OneLife Nashville: Rare but vital conversations about Jesus OneLife Nashville

In this episode, we move into Judges 14, looking at the story of Samson's initial departure from his Nazarite vow. We explore the symbolic act of Samson "seeing" a Philistine woman, "taking" her in marriage, and "eating" honey from a dead lion—a sequence that mirrors Eve's interaction with the forbidden fruit, highlighting human susceptibility to temptation through sight and desire. This lion, emblematic of the Philistines, and the honey, representing the Philistine woman Samson marries, serve as profound symbols of Samson's entanglement with his adversaries and his departure from his vows.

Most notably, Samson's actions of breaking his Nazarite vow, according to Numbers 6, required a restoration process at the Tabernacle, involving a seven-day renewal of his Nazarite vow—an act of penitence he neglects. Instead, he celebrates his marriage with a seven-day feast in a locale famed for wine production, which creates a stark irony when viewed against the instructions for renewing his Nazarite vow.

The episode concludes by contrasting Samson's failures with the figure of Jesus, as depicted in Hebrews 7:26. Here, Jesus is portrayed with four key attributes, exemplifying specific points of success to specific points of failure in Samson. The heartening message of this story is Jesus's invitation for us to share in his victory, offering us a way back from our distorted visions, broken vows, and errant paths, into harmonious communion with God.

Key Passages:

Judges 14

Numbers 6

Hebrews 7:26



Explainer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Video⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on how to use ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.biblehub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.blueletterbible.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Leave us a question or comment at our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website podcast page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

* Intro Music: "Admirable" Carlos Herrera Music


---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onelifenash/support

In this episode, we delve into Judges 13, a chapter that introduces us to Samson, an iconic figure whose life marks a pivotal turn in God's strategy of deveoping a judge and deliverer for Israel. Here, we see God working from an individual's childhood, preparing and equipping them for a specific and challengeing task.

The narrative begins with the Angel of the Lord visiting to Samson's parents, foretelling the birth of a child destined to begin the deliverance of Israel from Philistine oppression.

Samson's life was to be distinct from the outset, ordained to be a Nazarite from birth. Unlike the traditional initiation of the Nazarite vow described in Numbers 6, which was a voluntary commitment, Samson’s consecration was divinely appointed. The vow entailed abstinence from wine, avoiding contact with dead bodies, and refraining from cutting the hair. However, its essence was far beyond these physical abstentions; it was a call to be wholly devoted to the Lord. This devotion was crucial, underpinning Samson's strength and his mission to confront the Philistines.

We also make a connection to the New Testament, specifically to Luke 1:35, where the angel Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus. Like Samson, Jesus was to be holy—set apart—though His mission transcended national deliverance, aiming at the salvation of humanity. This episode explores how both lives, from their conception, were divinely orchestrated for deliverance, highlighting the theme of being set apart for God's purposes from birth. Join us as we unpack the layers of this narrative and its implications for understanding divine strategy and the role of human devotion to God for carrying out his purposes.

Key Passages:

Judges 13

Numbers 6

Luke 1:35



Explainer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Video⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on how to use ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.biblehub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.blueletterbible.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Leave us a question or comment at our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website podcast page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

* Intro Music: "Admirable" Carlos Herrera Music




---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onelifenash/support

In this episode, we dive into the complex narrative of Judges 11 and 12, exploring the story of Jephthah, a figure whose leadership in Israel parallels previous discussions on kingship and authority, yet introduces new dimensions to these themes. Similar to Abimelech, Jephthah rises to a position of prominence, not through divine appointment as a king but as a leader or "head" of Israel during a time of crisis. This episode aims to dissect the implications of his leadership, the consequences for Israel, and draw a poignant contrast with the leadership of Jesus as depicted in John 6.

Jephthah's story is a fascinating study of leadership born out of necessity. The Israelites, facing the threat of the Ammonites, turn to Jephthah, a mighty warrior with a complex background, to lead them. Despite not being anointed as a king, Jephthah's role as "head" of Israel places him in a position akin to kingship. However, his leadership, marked by a tragic vow leading to personal loss and culminating in internal conflict, highlights the premature nature of his rule and its alignment with Israel's recurring theme of flawed leadership.

The narrative of Jephthah is particularly interesting when viewed through the lens of the theme of "headship" that runs throughout these biblical texts. His installation as the leader echoes the desire for a human solution to divine problems, a theme we previously encountered in the story of Abimelech. Yet again, this approach fails to address the underlying issues within Israel, as Jephthah's tenure ends with strife and division, underscoring the inability of human leadership to rectify Israel's deeper spiritual and communal fractures.

Contrasting Jephthah's story with that of Jesus in John 6 offers a reflection on the nature of true leadership and the kingdom of God. Unlike Jephthah, who accepts leadership with its inherent flaws and tragic outcomes, Jesus consciously refuses the crowd's attempt to make him a king. This refusal underscores a fundamental difference in understanding and exercising authority; Jesus's kingship is not about earthly power or political dominion but about spiritual sovereignty and divine timing.

Jesus's response to the prospect of kingship demonstrates a perfect alignment with God's will and an understanding of the nature of his mission, which contrasts sharply with the premature and problematic leadership seen in Jephthah's story. Through these contrasting narratives, the episode invites listeners to ponder the qualities of true leadership and the kingdom that Jesus came to establish, highlighting the limitations of human efforts to solve spiritual problems and the need for divine guidance and timing in leadership.



Explainer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Video⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on how to use ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.biblehub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.blueletterbible.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Leave us a question or comment at our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website podcast page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

* Intro Music: "Admirable" Carlos Herrera Music


---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onelifenash/support

In this episode, we dig into the captivating narratives of Judges 8 and 9, where the ambition for kingship first emerges within the tribes of Israel through the story of Abimelech. Abimelech, whose name intriguingly means "father king," stands as a pivotal figure in the biblical narrative, marking a significant departure from the tribal confederation to the allure of monarchy. As the son of Gideon, Abimelech's rise is not merely a quest for power but also a reflection of his heritage, with his name and actions echoing his father's influence.

We note how Abimelech's story emerges in the aftermath of Gideon's leadership, and explore how Abimelech's quest for kingship mirrors the divine council of the Canaanites. With El presiding over the council, accompanied by the 70 sons of El and Baal as the viceregent, this episode illuminates how Gideon's establishing of 70 sons reflects a broader cultural and religious context. Abimielech's desire to eliminate the 70 sons of Gideon - who are essentially akin to the 70 sons of El - reveals a pattern of aspiring to divine-like rulership that starts to unfold in Israel.

However, Abimelech's story is one of divine subversion. Despite his efforts to cement his rule and create a legacy comparable to the Canaanite deities, we witness how God intervenes, turning his subjects against him and ultimately thwarting his quest for kingship. This narrative arc not only highlights the tensions between human ambition and divine will but also serves as a commentary on the dangers of usurping a role that was not divinely ordained.

Moreover, e notice interesting parallels between Abimelech's demise—his head crushed by a millstone—and the prophecy in Genesis 3 concerning the serpent's head being crushed. This comparison invites listeners to ponder the recurring themes of head-crushing in biblical texts, serving as symbols of divine justice and the ultimate defeat of evil.

Through a careful analysis of Judges 8 and 9, we uncover the complex dynamics of power, identity, and prophecy in the early history of Israel, setting the stage for the nation's tumultuous relationship with kingship and governance.

Abimelech, as depicted in Judges 8 and 9, embodies the archetype of premature ambition for power. His attempt to establish himself as a king in Israel, not through divine appointment but through manipulation and force, stands as a cautionary tale.

In sharp contrast, Jesus in the Gospel of John (John 6:15), after performing the miracle of feeding the 5,000, perceives that the crowd intends to come and make him king by force. However, Jesus chooses to withdraw to a mountain by himself, a clear refusal of premature and politically motivated kingship. This act of self-control and rejection of temporal power underscores Jesus's understanding of his mission and the nature of his kingdom. Unlike Abimelech's earthly ambitions, Jesus's kingship is not about asserting dominance or fulfilling personal desire but about fulfilling the divine will and establishing a spiritual kingdom.

Jesus's refusal to be made king according to the people's expectations is a profound demonstration of his commitment to God's timing and purposes. It reveals a model of leadership that is not about seizing power but about serving according to divine appointment. Jesus's leadership is characterized by humility, service, and a focus on the eternal rather than temporal authority. This stands in stark contrast to Abimelech's approach, which was rooted in self-aggrandizement and the replication of earthly models of kingship.

Explainer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Video⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on how to use ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.biblehub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.blueletterbible.

In today's episode, we delve into the tumultuous period depicted in Judges 6-8, a time when Israel was under the oppressive rule of the Midianites. The Israelites, plagued by their enemies and desperate for deliverance, found themselves repeating a cycle of disobedience and repentance. Into this scene steps Gideon, an unlikely hero marked by fear, insecurity, and reluctance. Gideon's story is a powerful testament to how God can use even the most doubtful among us for great purposes.

The oppression by the Midianites was a direct consequence of Israel's disobedience, leading them into a dire situation where their survival was threatened by raids and plunder. Amidst this desperation, God called upon Gideon, a man who, at first glance, seemed ill-suited for the monumental task of delivering Israel. Gideon's initial response was one of skepticism and fear, questioning his own strength and the reality of God's presence. Yet, what makes his journey remarkable is God's patience and reassurance, meeting Gideon in his weakness and guiding him through his doubts.

A recurring theme in Judges is the Israelites' desire for a king or leaders taking it upon themselves to declare themselves as kings. In a twist of fate, after Gideon led Israel to victory against the Midianites through God's guidance, the people asked him to become their king. Gideon's refusal, stating that the Lord alone is their king, highlights a moment of wisdom and faithfulness in his otherwise complex narrative. However, the story takes a regrettable turn as Gideon creates an ephod, an act that inadvertently leads himself and the people back into the snare of idolatry. This pivotal moment underscores a tragic flaw in Gideon's leadership, marking a descent from his peak of faithfulness.

The episode then draws a parallel to Jesus Christ, particularly in John 6:15, where Jesus refuses the crowd's desire to make him king. This comparison illuminates the stark contrast between Gideon and Jesus. While both were presented with the opportunity to assume earthly kingship, Jesus, unlike Gideon, remained unwavering in His mission and identity, steering clear of the pitfalls that ensnared Gideon. Jesus' rejection of temporal power in favor of God's timing underscores a critical divergence in their paths. Where Gideon faltered, Jesus exemplified perfect obedience and devotion to God's will, offering a path of redemption and kingship that he invites us to participate in.

Key Passages:

Judges 6-8

John 6:15

Explainer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Video⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on how to use ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.biblehub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.blueletterbible.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Leave us a question or comment at our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website podcast page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

* Intro Music: "Admirable" Carlos Herrera Music


---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onelifenash/support

In our previous exploration, we delved into the story of Deborah, Barak, and their triumphant battle against King Jabin and Sisera, as recounted in Judges chapters 4 and 5. This episode expands on that narrative, highlighting the often-overlooked heavenly spiritual warfare that accompanied that on the ground earthly conflict. Judges 5:20-23 intriguingly mentions that the stars fought from heaven against Sisera's forces, indicating a celestial battle parallel to the earthly one. This aspect reveals that the struggle was not merely against flesh and blood but involved heavenly beings as well.



To deepen our understanding, we bridge this narrative with Psalm 68:15-18, which reflects on another ancient battle, this time against King Og of Bashan as recorded in Deuteronomy 3. Psalm 68 uses the exact same phrase from Judges 5:12 - "led captivity captive" - but in a context that sheds light on a cosmic conflict involving divine beings. Here, the psalm portrays YHWH's victory over the fallen spiritual entities of Mt. Bashan (also known as Mt. Hermon), emphasizing that the battle involved spiritual beings fighting against other spiritual beings. This adds a layer of complexity to our understanding of biblical battles, showing them as multidimensional events with both physical and spiritual forces at work.



Furthermore, we look at how these two Old Testament accounts connect with the New Testament, specifically Ephesians 4:7-12, which quotes Psalm 68:18. This linkage is crucial for understanding how the early Christians viewed the work of Christ. Ephesians presents Jesus in a light similar to YHWH's role in Psalm 68, ascending beyond the realm of death, overcoming demonic forces, and achieving victory over death itself. This victorious ascent is not just a triumph over physical death but represents a profound spiritual victory, securing liberation from all oppressive forces for humanity.



The term "led captivity captive" thus emerges as a thematic anchor across these narratives, symbolizing not the taking of prisoners in a conventional sense but signifying complete and total liberation from oppression. In the battles of Judges 4-5 and against King Og of Bashan, no physical captives were taken; instead, these victories represented the overthrow of oppressive powers, both human and spiritual.



By drawing parallels between these Old Testament events and the New Testament understanding of Jesus' victory, we see a consistent theme of divine intervention leading to liberation. This episode invites listeners to reflect on the multifaceted nature of biblical liberation, recognizing it as a comprehensive freedom that encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions. The victory of Jesus, depicted as a continuation and fulfillment of these ancient battles, underscores the comprehensive nature of liberation achieved through divine action, reaffirming the profound truth that ultimate victory lies in God's hands.

Key Passages:

Judges 5:20-23

Psalm 68:15-18

Eph 4:7-10


Explainer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Video⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on how to use ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.biblehub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.blueletterbible.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Leave us a question or comment at our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website podcast page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

* Intro Music: "Admirable" Carlos Herrera Music


---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onelifenash/support