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I’m not certain that faith food -- constantly meditating on the word – directly helps us face “giants” in a land that “devours it’s inhabitants.” But as a long-term, slow building routine, it makes more sense. Since Jesus came to set us free from the law, however, I’m not sure what that really means today. In practice, I primarily meditate on the scriptures that are less law-like, more theological or the promises. Now, God strengthens or prepares us to meet our giants is, now, by giving us the Holy Spirit within. To write, think, memorize, ponder … and most importantly recall, is meditating on the scriptures. Eastern meditation empties the mind – Christian meditation fills it.

Faith is related to Christian assertiveness by knowing that we are doing God’s work. It takes courage to keep on doing God’s work. If we have submitted to God’s will, then we can be assertive. Assertiveness is one thing and humility is another and there is no comparative between the two.

I think that Moses was called the humblest man in the world because he did what God told him to do. He was always looking to God for guidance. Jesus was the same way that he could only do what the Father instructed him to do so He was always in touch with God. The leaders today can also be humble if they keep in touch with God.

Joshua was rationally afraid. He saw a land that “devours its inhabitants.” He saw men who appeared so huge/tall that Joshua felt like a “grasshopper” before them … and to himself. If this is taken as a metaphor, when we/Joshua are facing a situation that threatens us because the people who aim to harm us are gigantic/powerful in the world’s eyes, we can and should press forward as did Joshua. Pastor Ralph’s question mentions dwelling on anxieties. Joshua must have turned his thoughts away from his hopeless situation and toward God … when he did so, the ‘giants’ became surmountable. With God all is possible. “Be strong and courageous” is what my twenty-something sons call “bucking it up.” It’s less facing reality than determinedly running toward it. Joshua has a bit of this mentality but he also has God, so when God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous, Joshua knows that God is ordering him to do something. He is in the divine will. Fear morphs into faith. It’s not a binary situation, one in which you are either faith-filled or fear-filled, but, instead, one in which both exist simultaneously. Before fear matures into faith, they co-exist. This is a difficult condition – and, unfortunately, a common one -- it is also the stage in which spiritual growth occurs quickly. Of course, it is possible to be both courageous and fearful. A person who is never afraid is irrational and delusional. God expects us to face problems, even frightening ones. He has sent His Spirit to exist within us, and that should be enough to face the situation, not run away in fear. Yet, most of the time, we face horrible situations with fear lurking in our hearts. Our faith is never completed, always growing. Fear decreases as faith increases. It’s a zero-sum condition.

Gideon killed Zebah and Zalmunna because they had killed his brothers. They even threatened Gideon by saying the ones he killed were like him. He was required by law to wreak vengeance for his family. Gideon lived in a "post-Christian" world. It was important to show power; it was a protection from violence. Christianity civilizes the societies that embrace Christ. I'm so glad that God is now the one who avenges.

The cities of Succoth and Peniel refused to help Gideon's army because they felt the task was already complete. They seemed apathetic; perhaps their faith was apathetic. I think Gideon punished the city leaders to show power - so that others would take him [and God] seriously. War is serious. Gideon is just. Sometimes, we don't listen to God. We become apathetic. We are in serious danger when we take God's commands with a grain of salt.

Q3. (Judges 8:10-12) Why must Gideon vanquish the Midianite force of 15,000 men in Karkor? What danger do we face when we deal with problems only half-way? Gideon must vanquish the Midianite force in order to secure the area. Had they not done that, there might have been constant battles. I think of the Israelites leaving Egypt and finally settling in the promised land. They didn't follow Gods' commands to completely conquering the area. There is still conflict in that area. When we don't obey God completely, we open ourselves up to consequences... problems.

Gideon asks the Ephraimites to "mop up" after them. The Ephraimites were angry to not be part of the original skirmish. Gideon complemented them saying their part in the war was more important than Gideon's tribe. Gideon exhibits humility and tact throughout his dealings with the Midianites (the war). He could have called them out, telling them or God's preference for him. He didn't bother. He exercised restraint.

Q1. (Judges 7:16-22) Why does Gideon divide his army into three companies? What is the strategy with the trumpets, the empty jars, and the torches? Why did this strategy work? Gideon divided his army so that they could "surround" the camp. The trumpets, empty jars and torches would make the Midianites think a large army had surrounded them. Normally, one trumpet would accompany one company of soldiers. 300 trumpets would indicate a huge army. Arriving at night, emptying jars and displaying torches added an element of surprise and shock. It worked well. The Midianites panicked, turned on one another and fled. Israel was able to capture leftover Midianites.

Q5. (Luke 9:59-62; 6:46) Is Jesus our Lord if we don’t obey him immediately? He is in God’s structure but not in our behavior nor our action. We either do not recognize his authority or do not respect it. Is he our Lord if we don’t follow his teachings? No. Once again we are failing to recognize the gift we have been given. What areas of your life do you need to surrender to his Lordship? I have 50 years of collected technical trophies, monuments to my self. I have come to understand the importance of replacing trophies to me with altars erected as monuments to God’s salvations, deliverence, and victories in my life. They are the testimonies when remembered that glorify the Father and the Son. Self is still my greatest sin. The obstruction to more of God in my life.

Q4. Why is the title “Lord Jesus” such an exalted one. Excuse perhaps my military mindset. Is a title of rank as well as his name. His lineage. He is God’s best, moreover, begotten son. Heir with all rights of access to all that is of God. What does it tell us about Jesus’ divinity? It is His inborn right to Godliness by direct sole begotten relationship with the, LORD God. The self existent I Exist, no before, no after, always I AM.

Q3. (John 1:18) How does the title “Only Begotten God” signify Jesus’ divinity? There is none other with the intended purpose of being begotten. Intended to be special. How does the Only Begotten Son differ from you and me as sons and daughters of God? We are adopted in. Accepted in the beloved by a price paid for us by the begotten one. What does “only-begotten” say about Jesus’ status with the Father? He very unique and of special purpose. About the costliness of the cross? There could be no more perfect sacrifice. We could have no greater advocate. I hear…” Father I paid the price for this one before you.” He is the source of our righteousness before the Father. He paid!

Q2. (Mark 1:10-11; Ephesians 1:6) If Jesus is the Father’s Beloved, how can the Father send him to die? By the same love for the lives of others as sending our children into combat for our nation or for others interests and freedom, not our own. How does that make sense, given what we know of parental love? There is a love which transcends our self. What does that say about God’s love for us? It is not measureable by any human value system.

Q1. In what way does the title Son of God make Jesus equal with the Father? At the very least he is the first born. The primary heir who would inherit all or at least a double portion. Therefore he becomes equal. In the natural he would succeed his father. When you deal with the Son, is that the same as dealing with the Father? As best I understand now he is the adjudent, the rigso that it may become pleasing a presentation before the Father himself. Do you know Jesus the Son of God? Yea, as my Lord and my Savior. The right hand man of the Father, Most High God. Also as the Lamb sacrificed for all of the lost, not just myself. Do you love him? With every breath I have taken, 13,962 days since dead code blue in ICU and brought back to life. Life support and 60 liters of O2 a minute were not enough. It took a savior. And yes I still have difficulty showing Him as I should at all times.

Q6. (Luke 9:35) Since Jesus is God’s Chosen One, what does it mean to “listen to him”? He is the very word of God, the abundance, the overflow of God’s heart by which everything that was made was made. In what ways does your life reflect listening to him? The longer I spend time with him the more of my self I want to give up so that He may have more of me. In what ways do you need to heed him more explicitly? The old military value system. The wishes of a superior are to be interpreted as an order. Jesus should but state his wish, not have to order. That is the obedience of those who love.

Q5. Where did the title “Branch” come from? Jess is going to be the spread of the gospel, the spreader of new life bearing fruit. How does the imagery differ from the title “Root”? Root where comes the food which is the source of the life that began as a seed.

Q4. (Matthew 21:9, 15) Why were the chief priests and scribes so angry when little children referred to Jesus as “Son of David”? It is open recognition by the youngest youth that the Messiah has come. What does the title “Son of David” signify? That he is the prophesied Son of David from whom the lineage shall proceed. That Jesus had no natural offspring emphasizes that this lineage was to be those spiritually adopted as brethren.

Q3. (Matthew 16:13-16) Whom did Peter believe Jesus to be? Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. How did Peter come to believe this? for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Why does Jesus command his disciples not to tell others that he is the Messiah? (Matthew 16:20). That you’ll seriously change the nature of the witnesses to His ministry’s testemony. My take is knowing the Christ was He would reduce the wonder of the healings and the words.

This is a specific promise made to Joshua after the death of Moses. God encouraged Joshua by telling him that whatever He had done for Moses, He would do also for Joshua: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” Since Moses had been led by God, then so would Joshua be led. In an earlier passage, God had already reassured Joshua that He would be treating him as He had treated Moses: “… just as I spoke to Moses.” God is making it clear that Joshua is Moses’ successor. The question I have regarding this verse is this: Can I assume that a promise given to an Israelite military leader more than 3000-3500 years ago at a crucial juncture in Israel’s history applies to me today? Yes, I believe God is with me always. I believe this based on the witness of the entire Bible as well as “feel” it in my soul. But I don’t feel comfortable taking this verse as “proof”. I can learn about God from Joshua’s story, or at least how Joshua and God interacted, but will this be the same as how God interacts with me? Are there times when God withdraws? Yes. “They will go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord but will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them.” Hosea 5.6 Many Christians have noticed that in their darkest of hours, when things seem desperate and bleak, God often feels far away. Only in retrospect do they see He was there. God pulls away from our hearts -- in my experience -- when He wants a Christian to grow spiritually in preparation for the next assignment. The times when God seems distant elicit from us a tough and stubborn assertion that God really is around, though there is no evidence of this in one's heart or circumstances. Faith persists when there is no reason/explanation for such sureness. It's not about my feelings or experience. It's about Him and what I rationally and coldly think of Him when my heart isn't following along. Thus, I believe God is with me even when my life is crumbling and He does not make Himself present to my consciousness. -- Exodus 17 has a story of Moses striking a rock with a stick which caused water to flow out of it. Israelites had tested the Lord by asking Him, “Is the Lord with us or not?” They asked because they weren’t sure. They weren’t sure God was with them. They needed the miracle of water to be reassured. We have the Spirit within us and even when gagged and silent, that Spirit is there ... God is with us. We don't need or shouldn't require miracles as "proof." This is an inadequate answer to Pastor Ralph's questions.

The rolling barley loaf was Gideon's sword. God was showing Gideon that he would conquer the Midians. He delivered the Midianites to Gideon.

Obedience to God is important. But, I see that the "lappers" were more alert. Those with their faces down would not see danger coming. The lappers were probably better soldiers.

Q2. Which are your favorite messianic prophecies? Is 9:2 and 9:6-7 Which titles from those are dearest to you? Wonderful Counselor Why? I always need deeper understanding of his ways, and his Devine understanding, discernment of those we encounters needs.

We want to use our intellect instead of trusting God. We care too much about others' opinions. The spiritual danger is that we don't trust God and give Him honor; we're "idol worshipping." We can balance blind obedience by praying and listening to God, searching for answers in the Bible, and listening to those with spiritual discernment.

3. (Judges 7:1-3) Why did God feel Gideon's army was too large? Why was shrinking the army's size to a tiny band essential in restoring Israel's faith and allegiance? What kinds of pressures would Gideon be feeling not to obey God in shrinking his army? How was Gideon able to obey God fully in this? If a large army saved Israel, the people would not trust God. They would trust in their own strength. If the army failed because it was too small, he would be humiliated and lose his command. He would also have to deal with others' anger. Gideon obeyed. It looks like the soldiers who were sent home were relieved.

Q1. What is the meaning of the words "Christ" and "Messiah? Annointed one. God’s chosen to rest or the Davidic line. How does the Davidic Covenant influence messianic expectation in Jesus' day? The people and rulers were expecting a return to worldly power and glory. What they had failed through the centuries was being Godly righteous and covenant keepers in their hearts. The messianic return was spiritual and His kingdom remains spiritual to this day anf for all eternity.