Soothing of the Soul

O. T. #534  "Soothing of the Soul"
June 9, 2015
Judges 11-Part 4
And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no many. And it was a custom in Israel.  Judges 11:39


LET IT GLOW

This is such a busy month for me-2 family reunions, Vacation Bible School, birthday, Father's Day, appointments, etc. This old body gets tired so easily, as well as my soul becoming weary in the busyness of it all. You with me?
Well, I am going for a new experience on Friday. Since my husband's family is having their annual reunion this weekend, we gals decided to go for a pedicure. (It was my request for my Mother's Day gift.) I must say, I am looking forward to the foot message. These wheels of mine are sore and tired from the miles they have gone lately. Maybe even a sweet, soothing lotion, a balm, will be used. Come on, Friday!
I think our hero, Jephthah, could have used a balm in Gilead, his hometown.

We left Jephthah, the Gileadite, alone and saddened by his rash vow made to the Lord. You will recall that he asked the Lord for victory over the Ammorites in exchange for whatsoever came out of his house to greet him upon returning from the battles. The whatsoever became a whosever, his daughter. They were both people faithful to God-Jephthah kept his vow and his daughter surrendered to it. Perhaps the story ended with Jeph making a human sacrifice or not. We are not told, only speculations. His daughter may have been a dedication to the Lord's service without marrying or death. At any rate, her father's line stopped there, since his only daughter did not carry it on.

But, lest we too be saddened by all of this, and burdened by a heavy load we are carrying, a song came to my mind-"There Is a Balm in Gilead," from The Baptist Hymnal:

There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole; There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sinsick soul. Sometimes I feel discouraged, and think my world's in vain, But then the Holy Spirit Revives my soul again. If you can't preach like Peter, If you can't pray like Paul, Just tell the love of Jesus, And say He died for all.

I look up the definition of balm in Webster's Dictionary: a balsamic resin: especially one from small tropical evergreen trees; an aromatic preparation (as a healing ointment).
Balm of Gilead refers to an agency that soothes, relieves, or heals (among other definitions).

Anyone need a balm of Gilead? Are your burdens getting heavy? Who couldn't use a foot rub, shoulder rub, sweet lotion, a soothing of our soul with peace?
Jesus, our Prince of Peace (Is. 9:10), wants to be our balm for a sin sick soul, an upset soul, a confused mind, a weary person, tired of the schedule, tired of the fight against evil. He is ready to give us that peace that passeth all understanding. (See Ps. 37:11, 55:18; John 14:27, 20:21)

Yes, friend, there is a balm in your hometown. Just ask Jesus for it.

LET IT GROW

This section ends abruptly with the statement that he judged Israel six years, died, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead. (12:7)
In looking at the list of Israel's judges during their cycle of sin, Jephthah is included in the group of 4 judges who judged a total of 31 years together. They form the sixth group of judges in this book.

So, if God can use this man, the son of a harlot and grandson of Manasseh (Jacob's son), then don't you think He can use us ordinary people for God's Kingdom work also? For sure! (Pronounced for shore, in my region)

Let's be careful in what we vow unto the Lord. Be faithful in keeping our vows. Seek His balm when we grow weary. Rest in His peace for the soul.


LET IT GO

                              ... of those weary thought and trade them for the peace of God.
                              ... of the struggles and let God handle it.
                              ... of thinking I am Super Woman, just do what I can today.
                              ... of worries and live in the now with Jesus.
                              ... of the past and look to Friday. (Hee, Hee!)

 

Keeping Vows

O. T. #533  "Keeping Vows"
June 8, 2015
Judges 11-Part 3
An Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, then it shall be...  Judges 11:30-31a

LET IT GLOW

One man's whatever became a whoever. His vow cost him more than he ever dreamed it would. Are we careful in what we promise to others and to God? I vowed "til death do us part" to my husband before the Lord at our wedding and he did the same to me. So far, we have kept that vow-42 years now. God honors our vows when we stay faithful to fulfill it. Are you keeping your vows?
Want to know what the man's vow involved? Read on friend.

As said earlier, God commissioned Jephthah to rescue His people from the 18 year oppression of the Ammonites and Philistines. (Israel went back into idolatry again, so God allowed them to be conquered in the Gilead area.) Now the Ammonites were seeking to rule the city of Gilead. Just to be sure of the victory, Jephthah made a vow unto the Lord in exchange for victory in the battle.
This guy teaches us to watch what we say, especially when we promise the Lord. I verse 31, Jephthah vowed, If You give the Ammorites into my hands, whatsoever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Amnonites will be the LORD's, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering. 

So victory came. Jeph devastated 20 towns where the Ammonites ruled. Israel subdued Ammon with the Lord's help.

Perhaps it was a lack of faith or confidence, though Jeph was a mighty warrior. He was the son of Gilead, with half brothers who didn't want him around until they needed his help. Sound familiar?
I recall a song which says, "Faith is the victory that over comes the world." How big is your faith? Is it as large as the grain of a tiny mustard seed?

LET IT GROW

Well, Gilead and other cities were rescued as Jephthah and his family defeated the Ammonites. Time to go home.
And that is what he did. As Jeph came near his home in Mizpah. Who came out of his house to greet him but his only child, his precious daughter. She was excited to see her victorious Daddy! She was dancing and shaking that tambourine.

What should have been a joyous return became a heart wrenching one. Jephthah was stabbed in the heart when he remembered his vow that he made earlier to the Lord. The whatever became a whoever. 
In verse 35, Jephthah voiced that he had made a vow to the LORD that he could not break. Apparently, he explained it all to his nameless to us daughter. She made one request of her father-allow her 2 months to roam the hills and weep with her friends, because she would never marry.
He agreed to such a request. As a result of this situation, Israel began a yearly custom where their young women go out for 4 days to commemorate the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite.

Sadly, Jephthah did not understand that while vows must not be broken God did provide for the redemption of thoughtless, careless vows (Lev. 5:4-6). That person was to confess that he sinned in that thing and bring a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats as a sin offering. The priest would make atonement for him concerning his sin.

How did he keep his vow? There are several opinions on this matter:

• Jephthah offered his daughter as a burnt offering to God.
• His offering of her was that she should not marry, but serve the Lord as a virgin all her life.
• God would not be honored with such a rash vow based on such a wicked practice.

Perhaps Jephthah expected a servant or an animal to come out of his house whenever he returned home from the battlefield. How ironic!
He had just defeated the child sacrificing Ammonites and would now have to sacrifice his daughter as a result of the vow he had taken! (Falwell)

The second opinion makes more sense, since the girl asked for 2 months to mourn her not allowed to marry.  Although, we are not told what happened at the end of those 2 months.

I realize that there are many people who do not keep their wedding vows. I am so sorry when that happens. It must be very painful when one's spouse is unfaithful or doesn't want to be married any longer.
Dear one, there is One who keeps His promises-our God. We can trust Him to keep His Word. He is faithful. Are we trusting Him?

Be careful friends what we promise God. It may cost us more than we ever dreamed.

LET IT GO

Be willing to let go of whatever so I can stay faithful to God.

Seek His will, then obey it.

Do what is required so I will be faithful to God.

Watch my mouth and what I promise.




 

A Vow Made

O. T. #532  "A Vow Made"
June 5, 2015
Judges 11-Part 2
Then it shall be, that whatsoever...  Judges 11:31

LET IT GLOW

A man's word is his bond. Do we hear that in our day? A handshake on an agreement used to be as binding as a contract is now. So as a Christian, I should keep my word. When I say I will, then I do it. Right? Even if others do not. A vow made is a vow kept. An Israelite made a vow to the Lord. Shall we see what it was about?

As a review: After 300 years of Israel possessing (Gad and 1/2 tribe of Manasseh), the Ammonites claimed it belonged to them. (Moab and Ammon were sons of Lot, Abraham's nephew.) They entered the city of Gilead, west of the Jordan River to conquer. Gilead's sons after kicking out their half brother, Jephthah, from the city, begged him to return and lead their army to fight the Ammonites.
Jeph came back, agreed to lead them, but in doing so would become their leader, judge. All agreed.

So we pick up the story with Jephthah, convinced Israel had done no wrong, but the Ammonites were in the wrong, challenged their enemies to have  the LORD the JUDGE (Yahweh Hashhophet, pronounced with a long o and e) settle this matter between Israel and the children of Ammon. Guess who disagreed-the Ammonites.

Jephthah sought the Lord in this matter.

When we feel we are following the Lord in a matter and face opposition, do we seek Him for direction as Jephthah did? Or do we go head strong doing things our way?

LET IT GROW

We do not read of an answer, specific instructions or different directions given to Jephthah from God.
Verse 29 begins with Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah...

The Lord graciously empowered Jephthah for war on behalf of his people does not mean that all of the warrior's decisions were of God's wisdom. The rash vow (v. 30,31) is an example.
(MacArthur)

However, we do read of a vow which Jeph made to the Lord in verse 31:
If You give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD's, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering. (my emphasis)

This was a custom among generals to promise the god of their worship something of great value as a reward for that god's giving them victory.  (MacArthur)

We are going to leave it there. You can read over the weekend what happened if you wish to know ahead of time. What or who would be the sacrificed pledge?

Numbers 30:2 tells us, If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. 

Do we keep our promises to the Lord? It is better to not make one that break one.


LET IT GO

Keep my promises to the Lord.

Do what I say I will do.

The Truth

O. T. #531  "The Truth"
June 4, 2015
Judges 11
Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah... Judges 11:29

LET IT GLOW

We left the city of Gilead, where the Ammorite army came to camp at Mizpah, their tower. The people and princes of Gilead decided that whoever lead them to fight and conquer the Ammorites would be made their leader.
God raised up Jaephthah to lead the Israelites to freedom from the 18 years of oppression. (verse 8) The Gileadites asked this man of valour (a strong, adept warrior) to help them.

For some background: The man Gilead was probably the grandson of Manasseh (Num. 26:29), one of Joseph's sons.  The Ammorites were accusing the Israelite's ancestors of taking away their land when Moses led them out of Egypt. Actually, the Israelites were not given permission to pass through the land of Edom and Moab. The Lord gave Sihon into their hands when he attacked Israel. Deuteronomy 2 and Numbers 21 record the actual accounts.

God is the true Owner of the land. As the legitimate Landlord, He had the right to give the land to whomever He chose. Israel made no apology for believing that He had chosen them to possess it. This belief is still at the heart and core of orthodox Judaism.  (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Do we consider God as the owner of our house and lot/land? Is He in charge of it? Do we honor Him with it? Or is it what we have come to possess?

LET IT GROW

Who was Jephthah?

• He was a Gileadite, like them.
• His mother was not the wife of Gilead, but a harlot. So being only a half-Canaanite, Jeph had an inferior status within the family. The legitimate sons of Gilead had made Jeph leave their city so he would not receive an inheritance with them. (He went to live at Tob.)
• The elders of Gilead turned to Jephthah for help.
• "You kicked me out, so why should I come to help you?" asked Jeph.
• All agreed that if the Lord gave Jeph victory over the Ammonites, then he would rule over them.

Then Jeph sent messengers to the Ammonite king asking why they were attacking. The king claimed rights to the lands Israel occupied. Israel took the land from the Amorites, not the Ammonites. Israel had lived there 300 years with any dispute. After all, God had given them the land.
Then Jeph made a rash vow. We will pick up the story tomorrow.

Do people sometimes misunderstand us or our situation? Do we let it go or inform them of the truth?

LET IT GO

Know the truth and share it with others.

Allow the Holy Spirit to lead me in His wisdom.

Whatever You Think Best

O. T. #530  "Whatever You Think Best"
June 3, 2015
Judges 10-Part 2
We have sinned. Do with us whatever You think best, but please rescue us now. 
 Judges 10:15 NIV

LET IT GLOW

Have you ever gotten to the point of whatever God thinks best? Life is a mess; it's my fault; I am sorry; God help me; do whatever You must; please, just rescue me today.
Yes, I am always making a mess of things and usually I must be the one to say I am sorry to someone. Over and over again I mess up. Israel was there, too.

Here we go again. The children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD and forsook the LORD, and served not Him. (verse 6) They turned to idolatry and abandoned the worship of God for the foreign gods. So this caused the anger of the LORD to be against them. He allowed the Philistines and the Ammonites to oppress Israel for 18 years. (verses 6-9)

What happens?

• Then the children of Israel cried to the Lord God, admitting their sin. (verse 10)
• The Lord reminds them from who He delivered them.  (verses 6-9)
• The Lord told His people to go cry to their gods for help in their time of trouble. (verse 14)
• The Lord listened as Israel admitted their sin, then said, do with us whatever You think best, but please rescue us now. (verse 16)
• So Israel got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the LORD. (verse 16)
• God could bear Israel's misery no longer. (verse 16)

Aren't we thankful for God's continued grace and mercy! So do you find yourself, like Israel and me, repeating this sin cycle and begging for mercy again? Do we do what we know God requires? Are we willing to accept whatever?

LET IT GROW

So the Ammonite army camped in Gilead and the Israelites assembled and camped at Mizpah. The people of Gilead agreed that whoever launched an attack against the Ammorites would be made head of all those living in Gilead.

In the next chapter, we read of a deliverer.

After we repent of our sin, make changes according to God's Word and ways, then He will work for us.
Is Jesus your deliverer?

LET IT GO
                     ...of pride and repent.
                               ...of sin and surrender to God.
                               ...and let God rule.
                               ...and accept whatever He deems best.
        

Small Fish

O. T. #529  "Small Fish "
June 2, 2015
Judges 10
... and he died. Judges 10:2,5

LET IT GLOW

When I was a kid, my parents enjoyed going fishing down at my grandfather's creek. Often times we would only catch perch, a small fish. Although small, they were good eating, so we took them home instead of throwing them back into the creek. Now, bass was even bigger and better to eat than  perch, which was quite bony. Mom fished for them. (I have a picture of her catch one day.)

Speaking of fish, I consider myself to be a small fish in small pond. In the scope of the world, my achievements go unnoticed, not making headlines, yet God notices. I am striving to serve Him in my small world, wanting to bring people to Jesus so they can experience His love and salvation. Perhaps you think of yourself in a similar way. Friends, nothing done in Jesus' name and for His glory goes unnoticed. We will reap a good harvest if we tarry. Our work for Jesus is important. Israel had some small fish, minor judges, of whom we know very little, yet they did a good work, in today's reading. Their work was significant or else it would not appear in the Bible, right?

We are in the fifth sin cycle, as I call it, for Israel. They repent of their sin of idolatry, worship God for a while, then turn away and repeat it again, so God sends oppression by a group to bring His children back to Him. (Do we do the same?)

Gideon was the fourth judge of Israel, with a peaceful 40 years. Then his son Abimelech ruled for 3 years, leading them into idolatry. But God took care of the evil men of Shechem and evil Abimelech, who got a stone and a sword. His fall was literal.

Now in chapter 10, we read of two good judges, considered the fifth, though we don't know much about them.
Liberty Bible Commentary describes the first mentioned Judge Tola:

• He was the son of Puah, the son of Dodo,
• Tola was a tribal name (Gen. 46:13). (a son of Issachar, one of the 12 sons of Jacob, who were servents)
• He was one of the lesser known judges of this time, without any mighty deeds recorded about him.
• Commentators Bruce and Wood suggest that these two judges were merely judicial arbitrators or military leaders who held the office of judge at a time when no military activity was necessary.
• Tola lived at Shamir (identified with the later Samaria) on Mt. Ephraim, near the previous judgeship of Deborah (4:5).
• His 23 year judgeship was the longest of any of the minor judges.
• He arose to defend Israel, like other judges, whose mission was to save or deliver Israel.

Tola delivered Israel while Abimelech destroyed it. (David Jeremiah)

Sounds like Tola took a messy government (due to Abimelech's ruling in idolatry) and cleaned it up.

Are we encouraging others to faithfully live for Jesus?
Or are we living for our self?


LET IT GROW


The second mentioned is Judge Jair:

• He was a Gileadite.
• He served on the opposite side (east) of the Jordan, compared with his predecessor, Tola on the west.
• He served 22 years, which may have overlapped with Tola, since their service was located near each other.
• Jair was one of three minor judges who is said to have had a large family, suggesting his influence in the community.
• His 30 sons, who rode on 30 donkeys, may have served as administrative assistants.
• Havoth-jair were the 30 cities over which he reigned and were tent dwellers.
• Jair and Jephthah were the only judges who served on the east side of the Jordan. They were of the half tribe of Manasseh.

Thirty sons, 30 donkeys, 30 cities. Hum, is there a pattern here? No significance that I can find, though.

Jair's son rode from place to place in their several circuits administering justice. (Matthew Henry)

Sounds like they were gentlemen doing good in their land.


What are you doing for God that is of worth and has a lasting effect?
When your life is over, will people remember more than just what was in your bank account or the number of years you lived? Will they recall our serving spirit or self-serving spirit?

Let me throw this in here: The judgeship of Jair coincided with the time period of Ruth. (MacArthur)

LET IT GO

I read this morning in Sarah Young's devotional Jesus Calling, which is written as though Jesus is speaking to us:

Let go of cares and worries, so that you can receive My Peace. Cease striving, and know that I am God. Let go, relax, be still, and know that I am God.

Linda, let go and let God...

Wow, What a Man!

O. T. # 528  "Wow, What a Man!"
June 1, 2015
Judges 9
And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they went home. Judges 9:55

LET IT GLOW

What a man! No, I'm not talking about Gideon, but one of his sons, Abimelech. If you like an action filled story, which actually happened, then read on. By the way, chapter 9 has 57 verses, so get comfy with a cup of coffee or a tall glass of iced tea. It takes a while to go through it.

What was the purpose of the high priest's ephod? It's purpose was to hear directly from Yahweh.  It had 12 stones that covered the breastplate in 4 rows of 3, representing the 12 tribes of Israel (Ex. 28). Most notable of all the meticulous details were the Urim and the Thummin, 2 flat stones secured within the front of the vest. When exposed, they would somehow relay Yahweh's guidance and instruction to the high priests and ultimately to His people.  (Priscilla Shirer)

Verse 27 tells us Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family.

Did Gideon set himself up as a high priest? As a king? Did Gideon strive to relate to God on his own terms? Was he making up his own rules in relating to God? Was it more convenient to commune with God using something he created? Here comes the sin cycle again.

God had given the victory over the Midianites who oppressed Israel for 7 years. Then Gideon rescued these Israelites. After meeting with Jesus, getting the victory, what does he do but go into his own idolatry. To beat all, he leads his brethren down that sinful road, too. However, they enjoyed 40 years of peace. Gideon had 70 sons, one called Abimelech ruled 3 years.

No where is Abimelech called a judge; rather, he is a usurper attempting to be a king, a self-appointed king. How did he do this?

• He appealed to his mother's relatives on his behalf.
• He  convinced them that he should rule over them.
• This backing would be needed to overpower Gideon's other sons who were apparently vying for rulership, although not clearly stated here.
• Evidently, his mother's relatives spoke on his behalf and convinced the rest of the leaders of Shechem that they should follow Abimelech.
• They gave Abimelech 70 pieces of silver. He used it to hire scoundrels to kill his brothers.
• All but one were killed, except the yourngest, Jotham, because he hid himself. so 69 were killed with one stone, which may have been a formal execution rather than a battle. (verse 5)
• The men of Shechem made Abimelech king over them. (verse 6)

There, Abimelech has his kingdom set up, ready for him to reign. All is well for him, or is it?

Do we get sneaky, go behind the scenes, in order to get our way? Or do we seek the Lord and His will?

LET IT GROW

Jotham told a parable of the trees in reference to his brother Abimelech. In the end, Jotham challenged the men of Shechem to choose whom they would serve. Jotham ran for his life, of course. The parable revealed that God would bring revenge for such a horrific act.

Abimelech reigned 3 years in this area, then soon problems arose. God sent an evil spirit between him and the men of Shechem so they wanted revenge for Abimelech having his brothers murdered. Apparently there was jealousy, distrust, and hate that developed toward Abimelech.

The spirit of animonisty that developed between them is viewed here as a result of God working in human history. That evil spirits can be commanded by God, and His giving them permission to work their evil desires is as old as the story of the book of Job. (Falwell)

The activity of the Shechemites was bad for business. They had a band of armed men ambushing the trade routes, thus depriving Abimelech of the revenues that could be collected by taxing the caravans passing through his territory. This rebellion was led by Gaal, which was calling for a return of Canaanite control of this area, and challenged Abimelech to come fight him.

What happens next?

• Zebul, the lieutenant governor in charge of Shechem, sent word to Abimelech to warn him of the rebellion going on there and to come at night to ambush the city.
• He took the advice, surrounding the city with 4 companies of his army.
• This resulted in Gaal being wounded and driven out of the city along with his men. You can read the way Abimelech conquered the cities of Shechem, El-Berith and Thebez.
• The people of Shechem ran into a field, where they were ambushed by Abimelech. He was so angry that he sowed the field with salt, which symbolized a permanent barrenness (Deut. 29:23). 
• The men of Shechem took cover in their tower.
• As Abimelech went to set fire on the tower, a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head and cracked his skull. While dying, Abimelech called his armor bearer to kill him with a sword so no one could say a woman killed him. And that ended the cruel Abimelech's reign. Thus God repaid him for the wickedness Abimelech did in murdering his 70 brothers and the city.

A millstone was generally about 18 inches in diameter and 2 or 3 inches thick, weighing as much as 20 to 30 pounds. (Falwell)

Prideful Abimelech could not be killed by a woman so he had his armor-bearer kill him with his sword,, similar to the ending of King Saul.

What can we take away from this graphic story? God Himself was actually sovereignly in control of the affairs of man. (Falwell)

We better take seriously God's warnings in His Word, to only worship Him.

(My wow, is not in admiration of Abimelech. I shake my head at him in disgust.)


LET IT GO

                                  ...of any pride in my positions, and be a servant instead.
                                  ...of control of my life and let God have it.
                                  ...of the world's way and follow God's ways.