Justin Houtz

Judges 6, Hebrews 13

DateVersionReading Plan
August 5, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Judges 6

Observation & Interpretation

Judges 6:2 – Because of Midian, the people made dens for themselves in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds.

  • The Midianites’ oppression drove the Israelites to dwell in caves. (FSB)

Judges 6:8 – The Lord sent a prophet to the people of Israel.

  • The previous judge, Deborah, was a prophetess who reported God’s words to the people (Judges 4:6-8). Here, the unnamed prophet only shares Yahweh’s message while Gideon is raised up as the judge and deliverer. (FSB)

Judges 6:11 – Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites

  • Using the winepress to beat out wheat (not its normal function) so the Midianites would not take or consume it.
  • The oppressive conditions of the time (see Judges 6:2-6) are driving the Israelites to be secretive about food production and use unusual methods; a winepress would not be the normal place for processing wheat. (FSB)

Judges 6:26 – The LORD → Gideon to build an altar to the LORD his God on top of the stronghold there.

  • Gideon had already build an altar where the fire sprang up and consumed the meat and unleavened bread (Judges 6:19-24).

Judges 6:32 – Gideon was named Jerubaal for cutting down the Asherah and using the wood to burn the offering to the Lord.

  • Gideon’s new name would always conjure the idea his father expresses: “Baal will deal with you!” (presuming Baal had any power). Every day Gideon lived would be an indictment on Baal’s power. (FSB)

Hebrews 13

Observation & Interpretation

Heb. 13:2 – The author speaks of the possibility of entertaining angels without being so aware.

  • Refers to Abraham, who received three visitors with generous hospitality (Gen. 18:1-8). (FSB)

Heb. 13:5 – The author exhorts his recipients to keep themselves from the love of money and be content with what they have.

  • There is an active role on behalf of the believer to keep themself from from the love of money.

Heb. 13:10 – The author speaks of having an altar from which those who serve the tent (or tabernacle) have not right to eat.

  • Our altar is Christ, and therefore it includes all the blessings that are found in Him. Those who are connected with the Levitical system have no right to partake of the better things of Christianity. They must first repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ as only Lord and Savior. (BBC)

Heb. 13:11-12 – Comparing the bodies of the sacrificial animals burned outside the camp with Jesus who suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through His own blood.

  • The animals burned outside the camp were a type; the Lord Jesu was the antitype. He was crucified outside the city walls of Jerusalem. It was outside the camp of organized Judaism that He sanctified the people with His own blood. (BBC)

Heb. 13:13 – The author gives an imperative to believers to go to Christ outside the camp and bear the reproach that He endured.

  • The camp today is the entire religious system that teaches salvation by works, by character, by ritual, or by ordinances…It is corrupt Christendom, a church without Christ. The Lord Jesus is outside and we should go forth to Him…bearing His reproach. (BBC)

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