Judges 11:30-31
"And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD, and said, “If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, 31 then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”
This is stupid. Jephthah already won the favor of Israel (11:6,10-11). He knew the story of God's favor with Israel concerning the land of Moab and Ammon (11:14-23). His theology was even correct and reliable - God already judged and would remain true to His judgment (11:24,27). Most notable, God had already given Jephthah His Spirit to dwell with him, guide him and grant him victory (11:29). So why does Jephthah make this ridiculous vow? Is he posturing for his brothers and Israel, for the appearance of righteousness? Is he hedging his bets in case God were to change His mind? Was he using God to rid himself of something or someone in his house, an unwanted house guest? Whatever the reason, this is stupid! God does not need our promises nor our silly sacrifices to accomplish His work. God cannot be manipulated (11:27). There is no "if" in God - He will be true to His character, Word, will and work regardless of my petition or offering.
And yet, I too make stupid promises with God. And I make myself out to be foolish, faithless,prideful, deceitful and impulsive when God works His plan. God does not need my promises, just my obedience.
Father, strengthen my faith that I may walk in obedience.
1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams."
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Humble leadership
Judges 9:7-15
Now when they told Jotham, he went and stood on top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted his voice and cried out. And he said to them:
“Listen to me, you men of Shechem,
That God may listen to you!
8 “The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them.
And they said to the olive tree,
‘Reign over us!’
9 But the olive tree said to them,
‘ Should I cease giving my oil,
With which they honor God and men,
And go to sway over trees?’
10 “Then the trees said to the fig tree,
‘You come and reign over us!’
11 But the fig tree said to them,
‘ Should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit,
And go to sway over trees?’
12 “Then the trees said to the vine,
‘You come and reign over us!’
13 But the vine said to them,
‘ Should I cease my new wine,
Which cheers both God and men,
And go to sway over trees?’
14 “Then all the trees said to the bramble,
‘You come and reign over us!’
15 And the bramble said to the trees,
‘If in truth you anoint me as king over you,
Then come and take shelter in my shade;
But if not, let fire come out of the bramble
And devour the cedars of Lebanon!’
I don't remember ever reading this parable... but I like it.
The temptation to have visible, tangible strength and security was often the downfall to Israel. They desired a human king rather than a Divine King. They preferred the "shade" of relief rather than the "fruit" of provision and blessing. The people were short-sited and faithless. If only they knew how God views authority and power. Jesus said in Matthew 20:26-27, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,"
We must beware of those who Lord and hoard authority, who desire power and greatness. We must hold our own motives in check also. God delights in trees that produce fruit (John 15). He will provide the relief and protection we desire if we are faithful to produce the fruit He desires.
Father - humble me and bless me to desire to produce fruit. Amen.
Now when they told Jotham, he went and stood on top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted his voice and cried out. And he said to them:
“Listen to me, you men of Shechem,
That God may listen to you!
8 “The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them.
And they said to the olive tree,
‘Reign over us!’
9 But the olive tree said to them,
‘ Should I cease giving my oil,
With which they honor God and men,
And go to sway over trees?’
10 “Then the trees said to the fig tree,
‘You come and reign over us!’
11 But the fig tree said to them,
‘ Should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit,
And go to sway over trees?’
12 “Then the trees said to the vine,
‘You come and reign over us!’
13 But the vine said to them,
‘ Should I cease my new wine,
Which cheers both God and men,
And go to sway over trees?’
14 “Then all the trees said to the bramble,
‘You come and reign over us!’
15 And the bramble said to the trees,
‘If in truth you anoint me as king over you,
Then come and take shelter in my shade;
But if not, let fire come out of the bramble
And devour the cedars of Lebanon!’
I don't remember ever reading this parable... but I like it.
The temptation to have visible, tangible strength and security was often the downfall to Israel. They desired a human king rather than a Divine King. They preferred the "shade" of relief rather than the "fruit" of provision and blessing. The people were short-sited and faithless. If only they knew how God views authority and power. Jesus said in Matthew 20:26-27, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,"
We must beware of those who Lord and hoard authority, who desire power and greatness. We must hold our own motives in check also. God delights in trees that produce fruit (John 15). He will provide the relief and protection we desire if we are faithful to produce the fruit He desires.
Father - humble me and bless me to desire to produce fruit. Amen.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Religious Idol
Judges 8:27
"Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah. And all Israel played the harlot with it there. It became a snare to Gideon and to his house."
After God's great victory though Gideon, the people beg to make Gideon their ruler (7:22). "But Gideon said to them, 'I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you"(8:23). Gideon's heart was right. His theology was right. So what happened between verse 23 and 27?
The ephod was a highly ornate garment worn only by the priest. Over the ephod, the priest would wear an equally ornate breastplate by which the Lord would speak to His people. These two garments were signs and symbols of God's authority and rule over Israel. I'm sure that Gideon chose carefully the garment which he erected. His intentions were to remind Israel that God would rule over them. However, even this simple religious symbol became an idol and a snare to the people. Why? Was it ignorance? Forgetfulness? Laziness? Pride?
How often have I made my religion my pride rather than the God who called me to it? how often have I made even good and godly things my joy rather than the Lord?... church, Scripture, prayer, worship, service, etc.... How often has my theology been true and yet my path off course?
I must keep Jesus Christ ever before me as my only joy and guide. As Paul wrote in Philippians 3:8, "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." Even these great things of God are loss if I do not keep Jesus Christ as the center of my life and focus.
Father, help me fix my eyes on Jesus only and always. Save me from even the good things of my faith that tempt to take the place of Christ. Make me true to You in motive, theology, and practice. Amen.
"Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah. And all Israel played the harlot with it there. It became a snare to Gideon and to his house."
After God's great victory though Gideon, the people beg to make Gideon their ruler (7:22). "But Gideon said to them, 'I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you"(8:23). Gideon's heart was right. His theology was right. So what happened between verse 23 and 27?
The ephod was a highly ornate garment worn only by the priest. Over the ephod, the priest would wear an equally ornate breastplate by which the Lord would speak to His people. These two garments were signs and symbols of God's authority and rule over Israel. I'm sure that Gideon chose carefully the garment which he erected. His intentions were to remind Israel that God would rule over them. However, even this simple religious symbol became an idol and a snare to the people. Why? Was it ignorance? Forgetfulness? Laziness? Pride?
How often have I made my religion my pride rather than the God who called me to it? how often have I made even good and godly things my joy rather than the Lord?... church, Scripture, prayer, worship, service, etc.... How often has my theology been true and yet my path off course?
I must keep Jesus Christ ever before me as my only joy and guide. As Paul wrote in Philippians 3:8, "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." Even these great things of God are loss if I do not keep Jesus Christ as the center of my life and focus.
Father, help me fix my eyes on Jesus only and always. Save me from even the good things of my faith that tempt to take the place of Christ. Make me true to You in motive, theology, and practice. Amen.
Too Much
Judges 7:2
And the LORD said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’
And the LORD said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’
When leaders lead...
Judges 5:2
“When leaders lead in Israel,
When the people willingly offer themselves,
Bless the LORD!"
“When leaders lead in Israel,
When the people willingly offer themselves,
Bless the LORD!"
Friday, January 2, 2009
Discipline & Deliverance
Judges 4:1
When Ehud was dead, the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD.
Seven times in the book of Judges we find the phrase, "Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord." Seven is the Biblical number for completeness or perfection. It's as if God is trying to communicate to us the complete depravity of man and the complete and perfect righteousness and love He has for us.
Each time Israel does evil, God uses the enemies within (those nations the people refused or failed to drive out) to discipline His people and draw them into repentance. Each time God responds to their repentance and cries with a judge and deliverer to rescue them from their suffering.
Both the discipline and deliverance of Israel demonstrate God's great mercy. Through discipline Israel rediscovers their faith, character and obedience. Through deliverance the people experience again the love, grace, mercy and protection of God.
We can't expect His grace, mercy and love without His discipline. These blessings go together and strengthen our relationship with God. The next time I experience His discipline I can know two things for sure; (1) He is not done with me, He's still pursuing me even in my sin, (2) His deliverance is coming, He will not leave me to suffer.
I praise You Father for your discipline and deliverance that work hand-in-hand to make me more like You. Teach me to accept these blessings and grow through them. Make me more like Jesus. Amen.
When Ehud was dead, the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD.
Seven times in the book of Judges we find the phrase, "Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord." Seven is the Biblical number for completeness or perfection. It's as if God is trying to communicate to us the complete depravity of man and the complete and perfect righteousness and love He has for us.
Each time Israel does evil, God uses the enemies within (those nations the people refused or failed to drive out) to discipline His people and draw them into repentance. Each time God responds to their repentance and cries with a judge and deliverer to rescue them from their suffering.
Both the discipline and deliverance of Israel demonstrate God's great mercy. Through discipline Israel rediscovers their faith, character and obedience. Through deliverance the people experience again the love, grace, mercy and protection of God.
We can't expect His grace, mercy and love without His discipline. These blessings go together and strengthen our relationship with God. The next time I experience His discipline I can know two things for sure; (1) He is not done with me, He's still pursuing me even in my sin, (2) His deliverance is coming, He will not leave me to suffer.
I praise You Father for your discipline and deliverance that work hand-in-hand to make me more like You. Teach me to accept these blessings and grow through them. Make me more like Jesus. Amen.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Battle for a generation
Judges 2:10
When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel.
How is it that the younger generation did not know God nor experience His works? Is it possible to follow God faithfully as a nation and yet not as a family? Is it possible to invite God's power into our battle and ambitions and not our marriages and parenting? How did this happen to the nation of Israel? Had they grown calloused? Were they worn out? Had they taken God for granted? Were they lazy? Did they assume too much?
The battle for each generation is far more important than the battle for anything else in this world. We can't grow weary, lazy or calloused. We can't assume, take it for granted or leave it to others. Failure to pass on an intimate relationship with Christ is as detrimental to the family as is failure to drive out the Canaanites from the promised land. When we do not complete the task God has given us, we leave room fro the enemy to creep in and lead our families and nation away. We must take this battle for the next generation more seriously than any other battle - it is life and death.
Father - keep me alert to and strengthened for the battle for my children and the next generation. Fill me with Your Spirit and Your power to win this battle and bring young people into a saving and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Amen.
When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel.
How is it that the younger generation did not know God nor experience His works? Is it possible to follow God faithfully as a nation and yet not as a family? Is it possible to invite God's power into our battle and ambitions and not our marriages and parenting? How did this happen to the nation of Israel? Had they grown calloused? Were they worn out? Had they taken God for granted? Were they lazy? Did they assume too much?
The battle for each generation is far more important than the battle for anything else in this world. We can't grow weary, lazy or calloused. We can't assume, take it for granted or leave it to others. Failure to pass on an intimate relationship with Christ is as detrimental to the family as is failure to drive out the Canaanites from the promised land. When we do not complete the task God has given us, we leave room fro the enemy to creep in and lead our families and nation away. We must take this battle for the next generation more seriously than any other battle - it is life and death.
Father - keep me alert to and strengthened for the battle for my children and the next generation. Fill me with Your Spirit and Your power to win this battle and bring young people into a saving and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Amen.
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