SON OF A HARLOT
Today’s 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 Amman. 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 with English subtitles, 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.
Yes, today’s scripture is perplexing. Here is an abstract from readings I investigated: “In Judges 11 Jephthah is an anti-hero, his rash vow and its implementation being for the Book of Judges symptoms of the defects of pre-monarchical Israel. The daughter is probably sacrificed; the alternative view, that she is consigned to perpetual virginity, has insufficient support in the text. The story speaks still to present-day readers, challenging them not to make ill-considered judgments that may have disastrous consequences; inviting them too to detect a divine purpose working through human beings in their failings as well as their strengths.”
Appreciate the photos, history behind today’s message, encouragement from NT scripture links, and David’s prayer. Stay warm and be safe with approaching snow storms, blessed saints, in the Lord.
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6 ESV
This song was playing in my head as I was swimming, this morning:
“The Lion and The Lamb” (Lyrics) Big Daddy Weave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMTfj4xOjZk
Thanks Beverlee. Envy your early morning swim. I would rather like David’s interpretation of the rash vow. Going out today in cold weather but the sun is shining brightly before the storm tonight. Take care saints!
We have had the storm here all morning. It is fierce! Had an appointment but cancelled it yesterday. Be careful out there – praying for those who cannot stay home (doctors, nurses, firefighters, etc).
Bless you Doreen I also pray for the First Responders in whatever area they are working!
It breaks my heart that some people just do not obey the driving rules & regulations or they drink too much; they abuse their families and then expect treatment when accidents happen…I know some of them in my community and they bring tears to my eyes when I hear of what they did the night before to save people’s lives! PRAISE GOD FOR THOSE WHO HAVE CHOSEN THE FIELDS OF WORK WHERE THEY HELP HURTING PEOPLE, MAYBE EVEN STOP PEOPLE FROM DYING…..God bless their families in Jesus Name Amen
When we see the sacrifices offered in today’s examples we should think of the sacrifice God the Father made by sacrificing His only begotten Son when He could have easily stopped it but then we would have been without hope and all gone astray.Thank You Father and thank You Jesus.Amen
The Kingdom Is Ours
Oh,Lord,though we have sinned against You
And have done evil in your sight,
You still love us the ages through,
Withholding from us Your just might.
To each of us You have been a Friend,
Your guidance led those who would hear
And shown Your mercy has no end;
As we repent,you draw us near.
Lord,restore to us a right spirit,
For You have washed away our sin
And we know we’re not to fear it
When evil seeks to come within.
Oh,my Savoir,You are always true
And we want to walk in Your light
But there is one who will undo
And e’er seeks to bind us in fright.
Oh Lord,we know Your word is our shield
But relentless thoughts from the snake,
Seek to steal what we must not yield,
For the kingdom is ours to take.
G W(Bill) Marshall/13 Sept, 2015
Can’t Be Bought
May happiness be yours to share
And joy be your constant kin,
So you have peace beyond compare
As He cleanses the temple within
And as the world sees your face,
Will be seen what they have not,
For this gift is an unearned grace
From a Love that can’t be bought.
GW(Bill) Marshall 24 Aug, 2015
Jephthah is a great hero who kept his promise, though it was rash, even to his own hurt.
Lord God, please give us wisdom in the decisions we make, and help us to be people of integrity. You keep Your Word, even to Your own hurt; please help us to do the same. In Jesus’s so faithful name, amen
Amen Rob!
God bless you Rob! Yes our Lord God Almighty keeps His Word always! I know that sometimes I do not and I am sorry and I ask the Lord to forgive me, and He does, THIS IS THE MOST WONDERFUL NEWS A PERSON CAN HEAR, YOU DEAR CHILD, ARE FORGIVEN, WHAT YOU DID TODAY IS FORGIVEN AND FORGOTTEN AND TOMORROW IS A NEW DAY,
AMAZING GRACE, HOW SWEET IT IS…..
baby Samuel was given to the Lord, but, as a living sacrifice.