When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, "Look, people are coming down from the mountains!" But Zebul replied, "The shadows of the mountains look like men to you." Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 9:36? 2. How does Judges 9:36 illustrate the consequences of ignoring God's guidance? 3. What can we learn from Zebul's response to Gaal in Judges 9:36? 4. How does Judges 9:36 connect to themes of deception found in Proverbs? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Judges 9:36 to discernment in leadership? 6. What strategies can Christians use to avoid being misled, as seen in Judges 9:36? 7. What is the significance of Zebul's deception in Judges 9:36? 8. How does Judges 9:36 reflect on human nature and trust? 9. What historical context surrounds the events in Judges 9:36? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 9? 11. What are the Names and Titles of God? 12. What is the order of the Bible's books? 13. (Romans 3:21-22) How do we reconcile the idea of being made righteous 'apart from the law' with Old Testament passages that emphasize strict adherence to the law? 14. What are the core beliefs of the Belgic Confession? Discussion Questions 1. How does Gaal's perception of the situation reflect our own tendencies to misinterpret circumstances? Can you think of a time when you misjudged a situation?2. In what ways can we ensure that our perceptions align with God's truth rather than our fears or biases? 3. How does the broader account of Judges 9 illustrate the consequences of leadership that lacks integrity and godly wisdom? 4. What steps can we take to seek God's guidance and wisdom when faced with uncertain or threatening situations? 5. How can the account of Gaal and Zebul encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when human plans seem to dominate?1. How does Abimelech represent the destructive nature of unchecked ambition? How can we guard against this in our lives? 2. What does Jotham's parable of the trees say about the nature of leadership? How does it apply to contemporary society? 3. How did the citizens of Shechem contribute to their own destruction? How can we be discerning in our choices of leaders today? 4. How does the story of Abimelech show the role of divine justice in the narrative of the Bible? 5. How might the actions of the unnamed woman from Thebez inspire courage and action in times of crisis? 6. How can the downfall of Abimelech serve as a warning against betrayal and the abuse of power? 7. In what ways did Jotham exemplify courage in speaking truth to power? How can we apply this in our lives? 8. Discuss the significance of the "evil spirit" between Abimelech and Shechem. How does this reflect the concept of divine retribution? 9. How did Abimelech's fear of his reputation being tarnished by his manner of death expose his true character? 10. What can we learn about humility from the initial refusal of the olive tree, fig tree, and vine to become king in Jotham's parable? 11. Compare the leadership styles of Abimelech, Gaal, and Zebul. How do these styles affect the people they lead? 12. How does the concept of divine justice resonate in today's society? 13. How does Abimelech's story underscore the importance of integrity in leadership? 14. What can we learn from the Shechemites' initial support and later rebellion against Abimelech about discernment and loyalty? 15. Discuss the symbolism of Abimelech sowing Shechem with salt after its destruction. 16. What does the story of Abimelech teach us about personal responsibility and accountability for our actions? 17. How might Abimelech's story be relevant to the societal and political issues we face today? 18. How does Jotham's curse on Abimelech and Shechem manifest throughout the story? 19. How does Abimelech's story reveal the destructive nature of pride and power without regard for justice? 20. Discuss how the themes of ambition, deception, betrayal, and divine retribution in Judges 9 can be applied to personal spiritual growth. Links Judges 9:36 NIVJudges 9:36 NLT Judges 9:36 ESV Judges 9:36 NASB Judges 9:36 KJV Judges 9:36 Commentaries Bible Hub |



