Judges 7-8 & Mark 2

The cycle of Gideon continues in Judges 7. Several of the tribes have gathered, and their numbers swelled, which we assume would be a good thing. However, for God this is a bad thing. God wants Israel to understand that it is God giving them victory so he thins out the ranks of the army from over 20,000 to roughly 300.

Gideon, not quite sure what to believe, goes down to spy on the camp and hears how God has sent a dream to the Midianites, a dream that predicts the defeat of the Midianites. He takes this as a sign of victory and rallies the 300 to attack the camp with trumpets and broken pots. God clearly gives the Israelites victory over the dreaded army of Midian.

As the Midian kings flee with the remaining army, Gideon seeks support from the local populations in Judges 8. They however are unsure of who to support and decide that Midian is a greater enemy still so they do not offer aid to the Israelites. For those who refuse aid to the Gideon, he promises to return enact revenge.

We are not told about how many more Israelites now pursue the Midians, whether it is just the 300 or if the other tribes join in, but we are given a number of 15,000 for the army of Midian, down from 120,000. Yet again, God leads Israel to victory and they capture the kings, Zebah and Zalmunna. On the return, Gideon fulfills his vows to enact revenge on those who failed to aid Israel and then he enacts revenge on Zebah and Zalmunna who evidently had killed members of Gideon's family. They are killed by a young boy, a sign that there was no dignity in their deaths as well as the reality that it might have been a messy and painful death.

I must note that the behavior of Gideon does not seem to be inspired by God, as a matter of fact, it might just be a sign of the continual erosion of Israelite morality as it relates to God. For instance, his pursuit of Zebah and Zalmumma seem to have more to do with settling an old score as opposed to God's Will. Plus take into account that when Gideon seeks assistance from others, he always speaks of "I" and not of God. It would seem his ego has gotten the better of him.

Celebrating their success the Israelites seek to make Gideon their king, and while he rejects the overture, he does take gold from each man's spoils and creates a golden ephod. Whether he meant for this to be an idol or not, Israel came and worshiped in front of it, meaning that Gideon's action lead Israel into idolatry. Normally in Judges Israel does not fall away from God until following the death of the judge but now they fall away almost immediately following their liberation.

Sure enough, Gideon dies, and Israel again turns to Baal, forgetting their salvation by God.

Mark 2

Word of Jesus has begun to spread and as Jesus tries to preach and teach the crowds at time are overwhelming. In Mark 2, the chapter begins with the story of the man who is lowered through the roof in order that he be healed. It would seem that Jesus uses this occasion to demonstrate his authority as he forgives the man's sins. Since only God can forgive sins, the religious leaders are dismayed. Jesus knows this and then shows his authority by healing the man. In other words, since it does not take "power" to just say a word, the power is truly seen in his ability to heal. The people recognize what they have seen.

This running conversation with the religious leaders continue through out the gospel. Next Jesus will be questioned as to why he eats with sinners, and Jesus points out that sinners are exactly who he should be eating with, which then must beg the question, who is this guy, that he must eat with sinners? The Gospel of Mark will frequently allude to such questions that neither the religious leaders nor disciples will ask themselves.

In the discussion about fasting, it would seem that Jesus is referring to a new thing that is happening. The people must rejoice in this new thing and appreciate it while it is present in their lives. To hold an "old" fast for "new" people will not work anymore than a "new" fast for "old" people. Both need to be "new."

The final conversation about the Sabbath again begins to speak of Jesus authority as well as the new understanding of old teachings. The Sabbath was created that humans might have fullness of life and take time for God, not for rules. It was given as a benefit to humanity not detriment.