I have a church story, too. And a Bible trivia question.

[nitrah55]

Yesterday, right before the OT scripture reading, our pastor did a brief explanation of the Presbyterian lectionary- how it's set up to get through most of the Bible during a three year cycle.

He did this because he wanted us to know that Sunday's OT lesson was selected years ago, and any resemblence to contemporary events is purely conicidental- at least as far as the lectionary editors can be responsible for it.

The lesson was Judges 4:1-7. Can anyone tell what item in the lesson the pastor was a little concerned about?

If you can do this without peeking, I'm really impressed.

[earendel]

Yesterday, right before the OT scripture reading, our pastor did a brief explanation of the Presbyterian lectionary- how it's set up to get through most of the Bible during a three year cycle.

He did this because he wanted us to know that Sunday's OT lesson was selected years ago, and any resemblence to contemporary events is purely conicidental- at least as far as the lectionary editors can be responsible for it.

The lesson was Judges 4:1-7. Can anyone tell what item in the lesson the pastor was a little concerned about?

If you can do this without peeking, I'm really impressed.

Judges 4 is the story of Deborah, the prophetess, who is chosen to deliver the children of Israel. But because she is a woman she can't lead the armies of Israel so God appoints Barak to be the commander in chief.

Presumably it's the coincidence in the names of the two "commanders in chief".

And don't be impressed - 8 years of advanced Bible study ought to be good for something!

[clem21]

I think I can get this...

Spoiler

I'm fairly sure that's when BARACK son of Avinoam went to war against the Canaanites. I guess your pastor didn't want anyone thinking it was a prediction for an upcoming war?

If I'm right it's not that impressive, I was forced to learn a lot of this by heart in school.

[clem21]

Oh, I got beat...

[nitrah55]

Yesterday, right before the OT scripture reading, our pastor did a brief explanation of the Presbyterian lectionary- how it's set up to get through most of the Bible during a three year cycle.

He did this because he wanted us to know that Sunday's OT lesson was selected years ago, and any resemblence to contemporary events is purely conicidental- at least as far as the lectionary editors can be responsible for it.

The lesson was Judges 4:1-7. Can anyone tell what item in the lesson the pastor was a little concerned about?

If you can do this without peeking, I'm really impressed.

Judges 4 is the story of Deborah, the prophetess, who is chosen to deliver the children of Israel. But because she is a woman she can't lead the armies of Israel so God appoints Barak to be the commander in chief.

Presumably it's the coincidence in the names of the two "commanders in chief".

And don't be impressed - 8 years of advanced Bible study ought to be good for something!

You nailed it.

But, if you want the rest of the story, keep reading through verse 8, where Barak tells Deborah that he will only go into battle if she goes with him.

No Biblical scholar of my acquaintence has ever suggested that Barak offered Deborah the job of secretary of state- but, who knows?

[Bob Juch]

Yesterday, right before the OT scripture reading, our pastor did a brief explanation of the Presbyterian lectionary- how it's set up to get through most of the Bible during a three year cycle.

He did this because he wanted us to know that Sunday's OT lesson was selected years ago, and any resemblence to contemporary events is purely conicidental- at least as far as the lectionary editors can be responsible for it.

The lesson was Judges 4:1-7. Can anyone tell what item in the lesson the pastor was a little concerned about?

If you can do this without peeking, I'm really impressed.

Judges 4 is the story of Deborah, the prophetess, who is chosen to deliver the children of Israel. But because she is a woman she can't lead the armies of Israel so God appoints Barak to be the commander in chief.

Presumably it's the coincidence in the names of the two "commanders in chief".

And don't be impressed - 8 years of advanced Bible study ought to be good for something!

You nailed it.

But, if you want the rest of the story, keep reading through verse 8, where Barak tells Deborah that he will only go into battle if she goes with him.

No Biblical scholar of my acquaintence has ever suggested that Barak offered Deborah the job of secretary of state- but, who knows?

I just hope we get forty years of peace.

[BackInTex]

I just hope we get forty years of peace.

Would you settle for 3 1/2 years up front, then 1,000 years on the back-end?

[Rafferbee]

I also have a church story from this weekend. I went to mass on Saturday this week, which I don't usually do. After the priest made his announcements, he invited a man to come up and speak. I'll call him J.

J told us he had stolen the collection last Saturday. He used the cash to get high and burned the checks. J said he was going to go back into drug treatment and start attending NA meetings. He asked us all for our forgiveness and prayers.

After he spoke, we applauded. Well, some of us, anyway. Of course it wasn't good that he stole our money and used it for drugs, but it was very brave of him to get up there and tell us what he did.

[sunflower]

I also have a church story from this weekend. I went to mass on Saturday this week, which I don't usually do. After the priest made his announcements, he invited a man to come up and speak. I'll call him J.

J told us he had stolen the collection last Saturday. He used the cash to get high and burned the checks. J said he was going to go back into drug treatment and start attending NA meetings. He asked us all for our forgiveness and prayers.

After he spoke, we applauded. Well, some of us, anyway. Of course it wasn't good that he stole our money and used it for drugs, but it was very brave of him to get up there and tell us what he did.

That is pretty impressive, I wonder if he got caught or confessed of his own accord. Either way, it was not an easy thing that he did and I hope that everyone will forgive him and allow him a second chance, assuming that he does pursue treatment as planned.

I always write checks when I go to church, for tax purposes. It would never even occur to me to do it as a safety precaution though, I thought the people working with the money were well known and trusted by the church. I will try not to worry too much about that going forward!!

[TheConfessor]

I also have a church story from this weekend. I went to mass on Saturday this week, which I don't usually do. After the priest made his announcements, he invited a man to come up and speak. I'll call him J.

J told us he had stolen the collection last Saturday. He used the cash to get high and burned the checks. J said he was going to go back into drug treatment and start attending NA meetings. He asked us all for our forgiveness and prayers.

After he spoke, we applauded. Well, some of us, anyway. Of course it wasn't good that he stole our money and used it for drugs, but it was very brave of him to get up there and tell us what he did.

Doesn't he face any legal charges? Forgiveness from the victim doesn't change the crime.

[TheCalvinator24]

I also have a church story from this weekend. I went to mass on Saturday this week, which I don't usually do. After the priest made his announcements, he invited a man to come up and speak. I'll call him J.

J told us he had stolen the collection last Saturday. He used the cash to get high and burned the checks. J said he was going to go back into drug treatment and start attending NA meetings. He asked us all for our forgiveness and prayers.

After he spoke, we applauded. Well, some of us, anyway. Of course it wasn't good that he stole our money and used it for drugs, but it was very brave of him to get up there and tell us what he did.

Doesn't he face any legal charges? Forgiveness from the victim doesn't change the crime.

If the church doesn't turn him on to the police, it is highly unlikely that any charges would be filed.