Christian Denominations 2024

Homily on Judges 1 - Origen

Homily on Judges (Ch. 6) by Origen (1)

Origen interpreted nine verses of the Book of Judges (Judges 6: 2-4, 11-12, 37-40) by using nine other verses from the Old Testament and eighteen verses from the New Testament.

"The hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made for themselves the dens, the caves, and the strongholds which are in the mountains.  So it was, whenever Israel had sown, Midianites would come up; also Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them. Then they would encamp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep nor ox nor donkey" (Judges 6: 2-4).
Meaning of the Words:
Midianites means “outside judgment”
Who sinned outside the law will perish, “For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law” (Romans 2:12).
Amalek means “the people who squander”
People devoted to their stomachs (squander) attack those who strive to see God with mind. 

People of the East symbolize “carnal Israel,” who came to attack spiritual Israel.

Midianites (Pagans), Amalek (Jews), and People of the East (Heretics) persecute the church of God.
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Ann, Dively Lauro Elizabeth. Homilies on Judges by Origen (The Fathers of the Church ; v. 119). Catholic University of America Press, 2010

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