Mosiah 19
I've chosen to break this chapter up into two parts. The first part focused on the demise of king Noah. In this second part, I now focus on those that were left behind, having not chosen to follow Alma and the people of God, but who now are coming to terms with the effects of corrupt leadership. Given this, we read in verse 1, "the army of the king returned, having searched in vain for the people of the Lord."
Subsequently, the people begin to divide and contend amongst themselves(verses 2 & 3). In this division, we are introduced to Gideon, who, in my estimation, is one of the most interesting characters in the Book of Mormon.
What makes Gideon so interesting? In these verses, there is an element of compassion about this "enemy to the king" (vs. 4) that solicits a desire to know more about him. While at the same time, his actions suggest that there is some internal moral and social compass that causes him to seek out the well being of the people before his own desires. Given his drive in this first instance to be done with king Noah, there is not however any ambition for power in his motives. He is acting as a true statesmen putting the public good first. Perhaps this is why in the very moment that Gideon had Noah in his power to slay him, and then being apprised of the oncoming assault of the Lamanites, Gideon chose to spare Noah's life. Gideon must have seen some value for the benefit of the people in still having an organizational head in place to deal with the serious conflict that was about to ensue against the Lamanites, and for no other reason than to protect his people, Gideon spared the life of king Noah.
Jumping ahead to verse 12, when king Noah commands the men of his people to leave their women and children to flee from before the Lamanites, we see another group of individuals who would rather perish with their families rather than save their own lives. Among those that would not flee, we assume was Gideon (because he sent a group of men into the wilderness later to look for those who did flee - vs. 18) and Limhi, the son of king Noah.
I won't dwell much more on what happens in the rest of this chapter, but there is one interesting side note that comes from these verses. Alma and those that chose to follow him ultimately ended up making covenants with God. Those that were not as proactive and stayed behind, not only were experienced to a much more painful series of events, but at the end of this chapter they are making covenants, not with God, but with the Lamanites.
I've chosen to break this chapter up into two parts. The first part focused on the demise of king Noah. In this second part, I now focus on those that were left behind, having not chosen to follow Alma and the people of God, but who now are coming to terms with the effects of corrupt leadership. Given this, we read in verse 1, "the army of the king returned, having searched in vain for the people of the Lord."
Subsequently, the people begin to divide and contend amongst themselves(verses 2 & 3). In this division, we are introduced to Gideon, who, in my estimation, is one of the most interesting characters in the Book of Mormon.
What makes Gideon so interesting? In these verses, there is an element of compassion about this "enemy to the king" (vs. 4) that solicits a desire to know more about him. While at the same time, his actions suggest that there is some internal moral and social compass that causes him to seek out the well being of the people before his own desires. Given his drive in this first instance to be done with king Noah, there is not however any ambition for power in his motives. He is acting as a true statesmen putting the public good first. Perhaps this is why in the very moment that Gideon had Noah in his power to slay him, and then being apprised of the oncoming assault of the Lamanites, Gideon chose to spare Noah's life. Gideon must have seen some value for the benefit of the people in still having an organizational head in place to deal with the serious conflict that was about to ensue against the Lamanites, and for no other reason than to protect his people, Gideon spared the life of king Noah.
Jumping ahead to verse 12, when king Noah commands the men of his people to leave their women and children to flee from before the Lamanites, we see another group of individuals who would rather perish with their families rather than save their own lives. Among those that would not flee, we assume was Gideon (because he sent a group of men into the wilderness later to look for those who did flee - vs. 18) and Limhi, the son of king Noah.
I won't dwell much more on what happens in the rest of this chapter, but there is one interesting side note that comes from these verses. Alma and those that chose to follow him ultimately ended up making covenants with God. Those that were not as proactive and stayed behind, not only were experienced to a much more painful series of events, but at the end of this chapter they are making covenants, not with God, but with the Lamanites.
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