Jepthah and the Ammonites

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0155Judges 11:4-40

The temptation is great to ignore the first section of this text, and only address the tragic vow made by Jepthah and its consequences.  However, Jepthah’s appeal to the king of the Ammonites deserves some consideration as well.  He did what he could to prevent the conflict by appealing to history, and seeking a peaceful solution to the problem.  Only when the Ammonite king refused to listen to reason and insisted on war did Jepthah resort to warfare.

LORD, forgive us for so quickly resorting to violence and conflict to solve our problems.

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by popular demand

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 10:1-11:3

The difference between this narrative and the others in Judges is that Jepthah’s judgeship seems to be initiated by the people, and God endorses it with his favor.  We should not be afraid of doing something that has a popular mandate as long as God approves of it.  Often it is in finding a need and filling it that a believer finds his or her calling.

LORD, give us eyes to see a need, and a hear of compassion for the needy.

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The curse of Jotham

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 9

This passage illustrates the aftermath of Gideon’s failure to bring lasting peace.  His son Abimelech deals treacherously and murders his brothers. Jotham escapes, and calls down a curse upon Abimelech and the town of Shechem.  God honors the curse and brings violence to Shechem, and a violent and ignoble death to Abimelech.

The point of all this is that although God had used Gideon, he made some mistakes and proved not to be the great hero of his reputation.  He was not the man with the white hat. God alone was the rescuer.

LORD, help us to honor those who are true heroes – those who serve you with integrity.

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the leader whose slip was showing

Posted on July 29, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 8

Gideon refused to be proclaimed king, telling the people that the LORD shall rule over them.  But everything he did in later life smacked of apostasy and selfishness. 

 

  1. His retribution against those cities that did not support him.
  2. His request for gold to fashion the ephod.
  3. His illegitimate son whose name meant “my father is king.”

So although he served as deliverer of Israel, his personal life made it possible for Israel to snap back to idolatry and bondage immediately after his death.

LORD, help our leaders to be people of integrity – to stand for you consistently.

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The LORD’s turn to test

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 7

Gideon had amassed a considerable army with which he intended to come against the Midianites.  But God told him to reduce the number.  When the army was reduced to a mere 300 men, God was satisfied, by Gideon was not sure that it was enough.  But after a short spying out of the Midianite camp, Gideon realized that God had instilled fear into the Midianite army, and that fear would do the work of thousands of soldiers. 

Gideon must have realized that the tests God required were in some way a response to his own insistence on testing God in the past.  His greatest weakness was not lack of numbers, but lack of faith.  God gently reveals enough to overcome his fear, and so bolsters his faith. As a result, Gideon worshipped.

LORD, thank you for gently walking us through the task you have given us, and making up for our weaknesses with your strength.

Posted in commitment, courage, faith, fear | Tagged | 1 Comment

putting out the fleece

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Judges 6

If you want to use this passage as a proof-text for testing the LORD to see if he is in something you are planning, or to determine whether a certain option is his will or not – go ahead.  But I do not think that is the point of the passage.  The author of Judges was showing the weakness of Gideon to highlight the LORD’s strength. He was showing Gideon’s fear to highlight God’s patience and grace.  Like all the stories of the Judges, Gideon’s story shows a God who is willing to act in spite of the unwillingness of his people to take a stand for him.   The Israelites would have rather dig themselves holes and crawl in after them.   They cried out to him for help.  He sent the most unlikely hero to save them, so that the LORD might get the glory.

LORD, call us to do great things for you. We know we are not worthy, but if you are in it, your mission cannot fail.

Posted in confidence, dependence upon God, discernment, faith, missions | Tagged | 1 Comment

cooperation

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

cooperationJudges 5

Deborah and Barak’s song celebrates the victory over Sisera and his army.  It was a victory that soldier and civilian cooperated to gain. Even the LORD cooperated by providing a rainstorm which produced a flooded wadi.

LORD, help us to work together to accomplish your purposes.

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courageous women

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mydaughtersJudges 4

Deborah and Jael are examples of courageous women who stepped outside the boundaries of cultural expectations to follow the LORD wherever he took them.  For Deborah, it was a gift of prophecy that led her to step into the role of counselor to the commander of the Israelite army.  For Jael, it was merely circumstances, and an opportunity that others did not have.  We celebrate these women, but there are thousands of others all around us who are doing the same thing.  They are rarely celebrated, even among believers.  When are we going to realize that God does not work his miracles on the basis of qualification?  It’s all grace. He is only looking for those who are willing.

LORD, make us willing to be used by you, whoever we are.

Posted in courage, discipleship, grace, leadership | Tagged | 2 Comments

sin, bondage, warfare, rest

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

LAND01 (3)Judges 3:7-31

The cycle was sin, bondage, warfare, rest for a number of years, and then sin again.  God raised up warriors who executed his judgment upon the oppressors, but it was the idolatry of the people that caused the bondage.  God was guilty of two things: he provided his people freedom to choose him or not, and he provided saviors when they made the wrong choice.  God is a God of grace.

LORD, help us to be part of your solution, not part of the problem.

Posted in conflict, courage, deliverance, grace, spiritual warfare | Tagged | 1 Comment

for the testing of Israel

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

F1000007Judges 2:1-3:6

The nations left in the land after Joshua’s death were instruments of the LORD, testing Israel.  Would God’s people honor him and his words alone?  There are many around us today who are serving the same purpose.  They tempt us to forsake God and worship self, fame, money or power.  May we prove true to the one who rescued us.

LORD, lead us not into temptation.

Posted in commitment, faithfulness | Tagged , | 2 Comments