Religion Exam Flashcards
What time period is the book of Judges set in?
spans from the death of Joshua to the establishment of the monarchy
What were judges?
leaders raised by God to deliver Israel from oppression and lead them back to faithfulness
What is apostasy?
the abandonment of faith or loyalty to God
What is the cycle of apostasy?
Sin: Israelites turn away from God and worship idols.
Oppression: God allows enemies to oppress Israel as a consequence.
Repentance: Israelites cry out to God for help.
Deliverance: God raises a judge to deliver Israel from oppression.
Peace: A period of peace follows until the cycle repeats.
Who was Deborah?
Only female judge mentioned in the Bible and prophetess and leader of Israel.
What were key events in Deborah’s life?
- Held court under Palm of Deborah in Ephraim. The Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided.
- Battle Against Sisera: Deborah, with Barak, leads Israel to victory against the Canaanite commander Sisera (Judges 4:6-16).
- Jael’s Role: Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, kills Sisera by driving a tent peg through his temple while he sleeps (Judges 4:17-22).
- Song of Deborah: Celebrates the victory and praises God (Judges 5).
What were themes learned in Deborah’s story?
Importance of faith and courage and God can use anyone, regardless of gender, to fulfill His purposes.
What did Deborah tell Barak to do in Judges 4:6-7?
She told him that to gather ten thousand men to defeat Sisera’s army, while she would deliver the army into his hands. Deborah promised Barak that she will be by his side.
How did Jael kill Sisera, and why is her action significant (Judges 4:21)?
Jael lured Sisera into her tent while trying to escape the battle. She told Sisera to rest and he eventually fell asleep. As soon as he fell asleep, Jael took a tent peg and nailed it into his temple, killing him. This fulfilled Deborah’s prophecy because a woman killed Sisera.
What themes are highlighted in the Song of Deborah (Judges 5)?
The Song of Deborah highlights the importance of trusting in God and following through with his plan. It praises Israel for its faithfulness in God and God for his victory for delivering peace and prosperity to the nation. Lastly, the song reflects on the leadership of Deborah, Barak and Jael, and their victory against the Canaanites.
What was Gideon’s background?
Gideon is from the tribe of Manasseh and initially hesitant and doubtful of his abilities because his family is the weakest of the tribe.
What were key events in Gideon’s life?
- Call of Gideon: An angel of the Lord calls Gideon to save Israel from the Midianites (Judges 6:11-16).
- Fleece Test: Gideon asks for signs to confirm God’s will (Judges 6:36-40).
- Battle Against Midianites: Gideon leads a small army of 300 men to victory using unconventional tactics (Judges 7:1-22).
What were the lessons learned in Gideon’s story?
Always trust in God even when it may seem impossible. God can use ordinary people to fulfill his work.
How did Gideon respond when the angel of the Lord called him (Judges 6:15)?
Gideon responded in confusion and doubt saying that his family was the weakest in the tribe and that he was the youngest. He was surprised God would choose him to fulfill such an important task. Gideon doubted God’s abilities and wanted proof that He was with him.
What signs did Gideon ask for to confirm God’s will (Judges 6:36-40)?
Gideon placed a wool fleece on a threshing floor and asked God to dry the ground but not the fleece that would be wet with dew. When he saw that God had done this, he once again asked God to only dry out the fleece and keep the ground wet with dew. God easily completed the task, and Gideon knew that God was going to stick by him.
How did Gideon’s army defeat the Midianites (Judges 7:19-22)?
Gideon and his army consisting of three hundred people reached Midian and held torches in clay jars in one hand and a trumpet in the other. The army blew their trumpets, smashed their jars and yelled “For the Lord and Gideon!”. This created chaos in Midian and the Lord caused the men to turn on each other. While the army held their positions around the camp, the Midianites fled out of panic.
