Literary Analysis: Judges 6:1-40
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
LITERARY ANALYSIS: JUDGES 6:1-40
SUBMITTED TO DR. ALVIN THOMPSON
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE COURSE,
OLD TESTAMENT ORIENTATION I
OBST 591-B13 LUO
BY
JOHN W. ANDERSEN III
VERO BEACH, FLORIDA
JULY 3, 2011
Introduction Judges 6 delivers one of the Old Testament’s most memorable characters, Gideon. The story of Gideon is one full of adventure, action, suspense. It gives hope to those who feel too weak or insignificant. Furthermore, the literary features and incredible development of the character of Gideon make this story not only a joy to read but also exciting to preach and teach!
Literary Analysis Summary The narrative of Judges 6:1-40 begins with immediate action. The Israelites are being overpowered by the Midianites because they did evil in the eyes of the Lord. For seven years the Lord has allowed Midian to overpower Israel. The action builds as we discover that the Israelites can’t even reap their own crops because the enemy is basically bullying them. The author uses a comparison to show how overwhelming the Midian army was. At the height of the initial conflict the author compares the enemy to a swarm of locust that swoop in and lay waste to the land. Such vivid word pictures allows the reader to imagine the intensity of the moment. The first five verses of Judges 6 build in severity to reveal a hard and wretched life for the Israelites. Now the author seems to uncover a bit of a resolution. The Israelites pray to God for help and God hears them. The Lord sends a prophet to speak to the Israelites. The author does a terrific job building the anticipation here with the words of the Lord. The reader is in suspense wondering exactly how the Lord is going to save His people. Will it be by plague or disaster as in Moses’ time? Will God simply destroy Israel’s enemy with the power of His voice? Perhaps God will raise up a
LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
LITERARY ANALYSIS: JUDGES 6:1-40
SUBMITTED TO DR. ALVIN THOMPSON
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE COURSE,
OLD TESTAMENT ORIENTATION I
OBST 591-B13 LUO
BY
JOHN W. ANDERSEN III
VERO BEACH, FLORIDA
JULY 3, 2011
Introduction Judges 6 delivers one of the Old Testament’s most memorable characters, Gideon. The story of Gideon is one full of adventure, action, suspense. It gives hope to those who feel too weak or insignificant. Furthermore, the literary features and incredible development of the character of Gideon make this story not only a joy to read but also exciting to preach and teach!
Literary Analysis Summary The narrative of Judges 6:1-40 begins with immediate action. The Israelites are being overpowered by the Midianites because they did evil in the eyes of the Lord. For seven years the Lord has allowed Midian to overpower Israel. The action builds as we discover that the Israelites can’t even reap their own crops because the enemy is basically bullying them. The author uses a comparison to show how overwhelming the Midian army was. At the height of the initial conflict the author compares the enemy to a swarm of locust that swoop in and lay waste to the land. Such vivid word pictures allows the reader to imagine the intensity of the moment. The first five verses of Judges 6 build in severity to reveal a hard and wretched life for the Israelites. Now the author seems to uncover a bit of a resolution. The Israelites pray to God for help and God hears them. The Lord sends a prophet to speak to the Israelites. The author does a terrific job building the anticipation here with the words of the Lord. The reader is in suspense wondering exactly how the Lord is going to save His people. Will it be by plague or disaster as in Moses’ time? Will God simply destroy Israel’s enemy with the power of His voice? Perhaps God will raise up a
Bibliography: Jordan, James B. Judges A Practical and Theological Commentary. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 1999. Wood, Leon. Distressing Days of the Judges. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1975.