all his mother’s clan,  “Ask all the citizens of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you: to have all seventy of Jerub-Baal’s sons rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember, I am your flesh and blood.” When the brothers repeated all this to the citizens of Shechem, they were inclined to follow Abimelek, for they said, “He is related to us.”  They gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith, and Abimelek used it to hire reckless scoundrels, who became his followers. He went to his father’s home in Ophrah and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub-Baal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerub-Baal, escaped by hiding. 

When Jotham was told about this, he climbed up on the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted to them, “Listen to me, citizens of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.

“Have you acted honorably and in good faith by making Abimelek king? Have you been fair to Jerub-Baal and his family? Have you treated him as he deserves?  Remember that my father fought for you and risked his life to rescue you from the hand of Midian. But today you have revolted against my father’s family. You have murdered his seventy sons on a single stone and have made Abimelek, the son of his female slave, king over the citizens of Shechem because he is related to you. So have you acted honorably and in good faith toward Jerub-Baal and his family today? If you have, may Abimelek be your joy, and may you be his, too! But if you have not, let fire come out from Abimelek and consume you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and let fire come out from you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and consume Abimelek!”

Gideon, with some claim to kingship, firmly rejected it. Abimelech, his brutal and ambitious son, shows no such scruples. But Abimelech is not God's choice as his father was, and the writer plainly sees the dangers of inherited leadership. God-and justice- has the last word, even if it is presented in a rather tit-for-tat fashion.

Why?

Abimelek shows the desire to be king over his nation and over his family. His way is cruel and ambitious. His way is not like his father to be chosen by the Lord.

Gideon left the way to his family's bad seed of violence. They did not really turn to the Lord.

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亞比+米勒：我父親+做王的含義。表示基甸有做王的意圖且不用負責。

一個人管比70個人管好，因為人都不想被管，少些人管愈好。做王就是要剷除異己。如果王就是要別人聽他的話，對人沒有好處。

橄欖樹，無花果樹，葡萄樹，供應別人，祝福別人了，我何必要做王，我已經在做王的事，祝福別人，幫助別人。只有荊棘沒有貢獻，大樹如何要它蔭下，荊棘只能要求別人低下，卻不能給別人好處，還會刺傷別人。擁立亞米比勒的人做王是愚蠢的。做王是供應別人的需要，祝福別人，給別人好處。

現在你們立亞比米勒為王，若按誠實正直善待耶路巴力和他的全家，這就是酬他的勞。大家都歡喜快樂。耶穌做榜樣服事人，幫助孤兒寡母。

願我們學習耶穌基督的榜樣，服事人，使人蒙福。

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How?

The authority belongs to the Lord, even to be a king or president.

 

The Lord will rule over you. Gideon made the gold into an ephod

 Judges 8:22-35

But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you."

And he said, “I do have one request, that each of you give me an earring from your share of the plunder.”

Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family. 

No sooner had Gideon died than the Israelites again prostituted themselves to the Baals. They set up Baal-Berith as their god and did not remember the Lord their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on every side. They also failed to show any loyalty to the family of Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) in spite of all the good things he had done for them.

On the death of Gideon, the Israelites once again began to worship the Baals. God was fine in a crisis, but when that was forgotten the pull of gods who would bind Israel to their neighbors and give good crops was too strong.

Why?

The attraction of the Baals is strong to Israel for they thought it give good crops to them.

When people were living in good crops and safety are easily forgot the grace of the Lord and the history they have experienced. Next-generation will be attracted by this world and gods.

Gideon asked his people to give him very little earing, but when the whole Israelite donated it could be a lot of gold, and he made it an ephod, it became a snare to Gideon and his family. Gideon did a wrong decision after his victory.

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基甸得勝後，面對人的問題。

基甸表面上不願做王，很高的情操，理由很高尚。但是又要大家繳納戰利品，19Kg金子。做了一個以弗得，大祭司進入聖所時穿的衣服，上面有代表以色列人各支派的寶石，帶入聖所禱告。設立在本城俄弗拉，基甸把以弗得當做神像來拜，好像在家鄉開了一個廟，用宗教方式收攬人心，當王。做王的有沈重的壓力。無形中當宗教領袖，沒有做王的責任，有問題是以弗得的問題，是神的問題。有權無責的王。神要人與神一同做王，神給人權力，同時也要承擔責任。我們要學習神的樣式。

基甸為何如此行?因為信仰沒有根基，仍然沒有脫離迦南敬拜的文化。因此用自己的方法來拜。我們的信仰要完全脫離傳統信仰的模式。所信的神只要賜給我們福氣，保平安，其他就不用管了。我們的信仰要有神的話，我們常常要神聽我講，卻不要聽神講。許多教會強調禱告會，卻在乎讀經。神給我們恩典，不能我們都沒有付出。

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How?

People are weak and easily be attracted by this world when he is life easily.

As is the man, so is his strength

 Judges 8:10-21

Gideon went up by the route of the nomads east of Nobah and Jogbehah and attacked the unsuspecting army.  Zebah and Zalmunna, the two kings of Midian, fled, but he pursued them and captured them, routing their entire army.

Then Gideon came and said to the men of Sukkoth, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me by saying, ‘Do you already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession? Why should we give bread to your exhausted men?’” He took the elders of the town and taught the men of Sukkoth a lesson by punishing them with desert thorns and briers. He also pulled down the tower of Peniel and killed the men of the town.

Gideon replied, “Those were my brothers, the sons of my own mother. As surely as the Lord lives, if you had spared their lives, I would not kill you.” 

Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Come, do it yourself. ‘As is the man, so is his strength.’” So Gideon stepped forward and killed them, and took the ornaments off their camels’ necks.

Why?

As a man is PHYSICALLY, so is his strength

As a man is INTELLECTUALLY so is his strength

As a man is MORALLY AND SPIRITUALLY

As the man is IN FAITH, so is his strength.

http://www.premeditatedparenting.net/downloads/107_as_is_the_man.pdf

當我最近讀到《基甸》的故事時，我驚訝地發現故事結束了

基甸重複了父親的罪過。整個故事始於基甸的流淚

順著他父親的改變（士師記6:27），以基甸從事偶像崇拜而告終

自己（士師記8:27）。在某些方面，正如基甸的父親一樣，他也是如此。你不能怪

基甸的罪惡完全在他父親身上，但你一定想知道父親有多少榜樣

過著兒子的生活和男人一樣，他的力量也一樣！

我孩子生活的結果在很大程度上受到我自己生活的影響。我想成為一名

有志於讓我的男孩變成男人（女孩變成女人）的男人，而我想

自己做一個人，一個活得光榮的上帝人。

我的育兒努力絕不能始於孩子。他們還必須專注於

父母，即我。就像男人一樣，他的力量也一樣。

———-⋯⋯

這兩個城的人看不起這1:50比例。我們傳福音是否也怕不成比例。只要有神同在不怕敵人眾多。

這兩城不是政治的問題，而是是否與神敵我不分。基  乃是除去罪的原因。如果是我能下手嗎？將切悖逆神，體貼肉體之事，完全致死。

How?

To be a father, parent, we should so good example to affect our children, so what kind of our children rely on what kind of us.

What was I able to do compared to you?” At this, their resentment against him subsided

 Judges 7:23-8:9

 Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites. Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth Barah.”

They also captured two of the Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan.

Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us like this? Why didn’t you call us when you went to fight Midian?” And they challenged him vigorously.

But he answered them, “What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren’t the gleanings of Ephraim’s grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer?  God gave Oreb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you?” At this, their resentment against him subsided.

But the officials of Sukkoth said, “Do you already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession? Why should we give bread to your troops?” Then Gideon replied, “Just for that, when the Lord has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will tear your flesh with desert thorns and briers.”

From there he went up to Penie and made the same request of them, but they answered as the men of Sukkoth had. So he said to the men of Peniel, “When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower.”

Why?
Gideon said to Ephraimites with soft words subdued the division of Israelites tribes.

The people of Sukkoth did not believe Gideon will kill the chief of Midianite, so they didn't provide food to them.

Penie is a famous religious place where Jacob had wrestled with the Lord.

The final war needs the population of Israel to come out to pursue the enemies, they were so many, it is impossible to rely on 300 men.

But there are some people in Isreal they did not trust Gideon, they did not cooperate with him.

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基甸邀請以法蓮人來，發生爭吵。以法蓮在山地，較不受外敵入侵。又有兩個聖城，以致驕傲，想要做頭。我們在教會是否也是想要別人聽我的。以法蓮怪罪為什麼剛開始沒有找我?v23敵人潰敗時叫他們來，叫以法蓮人只要守住隘口，用最少力量，達到最大成果。你們要去福音隊為什麼不找我?去探訪為什麼不找我? 我們不要自以為是領導者，這不是耶穌的教導。耶穌取奴僕的形像。我們爭的是什麼?我們服事要學習和人配搭，諒解不強功，只要神的工作能完成。基甸完全沒有提自己的付出，反而讚揚以法蓮的功勞。我們為教會的服事動機為何?成功不必在我。我們是主的僕人還強功勞、居功嗎？

基甸當初只是突襲的作戰，沒有長途追逐的準備，所以糧食不足且疲憊。以色列河東支派兩個城的人。疏歌城，毘努伊勒城。他們怕惹事，怕米甸人回來遭殃，卻不知神更偉大。關鍵時刻選對的那一邊。他們應該站在神的這邊，才不會遭到敵人欺壓。過去就是以色列人離開神所以遭到欺壓。基甸面對以法蓮基甸謙卑，因以法蓮只是想爭領導權，只要神的工作完成，基甸也不想當頭。這兩個城是信仰的問題，以色列人就是離開神，才被米甸人欺壓。所以基甸以嚴厲的口吻對他們說話，因為立場相反，不可妥協。看似明哲保身，其實是錯誤的，不能怕惹小麻煩帶來大麻煩。

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How?

Be humble, for all of the victories are the grace of the Lord. I am a servant of the Lord! Keep going with the Lord.

Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands

 Judges 7:9-22

During that night the Lord said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.”

Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.” His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.”

When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.” Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside.

When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath.

The Barley loaf stands for Isreal, the tent for the nomadic Midianites

Why?

Gideon was afraid to attack the whole enemies of Midianite. So the Lord asked he went down to the camp to listen to the dream of Midianite.

It is the Lord who caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. So Israelite did not attack them. Only three hundred men bring them victory.

So Gideon bow down to the Lord and worshiped.

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神如何讓基甸有膽量?這就是最後的印證了，以後就有足夠的信心去打仗了。

1.順服中給最後的印證，因為人已經有足夠的信心。給同工，給他壯膽。從敵人口中說出來的。基甸真的是害怕的，神知道他害怕。神知道我們的情況，神不因此輕看我們，體恤我們的軟弱，信心不足。神透過不同方式讓我們有信心。約書亞、掃羅、大衛都有這樣的例子。

夢和夢的講解有三方面含意。連敵人都這麼說，難道我們還不相信嗎？基甸因此敬拜神，明白神真了解我。這個夢和夢的講解透過敵人，夢境沒有出現基甸、刀，神，約阿司的兒子，解夢的人卻都說出來。後來基甸就以「基甸的刀」來呼喊。這個印證太重要了，基甸要進入敵營才能聽見這些話。基甸敢進入敵營就要有信心的第一步。信心本身要冒險。一旦願意踏出信心的第一步才能經歷，得到大信心。1.火，2.羊毛前兩次是基甸主動要求，這次是神給的。義是本於信，因於信。

耶和華和基甸的刀：基甸只聽到基甸的刀，他加上耶和華，因為他知道這是耶和華的緣故。當我們已經知道會打勝仗，我們還會記得神嗎？為何不說耶和華的刀?基甸的刀是出於解夢的，保留了。這是耶和華的刀，也是基甸的刀。前面，過程，成果都是神的工作，讓我們在其中，讓我們同享榮耀。

打破瓶子的聲音讓人驚恐，平時在家中，在餐廳都讓我們特別刺耳，300個瓶子輪流打破。基甸的人也沒有說殺敵人，都是敵人彼此對殺，都是神在工作。

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How?

Give praise to the Lord for my God is mighty and full of mercy.

With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands

 Judges 7:1-8

The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.”

So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” Three hundred of them lapping with their hands to their mouths.  All the rest got down on their knees to drink.

With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.

Why?

The Lord doesn't like Israelites be proud for their numerous force, so chose only 300 men to go with Gideon. The victory belongs to the Lord, not their strength save them.

How to choose the right men with Gideon, through their drink way to choose. Take water with their hands to their mouths are chosen, for they have noble behavior. They won't kneel down to drink, like the dog.

Like Gideon, we cannot proud that it is the Lord who helps us to victory. I am a servant of the Lord, listen to God's commands.

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神篩選基甸的人，神要用的人是根據神的人。神是否選用預備好的軍隊? 會。神會使用人多的軍隊，但是如果因為人多可以打勝仗，就不是神喜悅的。我常常以為我有足夠的條件來成就就是成功。第一：我們得勝的把握在於神的道，有神同在。

第二個條件：神選有願意的心膽怯的人離開了約2萬人，可能怕被嘲笑的群眾 的壓力。我們信主，服事神也許是怕眾人壓力。

其實基甸也是害怕。神要用的是雖然也害怕，但是有願意的心留下來，去克服。

第三選擇是行事為人，與他的身份相稱。這300人已經意識到他已經是軍人了。頭栽下去，就沒有辦法看到敵人，沒有調整自己。我們所行的與有願做的心相稱，但是老是遲到，我們願意服事，但是隨便穿就來了。當我真的願意來敬拜神時，不是隨便來，我們要有願做的心與行為出來。福音隊集訓時老是遲到，抱著出去玩的心參加福音隊，也是不討神喜悅。我的一舉一動都要有神兒女的樣式。

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How?

God has a great way and strategy to bring us to get the victory. 

If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar

 Judges 6:25-40

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. Then build a proper kind of altar to the Lord your God on the top of this height. Using the wood of the Asherah pole that you cut down, offer the second bull as a burnt offering.”

So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the Lord told him. But because he was afraid of his family and the townspeople, he did it at night rather than in the daytime.

But Joash replied to the hostile crowd around him, “Are you going to plead Baal’s cause? Are you trying to save him? Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar.” So because Gideon broke down Baal’s altar, they gave him the name Jerub-Baal that day, saying, “Let Baal contend with him.”

Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.  He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, calling them to arms, and also into Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali, so that they too went up to meet them.

Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— Gideon asked the Lord to confirm his faith that God will be with him.

Gideon is forced to thresh his meagre grain harvest secretly, in the confines of the winepress. 

Why?

Gideon second time to confirm this mission really comes from the Lord, for his faith is not strong enough and he like let his follower know this action is under the blessing of the Lord, Almighty.

Gedeon has brave to tear down his father's altar Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. But he did it at night. This is good action and his father replied to people good answer. 

Gideon shows a good example of communication with the Lord.

--

一個蒙召的人所遇到的挑戰

1.拆除舊的建立新的：整整齊齊的建一座壇，為你的神。不是隨便建。奉獻自己回應神的呼召，不是為了得什麼? 而是要放下，原來我們依靠的，我們看重的。牛羊是財產，獻給神，拆毀巴力的神像，除去原來我看重的。若沒有拆毀，就會像以色列人出埃及，仍然想著埃及。神沒有要基甸馬上去打仗，而是先拆毀舊的重建新的。回應神的呼召。

2.奉獻會引來強大的攔阻，這個會引禍上身的。要拆舊的不容易，所以晚上阻力小的時候進行。砍下人的權柄、砍下人的自我中心。其實巴力設在那裏，是人決定的，巴力那天生日是人定的。砍下巴力，就是砍去人的權力，砍下人的自我中心。基甸的父親回答眾人，讓巴力自己爭吧。你們是真的為巴力爭嗎？我們有時說為事爭，其實是為自己爭。原來可以掌控的，沒有了，所以要爭，人拜其實是拜自己。不是照著自己的喜好來敬拜，不是順服神，不是敬拜。

3.基甸有號召力。為什麼大家都要來?看來很剛強，但是他兩次求印證。工作事奉的印證，表示基甸是平凡中的平凡，沒有膽量的人，卻是願意聽神差遣的。我們也都是平庸中的平庸，信心軟弱沒有關係，如果沒有信心還裝出有信心更是可怕。若對神信心有懷疑，難道神不做事嗎？神反而體恤基甸的軟弱，體恤人的軟弱。我們要有信心，但是若我們真的沒有信心，就告訴神，我信心不足。耶穌責備門徒不信，但是耶穌仍然把傳福音的使命給他們。神要使用的人，多不是偉人，不是很會講道的人，神不斷顯出他同在的能力。

How?

Only the Lord is the real God, who rules over the world and heaven! 

The Lord Is Peace(Jehovahshalom)

 Judges 6:11-24

The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.”

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

Gideon is forced to thresh his meagre grain harvest secretly, in the confines of the winepress.

Why?

When Gideon saw the angel, he did not know who he was, so he asked him to give me a sign. For Gedepm is the least in his family, and his tribe is small.

Gideon is kind to treat the visitor, and he found he is the Lord so he afraid before the Lord, and God forgives his. So Gedeon calls the Lord, Jehovahshalom, God is peace.

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神有責備，管教，也有指出一條道路。

神要施行恩典要神參與祂的工作。

酒榨內打麥子，比較隱密，同時量也是少的，躲起來打麥子，這是沒有辦法的是事。

基甸是不願意放棄機會的人，即使環境惡劣。基甸想再看到神奇妙的作為，我們不是也一樣期望經歷神的大能。看到神蹟奇事

我們在禱告中求神復興教會，團契，神願意，神說要派我們去，我們願意去，把問題轉為我們的負擔，我們不能只是看別人做。

神使用我們有的，不是使用我們沒有的。神要使用他在沒有辦法的辦法。再怎麽平庸的人也有他的用處。即使只能躲起來打麥子的膽小，平庸的能力給神差遣。

面對呼召，謹慎求證。13節第一個主啊，是一般稱呼先生，15節的主是稱呼神的名字。在極窮乏的情形，拿取22公斤細麵，一頭羊，是很慷慨的奉獻，來求證，以免冒然行動。後來他得到平安的保證，耶和華沙龍。不再躲躲藏藏。我們不能只求神行大事，自己卻不參與。

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How?

The Lord is Peace, with his people and God gives us peace when we follow his decrees.

I am the Lord your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not listened to me

 Judges 6:1-10

The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites.

Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it.

When the Israelites cried out to the Lord because of Midian, he sent them a prophet, who said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians. And I delivered you from the hand of all your oppressors; I drove them out before you and gave you their land.  I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not listened to me.”

Bedouin from the east - the Midianites who were descendants of Abraham by his second wife, Keturah - swept through southern Israel as far as the Philistine city of Gaza The terror spread by these fierce camel-riders is vividly pictured in 6:11.

Why?

This is the reason why Israelite suffer so much trouble and foreigner invaded their land.

Recursively happen in Israelites, they did not learn that the Lord is their only one real God. 

Many of us are like Israelite easy to be attacked by this world. or our faith is weak to follow this world and do not fully obey God's command.

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內部敗壞，以致神用米甸人來管教。

撒種後來攻打，撒種是一種投資，叫以色列人血本無歸。以色列神不敬畏神的結果。

人的責任是敬畏神謹守神的戒命，但是現在變成責任是想辦法得多一些。

什麼原因?忘記神，因為太安逸了，和平40年就忘記，以為只要耕種就有收成豐收。神賜給人白白的恩典。

呼求耶和華後有什麼回應呢?神先差遣先知告訴以色列人原因。以色列人想聽的是趕走米甸人。我們的禱告常常是要神成就我們的需要、祈求，當我們在極窮乏中。我們祈求神時，神當然會幫助我們，但是更重要是能聽神的話語。求神幫助我們，聽神要我們做什麼? 指出我們黑暗面，我們的問題。

求神修剪我們，使我們結果更多。

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How?

It is the Lord brought me up out of Sinner land, out of the land of slavery. He is the Lord, my salvation.

So may all your enemies perish, Lord! But may all who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength.

 Judges 5:19-31

“Kings came, they fought, the kings of Canaan fought. At Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo, they took no plunder of silver.
20 From the heavens the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera. The river Kishon swept them away, the age-old river, the river Kishon. March on, my soul; be strong!
22 Then thundered the horses’ hooves— galloping, galloping go his mighty steeds. ‘Curse Meroz,’ said the angel of the Lord.  ‘Curse its people bitterly, because they did not come to help the Lord, to help the Lord against the mighty.’

So may all your enemies perish, Lord! But may all who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength.” Then the land had peace forty years.

A cloud-burst turned the Kishon into a raging torrent. Many of the chariots were swept away, the rest completely bogged down in the mud.

The 'battle-hymn' has an eye-witness freshness and sheer exultation about it that comes through despite some problems arising from the age of the test. The poet- composer uses all the devices of sound, beat, and repetition to depict scenes as swift and vivid as a film - finally cutting with dramatic effect from Jael, hammer raised, straight to Siser's mother, waiting in vain for her son's return.

Why?

Praise the Lord, for the enemies perish, But all who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength.

God's power like the stars fought, no one can against this power. 

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第五章分為三段

1.序曲

2.如何回應神： 要趕快起來回應神，拿弗他利，西布輪積極回應，但和亞舍卻猶。

3.

  1.19-20迦南君王都來爭戰，西西加的諸王都參戰，卻都未贏得銀錢，打敗仗。

  2. 21-23星宿從天空下來爭戰，是否人造衛星，還是洲際導彈，意表神來爭戰。星宿河流與他們為敵，無論先進武器有多強，但是若以神為敵。西西加有900輛鐵車。

我們不會我們當成是西西拉，認為我們是以色列人，但是當我們依靠我們的武器、精良設備，就是如面西西拉一樣。我們不要拿著聖經，到處去找西西拉。西西拉與神為敵，

3. 我們如何回應，當積極回應神，我靈當努力前行。

米羅斯不以神為敵，不抵擋神總可以吧！冷眼旁觀，不參與神的有。我們若不以神為敵，冷眼旁觀，當中立者，不關心神的事。參戰是因為對我們沒有什麼好處。這樣子在v23當受咒詛。變成抵擋神的。我們在世界和神中間採取中立態度，最後還是成為得罪神的人。

v21 我的靈啊，應當努力前行！

神把敵人交在我們手中，巴拉卻不願

人是有責任的要起來奮勇向前，去去接受神的恩典，看來似乎危險，會失去生命，但是人常常不願意付代價。因為人常常看來覺得很危險。人常常太強調神恩典的結果，卻忽略人的回應。經歷神的工作與神同工的榮耀，信仰豈只是為了我自己，如果我只是按照例常去教會，與一般民間信仰一樣，我不去抵擋神，也不要教會來煩我。這就是米羅斯的錯誤。

4.積極回應的例子就是雅億，而且她有計劃、有謀略、有勇氣的。一個婦人竟然有如此勇氣。她雖然與耶賓同國，她知道站在那一邊，是神國的那一邊。我們今天處在一個異教的環境，我們就靠過去。她先接待西西拉讓他毫無防備。

雅億在異教的環境中，卻有屬靈的眼光，去站在神那邊

5.進入敵人手中，卻不自知。西西拉自己不知道死難臨頭，西西拉母親也不知道。我們是否像西西拉一樣進入敵人的帳蓬中，步人陷阱還以為有人服侍，安心睡覺，要水還有牛奶喝，還可以放心睡覺。我們知道嗎？我們享受在世界的享受中，陶醉在自己美夢中、成就中，自己喜歡的事物當中。西西拉是敵我不分，好好休息、填飽肚子解決我目前問題最重要。我們也常常看不清，解決眼前的問題就好。我們也常常敵我不分，大禍臨頭還不知道。

31節是結論，我們以為我們是巴拉，底波拉，卻甚至於常常是西西拉，米羅斯，讓我們有雅憶的勇氣、屬靈的眼光、底波拉的心志。

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How?

Give thanks to the Lord, praise God Almighty,  Holy Name.

They recite the victories of the Lord, the victories of his villagers in Israel

 Judges 5:9-18

My heart is with Israel’s princes, with the willing volunteers among the people. Praise the Lord!

You who ride on white donkeys, sitting on your saddle blankets, and you who walk along the road, consider the voice of the singers at the watering places. They recite the victories of the Lord, the victories of his villagers in Israel.

The remnant of the nobles came down; the people of the Lord came down to me against the mighty. Some came from Ephraim, Benjamin was with the people who followed you. from Zebulun those who bear a commander’s staff. The princes of Issachar were with Deborah.

Why did you stay among the sheep pens to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart.

Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan. And Dan, why did he linger by the ships? Asher remained on the coast and stayed in his coves. The people of Zebulun risked their very lives; so did Naphtali on the terraced fields.

The song that celebrates the battle provides the clue to the victory.

Why?

There were four tribes that did not follow Barak to fight against the enemies.

Song praised Israel's princes, they were willing volunteers among the people. 

For those who ride on white donkeys, it is like the Jesus Christ ride on the donkey. He is the victories of his villagers in Israel.

How?

Praise the Lord, Be strong! For the Lord is with us.

When new gods were chosen, war came to the city gates

 Judges 5:1-8

When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves— praise the Lord! Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I, even I, will sing to the Lord; I will praise the Lord, the God of Israel, in song.

When you, Lord, went out from Seir, when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens poured, the clouds poured down water.

Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel. When new gods were chosen, war came to the city gates, but not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel.

The song that celebrates the battle provides the clue of the victory. A cloud bust turned the Kishon into a raging torrent.

Why?

Praise the Lord, who came, no one can afford and against Him. Even the mountain is shaking.

When people chose the new gods, the war came to the city gates. This is a great warning to all people.

How?

Praise to the Lord and give honor to the Lord!

But Jael, Heber’s wife, She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died

 Judges 4:17-24

Sisera, meanwhile, fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there was an alliance between Jabin king of Hazor and the family of Heber the Kenite.

 But Jael, Heber’s wife, picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to him while he lay fast asleep, exhausted. She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died.

Just then Barak came by in pursuit of Sisera, and Jael went out to meet him. “Come,” she said, “I will show you the man you’re looking for.” So he went in with her, and there lay Sisera with the tent peg through his temple—dead.

On that day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the Israelites. And the hand of the Israelites pressed harder and harder against Jabin king of Canaan until they destroyed him.

Why?

Barak did not get the honor to kill the enemy, he was killed by a woman, Jael.

When God is planning to put anyone to death, there is no way to escape.

Jael is a hero in this story, the main role is the Lord.

The tent in ancient time only husband and her father can enter it. So Barak thought it is a safe place. And Jael did not agree his father make an alliance with Canaanite, against their family's covenant with Israelites.

How?

Be humble! God is the Lord, praise the holy name of the Lord. God is my shepherd and I am God's servant.

Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?

 Judges 4:1-16

Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, now that Ehud was dead. So the Lord sold them into the hands of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. Because he had nine hundred chariots fitted with iron and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the Lord for help.

 “Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.

Then Deborah said to Barak, “Go! This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” So Barak went down Mount Tabor, with ten thousand men following him. At Barak’s advance, the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword, and Sisera got down from his chariot and fled on foot.

Barak pursued the chariots and army as far as Harosheth Haggoyim, and all Sisera’s troops fell by the sword; not a man was left.

Deborah is a judge in the judicial sense, a woman of authority. Not only does she send for the military leader, Barak, and give him God's instruction, she is also perfectly ready to make an 80km journey north to go with him into battle. Barak gets no glory from the action, for it is another woman, the resourceful Jael, who slays the mighty Sisera with a handy tent peg and mallet.

Why?

God's word and God's way always correct. Listen to the word of God would be a blessing man.

Barak did not get the honor of the battle for he did not fully follow the word of the Lord. The victor of the battle is the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword. God has destroyed the enemy before Barak. 

Victory belongs to the Lord! We are cooperate working with the Lord!

How?

Be encourage and do the right things, God is with us when we obey his commands.

Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud

 Judges 3:12-30

Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and because they did this evil the Lord gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel. The Israelites were subject to Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years. 

Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab.

While they waited, Ehud got away. He passed by the stone images and escaped to Seirah.  When he arrived there, he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went down with him from the hills, with him leading them.

“Follow me,” he ordered, “for the Lord has given Moab, your enemy, into your hands.” So they followed him down and took possession of the fords of the Jordan that led to Moab; they allowed no one to cross over. At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all vigorous and strong; not one escaped. That day Moab was made subject to Israel, and the land had peace for eighty years.

Eglon of Moab headed an eastern alliance which included Ammonites and Amalekites. They not only overran the land east of Jordan but crossed the river to set up an outpost at Jericho.

Like Ehud, many of the Benjamites were left-handed or ambidextrous - the tribes' left-handed slingers had a formidable reputation. On this occasion, it meant that the movement aroused no suspicion.

Why?

A deliver - Ehud, a savior.

A left-handed man: means special man, unnormal but under the Spirit of the Lord, he became a great man.

How?

Under God's blessing, anyone could be a great man among his people. The key is the heart to obey God's command and honor the name of the Lord.

But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer

 Judges 3:7-11

Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and because they did this evil the Lord gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel.

But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them. 

Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab.

While they waited, Ehud got away. He passed by the stone images and escaped to Seirah. When he arrived there, he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went down with him from the hills, with him leading them.

 At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all vigorous and strong; not one escaped. That day Moab was made subject to Israel, and the land had peace for eighty years. 

If Cushan-rishathaim was indeed king of ‘Mesopotamia the attack must have come from the north - which makes his defeat at the hands of a southern champion surprising. But some would emend the name to ‘Cushan’.

Why?

When people is living in peace they forgot the Lord, so the pressure and trouble come, then they cried out to the Lord, God raised up for them a deliverer. This story are recursive come, it became the situation of Israelite.

This is a common situation to most Christians, be aware, evil like roaming lion outside to seek the weak man.

How?

God is my savior, we have to be holy before the Lord.