Donald Henhawke

Darleen Nelson expressed it beautifully and i cannot add to it that would clarify it any further. My own spirtual adultries would include relying to much on my own understanding.Intolerance for others and their belief systems. Theres a song from the seventies that goes "Looking for love in all the wrong places" now i know it had a different meaning from the writer/artist, but sometimes i tend to look for the love of God in all the wrong places such as, authors,theologians,and others with varying views. I often forget his Love is indwelling with the Holy Spirit in our hearts and not always in our heads.

In following up on my last enrty , the bible dosent say "How Gideon felt" after he slayed Zebha & Zalmunna my gut instincts tell me if he felt remorseful it could of been seen as justice, he he revelled in it and wished for more it could be seen as an evil bloodlust which is never really "just" Sometimes i wish the bible would have described more about the motives and intentions of peoples thoughts and feelings in the Old Testament. just a thought!

I believe Gideon slayed Zebha & Zalmunna clearly out of his anger and bloodlust. The Mosiac law was implemented for the very reason that it was to( prevent) blood fueds, or revenge killings. The idea of " a eye for an eye" continues to be taken out of context, in old testament times when someone harmed or killed someone retribution was to be of the same nature and not more than the value of the offence. If someone bruised the eye of another, killing of the other would not be just! . The swift exacting of justice was meant as a learning tool to not create a blood fued, when someone bruised the eye of another one would likely say" "well dont come crying to me,you shouldnt have done that,i taught you better," lesson learned. Christians are prohibited from acting out in revenge because God loves us and dosent wish for us to express beyond his boundries that are there for our protection.God takes the onus of justice from us and deals with it, because only God see,s what truly in the intention of hearts of man.

I believe these two cities didnt help out because of fear of reprisal of the hands of the Midianites! Put your self in their postition, you help out to find your not on the winning side, what then ,Ooops you just signed your fate and the fate of your family and friends. It was Gideons dicision to punish the officials, not Gods, i wondered why Gideon didnt ask for a sign of wet blankets when he took that decision! Gideon assumed they were on the same spiritual plan with God as he was . Did he lack foresight and temperance? Me thinks so!

Gideon had to finish the Midianites so the blood fued would not exist,the thirst for revenge would not have a foothold. If God instructs one to follow his rules or guidlines to completion and one does not , must accept the consequences of choosing not to obey!

Gideon asks his fellow countrymen to help finish killing the Mindianites by cutting them off at their watering holes. They were angry because they felt their pride and honor was robbed of them, Gideon used diplomacy and the humbleness of Gods grace to difuse any futher contentions and get on with the business at hand. I believe we can learn from Gideon that prideful ambitions that take God out of the picture is callous,and misdirected,we should at all times be humble and gracious to his direction

Gideon was inspired by God, to follow according his guidance and spirit. The stategy was succesfull to frighten and confuse the Midianites with some falling on the own weapons,following Gods plans always work to an sucessfull end as long as one follows its meaning faithfully and leaves out the human frailities.

Its because of our human frailities and understanding of our mortality that we seem to ask for a sign or clarification in instructions from God.We are so scared of losing all that we have for something that we believe may or may not be coming from God, can that be an indicator of lack of Faith? hmm posssibly! Our pride and lack of spiritual fullfillment instills a false sense of being labelled "a religious kook",no one likes to be called this especially the ones that come to my door on Saturday morning in a vain attempt to undermine my faith while im working in the house in my underware, i can only imagine what they thought of me standing there defending what i believe in my gitch with a paintbrush and a hammer in my hand!

God having Gideon reduce his army to meager proportions would furthur emphasize his power and glory rather than given an avenue for man to boast in their hearts and mind. Its probably only human to feel apprehensive taking such a drastic faith in Gods directions. Gideon overcame some doubt by listening to loose lips,that ultimately sank the enemies ships. peace.

While living in days of cults and a counter christ like culture i think if ones sure that they,re actions or ideals might seem contrary to biblical principals it should be ok to pray for discernment or clarification. I think the danger in demanding a sign is relying on it totally as a faith by-proxy type of faith. peace.

I believe Gideon put the fleece out to test himself more than the God. By doing such enforced a physical assurance of his spirit instead of following thought pattern which could at any time may seem right. To me it seems like Gideon was a analytical type of thinker and believer and wanted to seperate the physical and the spiritual for a complete understanding of instructions. (of course its just my opinion) peace.

Greetings my name is Donald Henhawke from Hamilton Ontario Canada, Im 37 years young ,a Anglican,artist,whom works as a custodian. I was raised as a Jehovah Witness but with the grace of God I was freed of the tyranny and not really fully indoctrinated into its deceptive assembly. I really enjoy all the entries from the last study of Luke and made some nice efriends. Kudos to Pastor Ralph Wilson to bring the bible to light in such a thoughful manor. Peace.

The indwelling and outward expression of the Holy Spirit is all the inspiration that they needed, anything other is vainly contrived and ill concieved. peace.

I tend to agree with BJ Collins on this one theres just not enough biblical info to base a wish-washy belief about Joash, lets see what we place as priorites today, shiney things, and green things, American Idol is hot these days, how about all the preverse topics in the supermarket checkout magazine racks! I tend to think that peoples spiritual journey was based on the I,ll believe it when i see it type attitude back then as well as today to some degree. I believe his spiritual conviction had a profound affect on his relationship with both God and his son. Some times honoring your mom and dad can involve many aspects of action and learning. peace.

Certainly, we all can be a disobiedent diciple, just like Adam,Cain,Johna,Judas,and soforth. It sorta sounds like a oxymoron in terms we cannot be diciplined follower all the time. Free-will and the ever present evil enviroment will always play a role in our walk. Yes Gideon did have a choice, free will is given to all,Gideon could of gone to bed! Yes we all have choices, God graciously gave us free will as a sign and expression of his Love. Forced will is not Love its opression! peace.