This week, we'll continue through the book of Judges, chapters 8-12. Don’t forget to check out the Rooted Facebook page for a bit more discussion on each chapter.


Discussion Questions:

• What was it that Gideon did after the battle that was so bad? (Judg. 8:24-27)

• What caused the falling out between Abimelech and the people of Shechem? (Judg. 9:22-25)

• Who were the Ammonites? (Judg. 10:6-9, Gen. 19:30-38)

• What was the result of Jephthah’s vow? (Judg. 11:30-31, 34, 39) Would this have been something that pleased God? (Deut. 18:9-13)

• What was the significance of Ibzan arranging marriages for his children with those outside his own clan? (Judg. 12:8-9)


Some Answers to Last Week's Questions:

• Why did the Lord leave some of the nations in Canaan unconquered? (Judg. 3:1-6) What reason might be unstated in this passage? – The stated reasons are to teach Israel how to fight in wars and to test them to see if they would obey. The unstated reason in this passage is because of their disobedience and tolerance of the Canaanites. Both of the stated reasons derive from the unstated one.

• Who was the woman who gained glory for Sisera’s defeat? (Judg. 4:9) – Jael, the woman who killed Sisera (Judg. 4:17-22)

• What insights does Judges 5:6-7 give concerning conditions in Israel before Deborah led the revolt against Jabin and Sisera? – Travel through the countryside was dangerous, and the people were in hiding from their enemies.

• Who might the ‘angel of the Lord’ be? (Judg. 6:11-18, especially verses 12 & 14) – The Angel of the Lord is often used synonymously with the Lord. The angel seemed to have been a theophany, an appearance of God in physical form.

• Why did God want Gideon to have a smaller army when he went up against the Midianites? (Judg. 7:2-7) – So that no one could claim credit for the victory. Defeating an army of 135,000 with an army of 300 is not humanly possible.


Prayer: Heavenly Father, as I read these chapters, help me learn from both the faith and the failures of those who came before me. Guard my heart from compromise, pride, and choices that pull me away from You. Give me wisdom to recognize Your ways and courage to obey You, even when it is difficult. Keep my heart faithful to You. Amen.


Helpful Resources:


• Rooted Facebook Group for online sharing and further exploration 


• Bible Project Old Testament overview videos 

• Bible Gateway, a Bible app with many translations and some other free helps

• A Clay Jar Devotionals