Judges 11-12
Psalm 40
Acts 15
-Devotion by Kristy Cisneros (SC)
“And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: ‘If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.’ “(Judges 11:30-31, NIV)
Today’s reading in Judges contains a very disturbing account in chapter 11 of Jephthah making a reckless vow before God that if He gives him victory against the Ammonites, he will sacrifice the first thing that comes out of the door of his home. Sadly the first thing out of his door ends up being his beloved daughter. His daughter supports him in honoring this vow to the Lord, but asks for him to first grant her time to roam the hills for two months and spend time with friends. After the two month period, Jephthah carries out this vow.
In Pastor Andy’s Wednesday night class at Guthrie Grove Church, he recently covered some of these troubling stories in the Bible. He noted that some people can read these passages and feel very disturbed that God would allow such an atrocity to occur and ask why He would not intervene. Our class had some thought-provoking discussion about it and came to the consensus that it came down to Jephthah and his daughter ultimately not knowing the Lord and not hiding His word in their hearts.
If they had known God intimately, they would have realized that such a vow by a human was contrary to the heart of God. Jephthah would have never made this vow had he known God, and his daughter would have been able to speak against it if she had known God. We all agreed it underscored the importance of really understanding God’s character and recognizing His goodness. We can read His word to have a better understanding of His heart and each time we read it, that understanding can grow deeper. Consider what this week’s readings are showing you about the character of God.
Reflection Questions
- What is the danger of making vows to God? Are you known to be true to your word – both to men and to God? Should you more often adjust your words – what you have said you would (or wouldn’t) do, or your actions – what you did (or didn’t) do?
- What are some of the wrong assumptions about God prevalent today? Can you give Scriptural evidence to show that these views of God are not true? What is the danger of basing your own ideas about God on your own thoughts, and preconceived and borrowed ideas, instead of on Scripture?
- What are your Bible readings revealing about the character of God? Keep searching daily to answer this question!
Prayer
Dear Almighty God – I praise You for Your greatness. In so many ways Your greatness and goodness goes far beyond my comprehension. And yet, You want to be known. And, I want to know You more and more. Thank You for Your Word, where throughout Scripture You reveal Your heart and character. Thank You for Your Son Jesus who also shows us his Father and God and the way to You. Help me see more clearly who You are and what pleases You and reject the world’s “wisdom”. Help me be a person of my word who speaks well and does well, all for Your purposes and to Your glory.
Seek Grow Love 