St. Paul Lutheran Church, Matteson, Illinois & Pastor Troester

The announcement of Samson's birth.

A rash vow by a leader of the Children of Israel, who are at war with an enemy and they go to Jephthah to fight for them and get the victory, but at a price.

A peaceful time for the Children of Israel when they do not go after other gods, but a quick end to that peace when they forsake God and follow others.

The account of the life & reign of Abimelech, the son of Gideon through his foreign servant girl, with all the blood shed, and revenge and treachery, but God prevailed and Abimelech paid the price with his life.

We read how Gideon seeks revenge when he is slighted by his fellow children of Israel, how there is bloodshed and fighting and ultimately God's people go after other gods.

God calls Gideon and his army to trust in Him for the victory. Read the unusual battle, with the unusual army and unusual weapons.

Read about Gideon, a man of great valor, who is made strong with God's strength and who acts in faith with God's help.

The song of praise to God, sung by Deborah and Barak, who bless God for giving them the ability to succeed by trusting in Him for victory.

God raises up the Prophetess, Deborah, and Jael, who are faithful to Him and trust Him for victory.

The sad story of human history where faithfulness to God brings blessings, but doing things our way leads to us getting what we want and then to destruction. And, yet God is faithful when we come back to Him.