Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

The Rev. Dan Grimmer, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Mitchell, SD, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Judges 8.Gideon chases down the Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna across the Jordan. He captures the kings and kills them for murdering his brothers. Overjoyed with their deliverance, the people call for Gideon to be their king, but he declines saying YHWH is their ruler. But does he mean it? Gideon makes some questionable choices in creating an ephod that the people worshipped, then Israel once again forsook YHWH and worshiped the Baal.The Book of Judges tells the story of Israel's descent into chaos and idolatry, and the subsequent rise of a series of judges, or redeemers, who deliver them from their enemies. The judges are flawed heroes, but they are also instruments of God's deliverance. The book ends with the Israelites in a state of moral and spiritual decay, but it also offers hope for a better future.

The Rev. Roger Mullet, pastor of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Churubusco, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Judges 7.God sends Gideon to confront a massive army of Midianites with only 32,000 men. But God says that’s too many! How about 300 instead? After Gideon tested God several times before believing his word that he would lead the people to victory, now God want Gideon to know that the Israelite conquest over the Midianites is not because of their strength, but because God is with them.The Book of Judges tells the story of Israel's descent into chaos and idolatry, and the subsequent rise of a series of judges, or redeemers, who deliver them from their enemies. The judges are flawed heroes, but they are also instruments of God's deliverance. The book ends with the Israelites in a state of moral and spiritual decay, but it also offers hope for a better future.

The Rev. Kevin Parviz, pastor of Congregation Chai v’ Shalom in St. Louis, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Judges 6.Gideon was not a warrior, but a farmer. We encounter him in this chapter secretly processing grain to hide it from the Midianites. God then calls the reluctant Gideon to confront the false gods worshiped by even his own family. Through miraculous signs and wonders, God patiently coaxed Gideon out of doubt and prepared him for a mighty battle that would help save the Israelites from their enemies.The Book of Judges tells the story of Israel's descent into chaos and idolatry, and the subsequent rise of a series of judges, or redeemers, who deliver them from their enemies. The judges are flawed heroes, but they are also instruments of God's deliverance. The book ends with the Israelites in a state of moral and spiritual decay, but it also offers hope for a better future.

The Rev. Rick Jones, Chaplain and Vice President of Spiritual Life for the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, in, Minot, ND, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Judges 5.Judges 5 is a poetic retelling of the events of the previous chapter, where God used Deborah, Barak and Jael to defeat the Canaanite army led by Sisera. The song praises God for his intervention, celebrates the courage and willingness of the Israelites who fought, and contrasts the fate of Sisera and his mother with the peace and joy of Israel.The Book of Judges tells the story of Israel's descent into chaos and idolatry, and the subsequent rise of a series of judges, or redeemers, who deliver them from their enemies. The judges are flawed heroes, but they are also instruments of God's deliverance. The book ends with the Israelites in a state of moral and spiritual decay, but it also offers hope for a better future.

The Rev. Stewart Crown, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Palo Alto, CA, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Judges 4.Chapters 4 and 5 describe the same events: the first in prose, the following in poetry. The story they tell is the victory of the Judge Deborah and the Israelite General Barak over the Canaanites. Barak said he’d only lead the military if Deborah went with him. Deborah told him if she came, the glory would go to a woman and not him. That is exactly what happened when a woman named Jael’s quick thinking and swift action with a hammer and metal spike dispatched the leader of the opposing army.The Book of Judges tells the story of Israel's descent into chaos and idolatry, and the subsequent rise of a series of judges, or redeemers, who deliver them from their enemies. The judges are flawed heroes, but they are also instruments of God's deliverance. The book ends with the Israelites in a state of moral and spiritual decay, but it also offers hope for a better future.

The Rev. Thomas Eckstein, pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Judges 3.God left some of the wicked nations in the land to see if Israel would follow Him or not. But the Israelites gave in to their lusts and married the foreigners and bowed down to their idols. Thus, God allowed them to suffer under cruel kings who oppressed them for many years, but he also showed mercy by raising up heroes to rescue them. Othniel was a valiant warrior who defeated the mighty king of Mesopotamia. Ehud was a clever spy who stabbed the fat king of Moab and escaped. Shamgar was a farmer who used an ox goad to slay six hundred Philistines.The Book of Judges tells the story of Israel's descent into chaos and idolatry, and the subsequent rise of a series of judges, or redeemers, who deliver them from their enemies. The judges are flawed heroes, but they are also instruments of God's deliverance. The book ends with the Israelites in a state of moral and spiritual decay, but it also offers hope for a better future.

The Rev. Gregory Alms, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Catonsville, MD, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Judges 2.As part of His covenant with the Israelites, God instructed them to drive out and destroy the inhabitants of the land. However, they failed to do so. As a result, God allowed the Canaanites and their gods to become like thorns and snares to the Israelites. Despite their unfaithfulness, God remained faithful and raised up Judges or redeemers to bring them back. These flawed redeemers point forward to the ultimate redemption through Christ Jesus.The Book of Judges tells the story of Israel's descent into chaos and idolatry, and the subsequent rise of a series of judges, or redeemers, who deliver them from their enemies. The judges are flawed heroes, but they are also instruments of God's deliverance. The book ends with the Israelites in a state of moral and spiritual decay, but it also offers hope for a better future.

The Rev. Matthew Lorfeld, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Judges 1.The first chapter of Judges recounts the Israelites' initial conquest of the Promised Land after Joshua's death. They had one job: to eradicate the inhabitants of the promised land. However, because they failed to drive out all the Canaanites, the remaining inhabitants became a thorn in their side. This chapter sets the stage for the rest of the book, demonstrating the Israelites' fickle obedience and the consequences that follow.The Book of Judges tells the story of Israel's descent into chaos and idolatry, and the subsequent rise of a series of judges, or redeemers, who deliver them from their enemies. The judges are flawed heroes, but they are also instruments of God's deliverance. The book ends with the Israelites in a state of moral and spiritual decay, but it also offers hope for a better future.

The Book of Judges tells the story of Israel's descent into chaos and idolatry, and the subsequent rise of a series of judges, or redeemers, who deliver them from their enemies. The judges are flawed heroes, but they are also instruments of God's deliverance. The book ends with the Israelites in a state of moral and spiritual decay, but it also offers hope for a better future.Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.

The Rev. Steven Theiss, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Hosea 14.Now comes a final plea from God to the wayward nation of Israel, urging them to turn back to Him and receive His forgiveness and healing. God promises to restore the relationship between Himself and His people, declaring that He will "love them freely" and heal their "backsliding". The chapter culminates with a powerful reminder to trust in God alone and abandon the worship of false idols. It's a stirring conclusion to the book of Hosea, filled with passion, tenderness, and a deep desire for reconciliation.The book of Hosea is a love story with a twist. It tells how God commanded Hosea, a prophet, to marry Gomer, a wife who would be unfaithful to him. God wanted Hosea to feel firsthand the pain of betrayal as he sent him out to prophesy to the people of Israel how they had been unfaithful to God. Hosea still loved Gomer and pursued her and restored her as his wife. This was a picture of how God pursued Israel despite their sin and rebellion and offered them grace and mercy if they would return to Him.