Humanizing Gideon and Samson – in a nutshell

        I started watching clips of the Bible Project when I was teaching Valiants in primary.  I never shared the illustrations with the class though I am fascinated by the short videos.  The book of Judges (here) is referred to as disturbing – which it is – as we explore in this week’s reading of “Come Follow Me”.  As we are limited on time and to spare all the gore (and there is A LOT of it) it has been suggested to study only certain scriptures (which still contain gore, stupidity, arrogance, violence, murders, and so forth)

https://meetinggodinthemargin.com/2017/06/02/first-
reading-of-judges-11-12-jephthah-his-daughter/

       Chapter one gives us the account of the land of the twelve tribes – a recap if you will.  Where mortal corruption and child sacrifice is acceptable.  Chapter two gives the account of the cycle that each generation experiences starting with sin, oppression, repentance, deliverance and peace only to sart the cycle all over again but with a set of different judges (or delvers).  Some judges are mentioned by name.  Chapter three gives us a small account of a judge named Othniel followed by Ehud.  Chapter four gives us an account of Deborah and Barak and Jael. 

Chapter 5 sums up the accounts in poetic form.  The English Bible writes in poetry form which doesn’t seem so gruesome when compared to the rest of judges.  But it is not required as part of the reading.  So while all the judges thus far share chapters, Gideon has four chapters just by himself. We learn of humility and the ability to follow God’s plan and what miracles may come.  Weapons used?  Lanterns and horn blowing.  That was it.  It was a scare tactic that worked like a charm.  A somewhat gruesome charm – but that was on the Midinites.  Gideon and his people shed no blood. 

Gideon’s story reminds me so much of others that we have already read.  Called to serve but with reluctance reminds me of Moses and the Battle with horns – though not wall crumbling – does remind me of Joshua.  And faith almost like Abraham because even though he seems reluctant still abides. That covers chapters 6-8.  That is what we are expected to read or study.  Chapter 9 is not a part of the reading.  Gideon apparently becomes weak and turns to idolism.  That part reminds me of Aaron – giving in to the weakness of the children of Isreal.

We skipped over the three chapters that introduce Jephthah and go right into Samson.  Hollywood has made countless movies about Samson.  What an idiot.  That’s what I thought about him the first time I heard about him in primary.  Every four years I have found a new reason to dislike the dude.  I roll my eyes each time I hear his name.  But perhaps we need to learn about him to remind ourselves that the world is full of imperfect people – even leaders.

I am certain that Hollywood has taken liberties with every Bible story that is portrayed.  Though there was still a lot of violence (because let’s face it, an R rating Bible would still not do justice for many parts) I did appreciate how this 2018 version did try to incorporate humaneness into the Samson character who would sin, oppress, repent, become humble . . . well, to a degree.  

He started out trying to do the right thing but would give into temptation when he was bullied.  He would lash out and try putting others in their place . . . just went about it the wrong way.

I told Richard to focus more on Gideon and less on Samson – and to remember to teach the fourteen year old youth and not be focused so much on the lesson.  Incorporate a lot of prayer.  What do the class members need to learn – not what wild mistakes do we pick up from reading about all these clueless people?

So that’s my take on Judges in a nutshell.  Aren’t you glad you read this post?

Life is Like Snow

             Jenna required reading for her online English class has been focusing on an international high school in New York.  For each chapter Jenna is required to pull out a quote, comment on the theme of the chapter and turn in a short essay.  She has gotten in the habit of reading things out loud as it helps her better to think.  She seems to be even more focused if she can find someone else to read it out loud to her.  Often she has asked for my opinion about what I think the theme is or what I think is a good quote.  

Usually the quote is directly attached to whichever student the chapter focuses on.  However I remember one quote that stood out which was not related to the student.  It was actually a description of snow he had seen in Connecticut.  It was white and beautiful.   The quote continued with a less than attractive image of snow that had been yellowed with urine or left filthy from soot.  As we continued further in the story I realized how we could tie the quote into what might be the theme.

The last four chapters seemed to have focused on a boy named Mohammed who had come from a remote village in Africa.  We learned about his being a student at International when he was fourteen.  He had traveled to America by himself and left his family.  He had no other relatives living in the U.S.  Mohammed was by himself.

A social worker seeks a friend who is a teacher and has wanted to adopt a child – preferably a girl.  The teacher is asked to consider the possibility of adopting Mohammed in order to give him a place to live.  But it’s a complicated situation as Mohammed is NOT an orphan.  The next chapter focuses on the legal issues and there is suggestion of shuffling Mohammed around.  The chapter indicates that he is 16, possibly 17.  He’s no better off than when he was 14 – possibly worse off.

Mohammed travels with a group to visit the Empire State Building and disappears.  I see his life metaphorically as the snow.  For when he arrives in New York, the metaphorical snow is fresh and clean.  He takes in the newness of living in a big city.  He sees it as exciting.  He makes friends.  They share their dreams.  The court systems introduce the urine and soot which discolor the snow.  It is ugly.  He seems to have no control.  It isn’t a good environment.

It is later discovered that Mohammed had “moved” to Connecticut.  The environment he lives in reminds me of Charles Dickens’ Oliver.  Except instead of picking pockets, they are illegally burning CDs and selling them.  Mohammed refers to all the “Fagins” as “uncles” though they are not biologically related.  They teach him a trade.  They give him money.  No governmental red tape – though what they are doing is illegal, Mohammed feels like family.  Thus we see the parallels of snow that is beautiful and ugly at the same time.

Meanwhile he misses his biological family in Africa and would like to go home to see them.  His mom experiencing the hardships of their remote village says no.  She sees the beautiful snow that represents the United States (though the snow is only metaphorical as she has no idea what snow is nor can comprehend it visually when Mohammed tries to explain it to her as he is unable to relate anything to her that she, herself, can identify with).  If she understood snow she would tell Mohammed that the snow in Africa is very dark and ugly and it will never be clean and brilliant.

But it’s not just Mohammed’s story that we can compare to the snow.  It is that way for all of us.  2020 brought a huge assortment of challenges.  Some have seen the snow glisten in the sunlight as they have reconnected with families and have had more opportunity to read, study, quilt or whatever.  Some eventually became bored with it and focused on the yellow snow and dirty black and brown deposits while others remained focused on the brilliance of fresh snow.

Even when the snow had turned to brown slush there were moments of sparkle.  I can’t speak for those who have endured hurricane and floods but I would imagine communities pulled together as they have here during the fires.  Many people have lost their homes due to the harshness of the elements, but there are some that continue to focus on what they have and are grateful for the donations of time and possessions that others have willingly contributed.

I’m grateful for all the things I have learned during this pandemic and for the growth I’ve endured.  I have often looked at yellowed and dirty snow trying hard not to give up hope.  But I know if I turn my head in the right direction I can find the fresh snow and see the sparkles and beauty of what is happening.

I was able to shed Rabbit!!!

       On July 27, 2012 I had created this post comparing my husband, his children and I to the personalities of the 100 acre wood and had dubbed myself as Rabbit because he is always so uptight.  He may have mellowed a bit from Walt Disney's animation to computerized animation used in the 2018 movie "Christopher Robin".  But as the focus was not about Rabbit but only made a brief appearance along with Owl, Kanga and Roo, it's hard to say.

          I, on the other hand, am a lot more mellow.  I haven't been uptight since moving to Oregon.  I feel free.  I don't feel trapped.  The wonders of breathing clean air.  I'm not as organized as Rabbit - though I would like to be. I still don't care for gardening - though I do eating produce fresh from the garden.  We failed at having a garden in 2018, but should be back on track this year.

          I don't know which character I would compare myself to now.  I don't think I'm even a part of that story anymore.  I have moved on. I am not only in a different chapter, but a different book as well.  We all are, I think.

          Roland is still has several traits that are like Kanga. The apron strings have finally been cut from the boys - though he will still put it on if requested.  Still a child magnet. Still the parent.

           Jenna doesn't tackle me the way she did when I nicknamed her Tigger.  She has taken on several traits of different hundred acre wood characters.  She can be playful and easy going.  We don't see Eyore a lot, but when we do, the personality is not there for long.

          We all have moved on.  We have grown.  We have made a difference.  And will continue.