Violence In The Bible

I.              Ehud, the left handed judge     Judges 3:5 to 3:31

A.                 History

1.                  Describe broad outline of Israel history

a)                  From Egyptian slavery to freedom

b)                  Conquering of the land

c)                  However, surrounded by hostile-idol worshipping cultures

2.                  Spiritual decline

a)                  Inter-marrying/Assymilating culturally and spiritually

b)                  Define Asherah and Baal worship.  Use Bible resources for this

3.                  The bad cycle

a)                  Neglect God and worship other gods

b)                  God removes hand of protection and Israelites get selves into trouble  (See Judges 2:20 to 3:1)

c)                  Cry out to God and God helps

B.                 The story: Ehud, God's deliverer

1.                  Describe the players in this story

2.                  Make the story exciting

3.                  God brought victory

C.                 The lesson: It's never in too late and your never too wicked to seek God and receive his help

II.           Levite's concubine        Judges 19:1-19:30

A.                 History

1.                  The bad cycle

2.                  Describe the players in this story

B.                 The story: There are no heroes in this story

1.                  Graphic and sickening story

2.                  Describe the all out warfare between the tribes of Israel (Summarize only . Don't get bogged down in chapters20-21)

3.                  Reason for this hell on earth = Judges 21:25  "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit."

C.                 The Lesson: Without God in your life, you get chaos, anarchy and death

III.        Deborah, Barak, Jael and Sisera        Judges 4:1 to 4:24

A.                 History

1.                  The bad cycle (people ignored God, bad times strike, people remember God, God sends a judge)

2.                  Describe the players in this story

B.                 The story: Deborah, God's deliverer

1.                  Make the story fun and exciting

2.                  Violent detail- peg going through Sisera's head

C.                 The lesson: God can use anyone, regardless of stature, gifting or life situation

1.                  God used Deborah, a woman, because of her willingness to be used by God.  In Deborah’s culture, women weren’t revered then nor did they have authority over a man.  Even though this was the case, God upheld her for leadership because she had a willing heart.