Podcasts about Midian

2 The people walking in darkness     have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness     a light has dawned.3 You have enlarged the nation     and increased their joy; they rejoice before you     as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice     when dividing the plunder.4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat,     you have shattered the yoke that burdens them,     the bar across their shoulders,     the rod of their oppressor.5 Every warrior's boot used in battle     and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning,     will be fuel for the fire.6 For to us a child is born,     to us a son is given,     and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called     Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 Of the greatness of his government and peace     there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne     and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it     with justice and righteousness     from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty     will accomplish this.Isaiah 9:2-7PACK THE HOUSE SLIDE*2 The people walking in darkness     have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness     a light has dawned.Isaiah 9:2-79 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. John 1:9-11DAWN OF THE PROMISE9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”Matthew 9:9-13His [Matthew's] occupation as a tax collector implies that he had training in scribal techniques and was thus able to write…Crossway Study Bible, ESVMatthew, The Chosen picture***His [Matthew's] occupation as a tax collector implies that he had training in scribal techniques and was thus able to write, while his identity as a Galilean Jewish Christian suggests his ability to interpret the words and actions of Jesus in light of Old Testament messianic expectations.Crossway Study Bible, ESV1 This is the genealogy[a] of Jesus the Messiah[b] the son of David, the son of Abraham:2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,Isaac the father of Jacob,Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,Perez the father of Hezron,Hezron the father of Ram,4 Ram the father of Amminadab,Amminadab the father of Nahshon,Nahshon the father of Salmon,5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,Obed the father of Jesse,6 and Jesse the father of King David.David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam,Rehoboam the father of Abijah,Abijah the father of Asa,8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,Jehoram the father of Uzziah,9 Uzziah the father of Jotham,Jotham the father of Ahaz,Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,Manasseh the father of Amon,Amon the father of Josiah,11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.12 After the exile to Babylon:Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,13 Zerubbabel the father of Abihud,Abihud the father of Eliakim,Eliakim the father of Azor,14 Azor the father of Zadok,Zadok the father of Akim,Akim the father of Elihud,15 Elihud the father of Eleazar,Eleazar the father of Matthan,Matthan the father of Jacob,16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.Matthew 1:2-27WHEN GOD MAKES PROMISES, HE FULFILLS THEMThe Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you.2 “I will make you into a great nation,     and I will bless you; I will make your name great,     and you will be a blessing.[a]3 I will bless those who bless you,     and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth     will be blessed through you.”Genesis 12:1-3All this may sound too good to be true, but it will be done. God – the LORD of all heavenly armies – has promised to accomplish this wordCharles SpurgeonGOD'S PROMISES REQUIRE FAITH18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”[d] 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:18-22"Oh, that men would see that all God's ancient promises find their yes in Christ! But their eyes are blinded by expectation and prejudice, so they wander, seeking fulfillment elsewhere."Charles SpurgeonFAITH IS NOT BLIND, IT'S REASONABLEMust be a descendant of Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3; 22:18)Must be from Isaac (not Ishmael) (Genesis 17:19)Must be from ...

This episode from the Everyday Judaism Podcast, hosted by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, discusses the Halachot (Jewish laws) regarding the immersion (Tevilah) of utensils in a Mikvah, based on the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (Siman 37). The discussion draws from biblical origins (from the conquest of Midian) and covers practical applications, exceptions, and related concepts like Kashering (making utensils kosher). Below is a structured breakdown of the key points, including Halachot mentioned, materials affected, procedures, and special cases.The episode concludes with a transition to the Ask Away #23._____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #70) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on November 2, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on November 16, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#Halacha, #Jewishlaw, #Immersion, #Utensils, #Mikvah, #Holiness, #Kashering, #Water ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode from the Everyday Judaism Podcast, hosted by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, discusses the Halachot (Jewish laws) regarding the immersion (Tevilah) of utensils in a Mikvah, based on the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (Siman 37). The discussion draws from biblical origins (from the conquest of Midian) and covers practical applications, exceptions, and related concepts like Kashering (making utensils kosher). Below is a structured breakdown of the key points, including Halachot mentioned, materials affected, procedures, and special cases.The episode concludes with a transition to the Ask Away #23._____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #70) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on November 2, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on November 16, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#Halacha, #Jewishlaw, #Immersion, #Utensils, #Mikvah, #Holiness, #Kashering, #Water ★ Support this podcast ★

The Suffering of the Psalmist      The Psalmist wrote, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep Your word” (Psa 119:67). The word translated “went astray” is שָׁגַג (shāgag). According to HALOT it means “to make a mistake inadvertently, unwittingly…to go astray.”[1] It connotes moral or spiritual deviation (cf. Prov 5:23; Isa 53:6). Ross states, “The verb (שָׁגגַ) is used in Leviticus for unintentional sins; but here it probably includes rationalized, deliberate sins because he was wandering from the way of God. He was not walking by faith in obedience to the word, and so he suffered some affliction at the hands of the wicked; but now he was keeping God's oracle, the word “keep” (שָׁמַר) referring to a meticulous observance of all that God required in his covenant.”[2] The significance is that the psalmist admits he was drifting from obedience, not necessarily into outright rebellion, but into carelessness or neglect of God's Word. The affliction became God's means of correction, turning his wandering into renewed obedience. Thus, the term highlights human tendency to stray and God's faithful use of discipline to restore. A few verses later he states, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, so that I may learn Your statutes” (Psa 119:71). Affliction is seen as a teacher that drives God's people back to His Word. Ross adds, “The psalmist is able to acknowledge that his affliction worked for his good because it forced him to learn more of God's plan revealed in his word. In learning through adversity, he discovered the word God personally revealed in human language was far more valuable than silver or gold [Psa 119:72].”[3] Then, the psalmist states, “I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me” (Psa 119:75). Ross states: "The affliction he has been experiencing came from God, even though it was through arrogant oppressors. The principle was laid down in the experience of Israel in the wilderness: God tested them to see if they would obey or not (Deut 8:16). Those who understand the ways of God know that ultimately it is his plan to exalt the righteous and destroy the wicked, but that in his wisdom he often humbles the righteous before exalting them."[4]      Taken together, these verses trace the movement from wandering, to correction, to obedience, and finally to worshipful recognition of God's faithful purposes. They teach that affliction, far from being wasted, is a tool in God's hand to sanctify His people and anchor them more firmly in His Word. We don't like trials or suffering, and we often ask God to remove them, much like Paul asked God to remove his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor 12:7). However, we find that most of the time God chooses not to remove our difficulty, like He did not remove Paul's (2 Cor 12:8-9), and we must learn that what He does not remove, He intends for us to deal with, and this by faith (2 Cor 12:10; cf. 2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38; 11:6). The Suffering of Joseph      Joseph's life stands as one of Scripture's clearest demonstrations of how God employs suffering to shape the faith and character of His people. Betrayed by his brothers and cast into a pit, Joseph was sold into slavery and carried away to Egypt (Gen 37:23–28). There he endured the humiliation of serving as a foreigner in Potiphar's house, and though he prospered by God's favor, his integrity in resisting Potiphar's wife led to false accusations and unjust imprisonment (Gen 39:1–20). Even in prison, where he was forgotten by those he had helped (Gen 40:23), Joseph displayed remarkable faithfulness, refusing bitterness and maintaining trust in God's providential hand. Each stage of his trial pressed him deeper into dependence upon the Lord, refining his character for the weighty responsibilities that awaited him. His hardships were not incidental but instrumental in God's design, preparing him to serve as second only to Pharaoh and to become a channel of blessing to countless lives.      Joseph consistently interpreted his life from the perspective of God's providence, not merely in the well-known statement of Genesis 50:20. When he first revealed himself to his brothers, he sought to comfort them with the assurance that their sin, though grievous, was under divine control: “Do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Gen 45:5). He went further, declaring, “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God” (Gen 45:7–8). In both statements, Joseph acknowledged the reality of human betrayal but deliberately framed it within the larger purposes of God. He viewed his sufferings as divine instruments for the preservation of life and the fulfillment of covenantal promises.      Later, after Jacob's death, Joseph's brothers again feared retaliation, but Joseph reaffirmed the same perspective, saying: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” (Gen 50:20). This statement serves as the theological climax of his narrative, demonstrating how God overruled human evil for His own purposes. According to Radmacher, “God works His good plan even through the evil plans of evil people. Even the worst events can be used in the hand of kindly Providence for His good.”[5] Even at the end of his life, Joseph's confidence remained fixed on God's providence. Altogether, Joseph voiced this divine perspective at least four times (Gen 45:5; 45:7–8; 50:20; 50:24–25), revealing a mature faith that consistently interpreted suffering through the lens of God's sovereign care. The Suffering of Moses      Moses' life reveals how God employs prolonged suffering and repeated trials to shape His servants into men of spiritual depth and usefulness. After killing the Egyptian, Moses fled into exile, spending forty years in Midian as a shepherd (Ex 2:15–25). This season of obscurity was not wasted but was God's classroom for humility and preparation. Though Moses had been educated in all the wisdom of Egypt (Acts 7:22), he needed the quiet discipline of the desert to unlearn self-reliance and to grow in patience and dependence on God. The Lord used these years of hiddenness to refine his character and to equip him with the endurance necessary for leading Israel. This long exile reminds believers that God often uses seasons of difficulty, waiting, and obscurity as essential training grounds for future service. Moses would later emerge not as the impulsive prince of Egypt but as the meek servant whom God could use to shepherd His people. Wiersbe states: "The man who was “mighty in word and deed” is now in the lowly pastures taking care of stubborn sheep, but that was just the kind of preparation he needed for leading a nation of stubborn people. Israel was God's special flock (Psa 100:3) and Moses His chosen shepherd. Like Joseph's thirteen years as a slave in Egypt and Paul's three years' hiatus after his conversion (Gal 1:16-17), Moses' forty years of waiting and working prepared him for a lifetime of faithful ministry. God doesn't lay hands suddenly on His servants but takes time to equip them for their work."[6]      When God called Moses to return to Egypt, the trials intensified. He faced the hardened opposition of Pharaoh (Ex 5–12), who resisted every divine demand, bringing repeated conflict and mounting pressure. Beyond this, Moses bore the weight of constant complaints from the Israelites themselves, who murmured against him at the Red Sea and in the wilderness over water and food (Ex 14–17). Such trials might have broken a lesser man, but through them God deepened Moses' humility and dependence. Scripture later records that “the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth” (Num 12:3). His humility came as he suffered hardship—first in Midian's solitude, then in Pharaoh's defiance, and finally in Israel's stubbornness. Each trial stripped Moses of self-confidence and taught him to rest in God's power and presence. Thus, Moses' life illustrates that suffering, though painful, is God's tool to produce humility, endurance, and spiritual maturity in His people, preparing them for greater responsibility and usefulness in His service. The pathway to spiritual maturity sometimes runs though the valley of hardship and suffering. Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.   [1] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 1412. [2] Allen P. Ross, A Commentary on the Psalms (90–150): Commentary, vol. 3, 523. [3] Ibid., 524–525. [4] Ibid., 529. [5] Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House, Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999), 83. [6] Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Vol. 1, 182-183.

The Future Right NowIsaiah 9:1-7Judges 6:1The Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord handed them over to Midian seven years, Judges 10:6 Then the Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They worshiped the Baals and the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites and the Philistines. They abandoned the Lord and did not worship him.Judges 6:13-16The story of Gideon is not about Gideon's strength, but God's presence (”But I will be with you”).Judges 7:7 The Lord said to Gideon, “I will deliver you with the three hundred men who lapped and hand the Midianites over to you. But everyone else is to go home.”Judges 7:9 That night the Lord said to him, “Get up and attack the camp, for I have handed it over to you.Judges 7:14 His friend answered, “This is nothing less than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has handed the entire Midianite camp over to him.”Judges 7:15 When Gideon heard the account of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to Israel's camp and said, “Get up, for the Lord has handed the Midianite camp over to you.”...I will deliver you....for I have handed it over to you.God has handed...Judges 7:12 Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and all the people of the east had settled down in the valley like a swarm of locusts, and their camels were as innumerable as the sand on the seashore. Judges 7:19-22Through the weakest family and the smallest army, God pre-declared a victory– showing us a pattern of His work: God's strength through our weakness.Isaiah 8:21-2221 They will wander through the land, dejected and hungry. When they are famished, they will become enraged, and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. 22 They will look toward the earth and see only distress, darkness, and the gloom of affliction, and they will be driven into thick darkness.Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future he will bring honor to the way of the sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations.DistressDarknessThe gloom of afflictionIsaiah 9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.Isaiah 9:3-43 You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before you as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils.4 For you have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor ,just as you did on the day of Midian.Isaiah 9:5-75 For every trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire.6 For a child will be born for us,a son will be given to us,and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.7 The dominion will be vast,and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom,to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.Isaiah 9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

October ends, but HORTOBERFEST continues. The Good Guys take all their candy and head to Midian to divvy it up. The one where The Good Guys watch ⁠⁠Nightbreed.-The Good Guys:  Regan, Rob, and Ryan -Producer:  Eric 'e0n' Chung  -Engineers:  Regan & Eric  -Social Media Strategist:  E  -Background Music and FX courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  - -Do It Clive -The Breed -Pain -⁠ -⁠⁠ -Featured background music playlist:  Ad Infinitum, Data, Mantra, Symbolic, Vintage, and Arcadia  by  White Bat Audio  -Background music for POP Quiz and Trailer is Dark Angel by  White Bat Audio  - Theme music is Battle (Boss) by BoxCat Games and is licensed under CC BY 3.0  - Additional music is Against the Wall by BoxCat Games and is licensed under CC BY 3.0  -

When Moses was born the Hebrew people had been living in Egypt for quite a time. Initially under the protection of Joseph and Pharoah and welcomed as honored guests; they had become an oppressed and enslaved nation. Fearing their growing strength, Pharaoh ordered every Hebrew boy to be thrown into the Nile. But one mothers courage defied the kings decree. She hid her child as long as she could, then placed him in a basket coated with tar and pitch and set him afloat on the Nile river. By Gods providence, Pharaohs daughter found the baby and raised him as her own. Moses grew up amid the luxury of Pharaohs court, yet he never forgot his Hebrew roots. His passion for justiceand his temperwould define much of his life. When he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, Moses struck down the oppressor and hid the body in the sand (Exod. 2:1112). When the act became known, he fled to the wilderness of Midian, where he spent forty years as a shepherd, husband, and son-in-law to Jethrowaiting for the day when God would call him to lead His people out of bondage. By the time we reach Exodus 3, Moses had already spent those forty years in Midian tending sheep. Then, before a burning bush, he encountered the living Godthe God of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God entered into Moses world in such a way that he would never be the same again. When God called to him from the bush, He said,Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground(v. 5). What made the ground holy? The presence of God made it holy. As R.C. Sproul wrote in his classicThe Holiness of God: God alone is holy in Himself. Only God can sanctify something else. Only God can give the touch that changes it from the commonplace to something special, different, and apart. The God who spoke to Moses from within the burning bush is not only holybut faithful. While many Hebrews believed that God had forgotten them, the Lord reminded Moses that He is not only all-seeing, but full of mercy:I have certainly seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their outcry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings(v. 7). Then God said to Moses,And now come, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt(v. 10). To this, Moses humbly replied,Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt? All that Moses saw in himself was his own failures and weaknesses. But for God, it didnt matter how weak Moses was, for He delights to use the foolish to shame the wise and the weak to shame the strong (1 Cor. 1:2631). What the burning bush reminds us of is not only that God is holy, or that He is omniscient, or that He is faithful to His promises, but that God uses people not because He needs to, but because He wants to. Just as God did not need Noah or Joseph to address the problems of the world, He did not need Moses. The marvel of the story of God and the people He chooses to use has more to do with that fact that He invites people like us into His mission and the story He is telling. There is a Mediator Who Stands in Your Place After God revealed Himself to Moses as Yahwehthe covenant-keeping GodHe commissioned Moses to return to Egypt. Understandably, Moses questioned,Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?God assured him,I will certainly be with you(Exod. 3:1012). And when Moses was to speak to the people of Israel, God instructed him to say,I AM WHO I AM has sent me to you(v. 14). One of the characteristics that distinguishes the God of Abraham from the gods of Egypt is His faithfulnessHe keeps His promises. This is expressed beautifully inExodus 6:25, where God tells Moses,I am the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself fully known to them. I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners. Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant.Gods faithfulness is not only in His name but in His actions, His compassion, and His unwavering remembrance of His promises. Do you remember Leahthe ugly wife whom Jacob did not love? Not only was Judah born to her, but so was Levi. About five generations later, we read inExodus 2:1of a man from the house of Levi who married a daughter of Levi. Together they had three children: Miriam, Aaron, and Moses. It was after Miriam and Aarons birthbut before Moses was bornthat Pharaoh commanded every Hebrew son to be thrown into the Nile (seeExod. 1:2022). Yet from this very family, God raised up the leaders who would deliver His people. Moses would lead Israel out of bondage, serving as a type of king who would shepherd Gods people through the wilderness. Aaron would become Gods priest, and through him the priestly line would continue (Exod. 28:129:9). Miriam would be identified as a prophetess (Exod. 15:2021). Dont miss this: God used all threeMoses, Aaron, and Miriamto lead His people out of Egypt, yet Aaron and Miriam would serve the people under Moses leadership (see Mic. 6:4). But it was to Moses, that God said, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. And when Miriam and Aaron forgot their place and Moses God-ordained role before Israel, God said, Now hear My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, will make Myself known to him in a vision. I will speak with him in a dream. It is not this way for My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My household; with him I speak mouth to mouth, that is, openly, and not using mysterious language, and he beholds the form of the Lord. So why were you not afraid to speak against My servant, against Moses? (see Num. 12:1-8). Follow the Deliverer Who Leads His People Out of Bondage Moses stood before Pharaoh and Israel as a type ofshepherd-kinga mediator and prophet who spoke on Gods behalf. Listen to how the Lord described Moses role: As for you, you shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall speak to Pharaoh that he let the sons of Israel go out of his land. But I will harden Pharaohs heart, so that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. When Pharaoh does not listen to you, I will lay My hand on Egypt and bring out My armies, My people the sons of Israel, from the land of Egypt by great judgments. Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I extend My hand over Egypt and bring out the sons of Israel from their midst. (Exod. 7:2-5). When Moses and Aaron appeared before Pharaoh, they declared, Thus says the LORD, Let My people go. (Exod. 5:1). Pharaoh not only refused but mocked the God of Israel: Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and besides, I will not let Israel go (5:1-2). To prove that no one would command Pharoah of Egypt, he made the Israelites labor even harsher, forcing them to gather their own straw while maintaining the same quota of bricks. What followed was asuccession of ten plagues, each designed to expose the impotence of Egypts gods and, in many cases, tomock them directly. The first nine fall naturally into three escalating triads: Plagues of defilement:water turned to blood (7:1424), frogs overran the land (8:115), and gnats or lice tormented Egypt (8:1619). Plagues of destruction:swarms of flies invaded (8:2032); disease killed Egypts livestock while Israels remained unharmed (9:17); and boils afflicted people and animals alike (9:812). Plagues of devastation:hail mixed with fire ravaged the land (9:1335); locusts devoured the remaining crops (10:120); and darknessa direct assault onRa, the sun-godcovered Egypt for three days (10:2129). Each judgment demonstrated Yahwehs sovereignty, yet Pharaohs heart only grew harder. Enraged, he shouted to Moseswho stood before himas Gods representative: Get away from me! Be careful, do not see my face again, for on the day you see my face, you shall die! (10:28). The cognitive dissonance of Pharaoh towards the God of the Israel was not only irrational, but insane! He was dealing with the God who He could not defeat, for in the words of the apostle Paul, it was the equivalent of the clay pot accusing the potter that He had no rights over what He created (Rom. 9:19ff.). In essence, Pharaohs heart cried out to the God of Moses,Who are You to tell me what I can and cannot do? Before we shake our heads or point our finger at Pharaoh in disgust, we must ask ourselves:What has God commanded us to release or submit to that we have resisted with the same question Who is Yahweh that I should obey His voice? Live in the Victory of the Lamb Who Triumphed Over Every Power Before the final plague, Israel was commanded to take amale lamb without defectand keep it forfour dayslong enough to confirm it was spotless and long enough for it to become, in a sense,theirlamb (Exod. 12:16). On the fourteenth day, the lamb was to be slaughtered at twilight, and its blood applied on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it (v. 7). Afterward, the entire household was toeat the lamb together(vv. 811). For what purpose was the perfect and spotless lamb slaughtered? We are told why in Exodus 12:12, For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and fatally strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the human firstborn to animals; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgmentsI am the Lord. Who would God strike? Thefirstborn sonsboth human and animaland thegods (elohim) of Egypt. These gods were not merely lifeless idols butspiritual powers, demonic forces that animated Egypts sorcery and who also held Pharaoh and his people captive[1] (see Deut. 32:17; 1 Cor. 10:2022).[2] So what fueled Pharaohs hatred of Yahweh and his oppression of Israel? His sin and pride, certainlybut beneath that rebellion lay ademonic conflict. The showdown between Moses and Pharaoh, Israel and Egypt, was not merely political or personal; it wasspiritual warfare. As Paul later wrote, For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12). Every plague before the tenth was a call to repentancea chance for Pharaoh, for Egypt, and even for any Hebrew who had turned to Egypts idols, to turn back to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But only throughthe blood of the lambwould anyone experience deliverance and victory. But, why the firstborn? At the summit of Egypts pantheon stoodRa (Re), the so-called god of gods, depicted with thehead of a falconand thesolar disk encircled by a cobraa symbol of divine power and kingship. Pharaoh was worshiped as theson of Ra, and his ownfirstborn sonwas regarded as the next embodiment of divine rule. In one decisive act, Yahweh crushed the head of Egypts god for the purpose of liberating captive Israel and any Egyptian who wished to turn to the true Creator, and He did it through the blood of the lamb! Conclusion Through this series, youve been reminded of thetrue and better Adamwho embraced a tree for our redemption and life. Youve seen thetrue and better Isaac, who carried His cross to the place of execution for sins we committed, that we might become children of God through His willing death. There is atrue and better Israel, who pursued the unfaithful bride and redeemed her to be clothed in white, never again enslaved to sin. And there is atrue and better Mosesthe Prophet who perfectly represents God, the High Priest who intercedes for us, and the flawless Shepherd-King whose lordship demands our obedience. Behind Egypts gods stood a master deceiverthe father of lies, the ancient serpentwho twists truth and opposes the purposes of God. When Moses stood before Pharaoh, he wasnt merely confronting a ruler; he was standing against the spiritual powers of darkness. In that moment, Moses foreshadowed the One who would intercede perfectly on our behalf. Jesus is the true and better Mosesthe long-promised Deliverer, the Lion of Judah who became the Lamb of God to set captives free. He alone is the sinless Son of the Father, who took on flesh and dwelt among usthe Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. But His death did more than address our guilt; ittriumphed over sin, death, and every power opposed to Gods kingdom. Through His cross and resurrection, Jesus destroyed the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil (Heb. 2:14), and the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). When we turn to the book of Revelation, we witness a dramatic, global reenactment of the Exodus story: the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls each unleash escalating judgments, echoing the plagues that struck Egypt. Yet, just as Pharaoh stubbornly hardened his heart, so too does humanity in the final days. Scripture warns, The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands; they continued to worship demons and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and woodidols that can neither see, hear, nor walk. They refused to repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts (Rev. 9:20-21). So we must ask regarding ourselves: Who is Yahweh that I should obey Him? Thetrue and better Moses, theLamb of God, was slain to liberate us from such things. For the true Christian,Colossians 2:1315declares our victory: And when you were dead in your wrongdoings and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our wrongdoings, having canceled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. (Col. 2:13-15) If you are in Christ, your victory and freedom are found inthe Lamb who reigns as the Lion of Judah. Jesus is the true and better Mediator who stands in your place. Jesus is the true and better Deliverer who leads His people out of bondage. The true Son of God is your salvationbefore whom every ruler and demon, all who are rich and poor, those who are known and unknown will one day bow. And on that Day, mayRevelation 12:1011be said of you: Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. (Rev. 12:10-11) [1] And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they will not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Cor. 4:3-4) [2] No, but I say that things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become partners with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we? (1 Cor. 10:20-22)

The children of Israel were bondage to the Midianites, a people from east of the Jordan River, known for strife and contention. Judges 6:1 records that “…the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.” Sin always enslaves people. God's chastening hand had its desired effect—they turned to the Lord and sought deliverance. God commissioned a man from central Israel named Gideon to be their deliverer. There would be many personal, family and military struggles, but God strengthened Gideon in each situation. Today we will see, that no matter the struggles we face in accomplishing the task God has assigned to us, God will strength us as we continue forward in faith and obedience.Thanks for joining us for this episode and please take a moment to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoy this content, please don't hesitate to leave us a 5-star review and share this podcast with your friends.  We'd like to extend an invitation to you and your family to join us for worship this week at Grace Baptist Church. We'd also love to connect with you online at https://gracekettering.org. Thanks again for checking out this episode, and we look forward to having you join us again right here on the Grace Baptist Church Podcast!

This ep, Scum tells Xero, CoinOps, and Dan about one of his favorite movies. It's still spooky season as far as we're concerned. Let's all go to Midian.Links:https://www.neondystopia.com/https://www.patreon.com/neondystopia/https://cyberpunklibrarian.com/https://rss.com/podcasts/l0wl1f3podcast/https://youtube.com/@l0wl1f3pod?feature=shareddiscord.gg/M6fGZERb7Z

TODAY'S TREASURENow Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” Exodus 3:1-3 (ESV)Send us a comment!Support the show

In this story, we learn that God strengthens those who know their weakness. ✧ Check out more resources in The Biggest Story Curriculum ✧ Follow The Biggest Story on Instagram ✧ Watch The Biggest Story Animated Videos! ✧ Sign up to receive weekly emails about the new story each week!

The guys tunnel down to the underground city of Midian to check in on Clive Barker's Director's Cut of his dark fantasy epic from 1990, Nightbreed, and then follow the usual format of rattling off thoughts on whatever else they've watched, including Ron's take on Tron: Ares and John's spoiler-free look at the debut episode of HBO Max's IT prequel series, Welcome to Derry.

Horror has always mirrored our real-world fears—and important socio-political issues. In this Halloween double feature, host The Pop Mythologist and special guest Sapient, from the blackened death metal band Abomnium, explore NIGHTBREED (1990) and A QUIET PLACE (2018) as dystopian allegories of fascism, oppression, survival, and strategic resistance. From Clive Barker's underground outcasts of Midian to John Krasinski's silent survivors, the two films reveal how horror can expose the machinery of fascism—and the courage and ingenuity it takes to survive and resist it. ⚠️ Spoiler Warning⚠️ *Spoilers for: Nightbreed (1990), A Quiet Place (2018) Lyrics for excerpt of "The Machine Awakens" by Abomnium: Broken Cratered Impact scarred Eon dust layers Hidden Photon cascade Electron displacement Sensors flicker The machine awakens [...] For the rest of the song, go find Abomnium on Bandcamp or the streaming service of your choice! Links: Abomnium on Bandcamp https://ukemrecords.bandcamp.com/album/of-time-and-dying-stars Bridge 11 on Bandcamp https://bridge11.bandcamp.com/ Sapient / Abomnium on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/abomnium/      

Not Until God Says You Are Exodus 3:1–4 1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. Hidden in this familiar story of Moses and the burning bush is a truth about identity and timing. For years, Moses had lived in obscurity, tending sheep on the backside of the desert. He wasn't leading armies or standing before kings. He wasn't preaching or performing miracles. He was just watching over another man's flock. To most people, Moses was simply a forgotten fugitive from Egypt. Perhaps it appeared that he was a man who had failed to fulfill his purpose. But God was not finished with him yet. Music By: Mike Outland

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Randy Gothrup from Bellaire, MI. Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23. This one's for you. Our text today is Judges 9:16-21. “Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and integrity when you made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house and have done to him as his deeds deserved—for my father fought for you and risked his life and delivered you from the hand of Midian, and you have risen up against my father's house this day and have killed his sons, seventy men on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative—if you then have acted in good faith and integrity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you. But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the leaders of Shechem, and let fire come out from the leaders of Shechem and devour Abimelech.” And Jotham ran away and fled and went to Beer and lived there, because of Abimelech his brother. — Judges 9:16-21 Jotham is the only surviving son of Gideon after Abimelech's massacre. While his brothers are slaughtered, Jotham steps up as a lone, bold, and brave voice of truth. From Mount Gerizim—the mountain where Israel once heard blessings and curses—he warns the leaders and people of Shechem. His message is blunt: if choosing Abimelech was good and faithful, enjoy it. But if not, then fire will come from Abimelech to consume Shechem, and fire from Shechem to consume Abimelech. (Spoiler Alert: This is exactly what happens by the end of the chapter) Jotham speaks like a true leader—pointing people back to integrity, truth, and accountability before God. But everyone ignores him. And in time, his warning proves true. Bad leaders will burn you. It may not happen overnight, but their corruption spreads like wildfire. They promise protection but leave you scorched. Jotham reminds us that the leaders we choose—and the voices we follow—shape our future. Good leaders warn, guide, and protect, even when their words sting. Bad leaders manipulate, consume, and destroy, even when they look impressive at first. Are you listening to the Jothams, or following the Abimelechs? Get more Jothams. Remove the Abimelechs. Because the kind of leader you trust will determine whether you blossom or burn. ASK THIS: Where am I tempted to follow flashy leaders instead of faithful ones? Who are the “Jothams” in my life I need to listen to right now? How can I discern if a leader is bearing fruit or just making noise? Where might I be acting like Abimelech instead of leading with integrity? DO THIS: Identify one leader you're following—online, at work, in church. Ask: Do they leave me more faithful or more burned out? Adjust accordingly. PRAY THIS: Lord, help me follow leaders who point me back to You, and keep me from the fire of bad leadership. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Shepherd."

Winning the battle is one thing — staying faithful after the victory is another. Summary: Gideon's story in Judges 8 shows us a hard truth: success can be more dangerous than struggle. After a miraculous victory over Midian, Gideon let pride, vengeance, and compromise creep in — and it unraveled his leadership and legacy. This chapter warns every man that the fight doesn't end when the enemy falls; it often begins when the applause starts. In this study, Vince Miller challenges us to examine how we lead after the win and how we guard our hearts against the subtle traps that success brings. Reflection & Discussion Questions 1. Why do you think success often exposes more about a person's character than failure? 2. What signs of pride or self-reliance do you see in Gideon after the battle? 3. How did Gideon's pursuit of revenge distort his leadership? 4. What does this chapter teach us about the danger of power without accountability? 5. How might Gideon's refusal to be king sound humble, yet still reveal compromise? 6. In what ways can spiritual success lead to spiritual complacency in our lives? 7. How did Gideon's choices impact the nation after his death? 8. Where are you most tempted to relax spiritually after a “win”? 9. What safeguards can you put in place to stay faithful after seasons of victory? 10. How does Jesus model the opposite of Gideon's leadership in success?

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Check out our mission to teach every verse of the Bible on video in what we call Project23. Our text today is Judges 8:28-32. So Midian was subdued before the people of Israel, and they raised their heads no more. And the land had rest forty years in the days of Gideon. Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and lived in his own house. Gideon had seventy sons, his own offspring, for he had many wives. And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he called his name Abimelech. And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, at Ophrah of the Abiezrites. — Judges 8:28-32 At first glance, it appears Gideon finishes well. Midian is crushed. Israel enjoys forty years of rest. He dies at a good old age. On the outside, it's a success story. But beneath the surface, cracks have formed. Gideon has multiple wives. He fathers seventy sons. He keeps a concubine in Shechem. And he names that son Abimelech—“my father is king.” The very thing Gideon swore off in verse 23—kingship—he now lives out through his family. His words said, “God rules.” But his life secretly and subtly proclaims, “I rule.” And those seeds of compromise would grow into one of Israel's darkest chapters, which you will see in the next chapter. Peace and faithfulness are not always synonymous. We have been learning this throughout the Book of Judges. A patriarch can win wars and still lose his family and the next generation for the Lord. Gideon's drift shows us how legacies are shaped—not by big moments, but by the slow accumulation of bad choices. A compromise in marriage. An unchecked desire for status. A child raised in divided loyalties. These seeds eventually sprout into a full-grown rebellion in the next generation. You are planting seeds today. Your habits, your words, your faith—or your lack of it—will shape your children and grandchildren. Gideon left Israel with forty years of rest, but he left his family with a fractured legacy that would be devastating. Your true legacy isn't your success—it's your succession. ASK THIS: Am I planting seeds of faith or seeds of compromise in my home? What hidden patterns in my life might grow into pain for the next generation? Do my words about God's rule match my lifestyle? If my legacy is not my success but my succession, what am I truly handing off? DO THIS: Take one intentional step to plant a seed of faith in your family today—pray with them, open the Word, or speak a word of blessing over them. Remember: your true legacy isn't your success—it's your succession. PRAY THIS: Father, keep me from building a false peace while sowing seeds of compromise. Help me plant a legacy of faith that will outlive me and point my family back to You. Amen. PLAY THIS: "The Blessing."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Check out our mission to teach every verse of the Bible on video in what we call Project23. Our text today is Judges 8:22-27. Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, you and your son and your grandson also, for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.” Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you.” And Gideon said to them, “Let me make a request of you: every one of you give me the earrings from his spoil.” (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.) And they answered, “We will willingly give them.” And they spread a cloak, and every man threw in it the earrings of his spoil. And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was 1,700 shekels of gold, besides the crescent ornaments and the pendants and the purple garments worn by the kings of Midian, and besides the collars that were around the necks of their camels. And Gideon made an ephod of it and put it in his city, in Ophrah. And all Israel whored after it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and to his family. — Judges 8:22-27 Israel is finally free of the Midianites. Their oppressors are defeated. In their eyes, Gideon is their hero. The people beg him to be king, but Gideon refuses: “The LORD will rule over you.” It sounds noble. But right after this, Gideon gathers their gold and builds an ephod—a type of religious garment that they make into a shrine and marker of the win. What was meant to honor God has become a trap. Israel worshiped it, and Gideon's household fell into idolatry. Gideon leaned on God in weakness but forgot him in strength Failure drives us to God. Success tempts us to drift from Him. That's the real test. Think about it: When your business is struggling, you pray. But when it prospers, do you still pray with the same effort? When your marriage feels shaky, you cry out to God. But when it feels stable, do you keep seeking him? When you're in a season of weakness, you cling to God's Word. But when life feels strong, do you drift into self-reliance? Our battlefield isn't always a Midianite army—it's the comfort and pride that come after the victory. Here's the warning: Success without surrender becomes a snare. Gideon's story reminds us that yesterday's victories don't protect us from today's temptations. Sometimes, they often create them. So don't let success become your snare. ASK THIS: Has success in my life made me more dependent on God—or less? What “victory moments” have tempted me to drift into pride or comfort? How do I keep pointing myself and others to God instead of to the spoils? Am I as prayerful in seasons of strength as I am in seasons of weakness? DO THIS: Today, take one area of success in your life and deliberately turn it into surrender. Write down the blessing—and then write a prayer giving it back to God. PRAY THIS: Lord, guard my heart in victory. Don't let my successes become snares. Keep me humble, grateful, and surrendered in every season. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Lord, I Need You."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Check out our mission to teach every verse of the Bible on video in what we call Project23. Our text today is Judges 8:10-13. Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army, about 15,000 men, all who were left of all the army of the people of the East, for there had fallen 120,000 men who drew the sword. And Gideon went up by the way of the tent dwellers east of Nobah and Jogbehah and attacked the army, for the army felt secure. And Zebah and Zalmunna fled, and he pursued them and captured the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and he threw all the army into a panic. Then Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle by the ascent of Heres. — Judges 8:10-13 The chase is over. Gideon captures Zebah and Zalmunna, the two Midianite kings. The victory is amazing—what began with 300 men now ends with an army of 120,000 wiped out. But here's the danger. After exhaustion and criticism comes temptation. Power can twist our perspective. Victory can be intoxicating. Leaders who experience wins can quickly lose their way if pride, anger, or vengeance worm into their hearts. Gideon stands at that crossroads. Your greatest temptations often follow your greatest victories. When the adrenaline fades and the applause starts, the enemy whispers, “You did this. You deserve more. Take what's yours.” For Gideon, the temptation is vengeance and pride. For us, it might look like self-congratulation after a big accomplishment, bitterness toward someone who doubted us, or entitlement that makes us think we've earned a pass from obedience. The real test of leadership isn't just whether you can lead the battle—it's whether you can lead your heart humbly when the battle is done. God calls us to victory without arrogance, strength without vengeance, and success without self-worship. So when God gives you a win, don't let temptation rob you of the blessing. Celebrate his power, not yours. Point the spotlight back where it belongs—on Him alone. ASK THIS: When has success tempted me more than failure? Where do I feel the pull toward pride, vengeance, or entitlement? How can I guard my heart in moments of victory? What practices help me point glory back to God? DO THIS: The next time you experience success—big or small—pause and redirect the credit. Thank God openly, and resist the temptation to take the glory for yourself. PRAY THIS: Lord, protect my heart in moments of success. Keep me humble, guard me from pride, and help me see every victory as Yours, not mine. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Not To Us."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Check out our mission to teach every verse of the Bible on video in what we call Project23. Our text today is Judges 8:4-9. And Gideon came to the Jordan and crossed over, he and the 300 men who were with him, exhausted yet pursuing. So he said to the men of Succoth, “Please give loaves of bread to the people who follow me, for they are exhausted, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.” And the officials of Succoth said, “Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your army?” So Gideon said, “Well then, when the Lord has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will flail your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.” And from there he went up to Penuel, and spoke to them in the same way, and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered. And he said to the men of Penuel, “When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower." — Judges 8:4-9 Gideon and his 300 men are worn down. They've already fought a miraculous battle against Midian, but the fight isn't over. They're chasing the kings who escaped, and Scripture paints the raw picture: “exhausted yet pursuing.” Instead of finding support from fellow Israelites, they get rejection. The men of Succoth and Penuel refuse to help, essentially saying: “Prove you've won first.” Imagine the sting—hungry, weary, and now doubted by your own people. Yesterday, Gideon had to handle criticism with humility. Today, he must handle weariness with perseverance. Both require a leader's heart anchored in God. Life rarely slows down when you're beaten up and beaten down. The bills still come. The kids still need you. The conflict at work doesn't wait until you're rested. And sometimes, just when you need encouragement most, people let you down instead. That's where this story hits home hardest. Exhausted yet pursuing sometimes describes the believer's life. Following Jesus will sometimes push you beyond your limits, and you'll face opposition, even from those you thought would help. Perseverance isn't about never getting tired—it's about trusting God enough to keep moving when you are. Gideon kept pressing forward because his confidence wasn't in his strength or people's support—it was in God's promise. If you're worn out and tempted to quit, remember: your exhaustion doesn't mean you're defeated. It might mean you're right on the edge of God's breakthrough. ASK THIS: Where do I feel “exhausted yet pursuing” in my life right now? Do I let people's criticism or lack of support slow me down? How does trusting God help me press on when I feel empty? What might it look like for me to take one more step of faith today, even tired? DO THIS: Identify one place you feel worn out right now. Instead of quitting, take one small act of obedience today—trusting God for the strength to carry you further than you think you can go. PRAY THIS: Lord, I'm exhausted. But I don't want to quit. Strengthen me to keep pursuing Your call, even when I feel weak, even when others let me down. Help me trust You for every step. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Give Me Faith."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Check out our mission to teach every verse of the Bible on video in what we call Project23. Our text today is Judges 8:1-3. Then the men of Ephraim said to him, “What is this that you have done to us, not to call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they accused him fiercely. And he said to them, “What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the grape harvest of Abiezer? God has given into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. What have I been able to do in comparison with you?” Then their anger against him subsided when he said this. — Judges 8:1-3 Right after the victory over Midian, Gideon faces sharp criticism from one of the tribes of Israel. The men of Ephraim are furious that he didn't invite them into the fight from the beginning. Their pride is wounded, and they “accuse him fiercely.” Gideon could have argued, defended himself, or even reminded them who really led the battle. Instead, he humbly affirms their contribution, points to their success, and reminds them it was God who gave the victory (not a tribe or tribes). His calm demeanor and theological precision turn their anger into peace. Every one of us will face criticism. Sometimes it's fair, but usually it's fueled by pride, jealousy, or misunderstanding. The natural instinct is to fight back and defend ourselves. But Gideon shows another way—humility. Handling criticism well doesn't mean you're weak; it means you're strong and wise. Instead of escalating the conflict, you de-escalate it. Instead of defending your ego, you point back to God's work. That's not avoidance—that's leadership. In your life, criticism will come from coworkers, family members, and even fellow believers. You can either let it drive wedges deeper, or you can choose humility that disarms anger and turns conflict into peace. So, the next time someone criticizes you, resist the urge to fire back. Take a big, deep breath, look for what you can affirm or change, and then point the conversation back to God. ASK THIS: How do I usually respond when I'm criticized—defensively or humbly? Have I ever escalated conflict by trying to “win the argument”? What would it look like for me to deflect credit and point to God instead? Who do I need to respond to with humility today? DO THIS: The next time someone criticizes you, resist the urge to fire back. Take a breath, look for what you can affirm, and point the conversation back to God. PRAY THIS: Lord, teach me to handle criticism with humility. Keep me from prideful reactions, and help me point others back to Your work, not my own. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me."

Timeless Leadership Advice Exodus 18  October 12, 2025 Pastor Tony Felich   ----more---- Exodus 18:1 Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. [2] Now Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, had taken Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her home, [3] along with her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom (for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land”), [4] and the name of the other, Eliezer (for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”). [5] Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was encamped at the mountain of God. [6] And when he sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her,” [7] Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. And they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent. [8] Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the LORD had delivered them. [9] And Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the LORD had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians. [10] Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. [11] Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.” [12] And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God. [13] The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. [14] When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” [15] And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; [16] when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” [17] Moses' father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. [18] You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. [19] Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, [20] and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. [21] Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. [22] And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. [23] If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.” [24] So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. [25] Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. [26] And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. [27] Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country.      Effective spiritual leadership involves delegation and shared responsibility so that the work of God can be sustained and the people can flourish.           I.  A Wise Counselor (1-12)          II.  The Problem (13-18)         III.  The Solution (19-23)         IV.  The Result (24-27)

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Check out our mission to teach every verse of the Bible on video in what we call Project23. Our text today is Judges 7:23–25. The men of Israel were called out from Naphtali and from Asher and from all Manasseh, and they pursued after Midian. Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against the Midianites and capture the waters against them as far as Beth-barah, and also the Jordan.” So all the men of Ephraim were called out, and they captured the waters as far as Beth-barah, and also the Jordan. And they captured the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they killed at the winepress of Zeeb. Then they pursued Midian, and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon across the Jordan. — Judges 7:23-25 The enemy is on the run. The chaos God caused in the Midianite camp has scattered them, but Gideon knows the job isn't done. If they stop now, the Midianites would merely regroup and return with more vengeance. So Gideon calls reinforcements from Israel. Naphtali, Asher, Manasseh, and Ephraim to cut off escape routes and secure the waters by the Jordan. The mission is clear — don't just win; eliminate the threat, what they should have done in the first place. The pursuit ends with the capture and death of two Midianite princes, Oreb and Zeeb, marking a decisive blow against the enemy. In our spiritual battles, the first breakthrough is usually only the beginning. God may win a decisive moment, but he calls us to follow through — to pursue, to cut off any possible retreat, to finish what he started. Don't celebrate too early and let your guard down. It's good to break free from one sin, but if you don't build new habits of holiness, you will let the same enemy back into your camp, too. Make a bold stand for your faith, but do not stop short of complete and total obedience. Finishing well means staying engaged until the enemy has no foothold left. In your life, that might mean following up a spiritual victory with accountability, continued prayer, Scripture intake, or cutting off lingering access points for temptation. God doesn't just want to give you a taste of freedom — He wants you to walk in freedom completely. ASK THIS: Where have you celebrated too early in your spiritual battles? What “enemy footholds” still need to be removed from your life? Who could you invite to help you finish well? How can you make sure today's victory becomes tomorrow's testimony? DO THIS: Identify one area where you've stopped short of full victory. Take one specific action today to close the gap and finish what God started. PRAY THIS: Lord, thank You for the victories You've already won in my life. Give me the perseverance to finish the work You've called me to and remove every foothold the enemy could use against me. Amen. PLAY THIS: "See a Victory."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to John Hardin from Hemphill, TX. Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23. I love you, brother. This one's for you and your family. Our text today is Judges 7:12–15. And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the East lay along the valley like locusts in abundance, and their camels were without number, as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance. When Gideon came, behold, a man was telling a dream to his comrade. And he said, “Behold, I dreamed a dream, and behold, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian and came to the tent and struck it so that it fell and turned it upside down, so that the tent lay flat.” And his comrade answered, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp.” As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the LORD has given the host of Midian into your hand.” — Judges 7:12–15. From a distance, the enemy looks unstoppable — countless soldiers, endless camels, the valley packed like a swarm of locusts. This is not a fight 300 men can win. But as Gideon sneaks into the camp with Purah, he overhears a soldier describing a dream: a humble loaf of barley bread crashing into a tent and flattening it. His comrade interprets it: “This is the sword of Gideon… God has given Midian into his hand.” The irony in these verses is thick. Barley bread was poor man's food — not a symbol of military might. But in the dream, it's the weapon God uses to topple Midian's strength. Gideon hears it, and the moment is electric. He falls into worship. Fear gives way to faith, and he races back to rally his men with the words, “Arise, for the LORD has given the host of Midian into your hand.” When God gives you a calling, he often follows it with a powerful confirmation. Gideon's confirmation came in the unlikeliest place — through the lips of his enemies. The detail that broke his fear wasn't a vision of a sword or a chariot but a loaf of bread. That's God's style: using the ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary. In our lives, God's confirmations might not be as dramatic as this battlefield dream. It might be a Scripture that leaps off the page at the exact moment you need it, a conversation that seems divinely timed, or a provision that comes through right before the deadline. These are not random. They are reminders that: “The Great I Am is with you. He has gone ahead of you. The victory is His.” Fear dissolves when you realize God has already gone before you. And worship isn't just a response; it's the fuel for your obedience. Worship turns a hesitant heart into a ready soldier. So look for a godly confirmation in your present fears, and when you get one, turn to worship and let it fuel the fire of your obedience through those fears. ASK THIS: When has God confirmed His call in your life? What unexpected means has He used to reassure you? How has worship fueled your courage in the past? Is there something you need to stop worrying about and start worshiping over today? DO THIS: Take 5 minutes today to stop everything and worship God for a promise He's already confirmed — even if the battle hasn't been fought yet. PRAY THIS: Lord, thank You for confirming what You've called me to do. Turn my fear into worship and my hesitation into obedience. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Raise a Hallelujah."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Nathan Mitchell from Broken Arrow, OK. Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23. Your commitment is helping deliver God's Word with clarity and conviction. This one's for you. Our text today is Judges 7:4–8. And the LORD said to Gideon, “The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,' shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,' shall not go.” So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “Everyone who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, everyone who kneels down to drink.” And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was three hundred men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.” So the people took provisions in their hands, and their trumpets. And he sent all the rest of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the three hundred men. And the camp of Midian was below him in the valley. — Judges 7:4-8 You'd think losing 22,000 soldiers was enough. But God isn't finished. He tells Gideon, “The people are still too many.” This time, there's no speech to the crowd — just a strange test at the water's edge. Soldiers kneel or lap water from their hands. The result? Only 300 make the cut. No explanation about why this method mattered. No insight into the military reasoning. Just God's choice — and His promise: “With the three hundred men… I will save you.” Gideon is now down to less than 1% of his original army. From a human perspective, the odds aren't just bad — they're impossible. And that's exactly how God wants it. When you're down to your “less than 1%,” it's not always a sign that God has abandoned you — sometimes it's proof he's setting the stage for His glory. Gideon's reduction wasn't about military strategy; it was about making sure Israel couldn't take credit. God will sometimes allow your resources, influence, or opportunities to shrink to a fraction of what you think you need. Why? So the only explanation left is him. In everyday life, this might look like a budget cut that forces you to depend on his provision, a smaller team that makes you lean harder on his strength, or fewer open doors so that when the right one opens, you know it's from him. We resist these reductions because they feel like loss. But in God's hands, they're actually preparation. He removes what you think you need so you can discover he's all you truly need. ASK THIS: Where has God been reducing your “army” lately? How could this loss be positioning you for a greater dependence on Him? Are you tempted to measure God's ability by your resources? What would it look like to trust Him with your “less than 1%”? DO THIS: Identify one area in your life where God has reduced your resources. Instead of panicking, thank Him for the opportunity to see His power more clearly. PRAY THIS: Lord, when my strength is reduced and my resources run low, help me remember that You are setting the stage for Your power. Teach me to trust You more than what's in my hands. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Way Maker."

When fear and weakness threaten to overwhelm us, God calls us to courageous obedience. Just as He told Gideon in Judges 6:13-14 to “go in the strength you have,” the Lord invites us to trust His power, not our own. Jennifer Slattery shares how God’s presence transforms impossible situations into testimonies of His strength and victory. Highlights Gideon’s story shows God calls ordinary, fearful people to extraordinary purposes “Go in the strength you have” reminds us our weakness is the stage for God’s strength Personal story of stepping into a difficult calling with limited resources God doesn’t expect perfection—He expects obedience and trust True victory comes from God fighting our battles for us Join the Conversation What’s one area where God is calling you to step out even though you feel weak? Share your reflections and encourage others to trust God’s strength. Tag @LifeAudio and use #CourageousObedience #FaithOverFear #StrengthInChrist to join the discussion.

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Art Forester from Hudson, WI. Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23. Your commitment is helping deliver God's Word with clarity and conviction. This one's for you. Our text today is Judges 7:1–3. Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. The LORD said to Gideon, "The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.' Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, 'Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.'" Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained. — Judges 7:1-3 So the Israelite army wakes up early, camped at the spring of Harod. Just across the valley, Midian's massive force waits. Every soldier counts — at least, that's what Gideon must have thought. But God sees the situation differently than Gideon does. He tells Gideon, "You have too many men." Too many? Against an army so large it can't be counted? Yes. God knows the danger isn't the size of the enemy — it's the pride in Israel's heart. If they win with a big enough army, they'll think they did it themselves. So God orders a cut. Anyone who is afraid can leave. And just like that, 22,000 soldiers pack up and head home. Gideon is left with less than a third of what he started with. The odds just got worse — and exactly how God wanted them. God will sometimes strip away the resources, people, or security you thought you needed — not to punish you, but to purify your faith. When he reduces what you rely on, it's because he wants you to rely on him. It is uncomfortable. It feels unsafe. But if our confidence rests in our numbers, connections, or abilities, then our faith isn't in God — it's in ourselves. So has God been reducing your resources lately? When God reduces our resources, he is often removing our false sense of control that we've been clinging to. Sometimes we don't even know we are clinging to it, so we resist the reduction. But fewer options force deeper faith. Less human advantage means more room for divine intervention. The question is, when God starts reducing your "resources," will you see it as a setback… or as the setup for him to show his power? ASK THIS: Where has God been cutting back your resources or support lately? How could that reduction be preparing you to trust Him more? What false securities might He be removing from your life? Are you willing to face a harder battle if it means God gets the glory? DO THIS: Identify one area where you've been depending on your own strength. Release it to God today and pray for faith to trust him with the outcome. PRAY THIS: Father, when You take away what I think I need, help me see it as Your way of drawing me closer to You. Strip away my pride and replace it with deeper trust in Your power. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Strip It All Away."

Are there limits to your trust? Of course there are! We live with people who are not always trustworthy, and this has taught us to question and guard against trusting things outside of ourselves. This is no different when it comes to our trust of God. Though He has never been untrustworthy, He often seems to lead us into places that feel risky, difficult, and unwanted. Instead of trusting Him, we run. Instead of following Him we try to lead. Instead of submitting to His strength and will, we look at the circumstances and lean on our own understanding. Gideon was just like us. He had grown up in a time where trust with God was broken. Israel was under constant attack from the Midianites, and it seemed as though God had fully abandoned them. So when God showed up to call Gideon to follow Him into battle, it makes sense that Gideon was doubtful. I would have been too! Even in his doubt God was the Good Shepherd who lead him through, and helped him learn how trustworthy The Lord actually is. Gideons faith didn’t start radical, but God did radical things through Gideon’s willingness to trust just a little more with each step. Join us this weekend for a worship service as we dive into what it looks like to be more radical in our faith! - Pastor Ben Key Verse: Judges 7:2 (NIV) - "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.’" For this week's Scripture and notes: https://bible.com/events/49496615

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Get behind our through the Bible project. Read more here Project23. Our text today is Judges 6:25–32. That night the LORD said to him, “Take your father's bull, and the second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it and build an altar to the LORD your God on the top of the stronghold here, with stones laid in due order. Then take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah that you shall cut down.” So Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his family and the men of the town to do it by day, he did it by night. When the men of the town rose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah beside it was cut down, and the second bull was offered on the altar that had been built. And they said to one another, “Who has done this thing?” And after they had searched and inquired, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash has done this thing.” Then the men of the town said to Joash, “Bring out your son, that he may die, for he has broken down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah beside it.” But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Will you contend for Baal? Or will you save him? Whoever contends for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because his altar has been broken down.” Therefore on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he broke down his altar. — Judges 6:25-32 Fresh from building an altar to the LORD, Gideon's first assignment isn't charging Midian's army — it's tearing down his father's altar to Baal and cutting down the Asherah pole beside it. It's risky. This is personal. This is his family's idol and his community's false god. Gideon obeys — but he does it at night, still afraid of the backlash. By morning, the whole town knows. They demand his death, but Gideon's father unexpectedly defends him: “If Baal is a god, let him contend for himself.” That day, Gideon gets a new name: Jerubbaal — “Let Baal contend against him.” Before God sends you to confront the enemy “out there,” He will ask you to confront the compromise “in here.” For Gideon, the victory over Midian had to start with victory over idolatry in his own home. It's the same for us — the battles that matter most often begin in the places closest to us: The habits no one else sees. The values we've tolerated. The cultural idols we've quietly accepted. This is why worship must be followed by obedience. The altar of peace fuels the courage to pull down the altars that compete with God. And sometimes that means tough, awkward, costly steps before you ever face the “big” enemy. If you skip this step, you might fight in public while losing in private. But if you obey here, you'll be ready for whatever comes next. So what do you need to tear down today? Write it in your journal. Share it in the comments. And tear it down, regardless of what others say. ASK THIS: What “altars” — habits, compromises, or idols — has God been asking you to tear down? How has fear kept you from confronting them? Who in your life might be impacted if you took that stand? Are you willing to start your battle where God says, not where you'd prefer? DO THIS: Write down one personal or family “altar” that needs to go — a practice, influence, or mindset that pulls you away from God. Take one concrete step this week to remove it. PRAY THIS: Lord, give me the courage to start the fight where You tell me, even if it's close to home and costs me something. Let my obedience to You be the loudest message I send to the watching world. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Christ Be Magnified."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Get behind our through the Bible project. Read more here Project23. Our text today is Judges 6:13–16. And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” And the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.” And the LORD said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” — Judges 6:13-16 Gideon's first response to God's call is a flood of doubts and questions: If God is with us, why has life gone so wrong? Where are the miracles we've heard about? How can I save Israel? I'm the weakest person from the weakest clan. God doesn't argue his résumé. He doesn't explain why Gideon is the perfect choice. He simply says: “Do not I send you?… I will be with you.” Gideon says, “I can't.” God answers, “I can.” We all have moments when God's calling collides with our sense of inadequacy. We see the size of the task and the smallness of our ability. Fear magnifies our weakness until the only thing we can say is, “I can't.” But God isn't asking if you can — he's declaring that He can. His presence is the decisive factor in every calling. When you believe “I can't,” you stay in hiding. When you believe “He can,” you step out in obedience. God chooses people who feel unqualified so that His strength, not theirs, gets the glory. The shift from “I can't” to “He can” doesn't happen when you suddenly feel strong. It happens when you decide his ability matters more than your inadequacy. That's the moment you can walk into something bigger than yourself — because he's already there. ASK THIS: Where in your life are you stuck, saying “I can't”? How might believing “He can” change the way you see that situation? What past moments prove God's strength outweighed your weakness? How can you keep God's presence at the front of your mind this week? DO THIS: Write “I can't… but He can” on a sticky note and put it somewhere you'll see it all day. Let it reframe how you view the challenges in front of you. PRAY THIS: Lord, I admit my weakness, but I trust Your strength. Move me from “I can't” to “He can,” and help me step into what You've called me to with confidence in You. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Whom Shall I Fear [God of Angel Armies]."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Get behind our through the Bible project. Read more here Project23. Our text today is Judges 6:7–10. When the people of Israel cried out to the LORD on account of the Midianites, the LORD sent a prophet to the people of Israel. And he said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: I led you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of slavery. And I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land. And I said to you, ‘I am the LORD your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.' But you have not obeyed my voice.” — Judges 6:7-10 Israel is desperate. Seven years of Midian's oppression has broken them, and they cry out to God for help. But instead of sending an army or a leader, God sends a prophet with a hard word. Before God deals with the enemy outside, he exposes the enemy within. He reminds them of his past faithfulness and their present disobedience. The message is raw, but it's true: because Israel's bigger problem isn't Midian — it's their unfaithfulness. No follower likes this part — the confrontation of God about who we are. We'd rather God just fix the crisis, remove the stress, and make life comfortable again. But God loves us too much to patch up the problems. Like Israel, our circumstances are often symptoms of the problem, not the real problem. The deeper problem is the drift of our hearts — the quiet compromises, misplaced loyalties, and neglected obedience that weaken us from within. And God knows that if he delivers us without dealing with those things, we'll just end up back in the same problematic pit. This is why he sometimes sends a word before providing a way out. It feels like a delay, but it's actually mercy. His goal isn't temporary relief — it's lasting change. That means the painful work of letting him search, confront, and reshape us is not punishment. It's preparation. And if we skip that work, we risk skipping the real victory he wants to give. So ask yourself the hard question: “What in me needs to change before my situation changes?” ASK THIS: Have you been asking God to fix your situation without letting Him change your heart? What hard truth might God be speaking to you right now? How could this season be preparation, not just punishment? Are you willing to let God do the deeper work before He brings the outward relief? DO THIS: Ask God in prayer: “What in me needs to change before my situation changes?” Write down whatever He brings to mind, and commit to addressing it today. PRAY THIS: Lord, don't just change what's around me — change what's in me. Even if it's painful, do the deep work that will make the victory last. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Give Us Clean Hands."

Sermon NotesI. IntroductionJoseph Campbell (not a Christian, but a student of mythology/religion) observed:“What we are looking for is a way of experiencing the world that will open to us the transcendent...”Human beings are incurably spiritual—we seek transcendence.Some through traditional religions (Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam).Others through mindfulness, energy work, nature, etc.Two key points:Affirm the desire for transcendence—it is real and God-given.Learn to discern authentic transcendence from false or self-referential spirituality.II. The Text: Exodus 2:23–3:12Context: Moses in Midian, tending sheep near Horeb.Not seeking a spiritual encounter; God initiates it.Key Question: What can we learn about genuine transcendent encounters?Two themes: Person and Paradox.III. The PERSON Moses EncounteredThe Angel of the LORD (v. 2)More than just an angel → identified with God Himself.Possibly the pre-incarnate Christ (Word/Logos).Authentic TranscendenceEncounter with someone other than himself.Not self-discovery or inner potential—real personhood beyond Moses.God is personal, not impersonal force/energy.The Burning Bush SymbolismFire = light, warmth, purification, judgment.Bush not consumed → God is self-sustaining, absolute reality, source of all existence.Childlike question: “Who created God?” → answer: no one. He is the source.Authentic transcendence = encountering the self-existent God who draws near.IV. The PARADOX of God's PresenceGod Knows Moses by Name (v. 4)God is relational, loving, intimately aware of Moses' story.God's nature = love and relationship.But… God's Holiness Creates Distance (v. 5)“Do not come near; take off your sandals, for this is holy ground.”Holiness = God's otherness + moral purity.Human corruption (sin) incompatible with holiness.Illustration: fresh snow → pure → later becomes dirty slush.Result: God is both near and distant → paradox.Resolution of the ParadoxGod Himself provides the way for humans to approach.In Moses' case: humility (remove sandals).Later: OT sacrificial system.Ultimately: Jesus Christ.His cross removes sin barrier.Makes access to God's holy presence possible.Application: Spirit is HOLY; without Christ we would be consumed, with Christ we receive Him with joy.V. ConclusionWe are spiritual beings with souls that crave transcendence.Not every spirituality satisfies—self-focused versions fall short.At the burning bush, Moses encountered:Absolute reality.A personal God.Holy presence made accessible by God's provision.Our souls find satisfaction only in the Triune God—Father, Son, Spirit.Call: Don't settle for less than the real.Discussion Questions:How would you define transcendence? Have you had any experiences in your life that you would describe as transcendent?If, as the sermon suggests, genuine spirituality is not self-referential (simply connecting with more of yourself), is deeper self-knowledge still important? If so, where is it found? Is there a connection between encountering the real God and discovering the real self? How so?Read Exodus 3:3-4. Do you believe it is significant that God did not call to Moses until he turned aside to see the strange sight? Do you think God would have still spoken to Moses if he had not turned aside? How might this speak to the lack of encounters with God that many experience today? As you reflect on that, consider Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poem:Earth's crammed with heaven,And every common bush afire with God,But only he who sees, takes off his shoes,The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries,And daub their natural faces unaware.Read Exodus 3:7-12.  What was the ultimate purpose of Moses' encounter with God at the Burning Bush? What was God's purpose for revealing himself to Moses? Is there a link today between our personal encounters with God and a greater purpose like mission?Questions?Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Randy Forrester ().

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Get behind our through the Bible project. Read more here Project23. Our text today is Judges 6:1–6. The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD gave them into the hand of Midian seven years. And the hand of Midian overpowered Israel, and because of Midian the people of Israel made for themselves the dens that are in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds. For whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them. They would encamp against them and devour the produce of the land, as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance in Israel and no sheep or ox or donkey. For they would come up with their livestock and their tents; they would come like locusts in number—both they and their camels could not be counted—so that they laid waste the land as they came in. And Israel was brought very low because of Midian. And the people of Israel cried out for help to the LORD. — Judges 6:1-6 The story of Gideon, in chapter 6, begins with a tragic pattern: sin, oppression, despair. This time, it's the Midianites who overrun Israel. They don't just raid; they ruin. They strip the land bare like locusts, leaving nothing behind. Year after year, the Israelites hide in caves and watch their harvest vanish. This is a defeat on two levels: Outside: The enemy takes what sustains life. Inside: Fear drains the will to fight. When God's people abandon Him, the enemy doesn't just win battles — he slowly erodes courage, hope, and identity until they're shadows of who they once were. That's how the enemy works today. He targets more than your circumstances — he aims at your spirit. First, he gets you to compromise, breaking down your guard. Then he keeps showing up, relentlessly, until you're hiding instead of fighting. He is relentless. For some of us, the “Midianites” are obvious sins. For others, it's a slow creep of fear, bitterness, shame, or distraction that saps spiritual strength. Either way, the result is the same: the land of your life is stripped bare. Because the "Midianites" are relentless then and today. The only way to fight a relentless enemy is with a relentless return to God. Israel didn't find victory in a stronger hiding place — they found it when they cried out. You can't outlast the enemy by retreating deeper into fear; you defeat him by trusting in God and running with complete abandon to God. Is it time to run relentlessly to God? So what compromise in your life has led to your retreat? Identify it and then run relentlessly back to God. ASK THIS: What “Midianite” is stripping away your spiritual strength right now? Have you been hiding from the problem instead of facing it with God's help? Where do you see signs of inside-out destruction in your life? What's one step toward God you can take today to push the enemy back? DO THIS: Name one area where fear or compromise has made you retreat. Instead of hiding from it today, bring it to God in prayer and take one practical step to address it in His strength. PRAY THIS: Lord, expose the enemy's work in my life. Keep me from hiding in fear. Teach me to run toward You, not away from the fight, and restore what's been stripped away. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Defender."

Exodus 18:1-121 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.2 After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her 3 and her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land”; 4 and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, “My father's God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.”5 Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, together with Moses' sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped near the mountain of God. 6 Jethro had sent word to him, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”7 So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and then went into the tent. 8 Moses told his father-in-law about everything the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the LORD had saved them.9 Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said, “Praise be to the LORD, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.” 12 Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses' father-in-law in the presence of God.

Study Passage: Exodus 4:18-3118 Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Please let me go back to my brothers in Egypt to see whether they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.” 19 And the LORD said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.” 20 So Moses took his wife and his sons and had them ride on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the staff of God in his hand.21 And the LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.'” 24 At a lodging place on the way the LORD met him and sought to put him to death. 25 Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son's foreskin and touched Moses' feet with it and said, “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!” 26 So he let him alone. It was then that she said, “A bridegroom of blood,” because of the circumcision.27 The LORD said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. 28 And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD with which he had sent him to speak, and all the signs that he had commanded him to do. 29 Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the people of Israel. 30 Aaron spoke all the words that the LORD had spoken to Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people. 31 And the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.

Kencan Dengan Tuhan - Minggu, 21 September 2025Bacaan: "Segala perkara dapat kutanggung di dalam Dia yang memberi kekuatan kepadaku." (Filipi 4:13)Renungan: Sejak Musa membunuh orang Mesir yang menganiaya seorang laki-laki sebangsanya, ia melarikan diri ke Midian. Impiannya untuk membela dan membebaskan bangsanya dari perbudakan orang Mesir terkubur sudah. Tetapi meskipun harapan untuk membebaskan bangsanya sudah terkubur, ternyata Tuhan masih mempunyai urusan dengan Musa. Tuhan mau memakai Musa untuk membawa bangsanya keluar dari Mesir. Pertolongan Tuhan membuat Musa yang merasa tidak mampu, menjadi orang hebat yang dapat mengerjakan perkara yang besar. Kerinduan untuk menyelamatkan bangsanya menjadi kenyataan. Sebuah kata-kata bijak mengatakan, "Jangan membubuhkan tanda titik, di mana Tuhan masih membutuhkan tanda koma." Sejarah hidup Musa mengajarkan kepada kita agar jangan pernah menyerah dan berhenti pada satu titik di mana kita merasa tidak mampu berbuat sesuatu. Ketika kita mempercayakan hidup ini kepada Tuhan, maka Ia yang akan merendanya menjadi karya yang indah di pemandangan mata-Nya. Kemustahilan akan terhalau jika tangan Tuhan yang bekerja. Jika keadaan kita saat ini seolah tidak bersahabat dan kita seolah tergilas, jangan menyerah dulu. Mungkin saja Tuhan belum selesai bekerja dan Ia masih membutuhkan tanda koma dalam hidup kita. Tuhan Yesus memberkati.Doa:Tuhan Yesus, aku percaya bahwa rencana-Mu indah bagi hidupku. Bekerjalah secara bebas dalam hidupku dan bentuklah aku seturut kehendak Mu. Aku percaya bahwa kehendak-Mu adalah yang terbaik bagi hidupku. Engkau yang telah memulai kehidupanku, maka kuserahkan penyelesaiannya ke dalam rencana dan karya-Mu. Kuatkanlah dan yakinkanlah aku bahwa bersama Engkau aku dapat menjalani kehidupan ini dengan penuh pengharapan. Amin. (Dod).

Come As You Are: GideonJudges 6:12-16 “The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty warrior.” Gideon answered him, “But sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our ancestors recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?' But now the Lord has cast us off, and given us into the hand of Midian.”  Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian; I hereby commission you.” He responded, “But sir, how can I deliver Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike down the Midianites, every one of them.”I really like this story because it is one that most of us can relate to.  Well, not the first verse probably.  I doubt too many of us have been visited by an angel.  The verse starts off by telling us that an angel appeared to Gideon and told him the Lord was with him, and then called him a mighty warrior.  I find it interesting how Gideon answered the angel.  I feel that I would be in shock and probably speechless if the angel of God were to speak to me.  If he told me that God was with me, I think I would say thank you or be in awe.  Gideon is not speechless, and it doesn't sound like he is in awe.  He questions the angel.  He says, “But sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our ancestors recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?' But now the Lord has cast us off, and given us into the hand of Midian.”  Those are some pretty gutsy things to say to an angel.  The angel said The Lord is with you and Gideon basically said, “Oh yeah, how?  We don't see it. What has He done for us lately?” With this being written text, we don't know the tone or volume this was said with.  I picture Gideon being angry and almost yelling it at the angel.  However, I could be wrong; he could have matter-of-factly stated it to him.  Either way, Gideon did not believe what the angel said, and he wanted an explanation, or some sort of proof that God was for them.Next the angel says, “Go in this might of yours and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian; I hereby commission you.” The angel does not answer his question as to where God has been.  The angel looks at Gideon and then tells him to go and lead the fight with Midian to deliver his people.  Gideon's response is a response that I think most of us have when God commissions us for a task.  We question it, we tell Him we aren't ready, we aren't good enough, we don't know how, we aren't strong enough.  We question God as if He, the one who created us, did not know all these things about us when he commissioned us for that task.   When Gideon was told that he was commissioned to defeat  Midian, he said, “But sir, how can I deliver Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”Gideon was counting himself out before he even got started.  He looked at his family and his place in that family and judged his abilities on that.  He felt God must have made a mistake.  How could he be a mighty warrior when his family was the weakest and he was the least in his family?  Does this sound familiar?  Do you ever count yourself out of things because of your family or your history with your family?  I can understand a bit of what Gideon was feeling.  I am from a large family, and we didn't have a lot of money growing up.  When I was in school, if there was a big field trip, I immediately counted myself out.  There was no way my parents could afford the cost of the trip when they could barely afford their bills.  In seventh grade, my French class was taking a trip to Quebec for a few days.  I think the cost was $450 or something like that.  I knew I wouldn't be able to go.  I am not even sure if I asked my parents or if I just counted myself out.  One day after school, the French teacher talked with me and asked if I wanted to go on the trip.  I explained I did, but my parents couldn't afford it.  She said there was a scholarship, and so if my parents could afford some of it, the school could pay the rest.  Somehow, my parents were able to pay whatever part they had to pay, and I was able to go.  Another way I can relate to Gideon is when he said he was the least of his family.  I don't think I was the least of my family, and yet, having a large family, you are bound to be compared to your siblings. Others are bound to compare you as well.  I remember one Christmas Eve party at my aunt's house, one of my uncles saw me and was trying to figure out which child I was.  My mom is one of 10 children, and I am one of 11, so you can imagine how many kids were at this Christmas Eve party.  He said Oh, you are the smart one who is going to Yale, right?  Nope, that is Virginia.  Oh, you are the one who just got that cheerleading award, nope, that is Elizabeth.  Got it, you are the one that is having open heart surgery, nope, that is Theresa,  Oh, who are you then? He said.  I wasn't really sure how to respond to that one.  I didn't know which distinguishing characteristic might have been used to describe me.  We can all get stuck thinking we are who our family says we are.  We can get stuck thinking we can't do certain things because of our history.  We know God is calling us to something, and yet we don't answer that call because we don't think we can do it.  Instead of giving God our whole-hearted yes, we give Him a list of reasons why we are not the right person for the job.  In the very beginning of this verse, the angel of God addresses Gideon as a mighty warrior, and yet he questions that.  What name is God calling you that you are dismissing?  Is it son/daughter of the one true King?  Is it Beloved?  Is it Mighty Warrior?  Is it Gifted Healer? Is it Disciple?  Is it Preacher/Teacher?  Is it Worthy or Enough? What name do you hear God calling you, and yet you struggle to accept?  God does not make mistakes.  He is the Lord God Almighty.  If He calls you something, it is because that is your name to Him.  That is who you are in His eyes!What task is God commissioning you for that you are resisting?  Is there something you feel called to do, and instead of telling God yes, you are giving him a whole host of reasons why you cannot do it?  Is he asking you to do something, and you are explaining to him why anyone else would be better for the job?  I get it, I do the same, and yet God is telling us here in this story of Gideon that we need to believe what the Lord says about it and just go out and do it.  Stop trying to tell God who you are; He knows who you are better than you do.  Stop trying to find all these excuses why you can't do the thing God is telling you to do.  Start trying to figure out how to do the thing God is leading you to do.  Stop and ask God, What would you like me to do today?  If you don't know how to do what He is calling you to do, then ask Him how He would like you to do it.  Our God is a wonderful God, and He will answer us when we ask.  Answer the call God is placing on your life today with a resounding Yes!  Trust that if He gave it to you, He will help you fulfill it!Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode.  Lord, we are so grateful that you know us better than we know ourselves.  Thank you for loving us so much and being the best dad out there.  Thank you for calling us by our true identity, even when we struggle to see it.  Lord, help us to see ourselves and the world through your eyes.  Father, thank you for commissioning us to certain tasks.  We are sorry we don't always say yes.  It is not because we don't want to, it is because we are afraid.  Please replace that fear with courage and strength.  Make us bold so we can say yes to whatever you ask.  We love you, Lord, and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus' holy name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I am starting a new series for the next 31 days. It is called “Come As You Are” and we will take a look at 31 different characters in the Bible who did not look like anything special to the rest of the world, and yet the Lord used them powerfully. I keep telling you, at the end of almost every episode, that Jesus loves you, just as you are. Yet, if you are like me, it can still be hard to believe that at times. Often we feel we have to change first before Jesus loves us. I am hoping that after this series, you will be able to believe me more when I say that each day. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in May 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “My word, Jesus, is my power, a power of grace, of goodness, of forgiveness, of mercy, and of great peace. Call upon my power in the name of my son Jesus.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Today's daf is sponsored by Lisa Elon in honor of her steadfast chevruta, Rhondda Ma Today's daf is sponsored by Lisa Elon in honor of her steadfast chevruta, Rhondda May, "May G-d grant us many more years of great learning together. " Today's daf is sponsored by Rachel Alexander Levy in memory of Jack Schuster, father of my chevruta, Rabbi Jordi Schuster. May his memory be for a blessing. Today's daf is sponsored by Adam Dicker in honor of Carolyn Hochstadter Dicker on her birthday. There is a debate between Rav and Shmuel regarding the kashering process known as niguv. In one version of the debate, Rav requires that ashes be used once during the process, while Shmuel requires them to be used twice. In another version, there is no actual disagreement—Rav simply omits the final step of rinsing with water, since its sole purpose is to remove the ashes. Shmuel, however, includes it as part of the process. How are wicker nets in a winepress kashered? Rabbi Avahu derives from the laws of purifying wicker nets that they require niguv. If the nets are made of reeds, which are more absorbent, they must be left unused for twelve months—or, according to Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, until the next wine-making season. What is the practical difference between these two opinions? Rabbi Yossi offers an alternative to waiting a year: pouring boiling water over them. Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel cites Rabbi Yossi, suggesting instead that the nets be placed under running water for an onah. What is an onah? Some define it as either a day or a night, while others say it means twelve hours. Rav Shmuel bar Yitzchak explains that both interpretations ultimately mean the same thing. How? The strainer and baskets used in the winepress are kashered differently depending on the material they are made from, since the level of absorption varies. If grape clusters are placed in the winepress and surrounded by the juice from the grapes, are they considered a single unit for the purposes of impurity? This has practical implications: if an am haaretz—someone who may not be trusted regarding purity laws—touches one cluster, does that render all the surrounding clusters impure? If one purchases utensils from a non-Jew, how are they to be kashered? The method depends on how the utensil was used: if used with cold food, rinse with water; if used with hot water, perform hagala (boiling); and if exposed to direct fire, apply libun (burning with fire). A knife must be polished. All these utensils also require tevila—immersion in a mikveh. Two different phrases in Bamidbar 31:23, following the battle with Midian, are cited to derive the requirement for tevila. Why are both phrases needed? Rav Nachman explains that even new utensils purchased from a non-Jew require tevila, since kashered old utensils are considered equivalent to new ones. Borrowed utensils from a non-Jew do not require tevila, but a question arises regarding utensils given to a Jew as collateral. Metal and glass utensils require tevila, but earthenware does not. If an earthenware vessel is coated with a lead glaze, should it be treated as earthenware or as metal? If utensils were used without being kashered, is food prepared in them forbidden? The answer depends on when the vessel was last used and whether one holds that a substance imparting a bad flavor is permitted or prohibited.   y, "May G-d grant us many more years of great learning together. " Today's daf is sponsored by Rachel Alexander Levy in memory of Jack Schuster, father of my chevruta, Rabbi Jordi Schuster. May his memory be for a blessing. Today's daf is sponsored by Adam Dicker in honor of Carolyn Hochstadter Dicker on her birthday. There is a debate between Rav and Shmuel regarding the kashering process known as niguv. In one version of the debate, Rav requires that ashes be used once during the process, while Shmuel requires them to be used twice. In another version, there is no actual disagreement—Rav simply omits the final step of rinsing with water, since its sole purpose is to remove the ashes. Shmuel, however, includes it as part of the process. How are wicker nets in a winepress kashered? Rabbi Avahu derives from the laws of purifying wicker nets that they require niguv. If the nets are made of reeds, which are more absorbent, they must be left unused for twelve months—or, according to Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, until the next wine-making season. What is the practical difference between these two opinions? Rabbi Yossi offers an alternative to waiting a year: pouring boiling water over them. Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel cites Rabbi Yossi, suggesting instead that the nets be placed under running water for an onah. What is an onah? Some define it as either a day or a night, while others say it means twelve hours. Rav Shmuel bar Yitzchak explains that both interpretations ultimately mean the same thing. How? The strainer and baskets used in the winepress are kashered differently depending on the material they are made from, since the level of absorption varies. If grape clusters are placed in the winepress and surrounded by the juice from the grapes, are they considered a single unit for the purposes of impurity? This has practical implications: if an am haaretz—someone who may not be trusted regarding purity laws—touches one cluster, does that render all the surrounding clusters impure? If one purchases utensils from a non-Jew, how are they to be kashered? The method depends on how the utensil was used: if used with cold food, rinse with water; if used with hot water, perform hagala (boiling); and if exposed to direct fire, apply libun (burning with fire). A knife must be polished. All these utensils also require tevila—immersion in a mikveh. Two different phrases in Bamidbar 31:23, following the battle with Midian, are cited to derive the requirement for tevila. Why are both phrases needed? Rav Nachman explains that even new utensils purchased from a non-Jew require tevila, since kashered old utensils are considered equivalent to new ones. Borrowed utensils from a non-Jew do not require tevila, but a question arises regarding utensils given to a Jew as collateral. Metal and glass utensils require tevila, but earthenware does not. If an earthenware vessel is coated with a lead glaze, should it be treated as earthenware or as metal? If utensils were used without being kashered, is food prepared in them forbidden? The answer depends on when the vessel was last used and whether one holds that a substance imparting a bad flavor is permitted or prohibited.

Today's daf is sponsored by Lisa Elon in honor of her steadfast chevruta, Rhondda Ma Today's daf is sponsored by Lisa Elon in honor of her steadfast chevruta, Rhondda May, "May G-d grant us many more years of great learning together. " Today's daf is sponsored by Rachel Alexander Levy in memory of Jack Schuster, father of my chevruta, Rabbi Jordi Schuster. May his memory be for a blessing. Today's daf is sponsored by Adam Dicker in honor of Carolyn Hochstadter Dicker on her birthday. There is a debate between Rav and Shmuel regarding the kashering process known as niguv. In one version of the debate, Rav requires that ashes be used once during the process, while Shmuel requires them to be used twice. In another version, there is no actual disagreement—Rav simply omits the final step of rinsing with water, since its sole purpose is to remove the ashes. Shmuel, however, includes it as part of the process. How are wicker nets in a winepress kashered? Rabbi Avahu derives from the laws of purifying wicker nets that they require niguv. If the nets are made of reeds, which are more absorbent, they must be left unused for twelve months—or, according to Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, until the next wine-making season. What is the practical difference between these two opinions? Rabbi Yossi offers an alternative to waiting a year: pouring boiling water over them. Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel cites Rabbi Yossi, suggesting instead that the nets be placed under running water for an onah. What is an onah? Some define it as either a day or a night, while others say it means twelve hours. Rav Shmuel bar Yitzchak explains that both interpretations ultimately mean the same thing. How? The strainer and baskets used in the winepress are kashered differently depending on the material they are made from, since the level of absorption varies. If grape clusters are placed in the winepress and surrounded by the juice from the grapes, are they considered a single unit for the purposes of impurity? This has practical implications: if an am haaretz—someone who may not be trusted regarding purity laws—touches one cluster, does that render all the surrounding clusters impure? If one purchases utensils from a non-Jew, how are they to be kashered? The method depends on how the utensil was used: if used with cold food, rinse with water; if used with hot water, perform hagala (boiling); and if exposed to direct fire, apply libun (burning with fire). A knife must be polished. All these utensils also require tevila—immersion in a mikveh. Two different phrases in Bamidbar 31:23, following the battle with Midian, are cited to derive the requirement for tevila. Why are both phrases needed? Rav Nachman explains that even new utensils purchased from a non-Jew require tevila, since kashered old utensils are considered equivalent to new ones. Borrowed utensils from a non-Jew do not require tevila, but a question arises regarding utensils given to a Jew as collateral. Metal and glass utensils require tevila, but earthenware does not. If an earthenware vessel is coated with a lead glaze, should it be treated as earthenware or as metal? If utensils were used without being kashered, is food prepared in them forbidden? The answer depends on when the vessel was last used and whether one holds that a substance imparting a bad flavor is permitted or prohibited.   y, "May G-d grant us many more years of great learning together. " Today's daf is sponsored by Rachel Alexander Levy in memory of Jack Schuster, father of my chevruta, Rabbi Jordi Schuster. May his memory be for a blessing. Today's daf is sponsored by Adam Dicker in honor of Carolyn Hochstadter Dicker on her birthday. There is a debate between Rav and Shmuel regarding the kashering process known as niguv. In one version of the debate, Rav requires that ashes be used once during the process, while Shmuel requires them to be used twice. In another version, there is no actual disagreement—Rav simply omits the final step of rinsing with water, since its sole purpose is to remove the ashes. Shmuel, however, includes it as part of the process. How are wicker nets in a winepress kashered? Rabbi Avahu derives from the laws of purifying wicker nets that they require niguv. If the nets are made of reeds, which are more absorbent, they must be left unused for twelve months—or, according to Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, until the next wine-making season. What is the practical difference between these two opinions? Rabbi Yossi offers an alternative to waiting a year: pouring boiling water over them. Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel cites Rabbi Yossi, suggesting instead that the nets be placed under running water for an onah. What is an onah? Some define it as either a day or a night, while others say it means twelve hours. Rav Shmuel bar Yitzchak explains that both interpretations ultimately mean the same thing. How? The strainer and baskets used in the winepress are kashered differently depending on the material they are made from, since the level of absorption varies. If grape clusters are placed in the winepress and surrounded by the juice from the grapes, are they considered a single unit for the purposes of impurity? This has practical implications: if an am haaretz—someone who may not be trusted regarding purity laws—touches one cluster, does that render all the surrounding clusters impure? If one purchases utensils from a non-Jew, how are they to be kashered? The method depends on how the utensil was used: if used with cold food, rinse with water; if used with hot water, perform hagala (boiling); and if exposed to direct fire, apply libun (burning with fire). A knife must be polished. All these utensils also require tevila—immersion in a mikveh. Two different phrases in Bamidbar 31:23, following the battle with Midian, are cited to derive the requirement for tevila. Why are both phrases needed? Rav Nachman explains that even new utensils purchased from a non-Jew require tevila, since kashered old utensils are considered equivalent to new ones. Borrowed utensils from a non-Jew do not require tevila, but a question arises regarding utensils given to a Jew as collateral. Metal and glass utensils require tevila, but earthenware does not. If an earthenware vessel is coated with a lead glaze, should it be treated as earthenware or as metal? If utensils were used without being kashered, is food prepared in them forbidden? The answer depends on when the vessel was last used and whether one holds that a substance imparting a bad flavor is permitted or prohibited.

Study Passage: Exodus 3:1-9Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.7 Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.

The Way Out - From Murder to Midian

Study Passage: Exodus 2:11-25One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. 12 He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” 14 He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” 15 When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well. 16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. 17 The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock. 18 When they came home to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come home so soon today?” 19 They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock.” 20 He said to his daughters, “Then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.” 21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. 22 She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.”23 During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.

On the principle of a forbidden item convey taste, and with it "forbiddenness," as manifest in hot split beans and vinegar vs. cold split beans and vinegar. Also, on adding a flavor that is to the detriment of the food - and whether that is then prohibited is a machloket. Plus, the biblical source, going back to Midian. Plus, the time-frame for food to go bad... or for a change in taste to automatically be enhanced.

Judges 6:14 - And the Lord turned to him [Gideon] and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”

Today, we're going to look at the moment of truth in Gideon's life:Judges 6:12-16 NLTThe angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn't they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt'? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.” Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you! “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” The Lord said to him, “I will be with you.”Gideon had the opposite mindset of David, our Bible story from yesterday. But while two different men had two different perspectives of what they could accomplish, one factor was same: God had called them.Gideon even named himself the least man, in the weakest clan, of all the people. In today's language, he would say: “Lord, I'm the last guy you want to pick for this job.” But the Lord said, “I will be with you.” That truth is exactly what gave David and Gideon the courage and the confidence they needed to face their enemies.Do you feel like David today, ready for your big moment, or more like Gideon, “I'm the last person you want to pick, God.”Listen again to what the Lord said to Gideon this time from the Message Bible: ““God is with you, O mighty warrior!” … “God faced him directly: “Go in this strength that is yours. Save Israel from Midian. Haven't I just sent you?” … God said to him, “I'll be with you. Believe me, you'll defeat Midian as one man.” (Judges 6:12, 14, 16 ).What if God appeared to you right now and called you a hero? How do you know He isn't? Maybe he looks upon you and what you are pushing through right now in your life and sees your courage? Regardless of how you may feel or see your life, this much is true: He is telling you to go at your life with the strength you have because He is with you. And He is most definitely saying today: “I will be with you.”Declare this after me: “Lord, I know You are with me.”Let's pray: “Dear Lord, thank You for examples like David but also those like Gideon, so we can see that the Source of our courage and victories are You. Help me live today knowing, believing, that You are with me. As above, so below.”

Gideon's 300 overcome many thousands of Midian.

This year, the Book of Numbers ends with a double parsha – Mattos and Masei. We learn about the laws of vows and oaths; the miraculous war with Midian; the unusual request of the tribes of Gad and Reuben; the Torah delineates the 42 different places that the Nation encamped for their 40 year sojourn; […]

Maybe today you feel alone. Perhaps due to your mistakes and failures you have isolated yourself from others. Maybe you are struggling and you wonder where God is. Possibly, you feel as if you are on the far side of the wilderness. Stand on this truth from God's Word: He will never leave you or forsake you.Main Points:1. This morning as I was reading my Bible, I found myself in Exodus chapter three. It's the story where Moses meets God at the burning bush. Six words leaped off the page as I read the familiar story. It says Moses was on “the far side of the wilderness.” Moses wasn't just in the wilderness, he was on the far side of the wilderness. What is the wilderness? The dictionary defines it as “an uncultivated, uninhabited, and inhospitable region.” In other words, Moses was as isolated as a person could get.2. Yet, on the far side of the wilderness, with not another person in sight, Moses was not alone. It's here Moses has a life-changing encounter with God. He is reminded he is not alone, he is not forgotten, and God's purpose for his life has not changed.3. Moses never forgot about the day he encountered God at the burning bush. It was a revelation of God's continued purpose and plan for his life, but the greater lesson for Moses was the necessity of God's presence. Today's Scripture Verses:Exodus 3:1 - "Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness..."Psalm 139:7-10 - “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”Exodus 33:15-16 - “Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group