Read through the chapter slowly making notes. Other versions will be helpful because the grammar is kind of odd in places. This is a weird chapter, but a different weird than we've seen so far. Ask yourself questions about what is going on, and why the author puts it the way he does. You may find some expected elements missing. Don't assume they're there, but not mentioned. Think through why the author would leave them out, or why were they not necessary in this time of Israel's history?
After you've gone through your own study, look through some commentaries, various study Bibles, or other study materials you may have. Adjust your questions and notes accordingly, and then go back through with the questions below:
- Why do you think "a man of Isachar" might live, serve, die, and be buried in Ephraim?
- The number of years seems precise, where his family is from is given, and where he lives, dies, and is buried is precises. Why do you think no other details the "sin cycle" of Israel is present?
- Jair also has some weirdly precise detail, but also a Hebrew pun lost in translation. The word for "jackass" is spelled much like the word for "city". Other than the specific number of years, the thirty sons, jackasses, and cities, we are told nothing of any achievements. Why do you think the author just includes this "pun" and really nothing else about Jair?
- What is the author's point with this account of Tola and Jair? Why these details? What do you think he wanted his audience to know or learn about their own relationship with God and their king(s)?
- Starting with verse 6, we find the expected "formula" for Judges. The "roll call" of nations is different, with some new additions. Why do you think the people would leave Yahweh and go after these other national deities?
- Yahweh "sells" the people into the hands of Philistines and the "sons of Ammon". Why do you think the author puts it that way, Yahweh "sells" them?
- There a lots of ways to read verse 8, and translations vary. What do you think it means? Was there 1 year of damage for the country and 18 for Gilead? Or 18 years of damage for everyone? Or 18 years for everyone, but that one year was "smashing" or worse somehow?
- The sons of Ammon oppress Ephraim, Benjamin, and Judah. But the story happens in Gilead. What do you think it means that Gilead is where deliverance comes from, but the people cry out in Ephraim, Benjamin, and Judah? Why isn't everyone involved in the deliverance?
- The people cry out to Yahweh, which happens, but then a dialogue ensues. Why do you think there is no "prophet" or angel mentioned in this dialogue?
- What do you notice that is included in the people's cry to Yahweh that has been missing so far?
- Yahweh responds with an "it's too late" sort of response. What does this tell you about God's character and how He deals with His people?
- The people persist in crying out, but there is a difference in what they say to Yahweh. What do you think of their response to Yahweh's refusal to rescue?
- In addition to saying something, the people also do something different. We haven't seen the people put away the foreign gods on their own before. There's always been someone to make them do it, or force them to not worship them. What do you think it means for this people at this time that they do this on their own? What's happening? What does it mean?
- Read verse 16 in several translations. To what do you think God is responding? What part of His character moves Him to respond?
- The battle is formed against Gilead, and the people look for a leader. Why do you think there isn't a wrestling match to see who gets to be in charge? What do you think it means for the people that people don't really want to be in charge?
That should take care of our time together, an hour of it at least. Remember to be asking yourself what you learn of God from this, and what you learn about how He relates to you. How does that change how you relate to Him?
No comments:
Post a Comment