SON OF A HARLOT
Suggested Reading: Judges 10-11
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
St. George Orthodox Monastery, or Monastery of St. George of Koziba, is located in Wadi Qelt, in the eastern West Bank. The sixth-century cliff-hanging complex, with its ancient chapel and gardens, is active and inhabited by Greek Orthodox monks. It is reached by a pedestrian bridge across the Wadi Qelt, which many imagine to be Psalm 23's "valley of the shadow of death." The valley parallels the old Roman road from Jerusalem to Jericho, the backdrop for the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Judges 11:1
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, but he was the son of a harlot; and Gilead begot Jephthah.
Why would the writer of Scripture record our key verse? Perhaps the point he is making is that God uses all who are willing, regardless of pedigree. Our background matters little; it’s what is in our hearts that counts. The Apostle Paul urges us to consider our calling. Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. “Not many wise, not many mighty, and not many noble are called.” We have good news. God will use us as we are! He wants a surrendered, obedient heart. That’s all! Let us give Him our hearts anew now!
The last part of our reading is a difficult story (Judges 11:29-40). Notice that it does not say that Jephthah actually burnt his daughter as an offering. God would not allow Abraham to offer Isaac (Genesis 22:1-14). The Jewish Rabbis teach that Jephthah sent his daughter permanently into a wilderness retreat where she remained a virgin for the rest of her life. For this reason I asked David Reynold for a photograph of the magnificent monastery in the wadi Qelt where vows are maintained as a sacrifice to God.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, once again You’ve shown me that no ordinary human being is perfect. I can never claim to be sinless (1 John 1:8-10). Therefore, I confess my sin and trust Your promise that You forgive me and cleanse me. Here’s my heart once again. Live in and through me in the Person of Your Son and my Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’m glad that Peter wrote, “No Scripture is of any private interpretation” (2 Peter 1:19-21). This is why I appealed to the Jewish Rabbis concerning Jephthah’s daughter. I deeply value the huge body of the historical understanding of the meaning of Scripture. Some react to Scriptures that are difficult to process in an hysterical way rather than in an historical way. I try to guard against jumping to conclusions until I have read the whole of Scripture on a given matter, as well as the comments of Rabbis and of Christian teachers whose work has stood the test of centuries.
In today’s reading we learn about the people of Ammon. This is modern day Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. This is a majority Muslim country. However, King Abdullah, whom I had the privilege of meeting, told me that he watches my Arab preacher son-in-law “all the time.” I checked on his knowledge by asking the king what TV signal he watched. He answered correctly. I’m going to google to check once again on the ministry called, “Light for All Nations.” It’s in the Arabic language, so I won’t understand much. However, if I can find Nizar, father of six of my grandchildren, and grandfather of three of my great-grandchildren, speaking in English, I’ll attach a video link (found it…click here).
Yours for understanding the daily 100words.ca readings of Scripture,
David
The wilderness land between Jerusalem and Jericho is very dry and desert-like.
One thing that I’ve observed from the beginning of our journey together is how humble you are in prayer David. You frequently ask for the forgiveness of sin and a cleansing of sin, strength for the day, a fresh renewing of the Holy Spirit, and a re-commitment to the task that God has given you. Might we all be so committed and humble in our daily prayer that we are driven to our knees, crying out with a contrite heart with confession of sin, asking for a cleansing and a daily renewal by the power of the Holy Spirit. After all, God wants a relationship with us … what better way to start the day than to relate to the one who created you, through the person of the Holy Spirit who lives within you.
This one thing I know, God in His great mercy has pardoned me,
snapped sin’s fetters and set me free, once I was blind but now
I see, this one thing I know.
I appreciate Nizar’s ministry…Jesus, my Good Sheperd, has never
once failed me. He is the great “I AM”.
David, I appreciate your thots concerning the end of Chap. 11
and was relieved to hear what the Jewish Rabbis said. We learn
so much from your blog…what a blessing each morning. A great
tool for learning.
Love the pictures. David, Norma-Jean, and all fellow bloggers
receive and enjoy all the blessings that God has for us all today.
Oh, how He loves us! We will never be separated from His love.
Asking our Lord for forgiveness keeps us not only in right relationship with our Creator, but reminds us of our imperfections and falibility to error. Without this fundemental Christian disposition, there is an ever-increasing inclination to be “condemning” in our approach to outreach rather than be “gathering” of souls. There is a gentle way of sharing our convictions, to bring light and love to dark matters. It’s not about respecting our differences (us verses sinner) but embracing sinners, like ourselves, and trusting our Lord Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, through example, to effect change. I could add a scripture here, but I know we can think of many.
Thank you for this blog ! It so helps in my understanding of our Holy Living Word!!!!!!!!!
Yes, I remember when Nizar’s ‘Light for all Nations’ was part of 100 Huntley Street. I so enjoyed that segment of the show. Thanks for including the link, David.
The photos are incredible, today. The monastery in Wadi Qelt is unbelievable–and ties in so well with the relevance of understanding this chapter of Judges.
Your depth of historical knowledge of scripture and insight has afforded us the proper example to follow, David. Just as you have said, it is often necessary to seek counsel from scholars to truly grasp the meaning behind Scripture. Things are not always as they seem as the illustration with Jephthah’s daughter shows. I thank you for setting this precedent, David.
God’s blessings to all, today!
Hi David: I am so enjoying your daily blogs. The pictures that your son takes really enhances your teachings. I hope you are doing well. You are a mighty man of God.
Christy
Saying Amen to your insightful blog again today, David and to all the replies. Echoes my thoughts as well. The photo is amazing, Reynold. Blessings on everyone today.
am I missing something? I didn’t see the sound symbol this morning to listen to the reading.
I meant to listen and be able to read along.I did this the first of the week.
Hello David ,
I too have thought about Jephthah’s daughter and what would have happened to her .
Thank you so much David!
Thank you for this blog. It is amazing in all respects – inspirational, educational and beautiful. The pictures enhance and deepen our understanding. Thank you for the depth you bring to this every day, David. You and Crossroads are in my prayers. May the lord strengthen you as you keep up your rigorous schedule. You set a terrific example for us to follow in your self-discipline, your humility, your love for the Word of God and in your devotion to our Saviour, Jesus Christ. God bless you and your family.
It is always such a joy to have the Scriptures come alive as you, Pastor David bring along with each of them photos to place us (readers) there to view and take in more than just the location. God has blessed us also with your giftedness in historical and cultural values. We have deeply appreciated your son-in-law, Nizar and “Light for all Nations”. I personally know his secetary/treasurer of this outreach and his wife. We go back many decades of friendship.
Thank you so much for blessing us richly spiritually and your gifted son, Reynold for his amazing positional photos.
Your humble spirit is so mentoring to us all. We keep you in prayer through our Jehovah Rapha!
Not really related to this post, more what’s in the news. God is our source and will supply funding for His projects. We need not fear.
The photo of the monastery is great, but when trying to see the location from where it was taken, Google Maps brings up the streets of Rome. This has happened a few times before. Do you know why?
I would recommend reading the commentary by John MaCarthur regarding Jephthah’s vow.
Interesting Video. The picture of the desert land is amazing !