The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse reading–Judges 13:1-5, 14:1-9, 16:1-30 (day three)

“[The Lord] was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines.”  What is this “seeking an occasion” business?  He’s the Lord.  Why doesn’t he just blow things up to get done what he wants to get done?  A pagan deity–one that springs from the mind and desires of man–will crush the world when he doesn’t get his way.  The actual God–the God who is–will seek, woo, stir, call to account, punish, confront, give generously, wait patiently.  He’s at work in history and through people in order that he might redeem all who will believe him.  God has nothing to prove to men, but he knows what it takes to save them.  When he confronts you, it is that you might turn from evil.

Re:Verse reading–Judges 13:1-5, 14:1-9, 16:1-30 (day two)  Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have deceived me these three times and have not told me where your great strength is.” 

Who was more deceived in this story Samson or Delilah? Samson had been toying with her by not revealing the source of his strength, but where was his gaze fixed. He was a man who certainly followed his eyes. If he saw a thing of beauty, particularly women, he pursued her. He knew that he was consecrated to the Lord, but he was focused on satisfying his own desire. Three times a trap was set for him. Surely he understood that this woman that he was being seduced by was not on his side, but he was blinded. It is fitting then, isn’t it, that they gouged his eyes out. Those things that led him astray would not deceive him again. It was then that he saw most clearly God’s purpose for him.

Don’t be so seduced by your own lusts that you completely miss the trap you are falling into. Be consumed with what the Lord wants for you, not what pleases you at the moment.

Re:Verse reading–Judges 13:1-5, 14:1-9, 16:1-30 (day one)  

“The boy shall be a Nazirite to God”–v 13:7

The Nazirite vow was given to Israel by God in Numbers 6.  It was a voluntary offering of self to God.  No alcohol meant that the Nazirite would seek God over the pleasures of the world.  Not cutting the hair symbolized that he would seek God over appearance and acceptance in polite society.  Not touching dead bodies meant that he would keep himself ceremonially pure at all times.  Taken together, they symbolized a life totally devoted to God.

Samson was a Nazirite from birth.  Like Israel, he had power only so long as he guarded this single devotion.  Drifting from it, he had no power.

Jesus was also a Nazirite from birth.  Not the outward code (the Lord drank wine for an example) but the inward reality.  Wholly dedicated to God, He became the Savior of world and called us to a life like His.

Re:Verse reading–Judges 11:1-6, 28-40 (day seven)

“Jephthah was a valiant warrior, but he was the son of a harlot.”–v 1

He was a mixed bag.  Who isn’t?  Mighty warrior.  Strong and courageous.  Part of his drive, I suspect, came from his early childhood trauma.  Rejected by his family, he worked the rest of his life for achievement and approval.

Sometimes unconscious and unhealed wounds make a person unstable.  One day, in a very unwise moment, Jephthah foolishly risked his family in pursuit of the success he so desperately craved.  He vowed to sacrifice whatever or whoever came out of his tent on his victorious return.  What was he thinking?

We are all mixed bags.  Spiritual and fleshly.  Healed and still healing.  Wounded warriors. “Who will set me free from the body of this death?” said Paul one day in the midst of his own mixed-bagness.  “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord”–Romans 7:24-25.

I’m a mixed bag.  Christ isn’t.  Reminds me to always walk in His Spirit.

Re:Verse reading–Judges 11:1-6, 28-40 (day five)

What are the lessons you’ve learned from scripture? How has scripture shaped your character and heart? How does scripture guide you through decisions, choices, and commitments?

Fast forward in the story of Jephthah. When word came back from the king of the Ammonites, Jephthah’s response was a retelling of Numbers 20. In fact, it was 100% accurate. HE KNEW THOSE SCRIPTURES.

Let me suggest 3 evidences that the scripture shaped Jephthah’s life and heart. 1) Jephthah extended mercy to the elders (probably included his brothers) of Gilead by his willingness to help and lead them. 2) Jephthah upon being made leader, intentionally spends time in prayer and conversation with God. 3) Jephthah’s first response (as a mighty warrior) was to seek a peaceful resolution with the Ammonites.

Ps 119- Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!
You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.
Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!

Re:Verse reading–Judges 11:1-6, 28-40 (day four)

Verse 29 – “Now the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah.”

We are told that Jephthah was a valiant warrior.  He had a reputation for his prowess as a soldier.  When he was driven away from Gilead, even the worthless men of Tob recognized him as a leader to be followed.  (Fast forward in history to a time when the Ammonites were again attacking Israel.  They hired 12,000 mercenaries from Tob to attack King David of Israel.  This time they were not led by a God-fearing man.  The results were much different.)  Even with his great strength and skill as a warrior though, the true key to his victory is given here in verse 29.  The Spirit of the Lord rested on Jephthah and he was victorious over the sons of Ammon.

In our lives…our position, our reputation for greatness, or our support of thousands will make no difference if we are not abiding with the Lord.  When God’s Spirit directs our lives, there is victory!

Re:Verse reading–Judges 11:1-6, 28-40 (day three)

“Come,” they said, “be our commander, so we can fight the Ammonites.”  When God made man, he made something good.  That goodness rises up in the form of, among other things, resilience.  We tend to gauge a person’s ability based on circumstances: “Odds are,” we say, “he won’t rise to the task.”  But man is either resilient or he is not.  He has either been made by God or he has not.  When someone knows–and believes–that God has made him, he will indeed rise.  He looks not at his ending.  He looks at his origin.

Re:Verse reading–Judges 11:1-6, 28-40 (day two) “Gilead’s wife bore him sons; and when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out and said to him, ‘You shall not have an inheritance in our father’s house, for you are the son of another woman.'” vs. 2

“But the king of the sons of Ammon disregarded the message which Jephthah sent him.” vs. 28

Tragic story. Not at all a Disney version, and born out of rejection…twice. The first time by his half-brothers who were repulsed by his illicit beginnings. Even after he had grown and the Lord had placed in a place as a Judge of Israel  he was rejected by the Ammonite King. This, perhaps, was a catalyst for the hasty pledge made towards God to sacrifice “whatever comes out of the door of my house.” God did not make that pledge, Jephthah did. Do you let your past rejections fuel your decision making process? Where God has placed you, he will use you. Let your love for him guide your path, not your fear.

Re:Verse reading–Judges 11:1-6, 28-40 (day one)

“Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, ‘whatever comes out the door of my house to meet me. . .I will sacrifice to the Lord as a burnt offering.’ “–v 30.

The Bible speaks of our conscience.  The Greek word is syneidesis.  It  means “to know with yourself”.  Refers to those things that we know, don’t question.  What is true and right.  What is good and bad.  Things we sincerely believe.

Ordinarily, the conscience is a good guide.  “Keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.”–1 Timothy 1:19

Sometimes, however (particularly when the inner mind has been shaped by culture rather than the word of God)  what we REALLY BELIEVE is not true.  An inaccurate picture of God’s character and will.

Jephthah is an example.  No one doubts his sincerity.  What we question (and should) is his view of God and what is pleasing to Him.