Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | December 28, 2019
The word “redeem” is not used in Judges, but it might help us better understand redemption than we know. That is because the opposite action is found several times: “And he sold them into the hands” (Judges 2:14; 3:8; 4:2; 1:7). Sin, Suffering, Solicitation, Salvation are the four stages Israel continues to find itself in […]
PHall | January 4, 2019
An example of irony: Judges concludes with this observation: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever he wanted” (Judges 21:25 – HCSB). Literally, “…what was right in their own eyes.” Subjectivism ruled, and was each individual’s king. The same is said in Judges 17:6. The comment of “no king’ is […]
PHall | January 3, 2019
Ehud, the left-handed Judge, has a colorful, gory, and heroic narrative (Judges 3:12-30). He was a Benjaminite. Seven hundred soldiers in Benjamin were left-handed (Judges 20:16). When David fled Absalom, some of Saul’s relatives from Benjamin followed; they were ambidextrous archers, meaning they could shoot either right or left-handed (1 Chronicles 12:2). There are only […]
PHall | September 6, 2017
They say young men marry women that remind them of their mothers. For me I know that was true, except younger! The story of Samson can be told by contrasting his mother to his women. In Judges 13, while unnamed, the wife of Manoah and Samson’s mother is the main character. It is she who […]
PHall | June 8, 2016
Anyone who really thinks Samson’s strength came from his hair and not the Lord, only has to grow long hair and realize they are just as weak. And yet, as soon as his hair was cut Samson lost his strength. And yet again, as soon as his hair grew long Samson was strong again. God […]
PHall | November 25, 2015
How did Samson, the womanizing, violent, self-serving judge make it into the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11:32)? In some strange way he and Paul are partners in grace. Paul had to learn “power is perfected in weakness” (2 Cor.12:9). Samson, gifted by God with great strength only learned to rely upon God when he “gained […]
PHall | August 28, 2013
Does God ever ignore prayers? Get ready to shake your head in disbelief at how quickly stupidity catches up to those living a repeating cycle of self-made idiocy by doing what is right in their own eyes (Judges 21.25). Righteousness and rage, vengeance and vows make for unpredictable results and unthought-of realities. Israel is rightfully […]
PHall | August 27, 2013
In the 70’s, the United States and the Soviet Union got MAD. They formed a treaty of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD). Armed with nuclear weapons, each nation could completely destroy the other. In war, there would be no victory, no peace, just retaliation and annihilation. Oddly, the goal was peace. Oddly, this reminds me of […]
PHall | August 26, 2013
The story begins in Ephraim where Micah steals 1,100 silver pieces from his mother, confesses, she praises him, then gives him back the silver, consecrates it to God, and together they make an idol. Then the son installs his non-Levite son as priest (Judges 17.1-5). It seemed like the right thing to do. Understand, this […]
PHall | August 21, 2013
It is fitting Samson is a man who tells riddles (Judges 14.14), because his life is a riddle. Called a man of faith (Hb 11.32), he does not lead armies, dispense wisdom, or lead by example. The one faithful act that applies to this manly conundrum is, “gained strength after being weak” (Hb 11.34). Before […]