QT with Bible

All the judges in the Book of Judges were chosen by God. However, Abimelech claimed kingship on his own. The people of Shechem supported him but did not truly follow him. Although they appeared to act out of loyalty to their kin, they were ultimately pursuing their own interests. This alliance would ultimately lead to mutual destruction. Read Judges 9:1 - 21 Q1. Why did the people of Shechem follow Abimelech? (2-3) Answers 👉 Abimelech was their close relative. His mother was from Shechem.  Q2. The people of Shechem gave him (                 ) silver coins. And he hired some (            ) men and killed his (             ), seventy sons of Jerub Baal, on (              ).  Answer 👉 The people of Shechem gave him ( seventy ) silver coins. And he hired some ( lawless ) men and killed his ( brothers ), seventy sons o...

The rest of the story reveals a broader problem within Israel: though temporarily saved from the Midianites, their inclination toward idolatry remained unchanged. Read Judges 8:22 - 35 Q1. (22 – 27) People wanted to make Gideon their king. However, Gideon clarified that (              ) was the King. Instead, he asked for (                ) from their plunder and collected (             ) gold shekels. He made an (             ) and put it in his hometown of (                ). Now, all Israel (                 ) themselves to it by worshiping it there. It became a (            ) to Gideon. Answers 👉 People wanted to make Gideon their king. However, Gideon clarified that ( the Lord ) was the King. Instead, he asked for ( go...

Though Gideon and 300 won the battle, the following story is a bit disappointing.  Read Judges 8:1 - 21 Q1. Why were the Ephramites angry at Gideon? How did Gideon appease them? Answers 👉 Gideon didn’t call them to the battle. Gideon said to them, “Ephraimites did more than Gideon’s army.” In ancient times, going to war was the fastest way to gain wealth, though it required risking your life. The Ephraimites were unhappy that they missed the chance to plunder the Midianites. Additionally, the Ephraimites were known for their envy and pride among the Israelites. Gideon wisely appeased the Ephraimites by speaking words that flattered their pride. However, he harshly punished the people of Succoth and Peniel when his pride was wounded. Q2. Why did the people of Succoth and Peniel not support Gideon?  Answer 👉 These two towns are Israelite towns located where the Jabbok River meets the Jordan River. They hesitated to help Gideon out of fear of retaliation from ...

When the Lord’s spirit strengthened Gideon, he collected 32,000 soldiers. They must be motivated by the Lord. However, the Lord sent them home except 300. Read Judges 7:1 - 25 Q1. Why did God ask Gideon to reduce the army to 300?  Answers 👉 God desired to reduce the army's size to ensure Israel would not boast about winning the battle by their strength. The way of drinking water was simply a means to reduce the army's numbers, not to imply a deeper meaning. The focus is on God's decision to use a small group of soldiers (300) to prevent Israel from boasting about their own power. The victory was intended to demonstrate that it was God's doing, not theirs. When the soldiers were divided by how they drank water, the Lord chose those who knelt because they were fewer in number, not because of how they drank.  Mt. Gilead in verse 3 does not mean the Gilead in the East of Jordan. The battlefield was on Jezreel Valley, which is on the West side.  Q2. Why did th...

Gideon’s first mission was to tear down Baal and Asherah. Thus, he got another name: Jerub Baal. His habit of asking for signs continues.  Read Judges 6:25 - 40 Q1. That same (        ), the Lord appeared to Gideon and instructed him to destroy the altar of (       ) and the Asherah pole beside it. He was to offer a burnt offering of a (         ) bull on a newly built altar to the Lord. However, Gideon was (         ) to carry out the task during the day, so he waited until (       ). Answers 👉 That same ( night ), the Lord appeared to Gideon and instructed him to destroy the altar of ( Baal ) and the Asherah pole beside it. He was to offer a burnt offering of a ( seven-year-old ) bull on a newly built altar to the Lord. However, Gideon was ( too afraid ) to carry out the task during the day, so he waited until ( nighttime ). The Lord commanded this on the night ...

As the Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight, the Lord turned them over to Median for seven years. People complained that the Lord had abandoned them. The Lord commissioned Gideon to fight against Median, saying “The Lord is with you." 👉 Read Judges 6:1 - 24 Q1. (1 – 6) Find the expressions telling the Midianites plundered the Israelites, swiped the land, and left nothing. Answers 👉 “devoured it crops all the way to Gaza” “They left nothing”  “they were as thick as locusts”  “they came to devour the land”  As a summary of verses 2 - 5, verse 6 says “Israel was so severely weakened by Midian”. Q2. When they cried to the Lord, He said they disobeyed the Lord. What command did they not listen to the Lord?  Answer 👉 They worshipped the gods of the Amorites, the gods of the land. In ancient pantheon theology, it was believed that each god ruled over a specific town or nation. Therefore, when moving to another place, people were expected to serve the l...

After the amazing victory by the power of the Lord, Deborah and Barak sang this song. The song lists those who participated in the battle and those who did not. In conclusion, the author encourages us to participate in the Lord’s work in love. 👉 Read Judges 5:1 - 31 Q1. What is the reason for praise to God? (v7. 9) (hint: remember Barak’s words to Deborah in 4:8)  Answers 👉 They responded to the call for war. Deborah’s going -> people will gather believing that this is God’s call and that they will win the battle.  Q2. What encouraged the people to answer the call to war? (4-5, 10-11) Answer 👉 They heard the Lord’s coming to save them (4-5) They heard the Lord’s previous deeds of victory (10-11) When they were confirmed of their victory, they willingly gathered.  Q3. Name six tribes who participated in the war and four tribes who didn’t come to the war. (v12-18) Answers 👉 Ephraim, Benjamin, Makir (a clan of Manasseh), Zebulun, Issachar, Nap...

While the story of Ehud in the previous chapter took place in the central part of Israel, this one occurs in the northern region. As the army commander hesitated to go into battle, the Lord used a woman in her tent to secure the victory. 👉 Read Judges 4:1 - 24 Q1. “The Israelites (            ) did evil in the Lord’s sight after (                        ). The Lord turned them over to King Jabin of Canaan, who ruled in (             ). The general of his army was (              ). He cruelly oppressed the Israelites for (             ) years. Now (              ) was leading Israel at that time. She summoned (            ) to lead soldiers to defeat Sisera. Answers 👉 The Israelites ( again  ) did evil in the Lord’...

Because the Judges were also human, they had weaknesses and flaws. However, God’s power is sufficient to deliver Israel through imperfect human leaders. 👉 Read Judges 3:12 - 31 Q1. The Israelites did (        ) in the Lord’s (            ). The Lord gave (             ) control over Israel because they had done evil in the (                 ). Answers 👉 The Israelites did ( evil  ) in the Lord’s ( sight  ). The Lord gave ( King Eglon of Moab ) control over Israel because they had done evil in the ( Lord’s sight ). This introduction is repeated in nearly every episode in the Book of Judges: Israel’s troubles arose because they did evil in the Lord’s sight, even though they were merely conforming to the practices of the surrounding nations. It is also important to note that the afflictions they faced typically came at the hands of neighbor...

Since they continued to serve other gods, the Lord decided to leave the remaining Canaanites in the land to test Israel. Whenever they worshiped idols and sinned against the Lord, their enemies would invade and plunder the land, serving as a clear indicator of their sins. 👉 Read Judges 2:21 – 3:11 Q1. What made the Lord decide not to remove the remaining Canaanite nations before Israel?  Answers 👉 They violated the covenantal terms. Because they broke the covenantal relationship, the Lord was no longer obligated to remove their enemies. The literal translation of the Hebrew phrase "by disobeying me" is "by not listening to my voice." The Lord wasn’t just saying they violated a command or two; He was emphasizing that they had completely disregarded His words and ignored Him altogether. It was to test Israel. Before, they were supposed to be eradicated from the land. But now, the purpose of the existence of the Canaanite nations is to test Israel. “This na...

The Book of Judges begins with the Israelites' incomplete conquest in chapter 1. Chapter 2 introduces a new era: the era of the Judges, characterized by a notorious cycle of sin. In the Book of Joshua, the narrative of faith, victories, and repentance culminates in a renewed commitment to the Lord. However, the Book of Judges reveals a downward spiral, with the cycle of sin intensifying over time, ultimately leading to national apostasy and collapse. 👉 Read Judges 2:1 - 19 Q1. What was their disobedience that made the Lord said He would not not drive the Canaanites out? Answers 👉 They were supposed not to make an agreement with the Canaanites but to tear down their altars.  Bokim means “weepers.” Why did they weep? The Lord would not help them anymore? Or they might serve other gods?  This passage explains the cause of their incomplete conquest: they could not drive out their enemies because, due to their sins, the Lord did not remove them. It is unusual for the Bi...