Podcasts about midianite

Israel is in crisis, living in fear and hiding due to Midianite raids. Despite their disobedience, God responds to their cries for help. The angel of the LORD appears to Gideon, calling him to save Israel. Gideon, initially doubtful, tests God's call and receives confirmation through miraculous signs. Commanded to destroy his father's altar to Baal, Gideon obeys, earning the nickname Jerubbaal. With just 300 men, God delivers a stunning victory over a vast Midianite coalition. However, Gideon's story concludes with a cautionary note as he leads Israel back into idolatry, continuing the cycle of disobedience. Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.orgWant to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://biblin...

A sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Yongchi Rhie with Foundry United Methodist Church, July 12, 2026. "Sermon Series Part II: The United Methodist Way". Scripture: Exodus 2:15–22; Hebrews 13:1–2   On a hot July day in 2014, I stood in a long line outside the United States Embassy in Seoul. All around me, people were checking their documents, whispering the latest rumors about American immigration policy. Some were praying. Others were quietly rehearsing their lines. When my number was called, I sat down across from a consular officer who read through my papers, jotting notes, pausing on certain pages longer than I would have liked. My pulse rose with every pause. Finally, he looked up and asked, "Ms. Rhie, I see you have just returned home after living in England for quite some time. You already hold a Ph.D. Why do you wish to study theology in the United States?" He had a fair point. What could I say? That after seven years of dissecting the Bible within an inch of its life, I had finally realized what Scripture is for — not an object of intellectual indulgence, but a word meant to be lived out in the lives of people? Should I describe my grief at preaching to empty pews in an increasingly secular Britain, where so many considered the Bible, faith, and God simply no longer relevant? I had to be careful. I had been denied a visa once before, for this very reason. The officer asked about my story, but he seemed to be working from a script of his own, testing whether my story would hold. Every visa interview requires delicate tuning: you must convince them you have real plans for their country while assuring them you have no intention of staying. I truly desire to come to your country! I see abundant opportunity there! Will you let me in? But don't worry — I will never get comfortable enough to call it home. A month later, my passport came back with a visa stamped inside. It declared me a legal alien. That word “alien” always makes me laugh. Ever since I left my home country, I have been a legal alien. And I have learned that it doesn't take green skin, an oversized head, or extraterrestrial powers to be counted an outsider. Sometimes the way I look, the way I speak, or simply the way I carry myself is enough to register as a threat, or at least a discomfort. I could learn the customs of a new land. But would I ever be permitted to call it home? For most of my adult life, I have lived as a stranger in a strange land. A Man With No Country Moses knew that feeling so intimately that he engraved it into his son's name: "She bore a son, and he named him Gershom; for he said, 'I have been an alien residing in a foreign land'" (Exodus 2:22). Hey, Moses, did you ask Gershom about this? Did his mother agree? I feel for the boy. Imagine carrying your father's loneliness as your name. Let's step into the story and meet Moses by a well in Midian. His whole life, up to this moment, has been an exercise in not belonging and his very name tells the story. Pharaoh's daughter called him Moses, "because," she said, "I drew him out of the water" (Exod. 2:10). Drawn out: a Hebrew baby lifted from the Nile, out of a death decree, into a palace that was never quite his. Hebrew by blood, Egyptian by upbringing, Moses grows up belonging to neither world. And when he finally goes out to "his people," as the text pointedly calls them in verse 11, everything unravels. He sees an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave and strikes the Egyptian down (2:11–12). The next day he tries to reconcile two Hebrews who are fighting, and one of them turns on him: "Who made you a ruler and judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" Do you hear the wound in that question? Yes, Moses committed a crime the day before; out of anger, perhaps, but also out of compassion for an enslaved kinsman. Today he steps in again, and his own people read his help as a grab for power: the palace insider playing ruler over the enslaved. His act of deliverance is recast as a threat; his sacrifice, as ambition. When word reaches Pharaoh, the king seeks his life. So Moses flees - rejected by Egypt as a criminal, rejected by the Hebrews as a pretender - a man with no country, no people, and a name that only reminds him he was pulled out of one world without ever being planted in another. That is the man who collapses, exhausted, by a well in Midian. What Happens at a Well Now listen closely to how the text tells what happens there, because every detail is doing holy work. Scripture says, "he sat down by a well" (v. 15). In the Hebrew Bible, nothing significant ever happens by accident at a well. Wells are where Abraham's servant found Rebekah, where Jacob met Rachel, where Jesus met a Samaritan woman: places of encounter where God's providence quietly gathers up displaced people and gives them a future. When the original audience heard "Moses sat down by a well," they leaned in. Something is about to begin. Seven daughters of the priest of Midian come to draw water, and rough shepherds drive them away. Hear the Hebrew: the shepherds vayegarshum — they drove them out. It is the very root, garash, from which Moses will later coin the name Gershom, the driven-out one. And here is what astonishes me: Moses inserts himself again. Consider what meddling has already cost this man- his home, his standing, very nearly his life. The prudent thing would be to keep his head down, drink his water, and let Midian's troubles remain Midian's troubles. He owes these women nothing, and no one in this town even knows his name. Yet the one who has been driven out cannot sit still while others are driven out before his eyes. And what does the text say he does? "Moses stood up and saved them" (v. 17) — vayoshian, from yasha, the root that will one day give us the names Joshua and Jesus. Here, at a foreign well, in a single unrewarded act - defending strangers, drawing water for distressed people and their animals - the fugitive rehearses his calling. This is the man through whom God will save a people. Then comes the irony. The daughters run home and report, "An Egyptian delivered us from the shepherds." An Egyptian! Moses is a Hebrew raised in Pharaoh's house, a man belonging fully to neither world, and even his good deed is credited to the wrong identity. Why Bother? And then the young women are gone, and Moses is alone again. No thank-you. No name asked. Not even a drink of fresh water from the well he had just defended. Three times now he has stretched himself for others, and three times his actions went unacknowledged, his words were rebuked, his authority was denied, his very identity was questioned. Sitting in the dust by that well, Moses might well have wondered: Why do I keep doing this? Why can't I just mind my own business? When your act of hospitality is met with silence — or worse, resentment — the temptation whispers: Why bother? I could just live for my own interest, my own comfort, my own happiness. Going the extra mile only makes you tired and pushes you further from your home. Friends, be honest: have you been there? Why do we help others? What is going on inside us when we stretch ourselves for people who may never stretch back? The One Who Noticed But even in the middle of this mess, someone notices Moses. Hearing what happened at the well, Reuel asks his daughters: "Where is he? Why did you leave the man? Invite him to break bread." Reuel is a Midianite priest - a foreigner, an outsider to Israel's story —- and yet he is the one who models the hospitality that the daughters, and Egypt, and even Moses' own people had failed to offer. This foreigner does not interrogate the stranger's papers. He sets a table. And at that table, the fugitive becomes family. Moses marries Zipporah and holds a son whose name tells the truth — ger, stranger. It is no accident that the Torah will later command Israel more than thirty times to protect the ger: "You shall love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." We lament the loss of this entire ethic of welcome in today's world. And notice: it all happened around the well. The well was already there. Before Moses arrived - before he had done anything right, and long after he had done something terribly wrong - the water was waiting. This is the heartbeat of our United Methodist way. John Wesley called it prevenient grace: the grace that goes before us. Before we repent, before we believe, before we even know God's name, God's love is already at work ahead of us, digging wells in the deserts of our lives. Moses thought he was a fugitive stumbling upon a random watering hole. In truth, grace had arrived before him; with a family, a vocation, and, on a nearby mountain, the God who says, "I have observed the misery of my people, and I have come down to deliver them." Two Loves, One Gospel Our second reading today, the letter to the Hebrews gathers this whole story into two luminous verses: "Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:1-2). The Greek translation is even better than the English here, because it names two different loves. Mutual love is philadelphia — the love of brothers and sisters. Anyone from Philly here? Did you know your city's name means the love of kinship? Philadelphia is the affection we give people who are already ours: family, friends, fellow members — the ones who look like us, pray like us, vote like us. That love matters. "Let it continue," Hebrews says. But then comes the harder word: philoxenia. Literally, love of the xenos — the stranger, the outsider, the one who shares nothing with you but a common humanity. Philadelphia loves the person already inside the circle; philoxenia widens the circle. Any club can manage philadelphia. Only the gospel produces philoxenia. And we know the opposite word all too well, because it is one of the few Greek words English never bothered to translate: xenophobia — fear of the stranger. We see it whenever an entire people is reduced to a threat: when immigrants are spoken of as terrorists and criminals rather than as mothers, fathers, and children of sacred worth; when a teenager sits in a church pew and learns to hide who they are, because the sanctuary feels less safe than the street; when a synagogue or a mosque must hire armed guards just to gather for prayer; when a job application is quietly set aside because the name at the top sounds too foreign. Xenophobia is the world's oldest sickness. It built Pharaoh's brickyards, and it is still building walls that separate children from their parents today. But friends, I have also seen philoxenia — and so have you. I have seen it in congregations that furnished apartments and stocked refrigerators for refugee families they had never met. I have seen it right here in this city, when buses of migrants arrived at Union Station with nothing, and churches and neighbors showed up with food, coats, and cots — before the cameras did. I have seen it in church basements turned into English classes and legal clinics, and at kitchen tables where someone simply said to the new family on the block, "Come, eat with us." Hospitality, Scripture insists, is not charity flowing downhill from host to guest. It is "entertaining angels without knowing it." It is the doorway through which God's love slips into our lives, often unannounced. Holy Meddling Now, this is the final Sunday of our series on the United Methodist way. Who are we? What defines us? What is our calling — as Christians, as United Methodists, as members of Foundry? I want to name something about Moses that we United Methodists have always claimed as our own: Moses meddles. Three times in one chapter he inserts himself into conflicts that were, strictly speaking, none of his business: an enslaved Hebrew, two quarreling kinsmen, seven harassed women at a well. He refuses to stay in his comfort zone. That holy meddling is our family trait. Our Social Principles declare of our public witness: "The United Methodist Church believes God's love for the world is an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty. We cannot just be observers." There is no private faith that hoards grace and calls it piety. As Desmond Tutu warned us: "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." Friends, this is who we are. We are the people who refuse to mind our own business when God's children are being driven out — from lunch counters to detention centers, from housing courts to hospital waiting rooms. We wrestle with Scripture, we wrestle with our assumptions, we wrestle with our faith and our calling — and like Moses, we stand up. Because we serve a Lord who said, "I was a stranger, and you welcomed me." From Gershom to Eliezer Church, watch what grace does with a meddler. Moses named his first son Gershom: "I have been a stranger in a strange land." But his second son he named Eliezer: "My God is my helper." Between those two names lies an entire conversion. The stranger became a host. The man who once sought water at a well became the one through whom God drew a whole people out of bondage, through mighty waters, into freedom. God still loves to do this. God takes our Gershom — our alienation, our wounds, our wandering — and rewrites it as Eliezer: my God is my helper. Helper: not in advancing my ambitions or protecting my own wealth, family, and safety, but in teaching me to love God and to love my neighbor as myself. People often mistake "with God, all things are possible" for a guarantee of personal fulfillment. No. God helps us toward something far greater: to serve higher purposes, to forgive and to love, to give and to build, to lay down our lives for friends who were once strangers. We can live out the radical, divine, universal love of God — because God is with us, and God helps us. The Invitation So here is my invitation: this week, don't leave the town of Philly just yet. It is good to stay connected to the love of kin — philadelphia. But intentionally seek out and practice philoxenia. Is there a newcomer in the pew near you, or new to your building, your office, your block? Don't wait for the welcome committee - go say hello, learn their name, and remember it. Does someone need prayer? Don't merely promise to pray for them; ask if you may pray with them, right there, for two holy minutes. Is a neighbor navigating a new language, a new diagnosis, a new grief? Set a table, the way Reuel did: "Invite them to break bread." Philadelphia is dinner with your sister; philoxenia is adding a chair for someone whose story you don't yet know. One helpful discipline for the coming week: each evening, ask yourself two questions. Who did I love today who already loves me? That's philadelphia — good, keep it up. And: Who did I welcome today who could give me nothing back? That's philoxenia — the stretch. If the second column stays empty for a few days, that's the invitation talking. And now, before we close, one more invitation, because sermons about wells should end at one. If today you are the one in the wilderness - if you walked in this morning feeling like a stranger in a strange land - hear the good news: the well is already here. Grace arrived before you did. Before you ever learn to love yourself, before you learn to love your neighbor as yourself, you are already loved by the God of living water…not because of anything you have done, but because of whose you are. If you doubt this grace, then as we sing our final hymn, I invite you: come. Come to this altar, and let us pray with you. You don't need the right words; Moses didn't have them either. Just come and stand by the well with us. And perhaps you came in this morning already full. Then I invite you to consider the many ways you can become a living well for others: a place where people come to know and experience the way of philoxenia, the love of the stranger. The name you have yet to forgive. The prayer you will offer on the spot. The table you will set for the weary. The grace you will give without asking anything in return. Whether you come forward or stand still, the invitation is the same: Come to the well, and then go and become one. Amen.

In this study we will take a look at the women within the Bible. We will look at each one of them and see how their story influences our lives today.As we continue our study in this fantastic insight of the Women of the Bible, this morning we shall finish up with Zipporah and then take a look at Miriam the sister of Moses.Miriam (rebellion) – Moses Sister – A ProphetessMiriam was the older sister of Moses, and it was she who watched over him when he was placed in a basket on the River Nile. She went on to become a leader of the Hebrews when they escaped from Egypt and went in search of the Promised Land.Miriam is best known for helping to deliver Moses at the Nile River and leading the Hebrew women in singing, dancing, and playing drums after crossing the Red Sea. Later, she and her brother Aaron challenge the actions and authority of Moses. She understands leadership to embrace diverse voices, female and male. But the price of speaking out is severe; Yahweh punishes her, after which she never speaks, nor is she spoken to. Centuries later, prophecy remembers her as the equal of Moses and Aaron in representing Yahweh before the people, and as the inaugurator of a performance and composition tradition of song, drums, and dances in Israel."I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy."—Joel 2:28.         Miriam, the prophetess, the sister of Aaron (Exod. 15:20.), is the first of her order mentioned in the Word of Yahweh. While Yahweh never ordained a woman to be priest, nor do we read of women as bishops or pastors in the New Testament, the vocation of "prophetess" is common to both dispensations. Hannah (1Sam. 1:2) was practically a prophetess, and so was Huldah, to whom King Josiah went in his time of perplexity. Deborah (Judges 4:5) was a prophetess (2Kings 22:14), and there were also false prophetesses, such as Noadiah (Neh. 6:14), as well as false prophets.         In the New Testament, Peter expressly declares that the pouring out of the Spirit of Yahweh upon all flesh should be upon sons and daughters, servants, and handmaids, "and they shall prophesy," quoting from the Old Testament. (Joel 2:28-32); compare (Acts 2:17-18.)  A number of those who "spake" "AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE," (Acts. 2:4.) of the wonderful works of Yahweh on the Day of Pentecost, were women speaking in the spirit of prophecy. Philip, the deacon, we read, had four daughters "which did prophesy" (Acts 21:9); the Apostle Paul speaks of those women who labored with him in the Gospel. (Phl. 4:3.) It is he who especially recommends that, when women pray and prophesy, their heads should be covered; and explains what is this office of prophesying in the words: "He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." (1Chorin. 11:5; 14:3.) And while Paul commands that women should not speak in church, he ordains that all, i.e., both men and women, may prophesy, one by one, that all may learn, and may be comforted. (1Corin. 14:31-34.)          Yahweh's order in the family is not according to earthly birthright. Speaking of the leaders of His people Israel, He says: "I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam." (Micah 6:4.) All these children of Amram were of the prophet order. Miriam was the eldest, Moses the youngest; yet Moses is first mentioned, because he knew his Yahweh more fully than either his brother or his sister. Aaron, his elder brother, ranks next, and Miriam, the eldest of the three, ranks last.Miriam was a leader of the Hebrew people during the Exodus, the great founding event of Judaism. The episodes we have about her are disjointed and probably only represent a fraction of the stories originally told in the oral tradition of the Hebrew people.  The story of Miriam contains four different episodes:   1 Miriam saved her brother Moses, Exodus 2:1-10. This well-known story shows that the survival of the leader of the Exodus, Moses, depended on the courage and ingenuity of one young woman, his sister Miriam.   2 The song of Miriam, Exodus 15:20-21. This fragment of the Song of Miriam is one of the oldest poetic couplets in the Old Testament. It is an example of a literary genre devoted to celebrating military victories with triumphal poems.  3 Miriam's ordeal, Numbers 12. This story is about the authority of established law. Moses was the great lawgiver of the Hebrew people Moses' legislation formed the basis of Hebrew life. The story acknowledged that Miriam and Aaron were both popular leaders, but the Law, represented by Moses, bound them.  4 Miriam's death, Numbers 20:1-2. Miriam died in a waterless place in the wilderness, but Yahweh subsequently caused water to appear there.  In this study we take a look #2 The Song of Miriam and #3 Miriam's ordealExodus 15:20-2120.          Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron = This is the first mention of Miriam by name, and she is described as the sister of Aaron, so she is therefore also the sister of Moses (Exodus 4:14).We also see that Miriam had some kind of prophetic gift. Later she used her leadership position in an unwise and ungodly way – to challenge the authority of Moses (Numbers 12).Miriam was with Moses throughout the nine plagues. She came out of Egypt with Moses. Miriam was a woman of Yahweh. She was indeed a prophet herself (Exodus 15:20). The fact that Miriam was a prophet is a little known fact because everyone concentrates on Moses. Miriam was called to play a less prominent role than Moses but nevertheless a vital one. Miriam's role as a leader of the Hebrew women was obviously more extensive than is shown in the biblical text. Despite her personal charisma and power, her story has to a large extent been subsumed into the story of her brother Moses. Rulers in the ancient world led through force of arms and military might. Miriam and Moses proposed a different model of leadership. They led by example served their people rather than ruled them did what they believed Yahweh wanted rather than serving their own ends.      When the Hebrew's were escaping from Egypt, they crossed what was probably a large papyrus marsh, called the Red Sea in the biblical text. Moses, Miriam, and her second brother Aaron led them. Numbers 12This part of Miriam's story described an incident at Hazeroth (villages), as the Hebrew people wandered in search of their promised land.Going to Moses, Miriam and Aaron raised two points that were troubling them: 1.      They questioned his marriage to the Cushite (Ethiopian or Midianite) woman, not because of any personal rivalry, but because Hebrews condemned marriage with a foreigner. Some Bible translations call the woman a Cushite, others Ethiopian and some even say Sudanese. What is clear is that the woman was a foreigner. Bible scholars are divided over whether she was of African decent, as names and geography have changed in meaning over the centuries. In the ancient world the whole of the southern world from Africa to India was denoted by the word Ethiopia (English travelers as late as the 17th Century still used the name in that sense). All this leaves the possibility but not confirmation that Moses wife could have been of African decent. 2.      They questioned Moses' authority over them, since Moses was the youngest of the three siblings. Yahweh had communicated with all three of them. Why then should Moses dominate the other two?  Join me as we go Chapter by Chapter, Verse by Verse, Unraveling the Words of Yahweh!Have any questions? Feel free to email me; keitner2024@outlook.com

Audio reading: Num 25:10-18, 1 Chron 28:1-29:30, Rom 5:6-21, Psalm 15:1-5, Prov 19:18-19 This episode examines Numbers 25, where Pinchas kills an Israelite and a Midianite woman who are engaged in sexual immorality in front of the entire nation and in total defiance to God.  He pierces them through with a spear, and he is awarded a "covenant of peace." We look at the paradox of violent action leading to divine peace and we ask the question: can peace be achieved through strength? When is it appropriate to use force to bring forth peace? This is especially timely and relevant now as Israel is in a war with her far away enemies (Iran) and her near enemies (Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis). Our reading today also covers David's preparations for the Temple and his charge to Solomon to build it, the anointing of Solomon, and related readings from Romans, Psalms, and Proverbs that reflect on atonement, righteousness, and leadership. Whether you're looking to deepen your relationship with Jesus or stay consistent in your daily listening to Bible devotions, this podcast offers insightful reflections and an engaging walk through the Bible. Connect With Us - Website: https://1yearAudioBiblePodcast.com   Spotify: Https://Open.Spotify.Com/Show/7zuyulxhnkthbgmnxu6q5t Apple Podcasts: Https://Podcasts.Apple.Com/Us/Podcast/1-Year-Audio-Bible-Podcast/Id1562405086 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@1YearAudioBiblePodcast Podbean: https://bridgeconnector.podbean.com/    

In this study we will take a look at the women within the Bible. We will look at each one of them and see how their story influences our lives today.As we continue our study in this fantastic insight of the Women of the Bible, this morning we shall finish up with Zipporah and then take a look at Miriam the sister of Moses. ZIPPORAH (bird): THE WIFE OF MOSES.Exod. 2:15-22        Zipporah is the wife of Moses, given to him in marriage by her Midianite priest father. She heroically saves Moses and her sons from a random attack from an angel by cutting off her son's foreskin; the explanation for this act is unclear. However, Zipporah is shown as fiercely devoted to her husband, even though he neglects her.        Zipporah is a Midianite woman who becomes the wife of Moses. After Moses kills an Egyptian, he flees from the pharaoh and settles among the Midianites, an Arab people who occupied desert areas in southern Transjordan, northern Arabia, and the Sinai. He meets the seven daughters of Reuel, priest of Midian, at a well; rescues them from shepherds who are harassing them; and fills their jugs with water. In gratitude, Reuel (called Jethro or Hobab in other biblical passages) offers Moses hospitality, then gives him his daughter Zipporah in marriage (Exod 2:21–22). She and Moses have two sons, Gershom and Eliezer (Exod 18:3–4).       Zipporah is the heroine of a bizarre incident that takes place as Moses heads back to Egypt with his wife and sons (Exod 4:20). On their way, at a night encampment, “The Lord met him [Moses] and tried to kill him” (Exod 4:24). No reason is given, just as no reason is given for the angel's attack on Jacob as he came back from Mesopotamia (Gen 32:24). Jacob was alone and wrestled with the angel all night; Moses is with his wife, who comes to his rescue. She takes a flint and cuts off her son's foreskin. She then flings the foreskin at “his” feet, declaring that he is hatan damim to her (Exod 4:26). Zipporah's enigmatic statement has two possible explanations: she flings the foreskin at Moses's feet, saying, “You are a bridegroom of blood to me” (NRSV), or she flings it at Yahweh's feet, saying, “You are a blood father-in-law to me.” (Damim means “blood,” and hatan can mean either “bridegroom” or “father-in-law.”) Either way, her deed and words stop the attack. The story is already difficult for the narrator, who adds a comment that hatan damim refers to circumcision. The situation remains unclear to us. Zipporah, however, understood it and acted decisively to rescue Moses. Zipporah's name, meaning “bird,” combined with her protection of Moses, is reminiscent of the fierce loyalty to her husband Osiris of the Egyptian goddess Isis, who is often portrayed as a bird of prey.        Zipporah is not well rewarded. At some point before the exodus from Egypt, Moses sends her and the children away (Exod 18:2). After the exodus, her father, the priest of Midian (here called Jethro), comes to visit Moses, bringing Zipporah and her two sons. Moses is told that his father-in-law Jethro is “coming to see you, with your wife and her two sons” (Exod i8:6). Moses goes out to greet Jethro and takes him into his tent, but nothing is said about his greeting Zipporah.        Moses' neglect of Zipporah is obvious, as he (not Yahweh) tells the men at Sinai not to approach any women in preparation for Yahweh's approach in three days (Exod 19:2). Since he himself is apparently always in preparation for meeting with Yahweh, we can infer that he never sleeps with Zipporah. In Num 12:1 Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses because of the “Cushite woman” whom he married, but they do not mention her name. Midrashic tradition assumed they were discussing Moses' neglect of Zipporah. Other interpreters see the Cushite woman as a second wife, with Miriam and Aaron opposed to the marriage. But no children are ever recorded for a second wife of Moses.Miriam (rebellion) – Moses Sister – A ProphetessMiriam was the older sister of Moses, and it was she who watched over him when he was placed in a basket on the River Nile. She went on to become a leader of the Hebrews when they escaped from Egypt and went in search of the Promised Land.Miriam is best known for helping to deliver Moses at the Nile River and leading the Hebrew women in singing, dancing, and playing drums after crossing the Red Sea. Later, she and her brother Aaron challenge the actions and authority of Moses. She understands leadership to embrace diverse voices, female and male. But the price of speaking out is severe; Yahweh punishes her, after which she never speaks, nor is she spoken to. Centuries later, prophecy remembers her as the equal of Moses and Aaron in representing Yahweh before the people, and as the inaugurator of a performance and composition tradition of song, drums, and dances in Israel."I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy."—Joel 2:28.                Miriam, the prophetess, the sister of Aaron (Exod. 15:20.), is the first of her order mentioned in the Word of Yahweh. While Yahweh never ordained a woman to be priest, nor do we read of women as bishops or pastors in the New Testament, the vocation of "prophetess" is common to both dispensations. Hannah (1Sam. 1:2) was practically a prophetess, and so was Huldah, to whom King Josiah went in his time of perplexity. Deborah (Judges 4:5) was a prophetess (2Kings 22:14), and there were also false prophetesses, such as Noadiah (Neh. 6:14), as well as false prophets.                In the New Testament, Peter expressly declares that the pouring out of the Spirit of Yahweh upon all flesh should be upon sons and daughters, servants, and handmaids, "and they shall prophesy," quoting from the Old Testament. (Joel 2:28-32); compare (Acts 2:17-18.)  A number of those who "spake" "AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE," (Acts. 2:4.) of the wonderful works of Yahweh on the Day of Pentecost, were women speaking in the spirit of prophecy. Philip, the deacon, we read, had four daughters "which did prophesy" (Acts 21:9); the Apostle Paul speaks of those women who labored with him in the Gospel. (Phl. 4:3.) It is he who especially recommends that, when women pray and prophesy, their heads should be covered; and explains what is this office of prophesying in the words: "He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." (1Chorin. 11:5; 14:3.) And while Paul commands that women should not speak in church, he ordains that all, i.e., both men and women, may prophesy, one by one, that all may learn, and may be comforted. (1Corin. 14:31-34.)                Yahweh's order in the family is not according to earthly birthright. Speaking of the leaders of His people Israel, He says: "I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam." (Micah 6:4.) All these children of Amram were of the prophet order. Miriam was the eldest, Moses the youngest; yet Moses is first mentioned, because he knew his Yahweh more fully than either his brother or his sister. Aaron, his elder brother, ranks next, and Miriam, the eldest of the three, ranks last.     Miriam was a leader of the Hebrew people during the Exodus, the great founding event of Judaism. The episodes we have about her are disjointed and probably only represent a fraction of the stories originally told in the oral tradition of the Hebrew people. The story of Miriam contains four different episodes:   1 Miriam saved her brother Moses, Exodus 2:1-10. This well-known story shows that the survival of the leader of the Exodus, Moses, depended on the courage and ingenuity of one young woman, his sister Miriam.   2 The song of Miriam, Exodus 15:20-21. This fragment of the Song of Miriam is one of the oldest poetic couplets in the Old Testament. It is an example of a literary genre devoted to celebrating military victories with triumphal poems. 3 Miriam's ordeal, Numbers 12. This story is about the authority of established law. Moses was the great lawgiver of the Hebrew people Moses' legislation formed the basis of Hebrew life. The story acknowledged that Miriam and Aaron were both popular leaders, but the Law, represented by Moses, bound them.  4 Miriam's death, Numbers 20:1-2. Miriam died in a waterless place in the wilderness, but Yahweh subsequently caused water to appear there. Join me as we go Chapter by Chapter, Verse by Verse, Unraveling the Words of Yahweh!Have any questions? Feel free to email me; keitner2024@outlook.com

After the war with Midyan, the Jewish people needed to purify and kosher vessels taken as spoils. This class explores the two-step process, why Moshe Rabbeinu forgot the laws of koshering due to anger, and what this teaches about emotional control in leadership. https://www.torahrecordings.com/classes/by_parsha/004_bamidbar/009_matos/007

This class explores the double Torah portion of Matos and Masei, focusing on Moshe Rabbeinu's response to the aftermath of the Midianite war, the laws of purification and koshering vessels, and Chassidic insights into anger, self-mastery, and divine providence. https://www.torahrecordings.com/classes/by_parsha/004_bamidbar/009_matos/008

Matot | Moabite Daughters, a Midianite Princess and Pinchas, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Balak-Pinchas-Matot. Why is the "war of vengeance" carried out against Midian, if the instigators and participants in the BaalPeor episode were Moabites?  The story of Pinchas's zealotry is famous, yet his action along with the subsequent Divine command to launch a war of נקמה against Midian is surprising, considering that Ba'al Pe'or was (evidently) one of the local Moabite gods and that the seduction began with the daughters of Moab - and that only one Midianite girl was explicitly involved. A discussion of the "sitz im leben", with an eye towards geographic and cultural distinctions between these two nations helps to decipher some of the more cryptic components of this story. This shiur was given in memory of my father, הרב אשר אהרן בן אברהם בנימין and in memory of הרב משה רפאל ב"ר אברהם יצחק הכהן whose yahrzeits coincide on 21 Tamuz. יהי זכרם ברוך Source sheet >>

Exodus 18 tells the surprising story of Jethro, a Midianite priest, joyfully worshiping the God of Israel and sharing a covenant meal with God's people. This passage reminds us that God has always been gathering a family from every nation. Our unity is not built on personality, politics, preferences, or background—it is a giftpurchased by Jesus Christ. In a divided world, discover how the gospel welcomes outsiders, forms a new family, and gives us a hope that reaches all the way to Revelation's great multitude around God's throne.

This class explores why the Torah waits until after the incident with Pinchas to name Zimri and the Midianite woman, examining Rashi's insights and lessons about leadership, responsibility, and compassion in how the Torah presents individuals' actions. https://www.torahrecordings.com/classes/by_parsha/004_bamidbar/008_pinchas/002

In Shittim, Moav and Midian lure Israel into Baal Peor, triggering a plague and the public rebellion of Zimri with a Midianite princess, until Pinchas spears them and is vindicated by God. A punitive strike against Midian follows, including Bilaam's death, and Moshe's fury when captives are brought back, underscoring the need for vigilance, clear identity, and daily self-scrutiny taught by Rambam and Ramhal.Rabbi Dweck has held rabbinic leadership roles in the US and the UK. He is the Rosh Bet Midrash of TheHabura.com and the Rabbi Levy Chair of Jewish Wisdom at the London School of Jewish Studies.For more, check out rabbijosephdweck.com.Instagram: https://instagram.com/rabbidweckTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidweckYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RabbiJosephDweck

In this study we will take a look at the women within the Bible. We will look at each one of them and see how their story influences our lives today.As we continue our study in this fantastic insight of the Women of the Bible, this morning we shall take a look at Jochebed and Zipporah.JOCHEBED (Yahweh Gloried): THE MOTHER OF MOSES.Jochebed, wife of Amram and mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, is mentioned by name only in Exod 6:20 and Num 26:59, both genealogical listings. Jochebed, whose name apparently means YHWH is glory,” is notable as the first person in the Bible to have a name with the divine element yah, a shortened form of YHWH.Jochebed, wife of Amram and mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, is mentioned by name only in Exod 6:20 and Num 26:59, both genealogical listings. The narrative in Exodus 2 about Moses' birth introduces her, without providing her name, as a member of the priestly tribe Levi; she marries a Levitical man, also unnamed here. The mother, in defiance of the Pharaoh's order that every male Hebrew child be killed, hides her newborn son for three months and then places him in a basket in the Nile. Pharaoh's daughter (also unnamed) finds the child and accepts the offer of Moses's sister Miriam, who witnesses the rescue of her brother, to find a Hebrew woman as a wet nurse for the infant. The narrative cleverly places Jochebed as the caregiver for her own son.The story in Exodus 2 clearly focuses on Moses, whose rescue from the river resembles other birth tales presenting culture heroes. The omission of the names of the child's family members contributes to the heightened interest in Moses. The genealogical information about his mother, as not only the daughter of Levi but also as the wife (and aunt!) of a Levite, serves to highlight the priestly pedigree of both Moses and Aaron. In addition, Jochebed, whose name (Hebrew yokheved) apparently means “YHWH is glory,” is notable as the first person in the Bible to have a name with the divine element yah, a shortened form of YHWH. The tradition that Moses announces to the Israelites that YHWH is the name of their Elohim (Exod 6:1–8) is thus embedded in his maternal lineage: if his mother bears YHWH's name, Moses learned it from her.Pharaoh's daughter said to Jochebed: "Take this child away and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages." (Exod. 2:9.)This is the last we hear of Jochebed, Moses' mother.THE RESULT OF HER LIFE's WORKwas the man Moses. The true mother lives again in her son. There is the answer to her prayers; there is the result of her watchfulness; there is the true correction of her own faults reproduced in her son. Moses might never have been the man he was had it not been for Jochebed.                Who knows how many a leader of Yahweh's people may be at the present time in course of training by some pious mother? Who knows but that the little James or John or William, who is playing with the kitten in the living room, may someday become a man to whom hundreds or thousands may look for help and direction? Oh let every mother who reads these pages understand her vocation when a higher than Pharaoh's daughter says to her: "Take this child and nurse it for Me, and I will give thee thy wages."                But the wages of Jochebed were not to be given by the princes of this world. To be the mother of a Moses, whom Yahweh knew face to face, like who there arose not since in Israel (Deut. 34:10): this was an honor which none but Yahweh could give. ZIPPORAH (bird): THE WIFE OF MOSES.Exod. 2:15-22                Zipporah is the wife of Moses, given to him in marriage by her Midianite priest father. She heroically saves Moses and her sons from a random attack from an angel by cutting off her son's foreskin; the explanation for this act is unclear. However, Zipporah is shown as fiercely devoted to her husband, even though he neglects her.                Zipporah is a Midianite woman who becomes the wife of Moses. After Moses kills an Egyptian, he flees from the pharaoh and settles among the Midianites, an Arab people who occupied desert areas in southern Transjordan, northern Arabia, and the Sinai. He meets the seven daughters of Reuel, priest of Midian, at a well; rescues them from shepherds who are harassing them; and fills their jugs with water. In gratitude, Reuel (called Jethro or Hobab in other biblical passages) offers Moses hospitality, then gives him his daughter Zipporah in marriage (Exod 2:21–22). She and Moses have two sons, Gershom and Eliezer (Exod 18:3–4).Zipporah is the heroine of a bizarre incident that takes place as Moses heads back to Egypt with his wife and sons (Exod 4:20). On their way, at a night encampment, “The Lord met him [Moses] and tried to kill him” (Exod 4:24). No reason is given, just as no reason is given for the angel's attack on Jacob as he came back from Mesopotamia (Gen 32:24). Jacob was alone and wrestled with the angel all night; Moses is with his wife, who comes to his rescue. She takes a flint and cuts off her son's foreskin. She then flings the foreskin at “his” feet, declaring that he is hatan damim to her (Exod 4:26). Zipporah's enigmatic statement has two possible explanations: she flings the foreskin at Moses's feet, saying, “You are a bridegroom of blood to me” (NRSV), or she flings it at Yahweh's feet, saying, “You are a blood father-in-law to me.” (Damim means “blood,” and hatan can mean either “bridegroom” or “father-in-law.”) Either way, her deed and words stop the attack. The story is already difficult for the narrator, who adds a comment that hatan damim refers to circumcision. The situation remains unclear to us. Zipporah, however, understood it and acted decisively to rescue Moses. Zipporah's name, meaning “bird,” combined with her protection of Moses, is reminiscent of the fierce loyalty to her husband Osiris of the Egyptian goddess Isis, who is often portrayed as a bird of prey.Zipporah is not well rewarded. At some point before the exodus from Egypt, Moses sends her and the children away (Exod 18:2). After the exodus, her father, the priest of Midian (here called Jethro), comes to visit Moses, bringing Zipporah and her two sons. Moses is told that his father-in-law Jethro is “coming to see you, with your wife and her two sons” (Exod i8:6). Moses goes out to greet Jethro and takes him into his tent, but nothing is said about his greeting Zipporah.Moses' neglect of Zipporah is obvious, as he (not Yahweh) tells the men at Sinai not to approach any women in preparation for Yahweh's approach in three days (Exod 19:2). Since he himself is apparently always in preparation for meeting with Yahweh, we can infer that he never sleeps with Zipporah. In Num 12:1 Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses because of the “Cushite woman” whom he married, but they do not mention her name. Midrashic tradition assumed they were discussing Moses' neglect of Zipporah. Other interpreters see the Cushite woman as a second wife, with Miriam and Aaron opposed to the marriage. But no children are ever recorded for a second wife of Moses.

The Two Orders of the Shvatim Welcome to Daily Bitachon. We've been talking about the different months of the year, their symbolism, their connections, and their depth. Today, we're going to discuss the twelve tribes ( Shvatim ) that correspond to the twelve months of the year. The Sefarim tell us that there are two basic approaches to the order of the Shvatim . The first is their birth order : Reuven, Shimon, Levi, Yehuda, Dan, Naftali, Gad, Asher, Yissachar, Zevulun, Yosef, and Binyamin. The second is the order of their encampment . Yaakov Avinu set this order around his bed, which eventually became the layout for how the tribes camped around the Mishkan and the order of the Korbanot (offerings) of the Nessi'im (princes): East: Yehuda, Yissachar, and Zevulun camped together. South: Reuven, Shimon, and Gad. West: Ephraim, Menashe, and Binyamin. North: Dan, Asher, and Naftali. (Note: Levi is not among these twelve because Levi did not carry Yaakov Avinu's bier, nor did they camp with the twelve tribes; they had their own dedicated unit directly around the Mishkan). The Demotion and Latent Power of Tammuz and Av In the original birth order approach, Reuven and Shimon received Nissan and Iyar, which are choice months. However, because Reuven acted impetuously—though, on his high spiritual level, Chazal say "whoever says Reuven sinned is mistaken"—he was removed from that choice position. Shimon was similarly involved in the incident at Shechem and later the story of Zimri. Furthermore, descendants of Reuven were involved in the rebellion of Korach. Because of these lapses, they were, so to say, demoted. Based on the new list of the encampment, Yehuda became the first. Nachshon Ben Aminadav of Yehuda brought the first offering, making Yehuda number one. Reuven was moved to number five, and Shimon to number six. Consequently, Reuven was given the month of Tammuz , and Shimon was given the month of Av . Does that mean Tammuz and Av are bad months? Of course not. Reuven and Shimon were not bad tribes. They merely experienced a temporary lapse. These months are not inherently malicious timeframes; rather, they represent righteous entities that fell but possess the latent power to rise again. Consider their history: Reuven: The prince of Reuven, Elitzur Ben Shedeiur, was a neighbor of Korach and was drawn into the rebellion. Yet, his day of dedication for the Mishkan is still celebrated as a communal holiday. Shimon: Shimon's leader was Zimri, also known as Shelumiel Ben Zurishaddai, who famously sinned with the Midianite princess. According to the Arizal and the Rema Mipano, Zimri later reincarnated as Rabbi Akiva —the man who transformed the spiritual landscape of the Jewish people and famously laughed when seeing the ruins of the Beit HaMikdash because he understood the ultimate consolation. Here we have two tribes that took a momentary dip. Rabbi Akiva is the ultimate source of Torah Sheba'al Peh (the Oral Torah). While we won't go into all the deep connections between Rabbi Akiva and Zimri, one profound rectifying connection stands out: Zimri died while engaging in sensual pleasure involving his skin. Rabbi Akiva died a martyr's death with the Romans scraping his skin with steel combs. The rectification matched the crime. When watching Rabbi Akiva suffer, a bystander wouldn't know his cosmic history, his Gilgul (reincarnation). That is what Gilgulim are all about—we return to this world until we reach perfection. Therefore, Tammuz and Av will also reach perfection. These are inherently great times; there was simply a temporary lapse, and there will be a rebirth and rejuvenation. The Twelve Senses of the Soul The Sefer Bnei Yissachar , in his essays on Tammuz and Av, shares a fascinating concept from the Sefer Yetzirah (an ancient book of Kabbalah). Every month corresponds to one of twelve specific spiritual or physical senses. Here is how the calendar aligns with the tribes and their spiritual faculties: Month Tribe (Encampment Order) Sense / Faculty Spiritual Meaning & Connection Nissan Yehuda Speech We use our mouths to tell the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus). Iyar Yissachar Thought Deep contemplation and introspection during Sefirat HaOmer . Sivan Zevulun Motion / Walking Continual spiritual progress and alignment after Matan Torah . Tammuz Reuven Sight The spies saw the land through a warped lens. Reuven stems from Re'u beni ("See, my son"). Av Shimon Hearing The people accepted the Lashon Hara (evil tongue) of the spies. Shimon stems from Shema ("to listen/hear"). Elul Gad Action A time dedicated to action and doing Teshuvah (repentance). Tishrei Ephraim Intimacy Represents our deep, marital-like connection with HaKadosh Baruch Hu. Heshvan Menashe Smell The most purely spiritual sense indicating the high level we reached after the Yamim Noraim and Succot Kislev Binyamin Sleep / Dreaming Navigating the darkness of the winter. Tevet Dan Anger / Temper Overcoming and rectifying the anger associated with the month of Esav. Shevat Asher Taste / Eating Cultivating holy eating, celebrated on Tu B'Shevat as we taste the fruits. Adar Naftali Laughter Transforming sorrow into ultimate joy on Purim. The Summertime Rectification Now for our clincher. Notice how perfectly this aligns: the months of Tammuz and Av represent seeing and hearing . We know that the 40 days of the spies began on the eve of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz—the month of sight . They looked at the Land of Israel through a warped lens. They returned in the month of Av—the month of hearing —and made the nation weep by causing them to listen to a false, negative report. This is why summertime presents us with a golden opportunity to fix these flaws. Summer is a natural time for testing our sight , due to the inappropriate things that may be out there, and a test for hearing/speech , because people gather together and the temptation for Lashon Hara increases. We are given this time of year specifically to repair these faculties. Wonder of wonders, look at how this is mirrored in the three prophetic readings ( Haftarot ) of rebuke that we read during the Three Weeks on Shabbat: Divrei Yirmiyahu ("The words of Yirmiyahu") — Rectifying Speech . Shimu Devar Hashem ("Hear the word of Hashem") — Rectifying Hearing . Chazon Yeshaya ("The vision of Yeshaya") — Rectifying Sight . Each Shabbat of these three weeks is perfectly designed to repair these exact faculties. It is truly a wonder to see how all these complex pieces of Torah fit together.

We delve into the story of Balaam's wicked advice and the severe consequences of Israel's disobedience. We discuss how Balaam, a pagan prophet, devised a plan to seduce the Israelites into idolatry through Moabite and Midianite women, leading to God's wrath. The episode highlights the zealous actions of Phinehas, Aaron's grandson, who intervened to stop the plague that God had sent as punishment. God responded to Phinehas's decisive actions by granting him a covenant of perpetual priesthood.Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.orgWant to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://biblin...

In this sermon from Judges 6, Pastor Jim Schultz examines the account of Gideon and the repeated temptation to demand proof when God has already spoken. As Israel suffers under Midianite oppression, God calls Gideon to act. Yet instead of responding with confident obedience, Gideon continually seeks signs and assurances, revealing a heart marked by hesitation and uncertainty.This passage reminds us that God's people are called to take Him at His Word. While God graciously bears with Gideon's weakness, the focus of the chapter is not on imitating Gideon's requests for signs, but on recognizing the sufficiency and reliability of God's promises. The Lord had spoken clearly, and Gideon's responsibility was to believe and obey.Pastor Jim also explores Israel's idolatry, God's righteous discipline, His undeserved grace, and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, this message calls believers to reject the constant demand for further proof and instead trust what God has revealed in His Word. True faith is not built on signs and miracles, but on the character and promises of God.

by Aubrey Botha https://cpcchurchimages.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/10121328/June-7-Sermon.mp3 Genesis 37:5-11 (NLT) 5 One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. 6 “Listen to this dream,” he said. 7 “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” 8 His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. 9 Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” 10 This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” 11 But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant. Genesis 37:25-28 25 Then, just as they were sitting down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders taking a load of gum, balm, and aromatic resin from Gilead down to Egypt. 26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We'd have to cover up the crime.[a] 27 Instead of hurting him, let's sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed. 28 So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph's brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces[b] of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt.   Romans 11:29 (MSG) A Complete Israel 25-29 I want to lay all this out on the table as clearly as I can, friends. This is complicated. It would be easy to misinterpret what's going on and arrogantly assume that you're royalty and they're just rabble, out on their ears for good. But that's not it at all. This hardness on the part of insider Israel toward God is temporary. Its effect is to open things up to all the outsiders so that we end up with a full house. Before it's all over, there will be a complete Israel. As it is written, A champion will stride down from the mountain of Zion;    he'll clean house in Jacob.And this is my commitment to my people:    removal of their sins. From your point of view as you hear and embrace the good news of the Message, it looks like the Jews are God's enemies. But looked at from the long-range perspective of God's overall purpose, they remain God's oldest friends. God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded.   Transcript (Transcribed by TurboScribe) Thank you, Praise Team. What a wonderful morning of worship again. I missed you on the piano though. 6:10, not 6:07, 6:10. We really want you to do that. Alexander had a little fun with you this morning, but please go do that. 6:10 in the morning or 6:10 in the evening or afternoon, whatever you want to call it. Take a few moments, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and pray. Pray for our search team in the work that they are doing, finding the next minister for this church. Pray for the person that God is preparing for this position. But also pray for another team because we’ve been struggling for a long time. We’re looking for someone for our youth, and we just do not have folks that are applying, and it’s not just us. It’s all over that we’re struggling with that. Pray for us too. Pray for folks that feel that call to do that. With God’s grace, I think there might be two people. That’ll be good news for those on the team that we might see apply and that we might be able to sit down and talk to. So 6.10 until we find people, take time. Five minutes is all we’re asking. Be quiet, and that’s all you pray for, nothing else. That’s what you pray for. Lord, as we continue our journey with Joseph, not an easy journey, Lord, because it starts in a home, goes to a pit, ends in slavery, but also in the end, it ends in war, more than that. But as we walk this path, help us, Lord, to see you as Joseph did, to see your hand in every moment, even there in the deepest pit, as we said last week. And every day as we walk, and in these moments, may we see Jesus, and only Jesus. I think you got it right, Alexander. Now I moved it, and now it’s all oblong. It started, the trouble started when Joseph’s mouth started. He walked into breakfast that morning, and he was blabbing about this dream that he had. Read with me. I’m going to do the verses little by little. It’s a little bit of fun. One night, Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. Remember I told you verse five last week? Listen to this dream, he said. We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain, and suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine. I do not know what Joseph was thinking. Was he really thinking that his brothers were going to just slap him on the back and say, baby brother, that’s amazing. We can’t wait to bow down before you. Well, they didn’t. They kicked dirt in his face, and they told him to take a hike. Verse nine, verse eight. His brothers responded, so you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you’ll reign over us? And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. Now you’d think he would take a hint, but he didn’t. So he just comes right back, and this time with a dream even more elaborate than the first one, verse nine. Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. Listen, I’ve had another dream, he said. The sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me. This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. What kind of dream is that? He asked, will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you? But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dream was. He should have kept those dreams to himself, and I think that’s what he was thinking if you think back to last week’s sermon when he was sitting there right at the bottom of that dark pit, heard the brothers up there laughing and having fun. And then all of a sudden, it’s not just their voices, there are other voices too. So let’s go to verse 25. Then just as they were sitting down to eat, the brothers, they looked up and saw a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders taking a load of gum, balm, and aromatic resin from Gilead down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, what will we gain by killing our brother? We’d have to cover up the crime. Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders after all. He’s our brother, our own flesh and blood. And his brothers agreed. So when the Ishmaelites who were Midianite traders came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for 20 pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt. Just like that. Brothers pulled him out, took the money, grabbed the garment, left, and Joseph had no choice. He was on his way to Egypt to be a slave. Can I just stop the story there for a second? Because I want to set the scene for you for what this sermon is all about. Not too long ago, Joseph had everything going his way. He was hanging out at home. Brothers had to work. He was the loved son and everything was going to him. He had his own tailor who made his own special garment for him. He had these wonderful lofty dreams. But like the old saying goes, what goes up must come down. And Joseph’s life came down with a crash. Down, down, down. Put down by the brothers, thrown down into a cistern, sold down the river of slavery, led down the road to Egypt. Stripped of everything. His name, his status, his position, everything he had, everything he hoped to have, it all went down the drain. Down to Egypt. And this is what the sermon is all about. Because here’s the thing. Life sometimes can do that. It can get us down. We even have sayings for that. I’m down to my last dollar. Just yesterday, this was not written in the sermon, but it gave me in a moment. As I was driving to Zehrs to pick up something, I saw this young lady come to the place where she always stands at the traffic light. And she had this cardboard and she was writing her cardboard again. And as I came back from Zehrs, she was ready and she stood there and she had a down on there. Down on my luck. Because that’s where she is. She’s down. Down to my last penny. Down on my back. Down and out. All of a sudden life takes us down. Boy, that’s a downer this morning. That’s not where I’m going. It takes us down. Now let’s go back to Joseph. Hold on to that. Joseph. When he arrives in Egypt, he has nothing. It’s all taken away. His family, his home, his country. Everything. He has lost everything. But the one thing he didn’t lose was his belief in God’s plan for his life. Joseph never stopped believing that. Never mind how down he went. Down into the pit. Down with the Ishmaelites. Down to Egypt. Down into the dungeon of the jail there. He never stopped believing in the fact that this was God’s plan for his life and nothing would change that. And he was going to hold on to that plan because he knew. Remember last week, Genesis 50 verse 20. You weaved evil. But God is the amazing weaver and God re-weaved, re-wove those plans. And they became plans not just good for me but good for everyone else. Joseph never stopped believing God’s plan and that God had a destiny for him. And I think sometimes, forgive me when I say this, that we forget that. When we hit those Egypt moments, I think sometimes we forget God has a plan. In my, where are we now, 44 years as a minister, I’ve heard many Joseph stories. I told you one last week. I’ve seen many folks going down to Egypt and I’ve always asked them this one question. So with all of this, what is the one thing that you still have that you cannot lose? What is the one thing you still have that you can’t lose? It can’t be taken away. Difficulties can strip us from so many things. Struggles can overwhelm us. But the one thing that no one and nothing can take away from me is God’s destiny for me. But let me explain that word destiny because we sometimes think of fate. Oh, it’s my fate. It’s my destiny. It’s just gonna, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. God’s destiny for you is a little different. Can I use the Hebrew word because the Hebrew word is way more beautiful. Amira, I don’t know if it’s the same in Arabic. Ye’ut in Hebrew. Ye’ut. It’s a yot and a ayin and a vav and a dalet in Hebrew. Amira would understand that. Ye’ut means purpose. It also means life’s plan. It also means that which God made me to be and that which God wants me to do. One thing nothing can take away from me is God’s destiny for me. Think of Joseph. And here’s the thing that makes it true for each one of us. The reason we can say that to one another is because of this fact of who you are. Kerry, who are you? You’re not just Kerry. You are Kerry, the child of God. That’s what makes you, you. The fact that we are children of God. Because why is that important? When God says I’m his child, all God does is give the best that God has to me in my life. Also when I’m down in the pit. Also when I’m with Ishmaelite traitors. Also when I land in Egypt and I don’t know where I’m going to be. Also when I’m trying to do good and I land in jail. God still says you’re my child. I have a purpose. I have a plan and I will make that plan work for your life because you’re my child. And we’re going to sing that. I specifically asked Kerry. I sent her a text this week and said can we add another song which we didn’t. We’re going to sing that in a little while where we say I’m no longer a slave to fear or a slave to sin. I am a child of God. The words go from my mother’s womb you have chosen me. Love has called my name. Think of that for a second. That’s who you are. Jeremiah wrote that. Even before I was born you knew me. The Psalm 139 says in my mother’s womb when I was being knit together you already knew who I am. From my mother’s womb you’ve called and you’ve woven me. You’ve called me. Your love has called my name. And then it goes one step further. The song says that I’ve been born again into your family. It’s God’s family we’re there to take care of each other in those down moments. We’re there to lift each other up. We’re there to laugh with each other Paul the young when we can sit on the stool of repentance and just love one another and just smile. I’ve been born again into your family. And then those beautiful words your love your blood flows through my veins. That’s who you are. A child of God. God has a purpose and a plan and a destiny for you even sometimes if it feels it’s going down. Don’t believe the tombstone that says you’re just a dash between two dates. You’re far more than that. Don’t fall into into small thinking. This world can take everything away from you. The one thing they cannot take away is the love of the one who has your destiny in his hand. And sometimes on the way to Egypt we forget that. And then we redefine ourselves according to our catastrophes the things that happen in our lives. And I look at myself well I’m the bankrupt businessman. I’m the recovering addict. I’m the divorcee. I’m the one with the scars. No. No that’s not who you are. That’s not what God does in your life. Despite those little setbacks God is the God of the big comeback. Think of Joseph. He was a nothing in a bit. And look what he was. Because God had a plan not just for Joseph and I’m getting ahead of myself but we’ll get there. Not just for Joseph but for his brothers and for his father and for his family. They would all come back to Egypt and they would settle and God would take care of him. Joseph would understand the dreams of Pharaoh and they could help the world who would come and would come by from them when there was no food. That was God’s plan. Although it looked like it was going down, down, down. God knew about that. Don’t put yourself down. Don’t allow the world to play the down game with you. You are God’s child and God is true to his promises. Listen to this beautiful promise from Romans chapter 11. God’s gifts and God’s call are under full warranty. They never cancelled and they are never rescinded. Believe that. That’s for your life. You’re God’s child. God never goes back on his promises. You’re more than anything that this world could ever throw at you. Remember the question and you’ll put that slide on there. I like that big orange slide. The question I always ask, so what do you still have that you cannot? God’s plan for your life never changes because God never changes. Survival in Egypt begins with a yes to God and to God’s plan. And yes, you have something that you cannot lose. Amen. Take a few moments of silent prayer. Thank you. Father, you are good. Even when we’re in the pit and when we’re in the hands of the Ishmaelites and we have no idea, because you know those amazing plans that you have made. It’s tough sometimes. We go through real difficult times and we kind of wonder. But then we see you and we know. Thank you, Lord. Thank you that you have us, our plans, our destiny in your hands. Not fate. We don’t care about that. We care about you. Thank you, Lord. We love you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

by Aubrey Botha https://cpcchurchimages.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/03152102/May-31-Sermon.mp3 Genesis 37:12-13 12 Soon after this, Joseph's brothers went to pasture their father's flocks at Shechem. 13 When they had been gone for some time, Jacob said to Joseph, “Your brothers are pasturing the sheep at Shechem. Get ready, and I will send you to them.” “I'm ready to go,” Joseph replied. Genesis 37:18-24 Joseph Sold into Slavery 18 When Joseph's brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. 19 “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. 20 “Come on, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.' Then we'll see what becomes of his dreams!” 21 But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph's rescue. “Let's not kill him,” he said. 22 “Why should we shed any blood? Let's just throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness. Then he'll die without our laying a hand on him.” Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father. 23 So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. 24 Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.  Genesis 50:20 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.   Transcript (Transcribed by TurboScribe) I think this simple little song is one of my all-time favourites. Laura, you outdid yourself this morning. I don’t know what happened to you, but it happened to me. As you were playing, I was just overwhelmed. I still am. My emotions were just all over the place, and I just see that as the spirit that was doing that. So, thank you for your gift that became God’s gift to us. Thank you. Sorry, old man’s emotions get to him a little bit. We’re starting a new series. By the way, it’s written by Darlene Czech. She didn’t write too many, and the last song we’re singing was also written by Darlene, so it’s a Darlene morning, this morning. Starting a new series today called At the Right Time. Sorry about Joseph, but we’ll get to Joseph in a moment. Father, help me to breathe in this moment. Thank you that you breathe your breath into each one of us, that living breath of your Holy Spirit. May your breath just cover this place today as you blow the wind of your Holy Spirit. And as always, we pray, Lord Jesus, that we may see you and only you. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. This painting that I have here this morning is an original oil painting. I got this as a gift in my first congregation in 1988, so that made me 30 years old. When I received this from the artist that made this, a young woman by the name, sorry, my bladder is leaking. I got this from a young woman called Tia Barnard in 1988 because of something that we shared in 1987. So, I’m saying the age because I want you to understand a little bit of the impact, because I still carry the impact of that to this day. I was 29 years old. It was about 9, 9.30 in the evening. Elsie and I were sitting. We still had a manse in those days. We were sitting in the manse. The kids, two of the three were born. They were in bed, and we were having a cup of tea. And the phone rang in my office. Now, remember those days we did not have cell phones. We still had phones that had tails on them. Phone rang in the office. I went to the office. I picked up the phone, and the voice on the other side, it was just this deadly, shocked, couldn’t really speak voice, was Tia. She just said, Aubrey, you need to come to my house immediately. Something terrible has happened. You need to come to my house. Tia’s kids were about the same age as ours. Her little girl was five. Her little boy was three. I said to Elsie, something’s really wrong at Tia’s house. I need to get there. So, I jump in the car, and I drive as fast as I can, and I get there. She’s waiting at the door, and this woman is shaking. Got two little kids clinging to her legs. I come in there. I said, Tia, what’s going on? She said, just come in, and we walk into the living room, and I’m stunned, because there on the floor lies her husband, dead with a gunshot wound in his head. He committed suicide in front of her and those two little kids. That leaves a mark in your life forever. The cops came, sorry, the police came a few minutes later. The ambulance folks came a few minutes later, and it was chaos. So, they wanted to talk to Tia. So, I took the two little ones. Good thing we knew each other. So, I took the two little ones, and we went to their bedroom, and I tried to settle them down, and when all the stuff was done, I helped Tia put the little ones to bed, and we just sat there, and I cried with her, and I was stunned with her, because you do not have too many words in moments like those. It was early morning when I left. I did call Elsie from her house just to say, I’m okay, don’t worry, I’m going to be there late. Go to bed. I left in the early hours of the morning to go back home. As we stood at the door, Tia just held on to me. She didn’t want to let go, and I said to her, Tia, I know you don’t want to hear this right now, and I know it’s going to sound really crazy, but you will get through this. It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be really hard and really tough. It’s not going to be quick. It’s going to take an awful long time. There’s going to be a lot of frustration, a lot of questions, a lot of hurt, but don’t despair. You will get through this. A little audacious of me, right? Where do I get the right to speak such a promise into such tragedy? Well, actually, I got it in a pit, a really deep, dark pit, and the young boy who was in the bottom of that pit could not get out of that pit even if he wanted to, and if he tried, his brothers would kick him right down back into the pit. But don’t let me tell you the story. Let’s read the story. Genesis chapter 37, verse 12. Soon after this, Joseph’s brothers went to pasture their father’s flocks at Shechem. When they’d been gone for some time, Jacob said to Joseph, brothers are pasturing the sheep at Shechem. Get ready, and I will send you to them. I’m ready to go, Joseph replied. When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognised him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. Here comes the dreamer, they said. Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father a wild animal has eaten him, and then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams. But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph’s rescue. Let’s not kill him, he said. Why should we shed any blood? Let’s just throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness, and then you’ll die without our laying a hand on him. Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father. Now note this verse. So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty. There was no water in it. He didn’t land with a splash. Then, just as they were sitting down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders taking a load of gum, balm, and aromatic resin from Gilead down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, what will we gain by killing our brother? We’d have to cover up the crime. Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he’s our brother, our own flesh and blood. His brothers agreed. So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for 20 pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt. Can you imagine being Joseph? He’s crying out for help and his brothers care more about their lunch than they do about their little brother or helping him. They despised the boy. Why? A little family background in this. Jacob, Joseph’s father and the brother’s father, treated Joseph differently from all of the other kids. Why? Well, there’s a reason. Remember, Jacob had two wives, Leah and Rachel, but only one love. Rachel. And when Rachel died, giving birth to her second son, Ben-Oni, or as we know him, Benjamin, Jacob just poured out all of his love on his son, Joseph. The other boys would work outside. Joseph played inside. They got their clothes from Value Village. Joseph had a coat that was handmade, hand-stitched with long sleeves, specifically for him. No, it wasn’t a coat of multi-colours. Never says that ever in the Bible. I don’t know where they got that. The Hebrew is actually a kind of difficult word. It actually, that word is the same word that is used for the robe that a young prince would wear, but never said anything about amazing technicolour twinkle. I was dreamed out by a man called Andrew. Sorry about that. The brothers would work. Joseph would play. The brothers would be out in the field, we read. Joseph would hang out at home. Jacob treated his 11th-born son like he was the firstborn. So to say that his brothers didn’t like him was a little bit of a understatement. If I take you back in this chapter to verse 4, 5, and 8, verse 4 says, they hated him. Verse 5 says, they hated him even more. Verse 8 says, they hated him more and more. So do you get it? They hated him. They really hated him. So when Joseph shows up where they’re working in the field, they go ballistic on this boy. They ripped the robe off him. They grabbed him and they threw him in the cistern. Angry words. Rip, grab, throw. And Joseph, Joseph never saw it coming. He had no idea this was going to happen. Neither did Tia. Neither do we. Before you know it, the pit is there. Joseph’s pit was a cistern. Tia’s pit was a gunshot in her living room. Yours? Mine? I don’t know. But you do. You know those pits. Loss of someone. Relationship that breaks up. A really bad diagnosis. No diagnosis. Losses? Struggles? I don’t know. But what I do know about the pit is that it’s really deep and it’s really dark. And when you’re in that pit, your focus is to get out of the hurt, get out of the pit as fast as you can. But that’s easier said than done, right? Think about Joseph. Before Joseph’s life would get any better, it got really worse. Went from abandonment to enslavement, to being entrapped, to imprisonment. That pit just got deeper and deeper. And despite that, this is where I want you to get. Despite that, Joseph’s anger never became hatred. Joseph’s heart never became hard. But through all of this adversity, Joseph didn’t just survive. Joseph thrived. Took 20 years. 20 years later, Joseph was the second most powerful man of his generation. So how did Joseph flourish through the tragedy? Can I take you back to our story? And I’m doing a little bit of the story that I will finish in the last sermon in the series. So we’re doing four and the last one that’s coming just before the summer comes. I’ll do the rest of this. But I need to go to that to explain how he could flourish despite all of this difficulty that he was going through. So 20 years later, the tables are turned. Joseph is the powerful one. The brothers come to Egypt, and they’re the weak ones. They have nothing. Joseph reveals himself to them, and they stand, look at Joseph, and they’re thinking, okay, he’s gonna pay us back. We put him in the pit, he’s gonna put us in the pit, and he’s gonna leave us there, and we will die in prison forever. But he doesn’t, does he? Why? Why doesn’t he pay them back? Why doesn’t he put them in that pit? The answer is in Scripture. Last chapter of Joseph’s story, last chapter of the book of Genesis, chapter 50, verse 20, says this, speaks to his brothers, and he says, you intended to harm me. And here comes the but, but this is about God, which is even bigger. You intended to harm me, but God, God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many. See, here’s the thing. In God’s hands, the intended evil became eventual good. I’m not saying it’s easy. I’m not saying it’s gonna happen right now. I’m not saying there’s not frustration, but I’m saying you’ll get through this, says the story of Joseph. That’s why I could say that to Tia. You’ll get through this. Joseph never gave up. Can you remember the story, how it ended? That torn robe became a royal robe. That pit became a palace. That broken family grew old in Egypt together. Why? Because of verse 20. You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good. But I want to give you a little Hebrew lesson for today. And this is a good word to remember, but you’re going to struggle to say it because it starts with a ch. The Hebrew word that we translate for intended or meant to is the word chabash, a chashav. Chashav is an old primitive root and literally means to weave. So take that away. Put that text back, Ted. Now let’s take that word intended and let’s use the word weave. You weaved wicked and bad things against me to harm me, but God took that and God rewove that into something good. See, God is the master weaver. Satan will weave his Satan webs around our lives. Life will weave their webs sometimes, and life will weave sometimes really painful moments like 1987. But the master weaver takes those old weaves that were so wrong and he weaves them all back and they will be beautiful. Don’t give up. Don’t give up. If God could redeem Joseph’s life, don’t you think God will redeem yours? In the moment, it can sometimes feel hard and difficult and feel like it’s never going to end. But that weaver has never changed. And God is good even when life isn’t. Will you hold on to that, please? In the good, in the bad, in the ugly. You’ll get through it. As you see, that’s one of God’s favourite words, through. God gets us through stuff. Through the Reed Sea, dry to leave the enemies behind. Through the wilderness with manna and quail and water from the rock. Through the Jordan River into the land of milk and honey. Through the valley of the shadow of death to a table and green pastures and quiet waters. He is the God of getting us through. Yeah. It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not going to be painful because the weaving and the re-weaving might sometimes be hard and difficult. It’s not always quick. 20 years from the age of 17 to the age of 37 for Joseph. Sometimes we see a perfect mess where God sees a perfect opportunity. We call it Egypt. God calls it protective custody. We see Satan and Satan’s tricks and God sees Satan being tripped up in his own tricks. Joseph will be the first one to tell each one of us that what we’re talking about this morning is not easy. But Joseph will remind us that when you’re in the pit, you have only one place to look at. You can only look up. And when you look up, you look until someone comes down to give you a hand. God did for Joseph. And at the right time, in the right way, he will for you. Amen. Take a few moments of silent prayer. Thank you, Lord, that we may look up even from the pit. Actually, especially from the pit. And that we may see you and know that you come down and you lift us up. Thank you for walking with us. Thank you that at the right time, in the right way, you, Lord, will get us through whatever we need to get through. We’re in a hurry, Lord, always, because everything is fast. We have to have the internet and it must be faster, and the cars must be faster, and the food must be faster. Thank you that you have your time and you’re always on time at the right time. Help us to walk with you through the Red Sea, through the desert, through the dark valleys, knowing there is a table and a feast, and we are the guest of honour. Thank you for what you do for us. Thank you for who you are in our lives. So, Lord, can we pray together? And please pray with me. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

The sermon centers on the transformative power of obedient faith through the story of Gideon, illustrating how God uses the fearful and seemingly inadequate to accomplish mighty works. Despite Israel's apostasy and seven years of oppression under the Midianites, God calls Gideon—a man hiding in fear—to be a deliverer, affirming him as a 'mighty man of valor' not for his strength but for his potential in divine purpose. Gideon's journey from hesitation to obedience—first in offering a sacrifice, then in dismantling his father's altar to Baal, and finally in leading a tiny army of 300—reveals that true courage is not the absence of fear but faithfulness in the face of it. The miraculous defeat of the vast Midianite army, achieved through divine strategy and the psychological impact of Gideon's faith, demonstrates that God's strength is made perfect in weakness. Ultimately, the message calls believers to embrace obedience, even when fearful, trusting that God can use humble, faithful surrender to bring about national revival and spiritual transformation.

God's Mercy With Gideon's Doubt by Autumn Dickson The book of Judges records a time period in which Israel had no centralized prophet. There was apostasy and partial restorations as the Israelites would sway into worshipping like the Canaanites did. The Lord sometimes sent judges to help Israel against their enemies. These judges were charismatic, military leaders. Some of the judges would save all of Israel; other judges were more regional. Gideon was one of these regional judges, primarily protecting Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, Naphtali, and Ephraim. Gideon is interesting because he struggled with his faith in the Lord, and yet, the Lord was merciful. There are plenty of instances in the scriptures where the Lord doesn't seem to respond to that very well. Right after the Red Sea parted, the Israelites demanded a sign of Moses to show his favor with God. They were complaining and challenging Moses to show a sign. The place was named Massah as a memorial to their lack of faith. When Zechariah was told that his wife would have a son, he didn't believe it because she was old. He was struck as a mute. Thomas the apostle was likewise rebuked for his lack of faith. Gideon receives not just one, but multiple signs from the Lord. The angel burns up his offering to the Lord. His blanket is covered with dew while the ground is dry one night; his blanket is dry while the ground is wet one night. As he stands in the camp with his 300 men to go against the Midianites, the Lord encourages him to go spy on the Midianites and see what they're saying in order to receive comfort. He does so and overhears a Midianite sharing a dream in which a barley loaf came and flattened a tent. The Midianite's companion interprets it as God helping Israel defeat them. Here is Gideon's response. Judges 7:15 And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the Lord hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian. Multiple signs! God continually blesses Gideon and gives him signs to encourage him along. In fact, Gideon didn't even ask for the last sign. The Lord just gave it to him, and He gave it to Gideon in a powerful way. It would have been one thing to send a dream to Gideon about defeating the Midianites. It would have been easy for Gideon to wonder if it was just wishful thinking. In comparison, hearing the mighty Midianites have a dream and interpret it as defeat by the Israelites was much more powerful in calming Gideon's fears. So why did Gideon get multiple signs while others seem to be rebuked for asking for the same thing? I think there are a lot of reasons because the Lord works according to individual circumstances, but I want to talk about two potential reasons that can be applied in our own lives as we work to approach the Lord. The first reason the Lord was willing to work with Gideon is because the Lord is wise enough to understand that Gideon didn't have much of a relationship with the Lord. The fact that his father had a Baal altar implies that Gideon's family had fallen into idolatry. How much did Gideon know about God? We know Gideon had some knowledge of God because he asks about the deliverance from Egypt, but how much had Gideon experienced God? There's a difference. How much could the Lord reasonably expect Gideon to trust Him? The Lord knew Gideon, but did Gideon know the Lord? The Lord isn't looking for blind, obedient dogs. He is looking to have a true relationship with us. The fact that Gideon was cautious about running into danger isn't a sign that Gideon is faithless; it is more an indication that Gideon did not yet know the Lord. So what does this teach us about our own lives? The Lord will not begrudge us the time it takes to learn how to trust Him; He doesn't mind allowing us to approach Him until we've built up a number of encounters and start to understand His character. David fought off two wild animals before he fought off Goliath. We recently read about Moses whose trust in the Lord was extremely fragile in the beginning; Moses grew to the point where he encouraged the Israelites to have faith in the face of certain death even though he did not yet know the plan for rescue. The Old Testament gives us a front row seat to watching people experience the Lord and grow in their trust of Him. In contrast, imagine a powerful stranger coming up to you and saying, “Trust me.” When you ask them why you should trust them, they respond with, “Because I told you to.” Um…what? You may not immediately hate them or be wary of them, but you're not going to give them your darkest secrets or social security number (or hopefully you won't…). The Lord understands that He is a stranger to us; He is the one who put the veil there. He understands that we need experiences with Him before we're ready to run into danger when He asks. Once again, He isn't looking for blind, obedient dogs. He wants His children to be wise and consciously and voluntarily choose Him. He gave Gideon experiences because Gideon likely hadn't had many previously. He was patient with Israel. He was patient with Moses. The Lord has no problem being patient. If He seems impatient in specific scenarios, we can usually assume it's for the benefit of the person He is working with. He is trying to get their attention or get them moving. Which leads me to my second reason: The Lord allowed Gideon to approach Him multiple times for signs because Gideon's heart was soft. Over and over and over and over and over we read about the Lord responding with intensity in response to a hard heart and responding with mercy and encouragement to a soft heart. Gideon's heart was obviously soft. Look at this verse. Judges 6:17 And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me. Gideon approaches the Lord so humbly. When the angel gave him a sign, Gideon immediately built an altar unto the Lord. That night, Gideon went and took down the altar of Baal according to the direction of the Lord. We see this multiple times with Gideon. He approaches the Lord in humility and asks for help knowing the truth. Gideon was willing to follow the truth and power and peace; Gideon was just trying to make sure he was looking in the right direction before moving forward. It is only when we've closed our heart off to that truth and power and peace that the Lord shakes the earth to reach us. I think of the Egyptians that saw all the same signs as the Israelites but didn't bother to ask whether they should follow after the same God as the Israelites. I think of Rahab and her people. The Canaanites were all terrified, but it didn't change who they put their faith in. Only Rahab was willing to follow the Israelite God and was spared because of it. You would think that people would open their eyes and ask, “Is there something here?” You would think that they would pause long enough and open their hearts so that the Lord could speak to them. Gideon asked, but Gideon was likewise prepared to follow through. This was part of why the Lord was so willing to encourage him along. I testify of a Lord that responds with wisdom. He knows what He is doing. He will not condemn us for approaching Him for reassurances if we're doing so with the intent to follow after Him. He doesn't even condemn us when we struggle; His intensity is not a sign of condemnation. It's a sign of God's love in trying to reach us! However the Lord is working in your life, you can take it with the perspective that He is trying to do what's best for you. I'm grateful for a Lord who is wise and can train me so purposefully and deliberately. Autumn Dickson was born and raised in a small town in Texas. She served a mission in the Indianapolis Indiana mission. She studied elementary education but has found a particular passion in teaching the gospel. Her desire for her content is to inspire people to feel confident, peaceful, and joyful about their relationship with Jesus Christ and to allow that relationship to touch every aspect of their lives. Autumn was the recipient of FAIR's 2024 John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Judges 2–4; 6–8; 13–16 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

This powerful exploration of Judges 6 and 7 reveals how God transforms our weakness into His strength through the story of Gideon. We discover that the entire Bible is fundamentally a covenant document, a binding agreement between God and humanity that threads from Genesis to Revelation. The message challenges us to recognize that our greatest struggles often stem from spiritual compromise rather than external circumstances. Like ancient Israel hiding in caves from the Midianites, we sometimes find ourselves in bondage because we've tried to live with one foot in God's kingdom and another in the world's values. Gideon's journey from fearful wheat-thresher to mighty warrior illustrates a profound truth: God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. When God addresses Gideon as a mighty man of valor while he's literally hiding in fear, we see divine irony that reveals God's vision for us exceeds our own self-perception. The reduction of Gideon's army from 32,000 to just 300 men demonstrates that God delights in impossible odds because they showcase His power alone. This isn't just ancient history but a living pattern for our lives today. When we're weak, His power is made perfect. The new covenant we live under through Christ solves the core problem of all previous covenants: it depends entirely on God's faithfulness, not ours. We stand secure not by our performance but by His blood and His unwavering commitment to us.Chapter 1: Understanding the Biblical Covenants0:00 - 9:10An exploration of how covenant is the foundational thread running through the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, revealing God's binding agreement with humanity.Chapter 2: Israel's Cycle of Disobedience and Oppression9:10 - 17:48We see how Israel's covenant unfaithfulness led to seven years of Midianite oppression, demonstrating what happens when we compromise God's Word and live in disobedience.Chapter 3: God Calls and Equips Gideon17:48 - 30:29We witness God calling the fearful Gideon, hiding in a winepress, as a mighty man of valor and providing him with multiple confirmations of His presence and calling.Chapter 4: God Reduces the Army and Builds Faith30:29 - 40:24We observe how God reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300 men to ensure Israel would not boast in their own strength but recognize that victory comes from God alone.Chapter 5: Victory Through God's Power and Application for Today40:24 - 48:59We learn how God gave Israel miraculous victory through 300 men with trumpets and torches, and we apply these lessons to our own lives regarding faithfulness and dependence on God.

What if the most profound moments of faith happen not through dramatic miracles, but around a simple meal? Pastor Ken reveals how Jethro, a Midianite priest and complete outsider, heard Moses' testimony about God's deliverance and experienced a life-changing conversion before any religious rules were given. Through Ken's own dinner party story and Moses' wilderness encounter, we see that God's grace always comes first—not earning your way to the table, but being invited to feast in His presence. Whether you're called to share your testimony like Moses or you're the searching outsider like Jethro, this message shows there's always room at God's table. Hear the reminder of how God pursues every heart and discover your place at the feast!

In this Bible Story, Gideon, a cowardly and weak man, finds strength in God. He is filled with enough bravery to summon an army against the Midianite horde and go into battle. This story is inspired by Judges 6. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Judges 6:37 from the King James Version.Episode 62: Israel lived in peace for a time, worshiping God for his rescue of their lives but slowly the worship of idols again invaded their worship and as it did, so did the darkness of oppression. Midianites soon began pillaging and plaguing the Israelites, so much so that they needed to hide their food under tents and in wine presses. In one of these wine presses stood the man who God would use to save Israel, Gideon, a man who teaches us that God can use the weakest and most self-doubting person to accomplish His will and save His people.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Study Passage: Numbers 10:11 - 11:311 In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony, 12 and the people of Israel set out by stages from the wilderness of Sinai. And the cloud settled down in the wilderness of Paran. 13 They set out for the first time at the command of the LORD by Moses. 14 The standard of the camp of the people of Judah set out first by their companies, and over their company was Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 15 And over the company of the tribe of the people of Issachar… Zebulun…Reuben…Simeon…Gad…Ephraim…Manasseh…Benjamin…Dan…Asher…Naphtali…28 This was the order of march of the people of Israel by their companies, when they set out. 29 And Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said, ‘I will give it to you.' Come with us, and we will do good to you, for the LORD has promised good to Israel.” 30 But he said to him, “I will not go. I will depart to my own land and to my kindred.” 31 And he said, “Please do not leave us, for you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you will serve as eyes for us. 32 And if you do go withus, whatever good the LORD will do to us, the same will we do to you.” 33 So they set out from the mount of the LORD three days' journey. And the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them three days' journey, to seek out a resting place for them. 34 And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day, whenever they set out from the camp. 35 And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.” 36 And when it rested, he said, “Return, O LORD, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.”1 And the people complained in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortunes, and when the LORD heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. 2 Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the LORD, and the fire died down. 3 So the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD burned among them.

Two leaders of the Midianite army are captured and executed

Gideon is told to secretly approach the edge of the Midianite camp

In this episode of Bible Fiber, we explore the Torah portion Yitro (Exodus 18:1–20:23). While most weekly readings have titles that describe actions, this portion is one of only five named after a person: Jethro, the Midianite priest and father-in-law of Moses.We look at how Jethro served as an "executive consultant" to Moses. He identified a major flaw in Moses' leadership and provided the recipe for its correction. By advising Moses to delegate authority, Jethro helped build the foundation for the Israelite judicial system. Jethro is more than a biblical figure; he is the chief prophet and spiritual ancestor of the Druze community. About 140,000 Druze live in Israel today, with over one million across the Levant.Support the show

Before thunder and lightning, before Anochi Hashem Elokecha, the Torah pauses for a quiet but crucial conversation. Why does a Midianite outsider notice what no one else does? And why does Sinai have to wait? Rabbi Dunner explores Yitro's unlikely role in shaping leadership, responsibility, and the conditions that make Torah possible.

He WorshipedJudges 7: 15-18 “When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped; and he returned to the camp of Israel, and said, “Get up; for the Lord has given the army of Midian into your hand.” After he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and put trumpets into the hands of all of them, and empty jars, with torches inside the jars, he said to them, “Look at me, and do the same; when I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then you also blow the trumpets around the whole camp, and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!'”We have been talking about times when praise and worship have won battles, broken chains, and set captives free. This is no exception. In Judges 6, Gideon is introduced as a reluctant and fearful man, threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. When the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and called him a mighty warrior, Gideon doubted the message, pointing out that his clan was the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh and that he was the least in his family. Despite Gideon's doubts, God assured him of His presence and called him to deliver Israel from its enemies.Chapter 7 begins by discussing a battle where Gideon went into battle with thousands of troops and yet was still outnumbered. Then God told Gideon that he had too many troops and he should send home any who were scared. A good majority of them went home. I think there were 3,000 left. Then God told him there were still too many and how to decide who else should leave. Now Gideon was down to 300 soldiers, and God was pleased. However, Gideon was not sure how this was going to work out. They were vastly outnumbered. It says in Judges 7:12 “The Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the east lay along the valley as thick as locusts; and their camels were without number, countless as the sand on the seashore. And Gideon had 300 and God on his side.One thing I love about this story is that it shows us that God knows us. He knows our weaknesses, and He loves us anyway. God knew that Gideon would be scared and would need some reassurance before going into battle. Judges 7:9-12 says, “That same night the Lord said to him, 'Get up, attack the camp; for I have given it into your hand. But if you fear to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah; and you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to attack the camp.” Then he went down with his servant Purah to the outposts of the armed men that were in the camp. While he was there, he overheard one of the enemy soldiers explaining a dream he had and talking about how great Gideon was. This gave Gideon all the confidence he needed to go into war trusting the Lord.Do you see how God knew Gideon would be scared? Do you see how God didn't discount Gideon because he was afraid to trust God and enter this seemingly unfair battle with just 300 men? God didn't walk away and find someone else who was more qualified, or someone who would trust him without fail or without question. God saw Gideon's fear and gave him what he needed to push past it. God is so good. He will do the same for you. God isn't asking you to never be afraid of what He is calling you to do. He is asking you to trust Him and to do it anyway. If you feel you need confirmation or some sort of sign to know God is asking you to do it, then ask Him for that. He is faithful to answer when we ask.I thought this story was great for our praise series because of the verses I picked for today. “When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped;” When Gideon heard the enemy talking about how powerful he was, He got the courage to push past his fear. However, before waking the army to tell them to go into battle, it says two very powerful words. He worshiped. You might even just gloss over those two words in the grand scheme of the whole story. However, the Lord highlighted them for me. He wanted me to not only see them, but to point them out to you. He doesn't want us to miss it. Gideon knew where his strength came from. He knew who was going to win this battle for him, and it wasn't those 300 soldiers. It was the Lord our God.Gideon worshiped the Lord. Did this change the outcome of the war? I have no idea. Did it change how God won the war for them? Again, I have no idea. What I do know is that nothing is put in the Bible accidentally. Every word in the Bible has a meaning. There is a reason God wants us to know that before going into a war where he was incredibly outnumbered, Gideon worshiped. How about you? Are you in a war that seems unfair? Are you in a war where you seem outnumbered? Have you worshiped yet? Have you come to the Lord and asked for his help and then worshiped Him even though you might not have seen that help yet? If you are in a battle, whether it is medical, physical, financial, or some other kind of battle, and you don't know what else to do, might I suggest worship? It seemed to work for Gideon; it could work for you, too!I am not sure if you know this story, so let me go on to explain what happened.  The verse says, “After he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and put trumpets into the hands of all of them, and empty jars, with torches inside the jars, he said to them, “Look at me, and do the same; when I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then you also blow the trumpets around the whole camp, and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!'”These 300 soldiers were going into battle against an enemy with so many soldiers they couldn't be counted, and instead of putting swords and shields in their hands, Gideon put trumpets and jars with torches in them. This is the amazing thing about letting God fight your battles: He rarely does what you think He will do. When they blew the trumpets and shouted, God threw the Midianite army into confusion, and the enemy turned on itself. Israel won the battle without fighting by strength.God is not asking you to fight your battle alone. He is not asking you to figure out how to win the battle on your own. God is calling you to trust Him. He is calling you to invite Him into your struggle and then to listen to Him when He asks you to do something. God will solve your problem in ways you can't even imagine. I know you can't see a way out, and that is ok, you don't have to. God can make a way out. Do you think those soldiers had any idea that all they had to do to win the war was to blow on a trumpet, smash a jar, and shout “For the Lord and for Gideon!” I am sure they probably thought the plan was crazy, and yet this plan saved them from having to fight at all.God can do the same in your life. He can cure your disease without you doing anything. He can solve your problem in ways you can't even conceive. God is calling us to praise and worship, and he will do the rest. If you are like me, you have been trying to solve your own problems and those of everyone around you for far too long. How has that been going? Why not give God a shot? I guarantee he can do better than we can.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today.  Lord, we want to trust you. We want to push past our fear and do the thing you are calling us to do. Please help us. Lord, help us trust you and help us turn our battles over to you. Your plan is better than our plan. Please help us release all the control and hand it over to you. We love you, and we ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. AmenThank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus! I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I. God is on your side, and we are both rooting for you—always. Have a blessed day.Today's Word from the Lord was received in September 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, “I have chosen you. I have anointed each one of you. Never, never forget that. You did not just wander here. You were led here. You are my children, my anointed children, my chosen children. Always, we will be together. We will walk together. We will decide together. Remain in my love.” 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

Exodus 1-4 This is part 1 of the book of Exodus, the part we called the birth and early years of Moses in the backstory to Exodus.  -Exodus opens in a way that links it to Genesis … a recap of the sons of Jacob and the death of Joseph.  -Israel has increased and multiplied and filled the land and Pharaoh sees that as a problem. -Moses is born and raised in Pharaoh's household. -Moses flees Egypt, settles in Midian, and marries a Midianite.  -God appears to Moses in a burning bush and sends him back to Egypt to deliver His people.    BIBLE READING GUIDE - FREE EBOOK - Get the free eBook, Bible in Life, to help you learn how to read and apply the Bible well: https://www.listenerscommentary.com     GIVE -  The Listener's Commentary is a listener supported Bible teaching ministry made possible by the generosity of people like you. Thank you! Give here:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com/give     STUDY HUB - Want more than the audio? Join the study hub to access articles, maps, charts, pictures, and links to other resources to help you study the Bible for yourself. https://www.listenerscommentary.com/members-sign-up   MORE TEACHING - For more resources and Bible teaching from John visit https://www.johnwhittaker.net

He Played His Lyre, and The Evil Spirit Would Leave!1 Samuel 16:23 “Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.”When I heard about this verse, I loved it because it shows us another example of the power of music. When David played his lyre, the evil spirit would leave Saul. Did you know that music could set you free from evil spirits? Are you starting to see the power of praise and worship? Are you starting to see the power of music and singing? Praise and playing musical instruments have been setting captives free for a very long time.God instructed Joshua to have the Israelites march around the city of Jericho once a day for six days, with priests blowing trumpets and the people remaining silent. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times. When the priests sounded the trumpets, Joshua commanded the people to shout, and the walls of Jericho collapsed. God allowed the Israelites to take this city. (Joshua 6:1–20)God reduced Gideon's army from thousands to just three hundred men so that Israel would know the victory came from Him alone. At God's instruction, the men carried trumpets and torches instead of swords. When they blew the trumpets and shouted, God threw the Midianite army into confusion, and the enemy turned on itself. Israel won the battle without fighting by strength, showing that obedience, proclamation, and trust in God released His power. (Judges 7:1–22)When King Jehoshaphat faced a vast enemy army, he sought the Lord, and God declared that the battle belonged to Him. Jehoshaphat sent singers ahead of the army, praising God as they marched into battle. As they worshiped, the Lord caused the enemy armies to turn on one another, and Judah did not have to fight at all. The victory came through praise, revealing that worship invites God to act powerfully on behalf of His people. (2 Chronicles 20:1–30)While imprisoned in Philippi after being beaten and chained, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God in the middle of the night. As they worshiped, a sudden earthquake shook the prison, opening the doors and loosening everyone's chains. Rather than escaping, Paul and Silas remained, leading the jailer and his household to salvation. Their praise not only brought physical freedom but also opened the way for lives to be saved. (Acts 16:22–34)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood before King Nebuchadnezzar and refused to bow to the golden image, declaring their unwavering faith in God. They proclaimed that God was able to deliver them from the fiery furnace, but even if He did not, they would not worship any false god. Their words were an act of praise rooted in trust—honoring God above fear, outcome, or survival. Their worship was not expressed through song, but through bold confession of God's power and faithfulness in the face of death. (Daniel 3:16–17)I like this example because it shows us that there are many ways to praise. If you don't like music, if you don't like singing, that doesn't mean that you can't be set free by praise and worship. There are so many ways to praise the Lord. Music happens to be my favorite, and for me, one of the easiest, because if I don't know what to say, there are plenty of others who have written beautiful songs who do know what to say. However, if you don't like music or singing, don't count yourself out. You can praise the Lord with your writing, with your words said outloud. You can praise the Lord with gratitude or in the things you say to others. There isn't just one way to praise the Lord. I pray that by the end of this series, you understand that there are so many different ways to praise. There is a way for everyone.When King Hezekiah received a threatening message from the Assyrian king, he took the letter to the temple and spread it before the Lord. In prayer, Hezekiah praised God as the one true Lord over all kingdoms and asked Him to act so that all would know His power. God responded by promising deliverance, and that very night the Assyrian army was defeated without Judah having to fight a single battle. Hezekiah's prayerful praise and trust in God's sovereignty led to a decisive victory and public recognition of the Lord's supremacy. (2 Kings 19:14–37)Again, this is a different kind of praise. King Hezekiah went in front of the Lord and presented the letter from his enemies. He then praised God as the one true King and asked God for help. Do you see how easy it can be to praise the Lord at times? All it says that he did was to praise the Lord as the one true King over all kingdoms. This is why I have placed a link in the previous episode for the praise sheets that I received at my prayer group. However, you don't even need those sheets. You can simply tell the Lord how great you think He is. I tend to say, “You are the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. You are the Almighty One. We worship you. We adore you, and we glorify you.” You can say whatever it is you think about the Lord.My homework for you today is to stop and think about 5 things you can say to the Lord to praise Him. What is it you think of Him? What do you know to be true about Him? Once you have these 5 things, you can have fewer or more; I just randomly decided on 5. Once you have these, then I want you to say them every single day to the Lord. It doesn't matter when you say them, but try to say them every day and watch how your life changes. Watch how your trust in the Lord begins to grow because you are reminding yourself every day how amazing He is. If you have to ask the Lord for something, start with these few praise statements and then ask Him. Watch to see if there is any difference in the number of answered prayers, or in the way they are answered.This is just one tiny way to add more praise into your life without going overboard or taking up a lot of extra time. Just give it a try. What have you got to lose? What could you gain? Trust me, more praise and worship in your life is exactly what you need right now. I know I may not know you, but I know this is what we all need right now. We need to replace the worry and anxiety of this world with praise and worship, and we then watch our lives feel a bit easier.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening today. Lord, I ask you to show them the power of praise and worship. I ask that you bless them with graces when they are praising you. I ask that you open their eyes to the ways that praise and worship are changing their lives. Help us to see with your eyes, Lord. Help us to notice more of you in our lives. We love you, Lord, and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus! If you know there's more to your faith than routine and rules, I'd love to stay connected with you. You can join my email list to receive scripture-rooted encouragement and reflections to help you walk boldly with Jesus in your everyday life. You can sign up through the link in the show notes (CLICK HERE)—I'd love to have you with us. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I. God is on your side, and we are rooting for you—always. Have a blessed dayToday's Word from the Lord was received in September 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 children, you are precious to me. I took each of you with me to the cross. You were there with me that day, each of you.” 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

God Likes to Be Outnumbered The message focuses on the idea that God often chooses to work when the odds are stacked against His people, so that when victory comes, it is clear that it was His doing, not their own. Gideon’s Army God told Gideon he had too many men (32,000) to fight the Midianites, lest Israel take credit for the victory. God instructed Gideon to allow those who were fearful to leave, resulting in 22,000 departing, leaving 10,000. God further reduced the number by having them drink water from a river, selecting only the 300 who lapped the water like dogs. The 300 were equipped with trumpets and pitchers with torches inside. They surrounded the Midianite camp and, at a signal, broke the pitchers, revealed the torches, blew the trumpets, and shouted, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” God caused the Midianites to turn on each other, and they were defeated. Pride and God’s Glory God likes to be outnumbered because when He wins the battle, He doesn’t want people taking credit for it. Pride can lead people to believe they are capable and strong on their own. God ensures that when victory comes, it is clear that it was His doing, leading to proper worship and praise. Examples of God Being Outnumbered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: Nebuchadnezzar built a statue and commanded everyone to worship it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow. Nebuchadnezzar threw them into a fiery furnace. The king saw four figures in the furnace, the fourth resembling the Son of God. They emerged unharmed, demonstrating God’s presence and protection. Noah: Eight souls (Noah, his wife, his sons, and their wives) worked on the ark for 120 years. They were against an entire race of people. God sent the flood, and only those on the ark survived. Moses: Moses confronted Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites. He faced the entire Egyptian army. He led the Israelites to the Red Sea, where God parted the waters, allowing them to cross safely and drowning the pursuing Egyptian army. Jonathan: Jonathan and his armor bearer went to fight the Philistines. Jonathan told his armor bearer that there is no restraint to God to save whether by few or many. They climbed a cliff and attacked a Philistine outpost, killing 20 men. Samson: The Israelites bound Samson with new cords and handed him over to the Philistines. Samson broke free and killed 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass. David: David, a young shepherd, volunteered to fight Goliath. He went into the valley with five stones and a slingshot. He struck Goliath with a stone, killing him, and then cut off his head with Goliath’s own sword. Hezekiah: Sennacherib and the Assyrian army threatened Jerusalem. Hezekiah prayed to God, laying Sennacherib’s threatening letter before Him. God sent an angel who killed 186,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night. Asa: Zerah the Ethiopian came against Asa with an army of a million men and 300 chariots. Asa prayed to God for help, acknowledging that it is nothing for God to help, whether with many or with those who have no power. God smote the Ethiopians, and they fled. Romans 8:31-39 If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword? In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature. Application Encouragement to have faith and trust in God, regardless of the circumstances. Even when feeling outnumbered, outmanned, or outgunned, God is always greater and can deliver. The importance of recognizing God’s hand in victories and giving Him the glory. The reminder that God is always with His people and will fight their battles.

Send us a textWhen the Midianites gather a massive force, Gideon is nervous—but God patiently strengthens his faith with two fleece signs. Then God does something surprising: He sends home the fearful, then separates the rest at the river until only three hundred remain. After overhearing a Midianite's dream that foretells their defeat, Gideon leads his tiny team with trumpets, jars, and hidden lamps. At Gideon's signal, the jars shatter, lights blaze, and trumpets blast—God throws the enemy into confusion, and Israel wins without a sword swing. Kids learn that God gets the glory, uses small numbers in big ways, and helps us be brave when we feel outnumbered. Talk about it:Why did God keep making Gideon's army smaller?What were the two “fleece” signs, and how did they help Gideon trust God?How did trumpets, jars, and lamps help win the battle?When do you feel outnumbered, and how can you remember that God is with you?Visit our website: kathyskidsstorytime.orgWe'd love to hear from you.To reach us quickly, click the “Send us a text” link at the top of the episode description.Or write to us by mail:Kathy's Kids StorytimePO Box 44270Charlotte, NC 28215-0043

[Judges 6:11-12] Then the angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. [12] The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” God doesn't call us who we are, he calls us who we will ______________. [Judges 6:14] Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” You have more _________________ than you think you have. [Judges 6:15-16] “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!” [16] The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.” Gideon didn't realize that God was looking for someone ____________. [1 Corinthians 1:26-29] CSB Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. [27] Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. [28] God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, [29] so that no one may boast in his presence. God may ask you to do something that seems _____________. [Judges 7:19-22] It was just after midnight, after the changing of the guard, when Gideon and the 100 men with him reached the edge of the Midianite camp. Suddenly, they blew the rams' horns and broke their clay jars. [20] Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their jars. They held the blazing torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, and they all shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” [21] Each man stood at his position around the camp and watched as all the Midianites rushed around in a panic, shouting as they ran to escape. [22] When the 300 Israelites blew their rams' horns, the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords. It doesn't take a whole lot of ___________ to defeat the ______________. God specializes in ________________ when the odds are against you. You may feel ______________, but with God you are ____________________! [Romans 8:31 CSB] What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

Throughout this week, we'll be reading from the life of Joseph.Genesis 37:2-4 NLTWhen Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father's flocks. He worked for his half-brothers, the sons of his father's wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing. Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So, one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn't say a kind word to him.Now, fast-forward to Joseph being sent by his dad to check on his brothers who were working in the field …Genesis 37:23-28 NLTWhen Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. Then, just as they were sitting down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders … Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We'd have to cover up the crime.  Instead of hurting him, let's sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed. So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph's brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt.We all know the end of the story. How God used all of these terrible situations for ultimate good. But before we get ahead of ourselves to the redemption - Do you have a memory in your own life that this story triggered for you? Something tragic? Betrayal? An injustice?While this story is painful to hear, the bottom line is we all understand family dysfunction that causes pain and creates scars that we have to deal with for a long time. But these events in our lives offer us a choice: will I let this define me or will I allow this to become a defining moment?Your relationship with God can bring purpose to create a greater, stronger you out of any circumstance. But for this to happen, the pain and the process has to be surrendered to God and then stay submitted to Him on the journey to wholeness and healing.As we walk through this week, and the story of Joseph, can you ask God to start to reveal his purpose for your pain, maybe like you have never seen it before.Let's pray: “Father, thank You for providing examples in Scripture that show me how to navigate the tragedies of life through You. Right now, I surrender my hurts, my pain, and my process of healing to You. Use it all—the good and bad—to bring me a greater sense of purpose about my life, as You lead me. As above, so below.”

Gideon overhears a Midianite soldier recounting a dream to his comrade — a dream that is interpreted as a sign that Gideon and the Israelites will defeat the Midianite camp. This unexpected moment gives Gideon the reassurance and courage he needs to move forward with confidence.

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 8:14-21. And he captured a young man of Succoth and questioned him, and he wrote down for him the officials and elders of Succoth, seventy-seven men. And he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are exhausted?'” And he took the elders of the city, and he took thorns of the wilderness and briers and with them taught the men of Succoth a lesson. And he broke down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city. Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “Where are the men whom you killed at Tabor?” They answered, “As you are, so were they. Every one of them resembled the son of a king.” And he said, “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As the LORD lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not kill you.” So he said to Jether his firstborn, “Rise and kill them.” But the young man did not draw his sword, for he was afraid, because he was still a young man. Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Rise yourself and fall upon us, for as the man is, so is his strength.” And Gideon arose and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the crescent ornaments that were on the necks of their camels. — Judges 8:14-21 Gideon has captured the kings of Midian—Zebah and Zalmunna. On the way back, he confronts the leaders of Succoth and Penuel, who mocked him and refused to help. His “justice” is brutal—whips with thorns, tearing down towers, killing men. Then his motives become personal. The Midianite kings had killed his own brothers at Tabor. What began as God's deliverance now slides into personal vengeance. Sometimes justice and vengeance can look similar. One springs from God's work. The other springs from our own wounds. And it's often hard to tell the difference, at least at first. This is where leadership is dangerous. Gideon started as God's instrument of deliverance, but his judgment now carries the marks of pride, anger, and personal pain. We face the same temptation. As parents, bosses, or friends, we sometimes say we're “teaching a lesson,” but often we're just venting frustration. We claim it's about “principle,” but sometimes it's about ego. And when old wounds or grudges slip into our leadership, we're not carrying out God's justice—we're feeding our own vengeance. Here's how to know the difference: Justice restores; vengeance consumes. Justice honors God; vengeance honors self. Justice disciplines with love; vengeance punishes with anger. The difference is motive—and only a heart surrendered to God can keep that line clear. Don't act in vengeance; be just in all you do, otherwise you might end up hurting others forever and hurting your leadership all the same. ASK THIS: Where have I blurred the line between justice and vengeance? Do I discipline others out of love, or out of frustration? How do my past wounds influence the way I treat people today? Am I willing to let God heal my pain so my leadership stays pure? DO THIS: Before reacting to someone's failure or offense, stop and ask: Am I correcting to restore—or punishing to get even? Then invite God to purify your motives before you move forward. PRAY THIS: Lord, expose my hidden motives. Heal the wounds that fuel vengeance in me. Help me to lead with Your justice—pure, humble, and full of love. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Refiner."

In the last part of Chapter 6, Gideon doubts God's promises but God responds with patience. Throughout Chapter 7, God coaches Gideon how to move forward in preparation and eventual victory over the Midianite army.

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 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. Get behind our through the Bible project. Read more here Project23. Our text today is Judges 6:11–12. Now the angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” — Judges 6:11-12 Gideon is hiding. Not from some small threat, but from the Midianite army that's been stripping Israel bare for seven years. He's threshing wheat in a winepress — a pit designed for crushing grapes, not for separating grain. It's cramped, awkward, and inefficient… but it's safe and secure from their Midianties oppressors. And that's where God shows up. The angel of the LORD greets him, not with a rebuke, but with a declaration: “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” God finds him in a hidden place and calls him to frontline ministry, even giving him a new name and identity — a mighty man of valor. Fear results in retreat. It convinces us to settle for survival instead of stepping into spiritual opportunities God is putting in front of us. For Gideon, it was a literal enemy outside the caves and outside the pits. For us, it might be the fear of failure, rejection, loss, or inadequacy. Hiding feels safe, but it's not always where God wants you to remain. He doesn't call his people to stay in the winepress. He calls them to step into the places where his strength will meet their insecurities and deficiencies. God might be calling you out right now — into a conversation you've been avoiding, a ministry you feel unqualified for, or a bold act of obedience that scares you. If you wait until you feel brave, you'll never move. But if you step out in faith, you might discover God has already equipped you for the fight. Which is exactly what happens in Gideon's story. ASK THIS: Where are you hiding right now — spiritually, emotionally, or relationally? What big opportunity might God be calling you into that fear is holding you back from? How could believing “The LORD is with you” change your next step? What would it take for you to leave your “winepress” and step into the open? DO THIS: Identify one opportunity you've been avoiding because of fear. Pray over it today, and then take one small but concrete step toward it — even if it's just telling someone you trust. PRAY THIS: Lord, thank You for calling me out of my hiding places. Help me see the opportunities You're putting before me and give me the courage to step into them, knowing You are with me. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Do It Again."

OOBT is back from a summer break, and what better way to return than with the 80th episode! Cue the confetti!

In this episode of the Parsha Review Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe delves into Parshas Devarim, the opening portion of the Book of Deuteronomy, which serves as a review (Mishneh Torah) of the Torah's teachings, encapsulating Moses' final remarks to the Jewish people. Rabbi Wolbe focuses on the first verse (Deuteronomy 1:1), which lists seemingly extraneous locations—such as the wilderness, Arava, and Dizahav—where Moses spoke to the Israelites. Quoting Rashi, he explains that these are veiled critiques of the Jewish people's past sins, including the complaints after Egypt, the Midianite women, the spies, the manna, Korach's rebellion, and the Golden Calf. Moses delivers these critiques gently to avoid direct confrontation, reflecting the Torah's sensitivity to prevent embarrassment.Rabbi Wolbe ties this to the upcoming month of Elul, a time for introspection and gentle self-critique, and shares his grandfather's advice to young husbands to avoid critiquing their wives for three years to preserve their relationship. He references a Talmudic teaching from Yevamot 65b, which mandates offering constructive criticism only when it will be accepted, and withholding it otherwise, emphasizing that effective critique requires knowing the recipient well and prioritizing their growth over personal catharsis. Rabbi Wolbe recounts a story about Rabbi Yaakov Galinsky visiting Rabbi Hetskel Levenstein during shiva, where Levenstein lamented that no one offered him introspective critique about his wife's passing, unlike the sages who lovingly prompted Rav Huna to reflect on his loss of 400 barrels of wine (Tractate Berachot 5b). This underscores the value of constructive feedback from trusted friends. Rabbi Wolbe encourages embracing criticism as a path to self-improvement, as taught in Ethics of the Fathers (6:6), and warns against arrogance that rejects critique. He concludes by urging listeners to use gentle, loving critique to foster personal growth and prepare for Rosh Hashanah, wishing all a meaningful Shabbos._____________This episode (Ep 7.40) of the Parsha Review Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe on Parshas Bamidbar is dedicated in honor of our Holy Soldiers in the Battlefield and our Torah Scholars in the Study Halls who are fighting for the safety of our nation!Download & Print the Parsha Review Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharingRecorded at TORCH Studios (C) to an online TORCHzoom.com audience on August 15, 2025, in Passaic, New Jersey.Released as Podcast on August 17, 2025_____________Subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083)Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________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 http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Torah, #Parsha, #Deuteronomy, #Critique, #Moshe, #Relationships, #PersonalGrowth, #Humility, #Arrogance,  #Introspection, #Self-Reflection, #ConstructiveCriticism ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the Parsha Review Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe delves into Parshas Devarim, the opening portion of the Book of Deuteronomy, which serves as a review (Mishneh Torah) of the Torah's teachings, encapsulating Moses' final remarks to the Jewish people. Rabbi Wolbe focuses on the first verse (Deuteronomy 1:1), which lists seemingly extraneous locations—such as the wilderness, Arava, and Dizahav—where Moses spoke to the Israelites. Quoting Rashi, he explains that these are veiled critiques of the Jewish people's past sins, including the complaints after Egypt, the Midianite women, the spies, the manna, Korach's rebellion, and the Golden Calf. Moses delivers these critiques gently to avoid direct confrontation, reflecting the Torah's sensitivity to prevent embarrassment. Rabbi Wolbe ties this to the upcoming month of Elul, a time for introspection and gentle self-critique, and shares his grandfather's advice to young husbands to avoid critiquing their wives for three years to preserve their relationship. He references a Talmudic teaching from Yevamot 65b, which mandates offering constructive criticism only when it will be accepted, and withholding it otherwise, emphasizing that effective critique requires knowing the recipient well and prioritizing their growth over personal catharsis. Rabbi Wolbe recounts a story about Rabbi Yaakov Galinsky visiting Rabbi Hetskel Levenstein during shiva, where Levenstein lamented that no one offered him introspective critique about his wife's passing, unlike the sages who lovingly prompted Rav Huna to reflect on his loss of 400 barrels of wine (Tractate Berachot 5b). This underscores the value of constructive feedback from trusted friends. Rabbi Wolbe encourages embracing criticism as a path to self-improvement, as taught in Ethics of the Fathers (6:6), and warns against arrogance that rejects critique. He concludes by urging listeners to use gentle, loving critique to foster personal growth and prepare for Rosh Hashanah, wishing all a meaningful Shabbos._____________This episode (Ep 7.40) of the Parsha Review Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe on Parshas Bamidbar is dedicated in honor of our Holy Soldiers in the Battlefield and our Torah Scholars in the Study Halls who are fighting for the safety of our nation!Download & Print the Parsha Review Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharingRecorded at TORCH Studios (C) to an online TORCHzoom.com audience on August 15, 2025, in Passaic, New Jersey.Released as Podcast on August 17, 2025_____________Subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083)Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________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 http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Torah, #Parsha, #Deuteronomy, #Critique, #Moshe, #Relationships, #PersonalGrowth, #Humility, #Arrogance,  #Introspection, #Self-Reflection, #ConstructiveCriticism ★ Support this podcast ★

Israel is in crisis, living in fear and hiding due to Midianite raids. Despite their disobedience, God responds to their cries for help. The angel of the LORD appears to Gideon, calling him to save Israel. Gideon, initially doubtful, tests God's call and receives confirmation through miraculous signs. Commanded to destroy his father's altar to Baal, Gideon obeys, earning the nickname Jerubbaal. With just 300 men, God delivers a stunning victory over a vast Midianite coalition. However, Gideon's story concludes with a cautionary note as he leads Israel back into idolatry, continuing the cycle of disobedience. Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @biblelitTwitter: @bible_litFacebook: @biblelitEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out ou...

Moshe (a former "Midianite") is told to lead the war. He tries to wiggle out, but as events unfold, he is dragged into the thick of it

We delve into the story of Balaam's wicked advice and the severe consequences of Israel's disobedience. We discuss how Balaam, a pagan prophet, devised a plan to seduce the Israelites into idolatry through Moabite and Midianite women, leading to God's wrath. The episode highlights the zealous actions of Phinehas, Aaron's grandson, who intervened to stop the plague that God had sent as punishment. God responded to Phinehas's decisive actions by granting him a covenant of perpetual priesthood.Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @biblelitTwitter: @bible_litFacebook: @biblelitEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out ou...

In this Bible Story, Gideon, a cowardly and weak man, finds strength in God. He is filled with enough bravery to summon an army against the Midianite horde and go into battle. This story is inspired by Judges 6. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Judges 6:37 from the King James Version.Episode 62: Israel lived in peace for a time, worshiping God for his rescue of their lives but slowly the worship of idols again invaded their worship and as it did, so did the darkness of oppression. Midianites soon began pillaging and plaguing the Israelites, so much so that they needed to hide their food under tents and in wine presses. In one of these wine presses stood the man who God would use to save Israel, Gideon, a man who teaches us that God can use the weakest and most self-doubting person to accomplish His will and save His people.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.