The Wired Word for 10/20/2024  ## Metadata - Author: [[The Wired Word]] - Full Title: The Wired Word for 10/20/2024 - Category: #articles - Document Note: --- tags: [#betrayal, #military, #ISIS] - #justice - #faith - #leadership Author: [U.S. Army/Related sources] Source: [The Wired Word] Reference: [Wired Word, October 20, 2024] date created: 2024-10-17 15:30 --- # Title: Ex-Soldier Sentenced for Plot to Betray American Troops ## Table of Contents: - 📝 [Summary](#-summary) - 📖 [Main Content](#-main-content) - 🗒️ [Notes](#-notes) - 🗣️ [Paraphrase](#-paraphrase) - 📰 [Newsletter](#-newsletter) - ✅ [Action Items](#-action-items) - 🧪 [Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - 📊 [Methodology](#-methodology) - ❓ [Questions](#-questions) - 🔮 [Future Research](#-future-research) - 💡 [Implications](#-implications) - 🧠 [Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) - 📊 [Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) - 🌍 [DEIB Assessment](#-deib-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-belonging-assessment) - ✅ [Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) - 🔍 [SEO Evaluation](#-seo-evaluation) - 🎯 [Conclusion](#-conclusion) ### References: - U.S. Department of Justice, New York Times, Associated Press ## 📝 Summary: Former U.S. Army soldier Cole Bridges was sentenced to 14 years for attempting to assist ISIS in attacking U.S. troops. His betrayal shocked fellow soldiers and raises questions about loyalty, remorse, and justice. ## 📖 Main Content: Bridges' betrayal of the U.S. Army was facilitated through communication with an undercover FBI agent posing as an ISIS supporter. His willingness to use his training for violence against his own comrades was met with strong condemnation by both his superiors and the legal system. Despite his eventual remorse, his actions left lasting psychological damage on his fellow soldiers and exemplified the devastating impact of betrayal. ### 🗒️ Notes: - Cole Bridges sentenced to 14 years for plotting with ISIS. - He used military training to aid terrorists in attacking American soldiers. - Fellow soldiers and commanders expressed shock and a deep sense of betrayal. - Judge and prosecutors agreed that his actions were a severe breach of trust. - Bridges showed remorse but his sentence reflected the gravity of the crime. ## 📖 References: - U.S. Army Soldier Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison, U.S. Department of Justice - Associated Press, New York Times ## 🗣️ Paraphrase: 1. Bridges’ actions were described as a significant betrayal, not just of his country but of his comrades, using the very skills meant to protect them for a violent and deadly cause. His sentence reflects the need for justice in the face of such actions, even as he expressed regret during his sentencing. 2. The emotional impact on his fellow soldiers was severe, with many seeking counseling and grappling with the loss of trust. This highlights the broader consequences of betrayal within a tightly-knit military unit. ## 📰 Newsletter: In this week’s issue, we explore the shocking story of a U.S. soldier who betrayed his country by attempting to assist ISIS in plotting attacks on American troops. Learn how this act of treason has impacted the military community and raised questions about trust, loyalty, and justice. Plus, we cover updates on WordPress, new plugins, and community highlights! ## ✅ Action Items: - **Open Source Advocacy**: Consider how betrayal within tightly-knit communities can parallel challenges in open source collaboration, where trust and transparency are crucial for maintaining integrity. - **Education**: This story can be a case study on ethics and responsibility within both military and tech communities. ## 🧪 Hypotheses: - Betrayal in highly trusted positions leads to long-lasting psychological damage in close communities. - Remorse can affect sentencing but may not fully mitigate the impact of betrayal on victims. ### 📊 Methodology: - Use psychological surveys to gauge the long-term effects of betrayal in military units. - Compare with case studies in corporate and open source communities. ### ❓ Questions: - How does betrayal within a community affect long-term trust and cohesion? - Can remorse fully restore damaged relationships after betrayal? ### 🔮 Future Research: - Investigate similar cases of betrayal in other sectors, such as corporate whistleblowing or open-source sabotage, for broader insights. ### 💡 Implications: - Future research could inform policies on mental health support and strategies to rebuild trust in close-knit communities after betrayal. ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment: - **Visual Learners**: The article lacks visual aids; adding diagrams of the event timeline could enhance comprehension. - **Aural Learners**: No auditory content is present; including an audio version of the article would be helpful. ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment: - **Screen Reader Compatibility**: The content can be improved by ensuring all images have appropriate alt text for better accessibility. - **Keyboard Navigation**: The current content is navigable by keyboard but could use enhancements for interactive elements. ### 🌍 DEIB Assessment: - **Cultural Relevance**: The article focuses heavily on Western military values, lacking diverse perspectives. - **Neurodiversity Support**: The dense text could be broken down with more headers and bullet points for clarity. ### ✅ Logical validity: - **Causal Reasoning**: The judge's reasoning that remorse alone cannot justify leniency shows sound deductive reasoning. - **Balanced Views**: The article fairly presents both sides, acknowledging Bridges’ remorse but emphasizing the need for justice. ### 🔍 SEO Evaluation: - **Keywords**: The primary keywords ("betrayal," "U.S. Army," "ISIS") are well-placed but could be expanded with long-tail variations. - **Title Tag**: The title is concise but could include more specific keywords to increase relevance. ## 🎯 Conclusion: The sentencing of Cole Bridges sheds light on the serious consequences of betrayal within the military, showing that even deep remorse cannot erase the harm caused. This case offers critical insights for communities where trust and integrity are paramount, from the battlefield to the boardroom. 1. **Name figures from history or literature who were traitors who betrayed others. How might they have tried to justify their actions?** - **Judas Iscariot** (Biblical): Betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Judas might have justified his actions by prioritizing financial gain or believing he was advancing a greater cause, although he later regretted his actions. - **Benedict Arnold** (Historical): Betrayed the American Revolution by defecting to the British. He may have justified his actions due to dissatisfaction with the recognition and rewards he received for his service, believing he was not properly valued. - **Brutus** (Shakespeare's *Julius Caesar*): Participated in the assassination of his friend Julius Caesar, justifying it as a necessary act to save the Roman Republic from dictatorship, though it caused him great inner conflict. 2. **What might lead people to betray others or ideals they claim to cherish?** - **Personal grievances**: Feeling unrecognized or wronged may lead to a betrayal motivated by revenge or resentment. - **External influence**: People might be manipulated, coerced, or incentivized by others into betrayal, such as ideological pressure, money, or power. - **Self-preservation**: Fear for one's life or security can push someone to betray others, even those they care about. - **Ideological drift**: Over time, someone may change their beliefs and see their previous loyalty or ideals as misguided, justifying their betrayal as aligning with a "better" cause. 3. **What help, if any, have you found in our faith to help you when you have been betrayed? How should we respond in that situation?** Faith offers teachings on forgiveness, grace, and healing after betrayal. For instance, **Jesus forgave** those who betrayed him and called for love and compassion even for enemies (*Luke 23:34*). It encourages believers to follow this example and work toward forgiveness, understanding that healing takes time but is essential to finding peace. 4. **What factors might make it difficult to forgive someone who has betrayed your trust?** - Summary: The sentencing of an ex-Army soldier for trying to aid the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in the murder of American troops brought the topic of betrayal to our attention this week. Dear Class Members, The sentencing of an ex-Army soldier for trying to aid the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in the murder of American troops brought the topic of betrayal to our attention this week. We consider what might lead people to betray people and principles, how such betrayal impacts others, and how faith can survive the shock of such an experience.  **Ex-Soldier Sentenced for Plot to Betray American Troops*****The Wired Word*** **for the Week of October 20, 2024** **In the News** Cole Bridges, also known as Cole Gonzales, a former U.S. Army private, of Stow, Ohio, was sentenced Friday, October 11, to 14 years behind bars followed by 10 years of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in the killing of American troops. Bridges pleaded guilty last year to terrorism charges. After nearly five hours of deliberations in a Manhattan federal court, Judge Lewis J. Liman rejected the same-day request by the defendant for a 40-year prison term. "Honestly, I do believe that I deserve the maximum sentence," Bridges, 24, told the jurist. "I know what I did was wrong," he said, adding he would regret his actions "for as long as I live." Liman said Bridges' willingness to provide terrorists with advice on how they could minimize casualties in an attack on Americans was "most chilling." But the judge said the soldier had "shown signs of remorse," including expressing relief after his arrest that he had been communicating with an FBI agent rather than with terrorists. Beginning in at least 2019, Bridges researched and consumed online jihadist propaganda, conducting internet searches for terms such as "U.S. soldier shooting" and "Green Beret ambush," and expressing support for ISIS and jihad on social media. He joined the infantry in the U.S. Army in September of that year, and was based in Fort Stewart, Georgia. About a year later, Bridges began communicating on an encrypted messaging application with an FBI agent posing as an ISIS supporter in contact with ISIS fighters in the Middle East. Toward the end of 2020, Bridges told the FBI online covert employee (OCE) how ISIS fighters could attack U.S. forces in the Middle East. Bridges also provided the OCE with portions of a U.S. Army training manual and offered guidance about military combat tactics, with the understanding that the OCE would pass the information along to his ISIS contacts to help maximize the lethality of future attacks on U.S. troops in the Middle East and the United States. Then, in January 2021, Bridges gave the OCE two videos of himself showing support for ISIS jihad against American military personnel. He was arrested that month. At the sentencing hearing, Bridges' attorney, Sabrina Shroff, requested that he be sentenced to the nearly four years he has already served behind bars. Leniency was warranted, she argued, because undercover U.S. law enforcement agents believed Bridges, who was alienated from his family, was an easy mark, so they "lured" him into the plot. Prosecutors and two of his former commanders countered that Bridges should get the maximum sentence permitted for his crime. "Cole Bridges used his U.S. Army training to pursue a horrifying goal: the brutal murder of his fellow service members in a carefully plotted ambush," Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement after the judge handed down his ruling. "Bridges sought to attack the very soldiers he was entrusted to protect and, making this abhorrent conduct even more troubling, was eager to help people he believed were members of a deadly foreign terrorist organization plan this attack," Williams added. "This is a betrayal of the worst order." Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Adelsberg agreed, calling Bridges "a traitor" who "attempted to murder American soldiers." Fighting back tears, Master Sgt. Greg Fallen testified that the arrest of Bridges had left his platoon "with a sense of defeat." "I still can't sleep some nights," he said, adding that soldiers who had befriended Bridges needed psychological counseling upon learning that their comrade in arms had betrayed them. "We will suffer with mental anguish for the rest of our lives," Fallen stated. "My platoon, which could do anything, was instantly destroyed [after Bridges' arrest]," said Capt. Scott Harper. "He betrayed everything he was supposed to stand for." More on this story can be found at these links: [U.S. Army Soldier Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Attempting to Assist ISIS to Conduct Deadly Ambush on U.S. Troops.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPFDyZcMLbq53jkg8I32M7Gd5NVwdYDlfQu3-2BhCIxI9IlzuvRA4TxQLHDf1AQuIOjOQMRMuXJSheDqGBjc-2BxdgmNKx-2B9fz3gjRzYhqu3-2B1LXSLfoprkffHC376y2ECxC42e3wTO5emt3m70LeDzP8TrEFeJs66-2FZanBc8kR0MUunLhTzx_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliWU2Kc3107E6WJSOzLfwk3yXJoqRCzL0BSxM9QJn659jiGYQvDdlZ0AL7zTFA1o8jPibi76STzlzgy9wmKVPRk0CsKqHn-2Fpo2nto84UavYciUrtapyHnkxOdRO9-2BEs7N2cleHOn5-2BORi0Q-2FghKlrXZ2y8PDOgqNcMyoOS1-2FcjtfeT6NW7c6VLIld68OJkNwkSc4t6J14vpF4qFzZjqYwR64-3D) [*U.S. Department of Justice*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPFDyZcMLbq53jkg8I32M7Gd5NVwdYDlfQu3-2BhCIxI9IlzuvRA4TxQLHDf1AQuIOjOQMRMuXJSheDqGBjc-2BxdgmNKx-2B9fz3gjRzYhqu3-2B1LXSLfoprkffHC376y2ECxC42e3wTO5emt3m70LeDzP8TrEFeJs66-2FZanBc8kR0MUunLQNcD_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliXqul76xKI1VwuenCxfJxHek1OkipjN4rrdRIknsTqBvHNBCTBhpYJNCg6YcTOud9jdxqB1jwEfUC-2BNNaHIfx9BsE8ayX5k8KifTgZ39jw2S-2FsU7u-2BhbYXiwFpXHO3HsbxPC-2F9kY-2BxS4nXVOFYGQZrf9TCAB4Yv9fNXdbs-2FW-2B9w83ocSpSgUvRtGLbWtm8-2F0rN7z5pzz4G86xRaoV-2BqLS4U-3D) [Ex-U.S. Army Soldier Asks for Maximum 40 Years in Prison But Gets a 14-year Term for IS Plot.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJqTF9-2BcRmtvACy3RqFvByLHo03E0jiMAwoYN3TGWkdvVFQ7_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliYE-2Fr0rPFmZmRZbeyqwM5p8jPoS6urrtAolmjRpUXilnSDfW9RTBEBbxwjvBHtTw5wzDNJ5ZgTMqLC-2BEvJb9Xz4iOxC7fcmwtrtbIlErsmOQem-2F8pO8fUdxGwHw5q27MdBzabDhv0Z2GEn2JKgYaY88XqVxFBLUhw4i-2FLgrSbgi4PdKWDDzPO8U9GohTBtmU-2FjmYSF785awXCZBra1OwXak-3D) [*Associated Press*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJqTF9-2BcRmtvACy3RqFvByLHo03E0jiMAwoYN3TGWkdvu55q_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliagZ0ZUOb9gXUjkj-2FruEuyThY4-2BAIOEBhbPr1ULGLl-2B8BDOyIxoo3mhu-2FM5dx7wRj2nfiM1RUAixni3Gtcv-2F7PfBxFOEUf00M9PafDNiyGjfwQqSlBMDYF-2FVpsvVjlgb3JgSG7x3HazWeHx8DPE9R7-2F1ocdhULWl9b7EyutMu1hUA-2F8bOA7x4rfp2sKdj0wS8VYCqn3Jc94y6ihj18XgHY4-3D) [Former U.S. Soldier Is Sentenced to 14 Years for Planning to Help ISIS.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJjqs9eTHTvMgxKUxOrSDPq-2FlI87m8-2Fuf-2BFWhC8-2BaFpPC9Otf5VaYLDwkKj4q6LhhbdeJOx4pEpwtoJr-2B2VjngREm4U7hx6BaHvDY8KX0AWOxOB6_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliWWszMjOIwIKD7tOF6pCFd-2FlGZUpv86DLB4YkRtMJTf6qPnt6X9SRdMRgx2ULKOCtEkMc3qppKKKHTNNnsx1dvZRgLROGFwkG8a9kcFGk4G-2FQlJuwscuXH7tmI9irePGLMBBAaLalmUEYVNCqhP4ruCcpUUnlr4Ftyb2-2FtvJAkzyV1yRoUVF-2FTCjt1nf1SBUYZHjHeiOcs4Y0LAcs30Z2J4-3D) [*The New York Times*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJjqs9eTHTvMgxKUxOrSDPq-2FlI87m8-2Fuf-2BFWhC8-2BaFpPC9Otf5VaYLDwkKj4q6LhhbdeJOx4pEpwtoJr-2B2VjngREm4U7hx6BaHvDY8KX0AWOjHR7_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliWfdrk0BdNmgs1ndCQjR-2FPGfemPizmPXLoidAy7w8y4qF75g2VBLHaxHObJgKKKoGh9igGcWyMT6v8Y3KKGLbUq-2Be-2Bv55xiQIJzwelJFlVibPZroL-2F-2FcvFonrAB2LDjkh1IlGXU3g-2FbbI4F-2FnZUQkH9MuYYDkEKIphAl15skP3eehC2L4WstJ1Xov8uQ7VmG3xpkI7BZT7x4SOo6BDxyVgE-3D) [U.S. Army Soldier Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Attempting to Assist ISIS to Conduct Deadly Ambush on U.S. Troops.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPOYbgFd87mE517te1DQT68ilkPGWGeyrlGYhS-2B0uZ84rIRsK_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliVskUglMJTPcFn-2BvRizaPG-2FmFo30r9JeCoqccCUEcEoR3BwtkfP4TU0TmPu7YPSCOd51n8w5bHW1uc-2Fj9iBcyQRsp96ASjticz-2FzKunRiGUiwbsybgdIvS-2F92xfAaitjZQcKl8fuwOWCsUR1UdaQZhdTA9PtgRewVtHs7sXdS5kYhQ0UGDbRZ-2FDyqlWZiZ8jcx6l6zoN-2BqZjRU2LjeL70xU-3D) [*U.S. Army*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPOYbgFd87mE517te1DQT68ilkPGWGeyrlGYhS-2B0uZ84rcIx4_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliUKC-2Fy3q1TuIKjdQYnbJ4OAw4cpGIdyI-2BgCt3t3xHyWxbO3aHR28QIgcxU-2Ff3iF8CGU3AEoZ-2F-2Fl0ViMurZJF7e7Qf1AJbej4RTVPSOyCeeGizgirpx2ftfXIemWa-2Bl4eMrB3mzcE5ls1pg9BwSsTUloOh5U8Ff180y6kxYCTCPJh7PFfJmiuD8nZdIZIoEMgsIqu2WiiFb2HDiOARBosnkw-3D) **The Big Questions** 1. Name figures from history or literature who were traitors who betrayed others. How might they have tried to justify their actions? 2. What might lead people to betray others or ideals they claim to cherish? 3. What help, if any, have you found in our faith to help you when you have been betrayed? How should we respond in that situation? 4. What factors might make it difficult to forgive someone who has betrayed your trust? 5. What does our faith teach us we should do if we have betrayed someone or some principle we once held dear? **Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope**Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion: **Genesis 42:21-22** *They said to one another, "Alas, we are paying the penalty for what we did to our brother; we saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this anguish has come upon us." Then Reuben answered them, "Did I not tell you not to wrong the boy? But you would not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood."* (For context, read [Genesis 42:18-28](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxdxvwvUIbrGNsYJ-2B9LkHJNSoiy-2BVmH7khofumoEP5tjRpH6zB23sgeTVr2QN1mGa8WACc_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliVFmS-2F-2FakWwIy2BhSpsiHOqa0n5neGc1XOcM0OPUaB2GxFaeQ23dGikI-2BE4LkhoWnTQP5wFmE3ghGywFzU0EXlRRjtvfG3g9FPyMd-2BYsGO9y71QJt8-2B5srK3xG3D8I2jtHxEEROCzWiP0WSwxyAHowZHVtrUOhQ5JfTCoL8QD14kgSeqEb1NWu-2FYlMHV7kUlCkK3Y1oo0J1cY03wUe2kM9E-3D).) The story of how Joseph's brothers betrayed him is found in [Genesis 37:12-28](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxdxvwvUIbrGNsYJ-2B9LkHJNdX-2FwKMrJkXeflgKr5LuZ71t3-2FY1bMT-2FhvAPM8Km9n4BvVv2_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliZR-2FCeRXWYCPHHVp-2F18PBpLlywnd6L-2BazT9t5GxqXQBO4C8zd1Pe6Nc2QXQFyw-2B7OWIcAnGWfwnAQq3csLNyX9PQB45G1fNtz5aoVpsqt-2FvhmSuS-2BM4cUiRV20dtM8baybG6t2KIkj8VmY4RnQK5rXMuE8C9lMX4tUSAFAa8Xqe9hyPg7Nh2U77-2FNPUot3M-2BE8a7HXhvb4fUB2Nrnex1OwU-3D). Motivated by resentment and jealousy, they stripped him of the robe his father had given him and threw him into a pit, without access to food or water. They plotted to kill Joseph at first, but as they sat down to eat, they saw a Midianite caravan headed to Egypt, and thought they might as well make a little money by selling Joseph as a slave. By the time the brothers saw each other again, the circumstances were in stark contrast: This time, Joseph was second only to Pharaoh in power in Egypt, and his brothers were desperate for food in a time of extended famine. Joseph dealt with his brothers in a way that brought them face to face with the way they had betrayed their own flesh and blood 22 years before. They saw that God knew their guilt ([Genesis 44:16](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxdxvwvUIbrGNsYJ-2B9LkHJNb9fCoBBux7Tt9xPrPVczVKCEB-2FaOwGy-2FS43yr8x0CC9Qcv__-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliRBCM4-2FNri7YDYUjBAG8eeS9ME8lq9rcmvIFeYSAs-2BHqze4z9ZCR-2BCiy8mwRRddl6oXM-2FMNbLW5Jqrt9VzgVudGhs-2FNx8c8FTNw7wBwsl4KeQba3aFVjgGlEp-2FAsOqf78HKKIBsnyHc5TGYlyuEtAAi7ECQuGU85Xv-2BjPSGC8Gmh-2FSsfiv8Lcgbdnc4PPIfIeLgvlHjyFHwOqVYh7RDokDk-3D)), and they could not escape the consequences of their sin. But Joseph refused to punish them in perpetuity. Instead, he assumed the role of family provider and caregiver ([Genesis 45:4-15](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxdxvwvUIbrGNsYJ-2B9LkHJNbdma-2Bkl2S5CQOK7GPuLswKlxKKUh2boR6ETMWQa40WtQ9jy_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliTxiiHta5aFKJISnIUkrPfWT5GBKY9Z2OzB5UKYM311hiM0F91SNk2R3RVo82uIbTeNQrqYnmMpHwJs4dE7tlIxuWv90zdWB9RJjwu1NtcUQ51OCT-2FXylScsth0NSaEVgn3HdJsv9DXfcXjntFC-2Bsx2CH3ulZNFkQkVeYUY7-2BG02dX8LFBre1-2FhWllR5dhpc3X6xImH7JpAV42rjUclX-2FI4-3D)), giving them a powerful illustration of the way God treats people even when they mistreat and betray him. > **Questions:** Who (in addition to Joseph) was harmed by the brothers' betrayal of Joseph? What was lost, that could never be recovered, because of it? Where do you see hope, mercy and grace in this family saga? **Isaiah 31:6-7** *Turn back to him whom you have deeply betrayed, O people of Israel. For on that day all of you shall throw away your idols of silver and idols of gold, which your hands have sinfully made for you.* (For context, read [Isaiah 31:1-3, 6-7](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxCSY2SyhDg3TF57I1A5GAgUtdZ1hYNy2R2Gm6in6ChEi1ZxUmGhpeeLNkB4Muvd7FeiZZ_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxlif4Tr59eE-2FMl8a9W4-2FUvXYoL69marfUBW8S1VjhMwcfaKyQJB-2BeTNO1ipyjACKkxhMbWYU2HnbjbZhI6Ec7wjZUB6b-2BTPu34wxd-2BT2He4Y5nMuArAoF56QJ5Gh19-2F0FlOl6hFbIdDpPAysYwWUg6MuGxt1oPys0j3Sh3IptjlbVufnqZTzBYdTEoeFoEcdvG6BVfzcgrd04ZFwPpMRP1-2FSQ-3D).) In times of crisis, the people of Judah often sought assistance from Egypt rather than from God. Isaiah says it is a mistake to rely on military might or human strategy instead of trusting God to deliver (vv. 1, 3). Rejecting God and preferring idols made by human hands is a form of betrayal, a transfer of the allegiance we owe to our Creator to persons or things that are part of the created world just as we are. Once when Moses went up the mountain to speak with God, the people, in his absence, asked Aaron to make gods for them that they could see ([Exodus 32](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxeUd9Vmpl90lk2kwaMbS8ROZMc4ZqTlsho4RxsUxycoqSkiuGGIqs48JKnzOCAQQeo0no_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliUThWVdtNe80oWxJdSu0hiDel7GUkEQ3woPQd1xzjnMxYTwyMyb6tIduFwDQm1YwoxkbEbTCyAJwn4xaQLzTiRLIx2O-2F1r1RJMf54-2BHfNAFpZq0FOlwTE1hCmWqlUJuYlPoDH9CDf-2F0wL-2Fn9Teqdcl5sWvE6FJQ2okoSVHIg5iOrpjZKqzHxL8YZhr5cfoX9-2Bl3U9dPsmcyuyS1Iv8cUa7Q-3D)). When Moses came down, he asked Aaron, "What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?" > **Questions:** Why was Aaron susceptible to the request of the people to make idols for them to worship? What could Aaron have done differently to avoid betraying his responsibility to God and the people? What might make us vulnerable to people who might lead us astray? Why do we tend to shy away from the invisible God and attempt to replace the Creator with people or other created things? **2 Samuel 11:16-17, 25-27***As Joab kept watch over the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew there were valiant warriors. The men of the city came out and fought with Joab, and some of the servants of David among the people fell. Uriah the Hittite was killed as well. ... David said to the messenger, "Thus you shall say to Joab, 'Do not let this matter trouble you, for the sword devours now one and now another; press your attack on the city and overthrow it.' And encourage him." When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead, she made lamentation for him. When the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD,* (For context, read [2 Samuel 11:1-27](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxlvjJW5fipliacJeM-2BZO3IsuytF7U7HP1-2BwA6EvBsyx3LK2G7zTTPG-2BOV8KGni-2BpR-86g_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxlicDxgUIwyfcIYOei1IWvmf77Kd2GITOlZwm-2FxGDD8sCKr5T1YukPass1BnIMl5QVLRvS1rT5HmrcvCjPrDFfaPPma-2FKhrIzU7Hjh618oarJUyMHVWxuq11gEbi0XZo-2FZcJHwV98yvsi1ZWuJgkO5oieCtyx19e1dkymi3do7-2B06pVP4-2FJzRuIehc1hgHt2ZX23vUyMFPSPcFbsahc6Un1KY-3D).) After King David had sex with Bathsheba, the wife of one of his officers who was fighting on the battlefield for him, she became pregnant. Thinking he could hide the truth about what he had done, David first recalled Uriah from war and encouraged him to spend the night at home with his wife. When Uriah refused to enjoy the comforts of home while his comrades in arms were enduring hardship, David resorted to more extreme measures, and ordered his commander to place Uriah in the fiercest hotspot of the war, and then to withdraw all support from him, so that he would die. > **Questions:** What led David to abandon his sacred duty to his soldier, Uriah? What steps might David have taken to protect himself from the temptation to forsake his responsibilities to his people? How were other people ensnared and harmed by his betrayal? What, if anything, could the military commander Joab have done that might have set up guard rails for David to protect Uriah and other service personnel? How did David's abdication of his responsibility affect his own spiritual condition? His relationship with God? **Matthew 26:14-16** *Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will you give me if I betray him to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.* (For context, read [Matthew 26:1-16](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxEE9arX6m0yHZZAbtNhYaDbYnejqqELwjWfxPyJwZtfA6KewEL6m7sykc7GVpCzDaT3dY_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxlidYDERjvlYv6HmGRdeaVQ7v7Na6JLBQdp8CzmiPcMcif4MjSVtSqN4D0zKI4Wn-2B7kqJdFkAxJax-2BPEq6AE6vo9-2B0PmcySzJ2bWgeAHcrbcHLUNutrUd18p-2FqsDTmC22aANlSMArCafgBorodU2VHXjkD0dfbFLvVpa-2B1zhpKB3c4qLpqaVbp6yIrZDdWzpLfuNHDiSiArAlYo6fnymm7gZ8-3D).) Shortly before the Passover, a woman anointed Jesus' head with very costly ointment (vv. 6-9). We know from John's account that Judas objected to the way she "wasted" the ointment, when it might have been sold and the money given to the poor. But John adds that Judas didn't really care about the poor, but embezzled funds from the common purse he kept for the group ([John 12:1-8](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxWzCM7rK3UCEzv-2BibnX7LZQOwczIz6hzj7K1WDLLS2osARVg5u9I3utjAQA-2FG-2F9Sc8_tj_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliVu-2B0RoIHzoYZeru6JfytcJwI5TEmtfuf-2BdPa7w2aPn-2FmFSxu9jUceH8ogPoQ3KqHOx8JNV8jEfHv2GW1nnXNvRIb-2BiqqIj2TgncAE-2FPCK-2BxL7Q4EFGmHMiboBMgIFl6DGHTLN4UR1Loxsu9gno-2B6NEvjLBYXtbFERnwqhSn5fkPsVSU9RyjY1rOnup3AqijfYSnqxzCNTV71j8q0jY4G0U-3D)). Immediately after that incident, Judas sought out the chief priests in order to make a deal: the betrayal of his master in exchange for thirty pieces of silver. As "one of the Twelve," Judas knew where Jesus spent time with his disciples and could provide the religious leaders with valuable insider information ([John 18:1-2](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxIZQdl9o19AaGMoRwm2CB4lXQ-2B5Tpts-2BOQ9ONrkNHDzrIJO0td2E-2FDUewPdHjsw2zt-yz_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliV4HIsVU4IECVzQ5mUJyBCmJ5cDARZwSOnfRLrVzbIKQ3H-2B0iLq0ByzN2MIswne1TPipNXJ-2BfrdtgRN0dLGSiOxji-2FckVMupo-2B33nYG4MIk-2FPFALu92I3m6YNGFNU12gqkHKSn2xfGV4qnu1sxuUp6p92PJ-2FO8mFffIdtNg-2FK5-2FdRNTRy2U3q7N2g8Pbc-2FtN3GJfHNcKZxKJdh5240HZVt8-3D)). A few days later, Jesus observed the Passover with his disciples, when he washed their feet, even those of the man he knew would betray him ([John 13:1-11](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx-2FyQiqyOLSLAUV1XaJAN8kuz5npT-2BrYtj3HiqH1YmZAuL4aZ-2Ftq4AGVif8C0DVwhK4ahZ_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxlif0hKi-2B40deFLjhLMx83PDlhwmbOx2uPbgou0PVE-2Ftz56Soro4-2Fgh6k5SewrW7Zgy4QbzI0e5a8mDtszP1s-2FNqpjWbvAb-2BOfQIEym8rT-2BTRj4ImetKHd7BdatrtdzCjqR8aYUSYoLqzXiEOnpazKGIh4SUUr1Vz02gL1LKrj-2FCcc-2B-2FCF1zlZmCTljXlra1w-2BDSn0oLmdm6n6UjJcYt3XzzM-3D)), and he passed a choice tidbit to Judas, a gesture understood as a sign of affection in many cultures, after which Judas left to rendezvous with his co-conspirators ([John 13:21-30](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx-2FyQiqyOLSLAUV1XaJAN8ktwAOHurDqzB9bhgulFWj-2FJj2jA-2BwJPETVyBttDyQCuuJje__-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliQ6VUU1-2BjpA4papZ77yb7M-2FYz1-2Bl8hGE8JJZuxn0JAnC4nb86giKDSvNtgdsaBS5n-2BF0iZO-2BX0xwNoedCrOxurX7X2n9txgJvKFBXngrtGD7XDOYNK8Wl8CT4qcF2RQoyMOVFUZlVVq6JIgFxD-2FWBbQkZxssPhv8rIdYypLeQgEXmuzGA0HmB8u6LdNLmmwCXZVVzrzu3SAL18yBmu0-2FNxs-3D)). Betrayal wouldn't hurt so much if it was done by a stranger or an enemy, but when it is done by a "close friend," someone you trusted, who sat at your table and ate your bread ([Psalm 41:9](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxALrhtQEcit3b6q-2BZ5OcsOTLeSe2gATnWtYTyQk5cwmyCKc7kxQ0vjNrLZ1bkLj35KGjI_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxlieGhvdFqP6oKLxlFWndkmzwAtPoZLBz1UP8IcgXpVCcU6exk7ZQ8mdq6RU3S64d8ZQUkGs-2F9V-2FCkmcjpjxYU-2BZra9XUyUE-2FMnFY5LxqvOQVtPHyJbxfFbLBv8hmQW4obvUrys7Z-2FbrC4zxjXHjprlhc3jj9NBYlqQlyP95ILKdBGuvhNVfz1gDy8gOBiZSXoi5DRWbXr-2FhXF512GOfNuABA-3D)), it inflicts a special kind of pain. When Judas realized that Jesus was condemned to die, he repented and tried to reverse his betrayal by returning the money he had received from the chief priests and the elders, but the religious authorities brushed him off. Having aligned himself with Jesus' enemies ([John 18:3-5](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxIZQdl9o19AaGMoRwm2CB4l4Z8VFS-2BsMc3ZDXvZIb1pykQ3Fvg-2B9YgzdJqfsKB8q4jXSH_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliWiP5bzuvQDUe453qwrPv1idXm9oOhuRnKDR-2FCfW5w6JkoGGCcw7eBvk2EP5IYamR9ds5llHELKmqDlj83-2BHpM6ZpcUBSslyeGN0-2FuDZcahLLLChsZp79tyhQinlAtCS0MDQAjdFiQa8XKSEjbHI0DdplwVCwwkmaeqGpG0LHmVv92NlmmP7t1Y6-2BjuazaTSJ-2BsQ5DpxXf5AN1ASXr8tCj0-3D)) and withdrawn from the fellowship of Jesus' followers, he had no one left to turn to for support. In despair, he went and hanged himself ([Matthew 27:3-5](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxEE9arX6m0yHZZAbtNhYaDcQhUzaz4Uk-2B5xijjja8rISvEj-2BZws65rZoNhnCbxXAkSibr_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliQ3LWAxyVn5OfjqnkRi4ERRDK0xptat8vKvnhdGoBSHvETf61HBjG9PJzrAVcP0-2F1ocKK3-2FphynMvOpg5ErqmijDDVZ7X4-2FeGhKiMskyYW2k-2Be7j4D4N-2FqSeULd2K8cd9SEdFe-2B-2FDcEuv8NZxWJF1W1MhHDIklSs8DGKJBmwF9f4SR-2B-2FiQYvvGwo-2FpiRLgaJf58eeaYKIguU9Em57SEP4QM-3D)). Knowing Judas' vulnerability and intention to turn him in, Jesus still expressed great pity for his misguided follower, when he said at the Last Supper, "The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born" ([Matthew 26:24](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxEE9arX6m0yHZZAbtNhYaDS7c8UjOoK0S-2By-2Bn0iXJrX26gfx77sSDwfGECveAQV9v7631_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxlib4TIOPdGjAZ6rH-2BVD88VfZHJcg1FLTIGq-2FxPhKesH3vRkbxIrWt8YhjHQ-2BPJz61VKyBPT4Z4b1jyb64Yj9ghIufjYZ9wwE-2BqsDsdaJwB-2F6w25UzBkng0-2F7OQmUu9aqMEBlwcBw2eFHZMSrUxLcVTHKvoTDsiliAx5px2qmqHl6BV3zDWbgM8XBWsVDrTVWUYQh5S1Wb7nivnwKskLRhIqo-3D)). > **Questions:** Compare the impact of the soldier's betrayal on his unit with the impact of Judas' betrayal on the other 11 disciples. Might the trauma the disciples experienced after the crucifixion of Jesus have included the confusion, guilt and grief they felt over their companion's actions? After all, didn't Judas betray them as well as their Master? Might they also have wondered if they should have seen how vulnerable Judas was, why they didn't notice how lonely or depressed or angry he was? Might they have agonized over whether they could have done anything to prevent what happened, not only to Jesus, but also to stop Judas from committing suicide? > When we have failed God, what does it take for us to fully trust in God's mercy and to forgive ourselves as much as God does? **For Further Discussion** 1. Discuss this: In his book, [*Peace Child*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPF6C0I1dibeymIoGvCtRwPk3J2-2FZKoC7LARNcj47aLg2zCHQ_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliYpXN13UVptalOl5-2BmFYIag-2F8PAMHjb-2FD4i-2FS91hcGivh98ZFVtPTUaW9IPVlE5AQ4YBTJ50ohBKzM9X08gYK1-2BYywcfH9B5wMywregRVHyfQKn6WzuSigUIH139g-2BDFzbX5lvA8kl3ok2TQHl1PbWuka186DOCf3M-2FN2ud-2F2m1gxHNrlJNShNYD-2FzW7vlFIba8GAjtbKFyQKZMGydq-2FVzw-3D), Canadian missionary Don Richardson writes: "In 1962, Carol and I went to live among the Sawi [tribe of western New Guinea] ... who honor treachery as an ideal. In many of the legends that the Sawi people tell to their children around the campfires, the heroes are men who form friendships with the express purpose of later betraying the befriended one to be killed and eaten. The Sawi expression for this practice is 'to fatten with friendship for the slaughter.'" The first time Richardson told the Sawi about how Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, the Sawi expressed great admiration for Judas, and declared him the hero of the story! How could they communicate the gospel to people who valued violence? Then Richardson discovered [how the Sawis ended hostilities with other villages](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKHcellYWecS0Tzbysqe3hZCppvKkZpJXW8RFtC5j6B5IGFj_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxlidPsq-2F6-2BE8WN6ZWjsnhtU6m1FqQjJIP8C6zhggTbT0APobHvNihVh2hkjkdrD2bzNxP85lD4zcBKLmD2epNvER3oYL7u1cv33p2KC7ZPEKTidrxzNMCzESqSCi3vlUbyPSUDWaCilv4Gyio8rXn-2B6SvfZ6Sv9k4Ig6tLbYX16rHEb2cv2NpsplAkRI5yN4GeC78fZR-2FWkIcSCgKXCU47kak-3D) with whom they were at war. "To end the killing, one member of a tribe would offer to an enemy village his own child, and as long as that child lived, peace would reign." Richardson saw in this sacrificial act a redemptive analogy to help the Sawis understand "the beauty of God's own sacrifice illustrated. When he called Jesus God's own 'Peace Child,' the people finally understood. When he then described Judas Iscariot as the person who would dare betray this sacred trust, they recognized him for the vile character he was. They understood, and many of them believed." 2. Cole Bridges' father Chris spoke at his son's sentencing about the "rocky relationship" he had with his son after he got divorced. Chris said his "heart goes out" to all the soldiers who were traumatized, but added, "I love [Cole] dearly and I'll always be here for him." Chris seems to recognize that his own actions may have led to Cole's decisions to betray others. How might the father's willingness to accept some responsibility impact the son going forward? 3. Scan and discuss ["Former Indiana Sheriff Jamey Noel Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison as Part of Plea Deal,"](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIKH0aP8wGEF4ljhXMWd-2BfLl2MT5H2fzFP2z4uf9qKbKi8EuBl-2BssH6Kj1yrHJCLevnJgzuXx4GwuHIQIZXLJpHf-2Bk24UiUNVAAtkVvRBScR9YES_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliV32VgAmv-2B4QdZ1-2FHHjhdIKw10rEUxlyAXJ1p-2FQQbkFIpT-2F6ATPnfRQW0-2BfsCRVIbdwnEcQqGfokQI6Tvy-2Be5-2BUiv8LeL2n9oZyaXBb8iiwwf1iUffHj-2Fj2em9idZW6bhPmWdpAFGdbnhzPcEVVe9BbR-2FKxOEHvF-2BLPOkIuHN58HRVvVmLEWPIbjGAh8wgD-2Buz9TmfuQiuhVbzYaqTBMkK0-3D) about a former sheriff who was recently convicted of felonies related to several ways he betrayed the public trust. **Responding to the News** If you are experiencing betrayal, or know someone who is, you may find this article helpful: [Will I Ever Trust Again?: Understanding the Cost of Betrayal and Conceptualizing Recovery from Betrayal Trauma.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPLeCbfSaL144wmNvd2msZJ9h5SedIxNN9sbFC4WOlqFj-2BlNbARV2w-2FMWxvInu2m6QugM7C3rnl3By-2FOQyHGS-2FhkgMgMrqx26iVLAYg3PmRVMTYrM3EuOk3VjA03cl5VBBQp7leZEyWDVbPnS7ukbRHHItfXoOij5o-2Bxgvy3O-2BNLqqW3c-2BhSCiYiaPtyI0qlPj3zLES9Fuc0GyElbvZgtpqM-3D1jBn_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxlidWOcyk56avo-2BodCpefWZ7BltpW8amlKc26s0rTNkFD7wpg6-2BVpDClhVZi9gesArVsPlOQHx-2FnGAzvVpYWElOxnuDKhooQjZyVYEuYBOwELXvH-2B8tkAxrtLDuuuk7M5YbvM8qpmMZL4FbS6G7Oeqqbqh5AzHG3Y5hMrA5nXNA3kXOWKuBYUBYs3JJk1LzJDFAAL-2BMTviVvmOqNEe9X83PJM-3D) **Prayer** Lord Jesus Christ, who washed the feet of the disciple who betrayed you, teach us how to love that deeply. Remind us of how fully you have forgiven us, and restore us when we go astray. Amen. ****Copyright 2024 Communication Resources**** [Unsubscribe From This List](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/asm/unsubscribe/?user_id=14323725&data=r7LahOfossBGcyzhy1_5Pu6AsZZsR5vTFv_CyDN7Q11oMDAwdTAwMGu1yE6kU2IpNwT_Nsebe6dcaM9WHn2zWlMzJELevEWPWE5joIGXP-1CoDPZXCX5K6kYwPAy6bXuNrNaWfzGLYAa_Vmij-lF3gydS-VTEEs5NiKJXSbnhAAqIjGgR0c2n4YbMCIzlSfHrTMh-fwDDy1wg3d6_CULxgcnTNU2ED1ZVLf9oX3_Y-ZFFEGvIrpJrZ4H0xA--DZNVctlJoP7IQU2zrn8rCF7uAT4aK0A5heAZiMZBD0cc5qqU65EcpxuewjAOCX51s7BpevnYsRROAE2q8tGDupV54twQ5UMXWgxC-8AIFqteEhNR-aurixpyYHRs8mWrXbv5Y1pehSBbcGcWBk7pchRmHdK4-upifVAGDso_NLlaoB3UcZ9znYwd9QDQLpxTRJPsbor3qO2fDcwy9_vbLpsI0h3PQPkEMLyATixPOLjv3wR6AYRTV1XiRyIy76EdvN7Ct1otU2P9LuX8pbjpfhTDM4eCwEHghZw-8o_aBrrvqfto3zCfucictqqIRkavfyo-DwP-j1YWKthsjwp8XG9Bp9aC-RSKiA4vdUk0BsjzJ6fn2fQ75H8sGl41mmlCkV685gcmkQgdKI=) <div><p>Dear Class Members,</p> <p>The sentencing of an ex-Army soldier for trying to aid the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in the murder of American troops brought the topic of betrayal to our attention this week. We consider what might lead people to betray people and principles, how such betrayal impacts others, and how faith can survive the shock of such an experience. </p> <br/><center></center><center><img alt="" src="https://www.thewiredword.com/\_img/tww\_logo\_email.jpg"/></center> <p align="center"><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><strong><font size="5">Ex-Soldier Sentenced for Plot to Betray American Troops</font><br/></strong><strong><em>The Wired Word</em></strong><strong> for the Week of October 20, 2024</strong></font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><strong>In the News</strong></font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">Cole Bridges, also known as Cole Gonzales, a former U.S. Army private, of Stow, Ohio, was sentenced Friday, October 11, to 14 years behind bars followed by 10 years of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in the killing of American troops. Bridges pleaded guilty last year to terrorism charges.</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">After nearly five hours of deliberations in a Manhattan federal court, Judge Lewis J. Liman rejected the same-day request by the defendant for a 40-year prison term.</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">"Honestly, I do believe that I deserve the maximum sentence," Bridges, 24, told the jurist. "I know what I did was wrong," he said, adding he would regret his actions "for as long as I live."</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">Liman said Bridges' willingness to provide terrorists with advice on how they could minimize casualties in an attack on Americans was "most chilling." But the judge said the soldier had "shown signs of remorse," including expressing relief after his arrest that he had been communicating with an FBI agent rather than with terrorists.</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">Beginning in at least 2019, Bridges researched and consumed online jihadist propaganda, conducting internet searches for terms such as "U.S. soldier shooting" and "Green Beret ambush," and expressing support for ISIS and jihad on social media. He joined the infantry in the U.S. Army in September of that year, and was based in Fort Stewart, Georgia.</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">About a year later, Bridges began communicating on an encrypted messaging application with an FBI agent posing as an ISIS supporter in contact with ISIS fighters in the Middle East. Toward the end of 2020, Bridges told the FBI online covert employee (OCE) how ISIS fighters could attack U.S. forces in the Middle East.</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">Bridges also provided the OCE with portions of a U.S. Army training manual and offered guidance about military combat tactics, with the understanding that the OCE would pass the information along to his ISIS contacts to help maximize the lethality of future attacks on U.S. troops in the Middle East and the United States.</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">Then, in January 2021, Bridges gave the OCE two videos of himself showing support for ISIS jihad against American military personnel. He was arrested that month.</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">At the sentencing hearing, Bridges' attorney, Sabrina Shroff, requested that he be sentenced to the nearly four years he has already served behind bars. Leniency was warranted, she argued, because undercover U.S. law enforcement agents believed Bridges, who was alienated from his family, was an easy mark, so they "lured" him into the plot.</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">Prosecutors and two of his former commanders countered that Bridges should get the maximum sentence permitted for his crime.</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">"Cole Bridges used his U.S. Army training to pursue a horrifying goal: the brutal murder of his fellow service members in a carefully plotted ambush," Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement after the judge handed down his ruling.</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">"Bridges sought to attack the very soldiers he was entrusted to protect and, making this abhorrent conduct even more troubling, was eager to help people he believed were members of a deadly foreign terrorist organization plan this attack," Williams added. "This is a betrayal of the worst order."</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Adelsberg agreed, calling Bridges "a traitor" who "attempted to murder American soldiers."</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">Fighting back tears, Master Sgt. Greg Fallen testified that the arrest of Bridges had left his platoon "with a sense of defeat."</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">"I still can't sleep some nights," he said, adding that soldiers who had befriended Bridges needed psychological counseling upon learning that their comrade in arms had betrayed them. "We will suffer with mental anguish for the rest of our lives," Fallen stated.</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">"My platoon, which could do anything, was instantly destroyed [after Bridges' arrest]," said Capt. Scott Harper. "He betrayed everything he was supposed to stand for."</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">More on this story can be found at these links:</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPFDyZcMLbq53jkg8I32M7Gd5NVwdYDlfQu3-2BhCIxI9IlzuvRA4TxQLHDf1AQuIOjOQMRMuXJSheDqGBjc-2BxdgmNKx-2B9fz3gjRzYhqu3-2B1LXSLfoprkffHC376y2ECxC42e3wTO5emt3m70LeDzP8TrEFeJs66-2FZanBc8kR0MUunLhTzx\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliWU2Kc3107E6WJSOzLfwk3yXJoqRCzL0BSxM9QJn659jiGYQvDdlZ0AL7zTFA1o8jPibi76STzlzgy9wmKVPRk0CsKqHn-2Fpo2nto84UavYciUrtapyHnkxOdRO9-2BEs7N2cleHOn5-2BORi0Q-2FghKlrXZ2y8PDOgqNcMyoOS1-2FcjtfeT6NW7c6VLIld68OJkNwkSc4t6J14vpF4qFzZjqYwR64-3D">U.S. Army Soldier Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Attempting to Assist ISIS to Conduct Deadly Ambush on U.S. Troops. </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPFDyZcMLbq53jkg8I32M7Gd5NVwdYDlfQu3-2BhCIxI9IlzuvRA4TxQLHDf1AQuIOjOQMRMuXJSheDqGBjc-2BxdgmNKx-2B9fz3gjRzYhqu3-2B1LXSLfoprkffHC376y2ECxC42e3wTO5emt3m70LeDzP8TrEFeJs66-2FZanBc8kR0MUunLQNcD\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliXqul76xKI1VwuenCxfJxHek1OkipjN4rrdRIknsTqBvHNBCTBhpYJNCg6YcTOud9jdxqB1jwEfUC-2BNNaHIfx9BsE8ayX5k8KifTgZ39jw2S-2FsU7u-2BhbYXiwFpXHO3HsbxPC-2F9kY-2BxS4nXVOFYGQZrf9TCAB4Yv9fNXdbs-2FW-2B9w83ocSpSgUvRtGLbWtm8-2F0rN7z5pzz4G86xRaoV-2BqLS4U-3D"><em>U.S. Department of Justice</em></a></font><br/><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJqTF9-2BcRmtvACy3RqFvByLHo03E0jiMAwoYN3TGWkdvVFQ7\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliYE-2Fr0rPFmZmRZbeyqwM5p8jPoS6urrtAolmjRpUXilnSDfW9RTBEBbxwjvBHtTw5wzDNJ5ZgTMqLC-2BEvJb9Xz4iOxC7fcmwtrtbIlErsmOQem-2F8pO8fUdxGwHw5q27MdBzabDhv0Z2GEn2JKgYaY88XqVxFBLUhw4i-2FLgrSbgi4PdKWDDzPO8U9GohTBtmU-2FjmYSF785awXCZBra1OwXak-3D">Ex-U.S. Army Soldier Asks for Maximum 40 Years in Prison But Gets a 14-year Term for IS Plot. </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJqTF9-2BcRmtvACy3RqFvByLHo03E0jiMAwoYN3TGWkdvu55q\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliagZ0ZUOb9gXUjkj-2FruEuyThY4-2BAIOEBhbPr1ULGLl-2B8BDOyIxoo3mhu-2FM5dx7wRj2nfiM1RUAixni3Gtcv-2F7PfBxFOEUf00M9PafDNiyGjfwQqSlBMDYF-2FVpsvVjlgb3JgSG7x3HazWeHx8DPE9R7-2F1ocdhULWl9b7EyutMu1hUA-2F8bOA7x4rfp2sKdj0wS8VYCqn3Jc94y6ihj18XgHY4-3D"><em>Associated Press</em></a></font><br/><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJjqs9eTHTvMgxKUxOrSDPq-2FlI87m8-2Fuf-2BFWhC8-2BaFpPC9Otf5VaYLDwkKj4q6LhhbdeJOx4pEpwtoJr-2B2VjngREm4U7hx6BaHvDY8KX0AWOxOB6\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliWWszMjOIwIKD7tOF6pCFd-2FlGZUpv86DLB4YkRtMJTf6qPnt6X9SRdMRgx2ULKOCtEkMc3qppKKKHTNNnsx1dvZRgLROGFwkG8a9kcFGk4G-2FQlJuwscuXH7tmI9irePGLMBBAaLalmUEYVNCqhP4ruCcpUUnlr4Ftyb2-2FtvJAkzyV1yRoUVF-2FTCjt1nf1SBUYZHjHeiOcs4Y0LAcs30Z2J4-3D">Former U.S. Soldier Is Sentenced to 14 Years for Planning to Help ISIS. </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJjqs9eTHTvMgxKUxOrSDPq-2FlI87m8-2Fuf-2BFWhC8-2BaFpPC9Otf5VaYLDwkKj4q6LhhbdeJOx4pEpwtoJr-2B2VjngREm4U7hx6BaHvDY8KX0AWOjHR7\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliWfdrk0BdNmgs1ndCQjR-2FPGfemPizmPXLoidAy7w8y4qF75g2VBLHaxHObJgKKKoGh9igGcWyMT6v8Y3KKGLbUq-2Be-2Bv55xiQIJzwelJFlVibPZroL-2F-2FcvFonrAB2LDjkh1IlGXU3g-2FbbI4F-2FnZUQkH9MuYYDkEKIphAl15skP3eehC2L4WstJ1Xov8uQ7VmG3xpkI7BZT7x4SOo6BDxyVgE-3D"><em>The New York Times</em></a></font><br/><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPOYbgFd87mE517te1DQT68ilkPGWGeyrlGYhS-2B0uZ84rIRsK\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliVskUglMJTPcFn-2BvRizaPG-2FmFo30r9JeCoqccCUEcEoR3BwtkfP4TU0TmPu7YPSCOd51n8w5bHW1uc-2Fj9iBcyQRsp96ASjticz-2FzKunRiGUiwbsybgdIvS-2F92xfAaitjZQcKl8fuwOWCsUR1UdaQZhdTA9PtgRewVtHs7sXdS5kYhQ0UGDbRZ-2FDyqlWZiZ8jcx6l6zoN-2BqZjRU2LjeL70xU-3D">U.S. Army Soldier Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Attempting to Assist ISIS to Conduct Deadly Ambush on U.S. Troops. </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPOYbgFd87mE517te1DQT68ilkPGWGeyrlGYhS-2B0uZ84rcIx4\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliUKC-2Fy3q1TuIKjdQYnbJ4OAw4cpGIdyI-2BgCt3t3xHyWxbO3aHR28QIgcxU-2Ff3iF8CGU3AEoZ-2F-2Fl0ViMurZJF7e7Qf1AJbej4RTVPSOyCeeGizgirpx2ftfXIemWa-2Bl4eMrB3mzcE5ls1pg9BwSsTUloOh5U8Ff180y6kxYCTCPJh7PFfJmiuD8nZdIZIoEMgsIqu2WiiFb2HDiOARBosnkw-3D"><em>U.S. Army</em></a></font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><strong>The Big Questions</strong></font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">1. Name figures from history or literature who were traitors who betrayed others. How might they have tried to justify their actions?</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">2. What might lead people to betray others or ideals they claim to cherish?</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">3. What help, if any, have you found in our faith to help you when you have been betrayed? How should we respond in that situation?</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">4. What factors might make it difficult to forgive someone who has betrayed your trust?</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">5. What does our faith teach us we should do if we have betrayed someone or some principle we once held dear?</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><strong>Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope<br/></strong>Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion:</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><strong><u>Genesis 42:21-22</u></strong></font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><em>They said to one another, "Alas, we are paying the penalty for what we did to our brother; we saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this anguish has come upon us." Then Reuben answered them, "Did I not tell you not to wrong the boy? But you would not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood."</em> (For context, read <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxdxvwvUIbrGNsYJ-2B9LkHJNSoiy-2BVmH7khofumoEP5tjRpH6zB23sgeTVr2QN1mGa8WACc\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliVFmS-2F-2FakWwIy2BhSpsiHOqa0n5neGc1XOcM0OPUaB2GxFaeQ23dGikI-2BE4LkhoWnTQP5wFmE3ghGywFzU0EXlRRjtvfG3g9FPyMd-2BYsGO9y71QJt8-2B5srK3xG3D8I2jtHxEEROCzWiP0WSwxyAHowZHVtrUOhQ5JfTCoL8QD14kgSeqEb1NWu-2FYlMHV7kUlCkK3Y1oo0J1cY03wUe2kM9E-3D">Genesis 42:18-28</a>.)</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">The story of how Joseph's brothers betrayed him is found in <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxdxvwvUIbrGNsYJ-2B9LkHJNdX-2FwKMrJkXeflgKr5LuZ71t3-2FY1bMT-2FhvAPM8Km9n4BvVv2\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliZR-2FCeRXWYCPHHVp-2F18PBpLlywnd6L-2BazT9t5GxqXQBO4C8zd1Pe6Nc2QXQFyw-2B7OWIcAnGWfwnAQq3csLNyX9PQB45G1fNtz5aoVpsqt-2FvhmSuS-2BM4cUiRV20dtM8baybG6t2KIkj8VmY4RnQK5rXMuE8C9lMX4tUSAFAa8Xqe9hyPg7Nh2U77-2FNPUot3M-2BE8a7HXhvb4fUB2Nrnex1OwU-3D">Genesis 37:12-28</a>. Motivated by resentment and jealousy, they stripped him of the robe his father had given him and threw him into a pit, without access to food or water. They plotted to kill Joseph at first, but as they sat down to eat, they saw a Midianite caravan headed to Egypt, and thought they might as well make a little money by selling Joseph as a slave. By the time the brothers saw each other again, the circumstances were in stark contrast: This time, Joseph was second only to Pharaoh in power in Egypt, and his brothers were desperate for food in a time of extended famine.</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">Joseph dealt with his brothers in a way that brought them face to face with the way they had betrayed their own flesh and blood 22 years before. They saw that God knew their guilt (<a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxdxvwvUIbrGNsYJ-2B9LkHJNb9fCoBBux7Tt9xPrPVczVKCEB-2FaOwGy-2FS43yr8x0CC9Qcv\_\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliRBCM4-2FNri7YDYUjBAG8eeS9ME8lq9rcmvIFeYSAs-2BHqze4z9ZCR-2BCiy8mwRRddl6oXM-2FMNbLW5Jqrt9VzgVudGhs-2FNx8c8FTNw7wBwsl4KeQba3aFVjgGlEp-2FAsOqf78HKKIBsnyHc5TGYlyuEtAAi7ECQuGU85Xv-2BjPSGC8Gmh-2FSsfiv8Lcgbdnc4PPIfIeLgvlHjyFHwOqVYh7RDokDk-3D">Genesis 44:16</a>), and they could not escape the consequences of their sin. But Joseph refused to punish them in perpetuity. Instead, he assumed the role of family provider and caregiver (<a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxdxvwvUIbrGNsYJ-2B9LkHJNbdma-2Bkl2S5CQOK7GPuLswKlxKKUh2boR6ETMWQa40WtQ9jy\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliTxiiHta5aFKJISnIUkrPfWT5GBKY9Z2OzB5UKYM311hiM0F91SNk2R3RVo82uIbTeNQrqYnmMpHwJs4dE7tlIxuWv90zdWB9RJjwu1NtcUQ51OCT-2FXylScsth0NSaEVgn3HdJsv9DXfcXjntFC-2Bsx2CH3ulZNFkQkVeYUY7-2BG02dX8LFBre1-2FhWllR5dhpc3X6xImH7JpAV42rjUclX-2FI4-3D">Genesis 45:4-15</a>), giving them a powerful illustration of the way God treats people even when they mistreat and betray him.</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><strong>Questions: </strong>Who (in addition to Joseph) was harmed by the brothers' betrayal of Joseph? What was lost, that could never be recovered, because of it? Where do you see hope, mercy and grace in this family saga?</font></p> </blockquote> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><strong><u>Isaiah 31:6-7</u></strong></font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><em>Turn back to him whom you have deeply betrayed, O people of Israel. For on that day all of you shall throw away your idols of silver and idols of gold, which your hands have sinfully made for you.</em> (For context, read <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxCSY2SyhDg3TF57I1A5GAgUtdZ1hYNy2R2Gm6in6ChEi1ZxUmGhpeeLNkB4Muvd7FeiZZ\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxlif4Tr59eE-2FMl8a9W4-2FUvXYoL69marfUBW8S1VjhMwcfaKyQJB-2BeTNO1ipyjACKkxhMbWYU2HnbjbZhI6Ec7wjZUB6b-2BTPu34wxd-2BT2He4Y5nMuArAoF56QJ5Gh19-2F0FlOl6hFbIdDpPAysYwWUg6MuGxt1oPys0j3Sh3IptjlbVufnqZTzBYdTEoeFoEcdvG6BVfzcgrd04ZFwPpMRP1-2FSQ-3D">Isaiah 31:1-3, 6-7</a>.)</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">In times of crisis, the people of Judah often sought assistance from Egypt rather than from God. Isaiah says it is a mistake to rely on military might or human strategy instead of trusting God to deliver (vv. 1, 3). Rejecting God and preferring idols made by human hands is a form of betrayal, a transfer of the allegiance we owe to our Creator to persons or things that are part of the created world just as we are.</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">Once when Moses went up the mountain to speak with God, the people, in his absence, asked Aaron to make gods for them that they could see (<a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxeUd9Vmpl90lk2kwaMbS8ROZMc4ZqTlsho4RxsUxycoqSkiuGGIqs48JKnzOCAQQeo0no\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliUThWVdtNe80oWxJdSu0hiDel7GUkEQ3woPQd1xzjnMxYTwyMyb6tIduFwDQm1YwoxkbEbTCyAJwn4xaQLzTiRLIx2O-2F1r1RJMf54-2BHfNAFpZq0FOlwTE1hCmWqlUJuYlPoDH9CDf-2F0wL-2Fn9Teqdcl5sWvE6FJQ2okoSVHIg5iOrpjZKqzHxL8YZhr5cfoX9-2Bl3U9dPsmcyuyS1Iv8cUa7Q-3D">Exodus 32</a>). When Moses came down, he asked Aaron, "What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?"</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><strong>Questions: </strong>Why was Aaron susceptible to the request of the people to make idols for them to worship? What could Aaron have done differently to avoid betraying his responsibility to God and the people? What might make us vulnerable to people who might lead us astray? Why do we tend to shy away from the invisible God and attempt to replace the Creator with people or other created things?</font></p> </blockquote> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><strong><u>2 Samuel 11:16-17, 25-27<br/></u></strong><em>As Joab kept watch over the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew there were valiant warriors. The men of the city came out and fought with Joab, and some of the servants of David among the people fell. Uriah the Hittite was killed as well. ... David said to the messenger, "Thus you shall say to Joab, 'Do not let this matter trouble you, for the sword devours now one and now another; press your attack on the city and overthrow it.' And encourage him." When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead, she made lamentation for him. When the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD, </em>(For context, read <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxlvjJW5fipliacJeM-2BZO3IsuytF7U7HP1-2BwA6EvBsyx3LK2G7zTTPG-2BOV8KGni-2BpR-86g\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxlicDxgUIwyfcIYOei1IWvmf77Kd2GITOlZwm-2FxGDD8sCKr5T1YukPass1BnIMl5QVLRvS1rT5HmrcvCjPrDFfaPPma-2FKhrIzU7Hjh618oarJUyMHVWxuq11gEbi0XZo-2FZcJHwV98yvsi1ZWuJgkO5oieCtyx19e1dkymi3do7-2B06pVP4-2FJzRuIehc1hgHt2ZX23vUyMFPSPcFbsahc6Un1KY-3D">2 Samuel 11:1-27</a>.)</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">After King David had sex with Bathsheba, the wife of one of his officers who was fighting on the battlefield for him, she became pregnant. Thinking he could hide the truth about what he had done, David first recalled Uriah from war and encouraged him to spend the night at home with his wife. When Uriah refused to enjoy the comforts of home while his comrades in arms were enduring hardship, David resorted to more extreme measures, and ordered his commander to place Uriah in the fiercest hotspot of the war, and then to withdraw all support from him, so that he would die.</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><strong>Questions: </strong>What led David to abandon his sacred duty to his soldier, Uriah? What steps might David have taken to protect himself from the temptation to forsake his responsibilities to his people? How were other people ensnared and harmed by his betrayal? What, if anything, could the military commander Joab have done that might have set up guard rails for David to protect Uriah and other service personnel? How did David's abdication of his responsibility affect his own spiritual condition? His relationship with God?</font></p> </blockquote> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><strong><u>Matthew 26:14-16</u></strong></font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><em>Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will you give me if I betray him to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.</em> (For context, read <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxEE9arX6m0yHZZAbtNhYaDbYnejqqELwjWfxPyJwZtfA6KewEL6m7sykc7GVpCzDaT3dY\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxlidYDERjvlYv6HmGRdeaVQ7v7Na6JLBQdp8CzmiPcMcif4MjSVtSqN4D0zKI4Wn-2B7kqJdFkAxJax-2BPEq6AE6vo9-2B0PmcySzJ2bWgeAHcrbcHLUNutrUd18p-2FqsDTmC22aANlSMArCafgBorodU2VHXjkD0dfbFLvVpa-2B1zhpKB3c4qLpqaVbp6yIrZDdWzpLfuNHDiSiArAlYo6fnymm7gZ8-3D">Matthew 26:1-16</a>.)</font> </p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">Shortly before the Passover, a woman anointed Jesus' head with very costly ointment (vv. 6-9).</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">We know from John's account that Judas objected to the way she "wasted" the ointment, when it might have been sold and the money given to the poor. But John adds that Judas didn't really care about the poor, but embezzled funds from the common purse he kept for the group (<a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxWzCM7rK3UCEzv-2BibnX7LZQOwczIz6hzj7K1WDLLS2osARVg5u9I3utjAQA-2FG-2F9Sc8\_tj\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliVu-2B0RoIHzoYZeru6JfytcJwI5TEmtfuf-2BdPa7w2aPn-2FmFSxu9jUceH8ogPoQ3KqHOx8JNV8jEfHv2GW1nnXNvRIb-2BiqqIj2TgncAE-2FPCK-2BxL7Q4EFGmHMiboBMgIFl6DGHTLN4UR1Loxsu9gno-2B6NEvjLBYXtbFERnwqhSn5fkPsVSU9RyjY1rOnup3AqijfYSnqxzCNTV71j8q0jY4G0U-3D">John 12:1-8</a>).</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">Immediately after that incident, Judas sought out the chief priests in order to make a deal: the betrayal of his master in exchange for thirty pieces of silver. As "one of the Twelve," Judas knew where Jesus spent time with his disciples and could provide the religious leaders with valuable insider information (<a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxIZQdl9o19AaGMoRwm2CB4lXQ-2B5Tpts-2BOQ9ONrkNHDzrIJO0td2E-2FDUewPdHjsw2zt-yz\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliV4HIsVU4IECVzQ5mUJyBCmJ5cDARZwSOnfRLrVzbIKQ3H-2B0iLq0ByzN2MIswne1TPipNXJ-2BfrdtgRN0dLGSiOxji-2FckVMupo-2B33nYG4MIk-2FPFALu92I3m6YNGFNU12gqkHKSn2xfGV4qnu1sxuUp6p92PJ-2FO8mFffIdtNg-2FK5-2FdRNTRy2U3q7N2g8Pbc-2FtN3GJfHNcKZxKJdh5240HZVt8-3D">John 18:1-2</a>).</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">A few days later, Jesus observed the Passover with his disciples, when he washed their feet, even those of the man he knew would betray him (<a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx-2FyQiqyOLSLAUV1XaJAN8kuz5npT-2BrYtj3HiqH1YmZAuL4aZ-2Ftq4AGVif8C0DVwhK4ahZ\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxlif0hKi-2B40deFLjhLMx83PDlhwmbOx2uPbgou0PVE-2Ftz56Soro4-2Fgh6k5SewrW7Zgy4QbzI0e5a8mDtszP1s-2FNqpjWbvAb-2BOfQIEym8rT-2BTRj4ImetKHd7BdatrtdzCjqR8aYUSYoLqzXiEOnpazKGIh4SUUr1Vz02gL1LKrj-2FCcc-2B-2FCF1zlZmCTljXlra1w-2BDSn0oLmdm6n6UjJcYt3XzzM-3D">John 13:1-11</a>), and he passed a choice tidbit to Judas, a gesture understood as a sign of affection in many cultures, after which Judas left to rendezvous with his co-conspirators (<a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx-2FyQiqyOLSLAUV1XaJAN8ktwAOHurDqzB9bhgulFWj-2FJj2jA-2BwJPETVyBttDyQCuuJje\_\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliQ6VUU1-2BjpA4papZ77yb7M-2FYz1-2Bl8hGE8JJZuxn0JAnC4nb86giKDSvNtgdsaBS5n-2BF0iZO-2BX0xwNoedCrOxurX7X2n9txgJvKFBXngrtGD7XDOYNK8Wl8CT4qcF2RQoyMOVFUZlVVq6JIgFxD-2FWBbQkZxssPhv8rIdYypLeQgEXmuzGA0HmB8u6LdNLmmwCXZVVzrzu3SAL18yBmu0-2FNxs-3D">John 13:21-30</a>). Betrayal wouldn't hurt so much if it was done by a stranger or an enemy, but when it is done by a "close friend," someone you trusted, who sat at your table and ate your bread (<a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxALrhtQEcit3b6q-2BZ5OcsOTLeSe2gATnWtYTyQk5cwmyCKc7kxQ0vjNrLZ1bkLj35KGjI\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxlieGhvdFqP6oKLxlFWndkmzwAtPoZLBz1UP8IcgXpVCcU6exk7ZQ8mdq6RU3S64d8ZQUkGs-2F9V-2FCkmcjpjxYU-2BZra9XUyUE-2FMnFY5LxqvOQVtPHyJbxfFbLBv8hmQW4obvUrys7Z-2FbrC4zxjXHjprlhc3jj9NBYlqQlyP95ILKdBGuvhNVfz1gDy8gOBiZSXoi5DRWbXr-2FhXF512GOfNuABA-3D">Psalm 41:9</a>), it inflicts a special kind of pain.</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">When Judas realized that Jesus was condemned to die, he repented and tried to reverse his betrayal by returning the money he had received from the chief priests and the elders, but the religious authorities brushed him off. Having aligned himself with Jesus' enemies (<a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxIZQdl9o19AaGMoRwm2CB4l4Z8VFS-2BsMc3ZDXvZIb1pykQ3Fvg-2B9YgzdJqfsKB8q4jXSH\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliWiP5bzuvQDUe453qwrPv1idXm9oOhuRnKDR-2FCfW5w6JkoGGCcw7eBvk2EP5IYamR9ds5llHELKmqDlj83-2BHpM6ZpcUBSslyeGN0-2FuDZcahLLLChsZp79tyhQinlAtCS0MDQAjdFiQa8XKSEjbHI0DdplwVCwwkmaeqGpG0LHmVv92NlmmP7t1Y6-2BjuazaTSJ-2BsQ5DpxXf5AN1ASXr8tCj0-3D">John 18:3-5</a>) and withdrawn from the fellowship of Jesus' followers, he had no one left to turn to for support. In despair, he went and hanged himself (<a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxEE9arX6m0yHZZAbtNhYaDcQhUzaz4Uk-2B5xijjja8rISvEj-2BZws65rZoNhnCbxXAkSibr\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliQ3LWAxyVn5OfjqnkRi4ERRDK0xptat8vKvnhdGoBSHvETf61HBjG9PJzrAVcP0-2F1ocKK3-2FphynMvOpg5ErqmijDDVZ7X4-2FeGhKiMskyYW2k-2Be7j4D4N-2FqSeULd2K8cd9SEdFe-2B-2FDcEuv8NZxWJF1W1MhHDIklSs8DGKJBmwF9f4SR-2B-2FiQYvvGwo-2FpiRLgaJf58eeaYKIguU9Em57SEP4QM-3D">Matthew 27:3-5</a>).</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">Knowing Judas' vulnerability and intention to turn him in, Jesus still expressed great pity for his misguided follower, when he said at the Last Supper, "The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born" (<a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxEE9arX6m0yHZZAbtNhYaDS7c8UjOoK0S-2By-2Bn0iXJrX26gfx77sSDwfGECveAQV9v7631\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxlib4TIOPdGjAZ6rH-2BVD88VfZHJcg1FLTIGq-2FxPhKesH3vRkbxIrWt8YhjHQ-2BPJz61VKyBPT4Z4b1jyb64Yj9ghIufjYZ9wwE-2BqsDsdaJwB-2F6w25UzBkng0-2F7OQmUu9aqMEBlwcBw2eFHZMSrUxLcVTHKvoTDsiliAx5px2qmqHl6BV3zDWbgM8XBWsVDrTVWUYQh5S1Wb7nivnwKskLRhIqo-3D">Matthew 26:24</a>).</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><strong>Questions:</strong> Compare the impact of the soldier's betrayal on his unit with the impact of Judas' betrayal on the other 11 disciples. Might the trauma the disciples experienced after the crucifixion of Jesus have included the confusion, guilt and grief they felt over their companion's actions? After all, didn't Judas betray them as well as their Master? Might they also have wondered if they should have seen how vulnerable Judas was, why they didn't notice how lonely or depressed or angry he was? Might they have agonized over whether they could have done anything to prevent what happened, not only to Jesus, but also to stop Judas from committing suicide?</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">When we have failed God, what does it take for us to fully trust in God's mercy and to forgive ourselves as much as God does?</font></p> </blockquote> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><strong>For Further Discussion</strong></font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">1. Discuss this: In his book, <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPF6C0I1dibeymIoGvCtRwPk3J2-2FZKoC7LARNcj47aLg2zCHQ\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliYpXN13UVptalOl5-2BmFYIag-2F8PAMHjb-2FD4i-2FS91hcGivh98ZFVtPTUaW9IPVlE5AQ4YBTJ50ohBKzM9X08gYK1-2BYywcfH9B5wMywregRVHyfQKn6WzuSigUIH139g-2BDFzbX5lvA8kl3ok2TQHl1PbWuka186DOCf3M-2FN2ud-2F2m1gxHNrlJNShNYD-2FzW7vlFIba8GAjtbKFyQKZMGydq-2FVzw-3D"><em>Peace Child</em></a>, Canadian missionary Don Richardson writes: "In 1962, Carol and I went to live among the Sawi [tribe of western New Guinea] ... who honor treachery as an ideal. In many of the legends that the Sawi people tell to their children around the campfires, the heroes are men who form friendships with the express purpose of later betraying the befriended one to be killed and eaten. The Sawi expression for this practice is 'to fatten with friendship for the slaughter.'"</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">            The first time Richardson told the Sawi about how Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, the Sawi expressed great admiration for Judas, and declared him the hero of the story! How could they communicate the gospel to people who valued violence?</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">            Then Richardson discovered <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKHcellYWecS0Tzbysqe3hZCppvKkZpJXW8RFtC5j6B5IGFj\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxlidPsq-2F6-2BE8WN6ZWjsnhtU6m1FqQjJIP8C6zhggTbT0APobHvNihVh2hkjkdrD2bzNxP85lD4zcBKLmD2epNvER3oYL7u1cv33p2KC7ZPEKTidrxzNMCzESqSCi3vlUbyPSUDWaCilv4Gyio8rXn-2B6SvfZ6Sv9k4Ig6tLbYX16rHEb2cv2NpsplAkRI5yN4GeC78fZR-2FWkIcSCgKXCU47kak-3D">how the Sawis ended hostilities with other villages</a> with whom they were at war. "To end the killing, one member of a tribe would offer to an enemy village his own child, and as long as that child lived, peace would reign."</font><br/><br/><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">            Richardson saw in this sacrificial act a redemptive analogy to help the Sawis understand "the beauty of God's own sacrifice illustrated. When he called Jesus God's own 'Peace Child,' the people finally understood. When he then described Judas Iscariot as the person who would dare betray this sacred trust, they recognized him for the vile character he was. They understood, and many of them believed."</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">2. Cole Bridges' father Chris spoke at his son's sentencing about the "rocky relationship" he had with his son after he got divorced. Chris said his "heart goes out" to all the soldiers who were traumatized, but added, "I love [Cole] dearly and I'll always be here for him." Chris seems to recognize that his own actions may have led to Cole's decisions to betray others. How might the father's willingness to accept some responsibility impact the son going forward?</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">3. Scan and discuss <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIKH0aP8wGEF4ljhXMWd-2BfLl2MT5H2fzFP2z4uf9qKbKi8EuBl-2BssH6Kj1yrHJCLevnJgzuXx4GwuHIQIZXLJpHf-2Bk24UiUNVAAtkVvRBScR9YES\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxliV32VgAmv-2B4QdZ1-2FHHjhdIKw10rEUxlyAXJ1p-2FQQbkFIpT-2F6ATPnfRQW0-2BfsCRVIbdwnEcQqGfokQI6Tvy-2Be5-2BUiv8LeL2n9oZyaXBb8iiwwf1iUffHj-2Fj2em9idZW6bhPmWdpAFGdbnhzPcEVVe9BbR-2FKxOEHvF-2BLPOkIuHN58HRVvVmLEWPIbjGAh8wgD-2Buz9TmfuQiuhVbzYaqTBMkK0-3D">"Former Indiana Sheriff Jamey Noel Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison as Part of Plea Deal,"</a> about a former sheriff who was recently convicted of felonies related to several ways he betrayed the public trust.</font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><strong>Responding to the News</strong></font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">If you are experiencing betrayal, or know someone who is, you may find this article helpful: <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPLeCbfSaL144wmNvd2msZJ9h5SedIxNN9sbFC4WOlqFj-2BlNbARV2w-2FMWxvInu2m6QugM7C3rnl3By-2FOQyHGS-2FhkgMgMrqx26iVLAYg3PmRVMTYrM3EuOk3VjA03cl5VBBQp7leZEyWDVbPnS7ukbRHHItfXoOij5o-2Bxgvy3O-2BNLqqW3c-2BhSCiYiaPtyI0qlPj3zLES9Fuc0GyElbvZgtpqM-3D1jBn\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmTIy2IDD6ZfsBm1BkqWhYF-2Fc9-2FgH-2BV4XzT0ikJx-2Fm-2FWNiMmfeMPTL78HfFnZxyxlidWOcyk56avo-2BodCpefWZ7BltpW8amlKc26s0rTNkFD7wpg6-2BVpDClhVZi9gesArVsPlOQHx-2FnGAzvVpYWElOxnuDKhooQjZyVYEuYBOwELXvH-2B8tkAxrtLDuuuk7M5YbvM8qpmMZL4FbS6G7Oeqqbqh5AzHG3Y5hMrA5nXNA3kXOWKuBYUBYs3JJk1LzJDFAAL-2BMTviVvmOqNEe9X83PJM-3D">Will I Ever Trust Again?: Understanding the Cost of Betrayal and Conceptualizing Recovery from Betrayal Trauma.</a></font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><strong>Prayer</strong></font></p> <p><font face="times new roman,times" size="3">Lord Jesus Christ, who washed the feet of the disciple who betrayed you, teach us how to love that deeply. Remind us of how fully you have forgiven us, and restore us when we go astray. Amen.</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="times new roman,times" size="3"><strong><strong>Copyright 2024 Communication Resources</strong></strong></font></p> <br/><br/><p style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/asm/unsubscribe/?user\_id=14323725&amp;data=r7LahOfossBGcyzhy1\_5Pu6AsZZsR5vTFv\_CyDN7Q11oMDAwdTAwMGu1yE6kU2IpNwT\_Nsebe6dcaM9WHn2zWlMzJELevEWPWE5joIGXP-1CoDPZXCX5K6kYwPAy6bXuNrNaWfzGLYAa\_Vmij-lF3gydS-VTEEs5NiKJXSbnhAAqIjGgR0c2n4YbMCIzlSfHrTMh-fwDDy1wg3d6\_CULxgcnTNU2ED1ZVLf9oX3\_Y-ZFFEGvIrpJrZ4H0xA--DZNVctlJoP7IQU2zrn8rCF7uAT4aK0A5heAZiMZBD0cc5qqU65EcpxuewjAOCX51s7BpevnYsRROAE2q8tGDupV54twQ5UMXWgxC-8AIFqteEhNR-aurixpyYHRs8mWrXbv5Y1pehSBbcGcWBk7pchRmHdK4-upifVAGDso\_NLlaoB3UcZ9znYwd9QDQLpxTRJPsbor3qO2fDcwy9\_vbLpsI0h3PQPkEMLyATixPOLjv3wR6AYRTV1XiRyIy76EdvN7Ct1otU2P9LuX8pbjpfhTDM4eCwEHghZw-8o\_aBrrvqfto3zCfucictqqIRkavfyo-DwP-j1YWKthsjwp8XG9Bp9aC-RSKiA4vdUk0BsjzJ6fn2fQ75H8sGl41mmlCkV685gcmkQgdKI=">Unsubscribe From This List</a></p><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/open?upn=u001.ri3TO7QGEXgsxcVdo6-2BoAGTuuWiDEfH5lVjP7AVQ-2Bcl7JaDKdeJ1ydQkXpTFAEqRD2SOncm40jgMuVls37ZLseTP-2Bc5kaLjFJf1Q3kw4FZdt1YoCkYWvLa1l-2BT-2F-2F8yIUiLbFHrmn64p2Xwmffzl3edR6Ty8TRKnThBIufHec6MYr94WZQxWVvMWvfNqNZdVSm2JpSP2sJuJ7h3Z8Ne0G7lTyrNuhalqf-2FIbv8vhJTqs1qNHOfdwzMgr5Zg4m7PGJ1J2-2FQgkD6qoAkG1M0Z0Chrm-2F6mLZXZV-2F2F7t0vgt1YUNbgOq17takqgg-2Fl4kVe-2BGGMAnWUqRspknciKoFgMPybdRB-2FZYBcjaPkZ5mi45kYxYcyTcT8dMdwBz7aL5UWgaXkgAuLzGfdReiSOBJ6-2B8szownDTX5zw6TUFKk2bI4FazmVUT9uwK5lgETC8wn-2FWqKsnsEboc5IyfYjXX5a7dr6dqv8-2ByIUXMYZv9iBfYK5M-3D" style="height:1px !important;width:1px !important;border-width:0 !important;margin-top:0 !important;margin-bottom:0 !important;margin-right:0 !important;margin-left:0 !important;padding-top:0 !important;padding-bottom:0 !important;padding-right:0 !important;padding-left:0 !important;" width="1"/> </div>, The Wired Word for 10/20/2024, The Wired Word, 01jadkb4rdjf4x3h9sgf3c09g4.