The scriptures read are Judges 7-9, Psalm 75 and John 9.
Judges 7. God thins the ranks of Gideon's army to make it clear that he wins the battles. Not sure what the dog lapping has to do with it. In Sunday school, I was told that they didn't look down at the water but cupped their hands, brought the water to their mouths so they could drink while watching for the enemy. But the text doesn't indicate that. Anyway, God lets cautious Gideon overhear an enemy soldier's dire dream of defeat for the Midianites.
The whole thing sounds like psy-ops, using sounds and sudden light to disorient and startle the enemy.
Judges 8. Don't refuse giving bread to a man on a mission from God. And don't get seduced by a golden breastplate.
Gideon had 70 sons! I do think that is a Biblical record.
Judges 9. Wow! Those 70 sons don't last long. Abimelech kills them all with a single stone. Then sets himself up as a kind of pseudo-king. But violence breeds violence. Abimelech and his allies begin some serious infighting. Then a woman in a tower brains Abimelech with a mill stone. A woman saves the day again!
Psalm 75. Praise for God and a warning to the arrogant.
John 9. The man born blind. Jesus refuses to engage in needless theological speculation. Love how Peterson translates this: "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do."
Needless to say, Jesus heals him. Needless to say, it's the Sabbath. The blind man and his parents are grilled. Unable to reconcile the miracle with the violation of the Sabbath, the leaders take it out on the man once blind. Jesus goes to the guy and the man gladly gives Jesus his allegience. Then Jesus paraphrases little Donnie Dark. Or Jonathan Swift: "There are none so blind as those who will not see." (Cf. Butterflies Are Free on IMDB)
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