Jephthah has agreed to fight the Lord’s battle against the Ammonites for Israel. I think he is confident in his heart of a victory but he offers an “incentive” to the Lord. A promise he will regret making for the rest of his life. Jephthah’s promise reminds me of the promises we often make to […]
History speaks loud and clear in our reading today. The history of a man and the history of a nation. One man exiled because of his origin will stand for the people who sent him away. When reading the story of Jephthah today I’m struck by the contrast between him and Abimelech. I’m also struck […]
Israel has push God away AGAIN! This time it is almost too far. “I will save you no more. Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen” (verses 13b-14a). We were warned in the beginning of this book what was about to be revealed. We are given a close inspection of the […]
We get to meet two more judges that God raised up for Israel. They ruled successively for 45 years. He wants His people near Him and will do whatever it takes to accomplish that. Abimelech is dead. He ruled as ‘king’ for three years. He followed on the heels of his father, Gideon, who ruled […]
God repaid both Shechem and Abimelech. There would be NO glorious reign as king for Abimelech. Both he and the men of the city would receive their just reward for their part in the death of Gideon’s sons. The relationship between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem soured REAL fast. Jotham’s words took root and […]
