Feb 15 (Jud 8-12)

Judges 8

Gideon was a very successful leader and warrior. I point out to my kids that this was so ONLY because he trusted in God, and let God lead him.

(v.23) Gideon got what the Israelites never did...God was their King, not any man. Gideon came from humble beginnings and God used him for great purposes.

I like to have my kids think of other people in the Bible that were like this:

~ Abraham
~ Moses
~ David
~ Jesus

Judges 9

This is a classic example of how greed and treachery come back to haunt you. Abimelech let his pride and ambition overtake any godliness he might have had. God allows things, but He is always in control, and He used this conspiracy to teach the Israelites that He is their King...not any man.

Judges 10

We see the same pattern here...the Jews go their own way with what's "right in their own eyes," and when they come to trouble, they finally call out to God to bail them out. But God does something different here...He gives them some tough love.

What I point out to my kids, is that even though God tells the Jews that He won't help them, they still obey God's commands and get rid of their idols. This is repentance, and that's what God requires of us in order for Him to forgive us. Since they changed their ways, and God is loving and merciful, He relented and helped them.

Judges 11

The account of Jephthah is both interesting and controversial. He makes a vow with God, that if God helps him to victory, he will sacrifice to the LORD the first thing from his household.

Since Jephthah only has a daughter, and she comes out of the house, it's believed that Jephthah killed her as a sacrifice. That may be true, but it's not clear exactly what was done to her.

Many scholars believe Jephthah could have redeemed his daughter by the Law, just by paying a priest 10 shekels according to Leviticus 27:5. They also point out that (vv.37-40) alludes to her sacrifice being that she would remain a virgin. We need to remember that the biggest shame of a woman in those days, was not being able to have children. It is very likely that the "sacrifice" was that Jephthah was giving her to the Lord, as a virgin for life.

Judges 12

Jephthah only reigned over Israel for six years. Scholars may disagree over whether he killed his daughter or sacrificed her to a life of virginity, but they all seem to agree that he suffered a broken heart because it was his fault for making the vow in the first place.

God isn't interested in us making vows to Him like this...He wants our devotion and faith...not silly acts of bartering with Him to have Him help us.