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Society further breaks down on micro and macro levels. As Jewish Law wanes and idolatry waxes upon entry into The Land of Israel, The Children of Israel expect to feel free and to follow the whims of their heart; unfortunately, lawlessness turns to aggression, as always. However, in the face of tragedy, kindness plants the seed for renewed hope. What caused the Levite's concubine to run away from him? Why does his father-in-law placate him for so many days? Why does he leaves the man's home so late in the day? Why does Bnai Yisrael feel so compelled to respond to the atrocity by attacking all of Benjamin, and so strongly at that?  (Pilegesh, concubine, Levi, Yehudah, Ephraim, Efraim, Levite, fathers, husbands marriage, Benjamin, Binyamin).

What led Micha to build one one of the worst creations and cause one of the worst incidences on Biblical record? What is the difference between Levites, Cohenites, and Israelites, and why would a Levite act as a Cohen? Why are these men called both "Man" and "Lad"? Societies break down on both macro and micro (and medium) levels. The 'Idol of Micha' incident teaches us where to look to solve these problems on a familial level. (Joseph, connective, guarding, Ephraim, Manasseh, Dan, Micha, Mikah, Michah, Michayahu, idol, molten idols, teraphim, Book of Judges, healthy masculinity, male-female, male, female.).

Why does Samson have a weakness when it comes to women? What are we supposed to learn from his action-oriented achievements? What is the message behind Samson using a donkey's jaw? Buckle your seatbelts as we study the rest of Samson’s dramatic story and extract its lessons to solve for the world's problems. (Philistines, Samson, Delila, Delilah, Lilith, commanding, guarding, connective, Isaac, Hebron, Chevron, Dan, Judah, Joseph).

Samson is the leader we needed, despite not being the leader we expected. What is Samson's achievement vis-a-vis Judges & Kingship? What is his personality and why does he need to be a "Nazerite of Samson? Where does his strength come from?  Understand why Shimshon can be seen as the epitomal Judge, as the hero who may be out of line (sometimes), but he is right in his achievements and messages. (Kingship, arrogance, licentiousness, impurity, purity, Philistines, Samson, Shimshon, desire, Danite, Dan, Judah).

(Revised 11/1/2021--> more inspiration & clarity at the end) Jephthah is crowned as a temporary "chief", bringing key victories, but, along with his boldness, tragedy arrives. Understand how leaders who lack spiritual knowledge and are full of hubris negatively impact our lives, and why we should demand more. See how Jephthah, and lesser-known judges Ibzan, Elon, and Avdon bring us flashes of potent spiritual methods and behaviors, and temporary salvation for the Jewish People. The Ephraim Tribe and Jephthah bring powerful messages about when to speak up in life, how to carry a 'chip on one's shoulder' for motivation, and not accepting stifling or unideal relationships. (Attributes, kingship, visual, auditory, kinesthetic, ego-filter, body, arrogance, pride, honor, desire, jealousy; Jephthah, Hillel, Boaz, Book of Ruth).

In the face of fear-inducing idolatrous messages, Tola brings soothing, care, and hope. Yair brings work ethic, entrepreneurship, and hope for his family and all of Israel. Direct lessons for not being fearful in our times; rather, to have hope and keep our faith, innovation, and work ethic. (Bible, Book of Judges, Hod, Yesod, Aaron, Joseph, fear, anxiety, business, family, entrepreneurship). 

Gideon demonstrates that spiritual values cannot be preserved or spread solely through study and prayer; rather, one must go out and fight for them, as he did in his time. “Piecemeal style” podcast, going through to show ongoing themes and new insights. (Gidon, Gideon, netzach, spirituality, physicality, fatherhood, fathers, parents, tradition, faith, Judges, Book of Judges, Bible, morality, assertiveness,).

When idolatrous invaders plunder Israel, iconoclast Judge Gideon demonstrates that victory must be achieved through spiritual means. Salvation and kingship can come only through a grassroots movement and adherence to tradition. (Gidon, Gideon, netzach, spirituality, physicality, fatherhood, fathers, parents, tradition, faith, Judges, Book of Judges, Bible).

Deborah and Barak have a subtle exchange that leads to crucial lessons in male-female relationships. Ian & Erin break down the 'best practices' for relationships and marriage, and how Deborah and Barak, with help from Above, shifted the thinking of their times away from indulgent, blasphemous idolatry. Emphasis on faith, humility, family meetings, conflict-resolution, healthy conflict, and gender differences. Erin Christensen received her BA from Western Washington University in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She was a family history consultant for over five years; did the family history for an Archbishop of the Catholic Church; and was on local television to do family history for several celebrities. She has also held multiple callings at her church…and is an awesome, positive, wholesome cousin of mine! (Media, mainstream media, brainwashing, misinformation, information, truth. Bible. Judges. Book of Judges. Deborah, Devorah, Barak).

A new study shows how sexual restraint leads to flourishing societies. Understand why Jael's achievement demonstrates this, and why she and her people are mentioned in The Book of Judges.  (Jael, Yael, sexual morality, Judges, Deborah).

The Judge and Prophetess Deborah experiences a world similar to our own: full of lies, baloney, and poppycock. Learn how she shakes off the pressure and washes away the brainwashing from the controlled, censored media of her time. Idolatry doesn't stand a chance. (Media, mainstream media, brainwashing, misinformation, information, truth. Bible. Judges. Book of Judges. Deborah, Devorah, Barak). 

Lockdowns. Stay-at-home orders. Emergency directives. 2020 brought the world something that was never new--these practices have been going on for centuries. The infamous Philistines engaged in this 'destruction by subtraction' thousands of years ago. In this episode, I break down the divisive "Guarding" roots of the Philistines and the only solution: Shamgar and his proper use of "Guarding" power. In this episode of Downstream from Religion we highlight Step 2 in the Bible's 7 step process to bring salvation and kingship.