Deborah

Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, now that Ehud was dead.  So the LORD sold them into the hands of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. Sisera, the commander of his army, was based in Harosheth Haggoyim.  Because he had nine hundred chariots fitted with iron and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the LORD for help.

~Judges 4:1-3

Describe what you think conditions might have been like for a family in Isreal at the time.

• In their captivity in Canaan, an Isrealite family was probably not given a proper living space.  I am also thinking that thety were fed poorly.

How do you think you would have reacted to such conditions?  Like most of the Isrealites?  Like Deborah?

• possibly for the most part, I would be like most of teh Isrealites.  I probably would not have been happy to have been put through another period of captivity, but also I would have kept my faith and prayed that it would end soon.

Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time.  She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided.  She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor.  I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.’”

  Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”

~Judges 4:4-8

What was Barak afraid of?  Why would haveing Deborah along alleviate those fears?

• He probably was thinking that the job could not be fulfilled because she was a woman and how would listen to a woman leader, unless she would have to disguise herself as a man if she is to lead a foreig army.

Which of Deborah's characteristics would you most like to have?  What would you do if you had that characteristic?  What can you do to develope that characteristic?

• I would like to have her authoratitiveness.
• I could probably become a better discussion learder in a sense
• I would try to develope my assertiveness towards others

“Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the LORD will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.  There Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali, and ten thousand men went up under his command. Deborah also went up with him

~Judges 4:9-10

How do you think the Isrealite men felt about the honor for this victory going to Deborah and Jael?

• I'm thinking that they felt suprised that a woman could be just as strong a leader as a man could be

When a woman succeeds today, what are the reactions of the men around her?

• I think in most cases men today do praise a woman for being able what used to be known as a man's-only type of profession

Villagers in Israel would not fight;
   they held back until I, Deborah, arose,
   until I arose, a mother in Israel.

~Judges 5:7

What does Deborah call herself in this verse?  What does this tell you about Deborah?

• "a mother of Isreal"
• this means she cares for her people and wants to protect them

What lessons for your own life can you gain from this verse?

• Don't be a coward when it comes to something that you care about and need to fight for.

Do you know of any modern countries that treat minorities cruelly, like the Egyptians treated the Isrealites? What would make such a government change its ways?

And the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.”

~Exodus 7:5

A long time ago we had Germany with it's Nazi party who treated the Jewish population in a cruel like manner.  What made the dictatorship change it's ways was it's defeat in World War II, if I am not mistaken.   This may have been a pretty obvious, or popular answer to make,. but if you can think  of another country, even if it's in current news today, please leave a comment below!

Rahab

 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

  The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.”  So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.”

  But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from.  At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.”  (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.)  So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.

~Joshua 2:1-7

What do you think prompted Rahab to hide the Hebrew spies?  Why would the house of a prostitute be a good place for the spies to go when they entered the city?

• I would say either she knew from local politics that the king of Jericho was a pretty ruthless man, or that she got a personal message from God
• It was probably the least suspicious place for someone to be looking for spies.

Although Rahab was a prostitute, the lowest of professions for a woman, what good characteristics did she have?

• she was loyal to God's people, and even though it is not a good thing to lie, it was the right thing to do to keep the Hebrew spies alive

Why do you think God would choose to use someone like Rahab?

• Even though she chose a sinful profession, God must have seen a good heart in her

What does this say about the people God might choose to use today to further his kingdom?

• The people God chooses don't have to be rich, or poor, even perfect at everything they do.  They can have the worst job in the world, but yet the perfect person to help futher His kingdom.

 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.  We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.  When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

  “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.”

~Joshua 2:8-13

Rephrase in your own words Rahab's eloquent plea for her life and the lives of her family.

• My people have heard the stories of your people being able to escape the wrath of the Egyptians and your destruction of the two Amorite kings.  Because of this we fear you.  I beg you that you tell the Lord to please spare both me and my family.  Promise me that you will let us live, if you are to destroy the rest of the city and its people.

“Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.”

  So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall.  She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way.”

  Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house.

~Joshua 2:14-18

Why do you think the spies were willing to deal with Rahab, their lives in exchange for hers?

• she showed them enough mercy that they were willing to spare her and her family

Rahab's brave actions spared not only her life but also the lives of her family memebers.  What brave actions can you take to spare your loved ones from future difficulties and harm?

• by standing up for them, when they have been illtreated by another person

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

~James 2:25

James mentions Rahab in his plea for believers not to forget that works are an important outgrowth of faith.  How did Rahab's actions demonstrate this truth?

• she gave help to a people that were more or less seen as a threat to her own people

What lessons in obedience of faith can you learn from Rahab the prostitute?

• to love and take care of those who may be your enemies later

Miriam

When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground.  Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing.  Miriam sang to them:

   “Sing to the LORD,
   for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
   he has hurled into the sea.”

~Exodus 15:19-21

Describe what you you think Miriam and the other women of Isreal were thinking and feeling as they walked through the Red Sea.  After they made it safely through, why do you think they chose to dance to express their praise?

• I would imagine that maybe some of teh women would be worrysome and maybe had some doubt that they would make it through alive, or without being captured once again by the Egyptian soldiers.
• because it was part of their custom or culture of that day to express their thanks to God

How do you think you would have felt in that situation?  Would you have danced?  Or would you have used some other form of praise to God?  If so, what?

• I woudl probably have felt the same way as I described the women in the question above. 
• Chances are that I would have participated in dancing, but I think I would have also priased God with either or both with song or prayer.

 Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite.  “Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the LORD heard this.

  (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)

~Numbers 12:1-3

What do you think Aaron and Miriam had against Moses' "Cushite" wife?  Do you think his wife was the real problem?  What was the real problem, the real reason for their attack?

• It could be possibly the fact that a Cushite had some different customs than what an Isrealite would have.
• I don't think Moses' wife was the problem, I think Aaron and Miriam wanted to hear from God just as much or in the same way that God was speaking to Moses.

Contrast what verses 1-2 reveal about Miriam and Aaron with what verse 3 reveals about Moses. In what ways are you like Mirima and Aaron?  How are you like Moses?

• verses 1-2 show that Miriam and Aaron are jealous of Moses, whereas verse 3 shows that Moses is a very forgiving person
• I can tend to be like Mriam and Aaron if someone in a group would be abl eto have something that I couldn't have, yet I felt that I was just good enough to have what the other had already
• I can be like Moses when someone apologize that they did something wrong towards me

 At once the LORD said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the tent of meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them went out.  Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward, he said, “Listen to my words:

   “When there is a prophet among you,
   I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions,
   I speak to them in dreams.
But this is not true of my servant Moses;
   he is faithful in all my house.
With him I speak face to face,
   clearly and not in riddles;
   he sees the form of the LORD.
Why then were you not afraid
   to speak against my servant Moses?”

  The anger of the LORD burned against them, and he left them. 

~Numbers 12:4-9

In these verses the Lord appears in the pillar of cloud to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.  He then singles out Aaron and Miriam and speaks to them.  Why is he so angry with them?

• Because the Miriam and Aaron should realize that the Lord had chosen Moses as the primary leader and prophet of the Isrealite people and that they are more or less secondary, but yet still important to God's work

 When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam’s skin was leprous—it became as white as snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease,  and he said to Moses, “Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed.  Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten away.”

  So Moses cried out to the LORD, “Please, God, heal her!”

~Numbers 12:10-13

Why do you think Miriam was singled out for the punishment of leprosy and not Aaron? 

• I think she was made an example of so that Aaron woudl know that the same thing could happen to him if he does't realize his wrongdoing.

How do you think Miriam's punishment affected Aaron?

• I think he became absolutely horrified at the sight of Miriam's punishment

Have you ever been in a situation where one person was punished for the wrongdoing of several?  How did that make you feel?

• I can't remember clearly if I have been in a situation like that, but if I ever would be in a situation like that, I would feel pretty guilty for being a part of that wrongdoing.

 The LORD replied to Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.”  So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.

~Numbers 12:14-15

What do you think Miriam was feeling and thinking when she was outside the camp for those seven days?  What would go throgh your mind if you were in Miriam's possition?

• She was probably not happy with herself and also thought that she won't disobey God like that again
• I probably would be asking myself a whole bunch of questions as to why on earth I committed such a sin

Even when we are forgiven, we sometimes still have to pay for the price for our sins.  What sin have you had to pay a penalty for?  Do you consider yourself forgiven eventhough the affects of your sin remain?

• I'm going to choose lying to my parents.  I'm pretty sure that I have paid a penalty for that.  I guess after I have paid the price for that penalty, I feel forgiven, but I think it takes a while for that forgiveness to sink in

Jochebed & Pharoh's Daughter

Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months.

~Exodus 2:1-2

In your own words describe the events of these two verses.  Look behind the scenes.  How do you think the family kept the baby quite?  If a close neighbor heard the newborn's cries, what do you think he or she woudl have done?  What if that neighbor herself just lost a newborn to Pharoh's decrees?  Why at three months could Jochebed "hide him no longer"? 

• Basically, Jochebed met a man from her own tribe, a Levite, they got married, assuming out of love, then, soon enough, conceived a child.  They probably hid the child because he was a helathy infant.
• I'm not sure if they would have used any material things to keep the baby quiet, however, I do kind of wonder if music could have been a big part of that family's life whenthe child was first born.  I am thinking of lullabyes.  Generally, a soft soothing sound, particular of a mother, or father's voice, would keep an infant pretty calm I believe
• I think this depends on whether the neighbor would be an Isrealite, or an Egyptian.  If their neighbor was Egyptian, and heard the baby cry, they would probably find it in their best interest to follow Pharoh's decres.  If they were Isrealite, they would probably have sympathy for the family and pray that the family would find a way to quiet the child, unless that neighbor lost a child to Pharoh, they might want to take the child for themselves and find their own way to hush the child.
• I am not totally sure as to when Infants start to walk but if the infant was able to do so at this age, this would probably be a possibility as to why Jochebed couldn't hide the child anymore.

How do you think you would have reacted in these circumstances?  Like Jochebed?  Like the other mothers?

• I probably would have done the same thing as Jochebed had done.  But also, who's to know that other mothers didn't do the exact same thing so that they could keep their children for as long as they could?

But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.  His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.

~Exodus 2:3-4

The events here go straight to a mother's heart.  How do you think Jochebed felt as she walked away from teh river?

• She was probably pretty worried that her baby would not make it somewhere safely

Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it.  She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said.

~Exodus 2:5-6

Pharoh's daughter, a member of the royal family, part of the race that was oppressing the Isrealites, now enters the picture.  What is most obvious about her from these verses?

• She is an independent and compassionate woman that doesn't want to hurt a small child

Why do you suppose she was allowed to disobey her father's harsh edict?

• she probably promised him that she would bring him up as a good man for Egypt.

Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?”

  “Yes, go,” she answered. So the girl went and got the baby’s mother.  Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him.  When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.”

~Exodus 2:7-10

Compare verses 9 and 10.  What conflicting emotions do you think Jochebed must have felt?

• First glad that she could take care of her own son to a point, but then sad when the child was weaned and had the learn the ways of the Egyptian people

When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.”

~Exodus 2:10

What is the significance of the words "he [Moses] became her son"?

• he was going to be a prince of Egypt

What purpose of God was at work here?

• Moses would learn how to become a leader of the people he actually belonged to

By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

~Hebrews 11:23

This verse says that Moses' mother and father acted "by faith."  Their one goal was to protect and save their child.  Fear for our children's safetey -- for their spiritual and physical lives -- seems to be an inescapable part of parenting.  What part does faith play in child rearing?  What is your greatest fear for your child?  How can you "by faith" respond to your fears?

• Well, I don't have any children of my own so I'll have to go on the fly here I guess.  I woudl say that having patience is a part of having faith in child rearing. 
• If I had a child, I think my first fear would be how good a decision they would be in makig friends
• Probably the best way to respond by faith is through prayer

Do other people see what you're really like inside? How do your friends try to impress eachother?

so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

~Matthew 6:4

I think a lot of people see what I am really like on the inside.  Whenever I hear them speak about me, most of the time it's positive things.  One example of a friend of mine, how they try to impress other friends is to share what they have learned.  Sometimes this information can be over one's head but, not necessarily everybody.  Other friends of mine might try to use their talents such as being able to play an instrument and perform for their friends.

Potiphar's Wife

So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

   Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,  and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”

~Genesis 39:6-7

What character was Potiphar's wife lacking?  Why do you think she was attracted to Joseph, beyond the fact that he was "well-built and handsome"?

• The one thing I can think of is one character that she could have been lacking would be the decensy of being a faithful wife. 
• I think another reason that she was attracted to Joseph was thathe was younger than her

Like Potiphar's wife, what do you wish you had that you don't have?  Is it something that you shouldn't have?  If it is, ask God to help you root it out of your spirit. 

• For the past month, I have wished that I could have my romantic life back.  This isn't necessarly something that I shouldn't have, unless maybe you would count the fact that, yes, I have fallen into the trap a few times where I had been wishing that I'd have the person I was with back.  Now, unless, that person does some changing of their own and improvement in their life, this is definitely something I should not have.  I have been asking God for a while now that he aid me in trying to get such thoughts out of my system so that it would make it easier to move on in life.

No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?

~Genesis 39:9

Where do you suppose Joseph got his knowledge of right and wrong and his ability to reject sin?  What do you think Joseph's life might have been like if he had given in to Potiphar's wife?

• I would say that if he had not obtained this knowledge from his father, Jacob, then it is from God himself.
• I still think he would have gotten in trouble and sent to jail.  But also, he wouldn't be considered such a righteous man as we may see him today.

What legacy has sin or a rejection of sin left you in your life?

• When I let a sin happen and realize my wrong afterwards, I feel terrible about myself.  But, when I reject it, I feel justified and have dome something right.

And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.

~Genesis 39:10

Why do you think Joseph avoided contact with Potiphar's wife?  Contrast how these two characters responded to temptation.

• because he knew that if he did stay in contact with her he would be in serious trouble with his master.
• Joseph knew what it meant to be faithful, while Potiphar's wife was a risk taker to her relationship to her husband

If temptation of a certain kind keeps coming into your life, how do you respond?

• I know that when I would become jealous of someone that would be spending time with my relationship partner, I would get the biggest temptation to want to tell that person to there face to back off.  Yet< I had no idea why such and such a person was hanging out with them.  I have been told countless times to relax about it and that it meant no harm to my relationship.  After being told that I would try my best to pray to God to take those temptations away from me.

She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home.  Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me.

~Genesis 39:16-17

The story Potiphar's wife told her husband was just that, a story, a piece of fiction.  Describe what you think Joseph's feelings might have been when he heard the "story".

• He must have been apalled by such lies! 

Like Potiphar's wife, have you ever accused someone unjustly?  What were the circumstances?  How did you deal with the sin involved and correct the wrong?

• I would say that there is a good chance that I have.  An example could be when I was single again at one point at angry at my ex for what he had done, and I had called him some unjust things.  Later on when I realized what I had done in blind anger, I had prayed to God as to what I could say to them for what I said and ask for their forgiveness.