Day 093- The Bible Recap

Today's reading is Judges 10-12. Here's what stood out to me:

Israel's disobedience continued and they were further oppressed. When the Ammonites crossed the Jordan to fight, the Israelites cried their sins out to the LORD. This time He had a much different response, "you have forsaken Me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more. Go out and cry to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress."

Verse 16 says He became impatient over the misery of Israel. Could that mean He was tired of their back and forth promises? Or maybe He was saying He was moved by their misery? I tend to lean more towards the first scenario.

There are such tragic accounts in the book of Judges and Jephthah's was one of them. Because of his illegitimacy he was forced out of his home, but only later to be begged to take over command when his relatives were under attack. Such a sad circumstance because it felt as though they were only using him for his strength...they clearly didn't care about him as an individual.

Jephthah made a vow to the LORD that if the Ammonites were given into his hand whatever came out of the door when he returned, he would sacrifice to the LORD. The LORD gave the victory to Jephthah but tragically it was his daughter that came out the door. He kept the vow and killed his daughter.

It's important to note back in Leviticus chapter 5 this oath that Jephthah made would not have held up because it resulted in sin...the killing of his daughter. So the LORD was not behind this, and we don't know why Jephthah felt he had to keep it once he saw it was his daughter...maybe misguided fear?

Chapter 12 was further proof of the wickedness that was running rampant. The Ephraimites picked a fight with Jephthah because he didn't ask them to fight with him against the Ammonites. Their response was the desire to burn his house down with him in it! Foolishness is all encompassing without the LORD's presence.

~Ann Mays