Judges 11:1-12:15 + John 1:1-28 + Psalm 101:1-8 + Proverbs 14:13-14
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Old Testament – Today we read about Jephthah and his daughter – and the related vow. It is interesting to note that some Biblical scholars do not think that Jepthah actually killed his daughter, but that she simply died a virgin, as verse 38 says. However… verse 38 also says he kept his vow. Keep in mind that oftentimes the Bible reports “just the facts,” which does not necessarily mean the “facts” or actions of what us humans did was pleasing in God’s sight. Human sacrifice was not part of God’s laws or plans. It is clearly forbidden in Leviticus chapter 20 verses 1-5 and in Leviticus chapter 18:21 – ” ‘Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.”
New Testament – I am so excited that we are starting the Gospel of John today!! I won’t necessarily say that it is my favorite Gospel – because all 4 are amazing. But, I will say that John is different from the other 3. If by chance you felt like reading Luke these past few weeks has gotten repetitive when compared to Matthew and Mark, hang in there! John is different. Beautifully different. John Chapter 15 is definitely one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I cannot wait to read it again! I actually have a powerful personal story to share with you all about John Chapter 15. I’ll do so either in a future email or on the blog when we get to this chapter.
I have a feeling there are probably a few folks who have dropped off the One Year Bible readings over this past few months. I’d like to invite you to jump back in and join us now as we’re beginning John and will soon be starting Ruth. These are 2 great books for you to start back up with us again!
One thing I’ll recommend to everyone, if you have a chance this next week, is to watch the movie “The Gospel of John”. Have you seen it? It is incredibly well done. It was released in theaters on a limited basis a few years ago, and I was fortunate enough to have caught it in the theater. It is a 3 hour movie that goes word-for-word through the Gospel of John, based on the Good News Bible translation. Or, perhaps you’ll want to read the Biblical text first and then watch the movie later. Either way. I definitely recommend this film. You can watch it on Amazon for free if you have Prime.
The Gospel of John
Author: John
Place: Ephesus
Date: A.D. 85-96
Content: The Gospel of John was written many years after Jesus’ death and resurrection by the apostle John so that those who read it might believe in Christ and thus have life through his name. John begins with a prologue unique to this Gospel where Jesus’ preexistent life with the Father is depicted to show that Jesus was not simply a great man, but God. Miracles of Jesus as well as many of Jesus’ teachings not found elsewhere are then described. A long section in John chapters 14 through 17 describes Jesus’ teaching to his apostles before his death. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, special place is given to Jesus’ appearance to his apostles.
Theme: The Gospel of John more than any other Gospel stresses the deity of Christ and provides us with an interpretation of his life. He is explained in figurative terms as light, truth, love, good shepherd, the door, the resurrection and the life, living water, true bread, and more. The beautiful material found in John chapters 14 through 17 shows the deep love of Jesus for the believer and the peace that comes from faith in Christ. (Above commentary is from “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 22-23) Great commentary on John by Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org is at this link: https://bible.org/seriespage/1-john-man-and-his-gospel
Bible Project: Here is a terrific video overview of the Gospel of John:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-2e9mMf7E8
Today in John Chapter 1 verse 14 we read – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Do you believe that Jesus is the Word John is referring to? What does this mean to you that the Word became flesh? Do you believe that Jesus was born into this world both fully divine and fully human (yet sinless)? Why would God send Jesus, full of light, grace and truth into the world? Why was this necessary?
Today in John Chapter 1 verses 10 & 11 we read – “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” Do you believe that the world was made through Jesus? Do you believe the world is Jesus’ own? Have you ever gone through periods in your life where you have not recognized Jesus for who he truly is? ( I know that I have) Have you gone through periods of your life where Jesus has come to you and you did not receive him? ( Again, I know that I have) As you read through the Gospel of John this year will you prayerfully read it? Will you ask God to reveal to you through John’s Gospel who Jesus really is? And will you ask God to make Jesus more known to you this year than ever before? Do you believe this is possible – for you to know Jesus more this year than in your prior years? Do you believe the Gospel of John and prayer can help you to truly know Jesus more?
Bible.org’s commentary on our readings in John today titled “What Child is This?” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 101 is a great Psalm of David today! Great verses, all of them. I like verse 3 – “I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.” This seems to be a bit tougher and tougher to adhere to in our modern world where pornography is getting more and more into the mainstream. But, it is such a beautiful and true Psalm of David for us to adhere to! Do you refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar? Do you avoid watching TV shows, reading magazines or papers, or going to see movies where you know you’ll end up looking at things vile & vulgar? Don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying avoid watching all TV, reading all mags & papers or avoid all movies. I’m just saying that there are some of these forms of media that we know in advance that what they “sell” us will be vile and vulgar. Why would we “buy” that garbage? Refuse to look at it. Don’t give it one inch of power over you! (or your kids!)
A portion of verse 2 stood out to me today – “I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.” This is powerful. How often do we have integrity outside of our home – but then not display integrity within our own home? Think this is healthy? Should we strive for leading a life of integrity within our own home?
Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 14 verse 13 teaches us today: “Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.” This is an interesting look at laughter!
Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of For King and Country’s song “Fix My Eyes:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lol1tOMR3Y
Where are your eyes fixed these days? Click here to fix your eyes!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:1-3 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you personally are in relationship with the Word, Jesus. Pray that you know that Jesus is the eternal Alpha and Omega, first and last Word of all things. Pray for those that you know who are not in relationship with Jesus, that they will come to know the Word made flesh.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Some say laughter is the best medicine… and oftentimes I agree. But, this Proverb tells us that laughter may not always heal a heavy heart… Perhaps something more than laughter is needed when we have a heavy heart? Perhaps – God is needed? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
Judges 11-12:15
What jumped out at me today, in this book that records that “every man did that which was right in his own eyes (21:25),” was the reversal of relationships in doing what was evil. Yesterday and Thursday we read about Abimelech, son of Gideon, aka, Jerubbaal, the illegitimate son, killing his seventy brothers, save but one, and ruling or judging as a political judge, not a spiritual one. Today we have the legitimate sons of Gilead not killing but forcing out the illegitimate son, their half-brother. Is it just me but has anyone notice that the judges have moved from have any kind of spiritual influence to just plan brut force? It seems God is using them in spite of themselves.
I am only guessing as to why they didn’t kill him but it could have been that he was a “great warrior,” and with all great warriors they usually have a “posse.” Regardless of illegitimacy or legitimacy I saw that the perversion of God’s commands and wickedness does not dwell in a particular family, neighborhood or person. We sometimes try to compartmentalize “sin” by giving deference to a particular time, place, space and people as being sinless. Folks run from neighborhood to neighborhood, state to state looking for “good” places and communities which to raise their young, when in reality the danger that we think dwells without, really resides within.
Each one did what was right in his own eyes implies that what everyone else did was wrong, but what I do is right. This sets up the individual as his or her own god. So even though we read in this book about Israel swinging from god to God, like a trapeze artist swinging from bar to bar, the gods they really served were the gods of their own self interest, the gods that lived in their hearts.
Are we guilty of serving our own gods and calling them something else, swinging from bar to bar, from god to God thinking we are safe because the mercy of God has formed a net underneath us? If the net or when the net is removed, do we cry out to God, “Where were You? When in reality we were grabbing for the wrong trapeze.
John 1:1-28
What I absolutely love about this Gospel is the image of light and True light, and the juxtaposing of truth with non-truth. This passage mentions that John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin and elder by birth by six months, proclaimed the “Light” that was Christ and gave testimony validating that Light.
8 John himself was not the light; he was only a witness to the light. 9The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was going to come into the world.
Take note if the writer is distinguishing between true light, know for certain there is a false one, in other words it illuminates to a point but leaves many things in the shadows.
What light am I serving? Do I need to get rid of a dimly lit bulb I’m calling the revelation of God? Thoughts that make one do some soul searching.
Psalm 101:1-8
Mike, in the King James Version verse three reads,
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
Maybe the KJV and NKJV can be understood clearer this time and with this verse. The NLT using, “I will refuse to look at” leaves us helpless in keeping outside forces from passing before us. We would have to go into a cave or put our eyes out to stop the onslaught of smut that comes before our eyes just walking down the street. Working in a college it’s not so much as what some folks are wearing that comes before my eyes, but what they aren’t wearing.
The King James talks about us placing something wicked before our very own eyes. Now if something wicked this way comes propelled by a human being that we have no control over, that’s one thing, but if we stop and stare at it then we are setting “it” before our eyes.
Proverbs 14:13-14
Laughter may conceal a heavy heart, just think of all the stand-up comics and comedians through the ages who are bitter, hurting people, but surly laughter that proceeds from a merry heart brings healing. (Proverbs 15:13;17:22). The key is the state of the heart. If the heart is merry then the laughter is legitimately flowing from the inside. But only God knows what is really in the heart of a person.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======== Pat:
The Scripture in Judges 11 is very disturbing to me because I believe that the Bible says what it means and means what it says. Therefore, I believe that the daughter of Jephthah was offered as a burned sacrifice because Jephthah made that vow with God. The lesson here is that we are not and should not put ourselves in a position to barter with God. We are not to make deals with God that we will do something for Him if He does a particular favor for us. We are to dedicate ourselves to God on a daily basis and ask that His will be done in all that we do. We are not to try to buy his favors. Bartering means that what we have is equal to what He has so we will trade off so each of us will be justly rewarded. We can’t buy God because we have nothing to offer God that is as valuable as what God has to offer us. He is too great and we are too insignificant for that! We are just to love God and accept Him as our Savior and for that alone He will shower us with His blessings.
God Bless!
Pat
======== John:
Mike and Pat,
re: Jephthah and daughter
I will just reitierate. What you are reading is an English translation. The Hebrew is tricky here, and I am not sure the flavor of Jephthah’s vow, or what happens after the daughter’s two month sojourn is accuratley reflected.
Literal Hebrew translation of verse 31 is:
“then it hath been, that which at all cometh out from the doors of my house to meet me in my turning back in peace from the Bene-Ammon — it hath been to Jehovah, or I have offered up for it — a burnt-offering.'”
It seems like if it was a person – they would be dedicated to the Lord (like Samuel), and maybe if an animal offered as a sacrifice.
Regardless it is a very tricky translation. I believe the original Hebrew and Greek transcripts are inerrant. I would not make the same claim for some translations that all too many people depend on to form opinions.
The vow was foolish and unnecessary, and I think the Holy Spirit here is saying to be cautious what you promise the Lord. I think the punishment for the foolish vow was that the line of Jephthah died with him, that his daughter served the Lord and remained a virgin for her life. That is a very severe punishment for a culture that emphasized family lines. It is especially hard for Jephthah who was spurned and made too feel insignificant in his early years. Grandkids he could have loved and treated differently would have been a great comfort to him – but because of his vow it was not to be.
John
====== Luch:
John 1:6 can apply to all of us “There was a man sent from God whose name was John…He came to be a witness of the Light.. Great truth. God uses individual men and women like John to make a difference in the world.
On another note, “There was a man sent from God whose name was William Wilberforce, the great slave abolitionist, and social reformer..” I have seen the Amazing Grace movie three times in the last month on the big screen. What a great example of being ‘salt and light’ to this world was William Wilberforce. If you haven’t seen it yet, please find a theater where it’s playing and you’ll be inspired to ‘be that person sent from God’ to make a difference not only in preaching the gospel but ‘being the gospel to others…
Luch
====== Jenny:
In Judges, concerning Jephthah and his vow, i read extensively long commentary by Vernon McGee, it convinced me that Jephthah did not offer his daughter as a burnt offering, first, thats murder and God never has or will accept a human as a dead sacrifice, He has called us to be a “living sacrifice”. He was grieved bcos he would not have grandchildren n his line wouldnt continue and it says his daughter was obedient. As we know wen God called Abraham to offer up Isaac, it was a test, He never intended Isaac to be sacrificed. The only human sacrifice was Jesus, tho both God and man, He was without sin.
The beginning of John is amazing, where He relays Jesus is the`Word and always existed, “so the Word became flesh”. Jesus is the I am, He always existed.
v 12-13 “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.”
Here is the proof, we must be born again, not merely, yes, i know Jesus died for our sins, satan himself knows that. We have to be transformed. Its a miracle from God as well.
My study bible says regarding the term “backslider”: This term, so often used by the prophets, is here used in such a way to clarify who is a backslider. He belongs in the category of the fool, the wicked and the disobedient and he is contrasted with the godly wise. It is a word that the prophets used of apostate unbelievers.
Prov. Back wen i was going through a severe depression, constantly thinking of suicide, I was the girl who laughed the most. No one knew the pain i was in. i still laugh a lot, but i just remember coming home feeling like i was hiding my pain and it was awful. I felt like I was everybody’s clown, but i was desperately hurting under it all. I was tired of being everyone’s clown, cheering everyone up, being silly, making everyone laugh…no one was there to cheer me up. that was yrs ago, God brought me thru that. I now know many who laugh the loudest are hurting the most!
Jenny
====== Susanne:
Hey! Last week I told you I’d missed you, but never said why.
Today is a perfect example of why.
Thanks for your suggestion to PRAYERFULLY
read John, and ask God to help me know Jesus
more this year than ever before. I never thought of that.
I’m not as excited as you say in your blog.
For some reason, the Old Testament is more exciting.
But when you said prayerfully read and
ask, I know God will answer and something’s gonna happen.
In regards to your thought some have probably
dropped out…
I can tell you from my experience
since I made the decision this year, it has been one thing
after another, all “battling” to keep me out of the Word!
Coming here is encouraging and both you/those who share,
probably don’t realize how much of a blessing you are!
Thank You Lord and thanks you brothers and sisters in Christ.
Susanne
====== Katie:
I love the Gospel of John … the light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not understood it… Jesus loves us, loved us even though we didn’t understand or know who He is. The book of John always makes me feel “loved” by Jesus, in a special way.
Psalm 101:2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life—
when will you come to me?
I will walk in my house
with blameless heart.
3 I will set before my eyes
no vile thing.
The deeds of faithless men I hate;
they will not cling to me.
These verses have always been a red flag to me to walk in holiness and purity EVEN when noone is looking!:) It’s sometimes hard, in my flesh, to not watch things on TV that aren’t “right” before God, especially if I’m alone and noone will know. We have a “no rated R” rule in my house , but sometimes PG13’s aren’t quite holy either! 🙂 So I’m working on setting before my eyes no vile thing, and trying to train up my son that way too. It is difficult in this day and age. But I keep praying, and the Lord helps me.
Katie
====== Patty:
Hi. This is my first post here. First, thanks for this blog. You have obviously put alot into it. I really appreciate it.
Second, thoughts that “came” to me as I was reading Judges. I use KJV so I don’t know exactly what words the other versions use. In v31, his vow says “whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house,” interesting that he does not say “whosoever”. But why would he have expected something non-human to “come from the doors” of his house? Unless he didn’t mean his home but something more like ‘the gates of his property’? Was he trusting God to send the animal He wanted to be sacrificed at the appropriate time? Nevertheless I think it was a warning not to make rash vows or bargains with the Lord.
Patty
====== Julie:
I’m still here Mike!
Today’s OT reading was all new to me! When Jephthah said whatever came out of his house to meet him was not a smart thing to say. Family would come to greet him most likely, even if he had a dog that was an odd thing to say. Then he followed thru on his vow.
His faith had been tarnished by the people of the land & he had forgotten as you said the Lord had forbidden it. I wonder how many of us are doing the same thing? We go to our churches but you hear so many different things taught that are not Biblical but you feel you are being righteous because it was taught there. Hope I made this clear, it’s very early in the morning.
I love the DVD of John, I too, saw it at the movies & was touched beyond belief. I cried as if I relived my coming to Christ again. I haven’t seen it in awhile so will look forward to watching it when we finish the book of John.
Psalms today was very convicting.
Thank you for all you do here.
Julie
====== Susan:
First of all, I’ll like to thank Mike for providing this forum for discussions; this is highly appreciated.
I was mostly touched by Judges 11:34-39 – I want to believe that Jephthah was a bit rash in making such a vow, could he not have imagined the possibility of any member of his household coming to welcome him? But the lesson here for me was that he followed through! I mean he was faithful enough to follow through even though it meant sacrificing his only child! God is not demanding for us make a vow, but He expects us to fulfill it if we make one; its up to us to be careful about the vows we make!
Again Jephthah’s daughter must have been a very obedient child, she did not even argue or accuse the father, she willingly surrendered herself for the sacrifice! Knowing my kind of person, I would not have surrendered without a fight! I would not even surrender, Jephthah would have to figure out other ways of fulfilling his vow.
I loved reading the book of John, this confirms that Jesus is also God and He dwelt among us.
Thanks everyone and have a great day!
Susan
====== Art:
The Gospel according to John… ahhh… And it’s finally spring here in New England. Life is good. God is good. The first five verses of John are some of my absolute favorites… next to chapter ten that is… and fourteen… and, well, John is simply amazing. Great video. Thanks for posting. We’re still with you Mike!
Art
====== Skip:
Hi Mike,
I’m still here and have been here everyday. I just don’t always have time to post up to the blog.
I believe that laughter is good medicine. An Apple a day keeps the doctor away but laughter everyday keeps the devil away. I believe by having laughter in our lives on a daily bases our hearts will never become too heavy. Laughter is good for the soul. When you keep Jesus in your life, pray and talk with him everyday and share Him with others one can’t help to be light hearted and laugh.
He is the way, the truth and the life. Be joyful and laugh!
Yours in Christ
Skip
====Judie:
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
THis has been one of my favorite Bible Verses. When I think that God came to live among us through Jesus, I am just overwhelmed with the wonder of it.
Judie
====== Joyce:
Mike and everyone,
Mike, thank you for sharing with us your excitement and enthusiasm in reading God’s Word! I appreciate very much your encouragement!
John 1:23,27 NASB
23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”
27 It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”
I feel as God’s servants that is our role – a voice crying out in the world to make the Lord known, and to make straight the way of the Lord. It’s our honor to serve Him, whose sandal we are not worthy to untie.
John 1:17 NASB
17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
In his sermon ‘From His Fullness We Have All Received, Grace Upon Grace’, November 9, 2008, John Piper said:
“Moses gives the law, Christ brings the fullness of grace and truth.
The contrast is that Moses points to grace, but Jesus performs grace.
Moses reports the words of God. Jesus is the Word of God.
The law mirrors the light of God. Jesus is the light of God.”
As God and Christ’s servant, we sometimes receive praises, others sometimes see us as higher than we are. It is important to remember, that our job is to point to Grace, to share God’s light, God’s Word.
He alone is the Glory and should receive all the glory.
God bless,
Joyce
====== Joe:
Psalms 101 really spoke to me and helped me to remember the definition of integrity. As the dictionary defines it:
the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
Where do I get my principles. From the word, prayer and the holy spirit. I continuously pray I am a man with clarity, humility, self control, perseverance and that finds security through god.
The problem with our world today, is we define our own integrity. It is not based on any moral standards. Psalm 101 is so clear.
Joe
====== Chris:
Hey just wanted to say I enjoying reading your daily posts. I’m fairly new to reading the Bible and am enjoying my one year edition. However, sometimes I really don’t know how to take it (e.g. Jepthah killing his daughter in the name of God.) but your simplistic breakdown makes it easier to digest. Cheers, Chris
====== Dee:
Hi, just wanted to say that I am still on board with the One Year Bible Study. Have not missed a day..Just have had a lot of other work that has kept me busy from blogging. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting in the Word each and every day this year. Have had lots of insight and understanding throughout the last 7 old testament reads, and halfway through Psalms, and a portion of Proverbs. I too am glad of reading the book of John..it is always a very good compassionate chapter of the relationship of John and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Also, I too was sad to see the fate of Jephthah’s daughter, and too hope that she didn’t get burned or destroyed, however, like Patty said it was a harsh approach for a woman, healthy and beautiful as I presume she was, a real “catch” to be refused to marry, or have a child, and to not be able to carry on Jephthah’s lineage. Yes, definitely be careful with what we say aloud. However, I admire Jephthah with being one of the few men who did as he said and being a man of his word. Yes, Laughter is great and wonderful medicine for the soul! However, knowing that we have the grace of God and His mercy, a New Mercy every day brings that peace and that joy that is above all else!
Dee
====== Teriann:
I guess the lesson of Jephthah is not to make rash vows in an attempt to get God to do something. There is a fundamental lack of understanding of God’s heart and motives towards us that would cause someone to make such a vow. We have to realize that God’s plans and desires for us are always good. We don’t have to twist His arm to get Him to bless us. All we have to do is trust in His character. Today, as I read this account of Jephthah, I was impressed with his grasp of history. I know that I would have a hard time repeating all the names and places of my nations history. And how is it that the people taught their children their history but not the worship on God alone? I guess you can’t teach something that you don’t practice yourself, especially to kids, but this makes it clear that the people couldn’t claim ignorance of the mighty things God had done for them.
Terriann
======= Lily:
Judges -What caught my attention is Jephthah sacrificing his daughter as he promised God if God gave the Amorites into his hands whatever comes out of the door of his house to meet him after his triumph, he will sacrifice it (this happened to be her daughter) to God. It is hard to accept that God allowed this. Could somebody know if God really allowed this to happen? How many times we asked something from God in exchange for a promise on our part. I suppose God does not want us to bargain with Him. In this chapter Jephthah bargained with God for a favor. Jesus told Satan not to tempt God when He was in the wilderness.
This is quite different from God testing Jacob in sacrificing Isaac, I believe. God saved Isaac and provided the sacrificial animal.
Proverbs – True Ramona – Laughter is the best medicine only if we are laughing and happy inside. How many times do I laugh when I am really hurting inside?
Lily
====== Jill:
I agree with the scholars who say the daughter wasn’t actually killed. The fact that she mourns her virginity is interesting. If she knew she was about to be killed, it seems she would mourn her life, but if she knew she was to be “sacrificed” as a life-long servant in the house of the Lord, never to have a house of her own, it would make sense to mourn virginity.
We have the example of Hannah dedicating Samuel in the same way.
Also, exactly what did he think was going to come out of the house? A dog?
No, probably a servant, which wouldn’t have been that big of a loss.
I can’t imagine that God would have accepted anything that resembled the worship of the pagan nations as a fulfillment of worship to Him.
You also have to deal with Hebrews passage where Jephthah is listed with the examples of faith.
Jill
====== Eric:
This is a good article I found on the subject of Jephthah’s vow.
http://www.zianet.com/maxey/reflx224.htm
Translating AND to OR in this passage makes more sense considering the text and bible as a whole.
“Adam Clarke, for example, provided in his commentary the Hebrew text of the vow, and then noted, “the translation of which, according to the most accurate Hebrew scholars, is this: ‘I will consecrate it to the Lord, or I will offer it for a burnt-offering.’ That is, ‘If it be a thing fit for a burnt offering, it shall be made one; if fit for the service of God, it shall be consecrated to Him'” (Clarke’s Commentary, vol. 2, p. 151). This argument is based largely on a single Hebrew connective particle in the latter part of Jephthah’s vow, and whether or not it should be understood disjunctively. The phrase, as usually translated, is: “Whatever comes out of the doors of my house … shall be the Lord’s, AND I will offer it up as a burnt offering” (Judges 11:31). If this connective particle is to be understood disjunctively, however, which it often is in the biblical text, then the phrase would be translated: “Whatever comes out of the doors of my house … shall be the Lord’s, OR I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”
Eric
======= Fran:
Jephthah presented the arguments in his negotiations with the Ammonite king that Israel had not taken their land east of the Jordon from Ammon (but from the Amorites), that Israel had been given these possession by Yahweh, that Israel had taken none of Moab (as shown by Balak’s failure to fight), and if Ammon did have some prior claim to Gilead, why had they waited 300 years to press it. The reference to Chemosh as giving them their land is intended to appeal to the king of Ammon, but it is implied that Yahweh is stronger than Chemosh (the use of the principal god of Moab is problematic because the Ammonite god is elsewhere said to be Molech, but both Moab and Ammon originated with Lot and both involved in hiring Balaam to curse Israel and so both may have been previously culturally and religiously unified) since Israel and not Ammon possessed the disputed land. Jephthah speaks not with confidence of his success (knowing how justly God might suffer the Ammonites to prevail for the further punishment of Israel) or of himself (since the Lord delivered them victory) but makes only the challenge of which God is greater.
Jephthah’s vow teaches that there may be remainders of distrust and doubting even in the hearts of true and great believers, our vows to God should express gratitude and not be as a purchase favor, we can become entangled by our vows and we must keep them no matter the outcome, all children should obediently and cheerfully submit to their parents. The same question is put to any who desire salvation by Christ: will you be willing to have Christ rule you? On no other terms will he save you. Jephthah, to obtain a little worldly honor, was willing to expose his life: shall we be discouraged in our Christian warfare by the difficulties we may meet with, when Christ has promised a crown of life to him that overcomes? We also are reminded here that no disputes are as bitter as those between brothers or rivals for honor and how quickly the scorned children of sin can become friends in need.
It is hard to say what Jephthah did in performance of his vow as to whether he really did offer up his daughter for a burnt offering to the Lord or only devoted her to perpetual virginity. At that time, perpetual virginity would have been considered as a great sacrifice (consider Samuel’s mom who gave him up to the church in exchange just not to be barren). She was the only child of Jephthah which meant there would be no grandchildren and no posterity. Human sacrifice in the days of Abraham (Gen 22:1-14) through Moses (Lev 18:21; 20:1-5; Deut 12:29-32; 18:9-12) and the consequences of the vow that “she knew no man” seems to imply that she was devoted to perpetual virginity. The joy of victory was suddenly turned to sorrow when Jephthah saw his daughter and remembered his vow. The lament then would have been that she died before bearing children.
Many others have long held, however, in accordance with his vow to provide a burnt offering to God that she was killed according to Canaanite practices (which Jephthah had previously embraced) and she literally died within two months. The Bible mentions Gahenna, which was a valley where ancient Jews used to also burn their children in worship (and later just burned their trash). In later periods there were additional incidents of human sacrifices among the Israelites (2 Kin 16:3; 17:17; 21:6; 2 Chr 33:6; Jer 7:31; 19:5; 32:35; Ezek 16:20, 21; Amos 5:25-27) even though these were never considered lawful. Human sacrifice was also practiced at various times among Israel’s neighbors (Lev 18:21; 20:2; 2 Kin 3:27).
That Christ was already in existence with God is what is meant by the term, “pre-existent Christ” and many suggest that when God walked with a person in the Old Testament that it must have been Christ (as John says, “No one had ever seen God”) referred to by the term, “Christophony.” Many would say the simplest reason why Christ is called the Word with that as our words explain our minds to others that Jesus was sent in order to reveal his Father’s mind to the world. We speak of the life and habits of animals as zoology and the accounts of men as biography. While animals have many things in command with mankind, only people lead lives controlled by intellect, creativity, free will, and morality. Passing from the thought of creation in general to mankind (with a special capacity for receiving the divine) with life being the light, the Word becomes light though the medium of spiritual life. Many say that they are Christians but will not part with their sins or have Him reign over them. As an American lives in America, a Christian lives in Christ. John the Baptist (different from any other in that the Spirit was with him from birth) came (figuratively as Elias) to bear witness concerning Jesus. Christ came after John, but in every other way He was before him. John formally renounces being either Christ or Elias, but he baptized the people as a profession of repentance as an outward sign of the spiritual blessings that awaited them from the baptism from the Messiah. John means with “of His fullness” that Christians receive whatever each requires for the perfection of his character and for the accomplishment of his work (compare John 15:15, 17:22). “I will be careful to live a blameless life… I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar… I will not endure conceit and pride… My daily task will be to ferret out criminals.”
Fran
======= John:
John 1:5
“The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” NIV
“understood” – “This word means that the darkness cannot get hold of the light, cannot appropriate it, cannot possess it, cannot apprehend it. The Apostle Paul asks, “What fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14). These are mutually exclusive: the moment you introduce one, the other has to flee. Darkness and light cannot exist together.” – Ray Stedman
What is needed is a witness to the light to enable man to understand what the light is and what it means – enter John the Baptist. john the Baptist is that witness.
John 1:12-13
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” NIV
vs 13
“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” KJV
======================================================
Last Christmas, after hearing my testimony a childhood friend asked me if “born again” was in the Bible. I referred her to Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. While that conversation says being “born again” (or from above)is required to enter the Kingdom of God, it does not lay out the criteria like John 1:12-13.
Received him – “lambano”
to take
1) to admit, receive
2) to receive what is offered
3) not to refuse or reject
4) to receive a person, give him access to one’s self
Believed in his name
The “in” here is “eis” and translates better “with respect to his name”.
His name is Jesus – Yeshua – or translated “Jehovah is Salvation”
The right to become – “exousia”
delegated power or authority
I like the KJV version of verse 13 better than NIV.
Children of God NOT by:
-bloodlines
-physical coupling of man/woman
-decision of man/woman to have a child.
“But born of God”
or since it is a second birth – born “again”.
So, take Him in, believe “Jehova is Salvation”, and you have the right bestowed by God to be born of God – a child of God.
The right and authority does not make you perfectly sanctified – it is the beginning of your “eternal life” (that is why you are refereed to as a “child). There will be many peaks and valleys in the road as God through the Holy Spirit molds and shapes you in Christ’s image. But regardless your salvation is secure – you are a co-heir to heaven.
Again this whole process is personal and between you and God. It is not done by bloodlines or some “easy decision”, or by anyone elses say-so.
It is YOU who must believe in and receive Christ.
John
======= Ramona:
Judges 11:1-12:15
In today’s reading in Judges, I couldn’t help notice how the treatment of Jephtah by his half-brothers, those that were his own, is similar to how Jesus was treated by His own in today’s Gospel reading,
He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (John 1:11 KJV)
It wasn’t until he was needed that his folks called on him and that is so like what I use to do when I was in the “world.” “God I didn’t want to be bothered with you, but now I’m in trouble and I need some help. God if you are up there and if you will get me out of this, I will serve you.” Yeah sure until the next pit I fall in or trouble I get into.
Each and every time God’s people fall into despair because of their choices and call out to Him in sincerity and truth, God’s mercy and grace shows up, by way of a deliverer. But because the one that was sent was not His Son, Jesus, a multitude of rescuers, prophets, teachers show up but none could fully deliver until Jesus came, in the fullness of time.
Each and every judge in the Book of Judges, is a type of Christ; however, unlike Christ they were sinful and subject to uncontrolled passions and thus needed to be delivered themselves, from themselves.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (John 1:1-11 KJV)
May we all recognize the True Light that Jesus brought into the world. May we not cover our eyes or hide from that Light. May we realize that His Light is the True Light and anything else is counterfeit
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Anka:
As I read today’s OT reading,it struck me just how much detail Jephthah knew about the journey Israel took from Egypt to Canaan,the reaction of the Kings of the Lands the passed through.He was exiled,yet he had heard about God,maybe feared him but he didn’t know God.He felt so honoured that God had sent him that he had to do something to please God.He never really took the time to find out what would God love…take for example his obedience.Nope he just wanted to give what he assumed God would like.I thought it was really strange that he would say “the first thing that comes out to greet me”becuase usually it’s the wife and/or the kids that run out to greet a guy who’s been gone for long.Well the way the scripture is written,it seems he really did sacrifice her.He had to choose between disobeying God or breaking the law,it was a lose/lose situation.God didn’t tell him not to carry it out like in Abraham’s case.This all struck home so powerfully that there is a price we pay for hearing about God,reading about God yet not knowing Him.I wonder if Jephthah is in Heaven,he murdered his daughter.God did use Jephthah to carry out His plan but I wonder if he got the well done pat on the back.Knowing the Lord is the only way to please God.I pray that I may trully know Him.
God bless you all
Anka
======= John:
Anka,
Hebrews 11:32
“And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets,” NIV
Jephthah made the honor roll of faith in Hebrews 11.
The story apparently is argued back and forth.
I am in the camp that knowing how God hated child sacrifices Deut 12:31 – that Jephtah did not sacrifice his daughter.
Biblical Hebrew can be difficult to translate, and this passage has key words with some assumptions built into the NIV translation. Some think he promised the first out of his tent to be dedicated to the Lord and he would offer up a burnt offering.
Regardless, the rest of the chapter does not read like the daughter is going to be sacrificed. It is all about bemoaning not going to be married, and when the vow was fulfilled the comment was “she knew no man” (KJV). No mention of death, just not getting married.
It seems unclear, but maybe the purpose is to not make rash vows to God (Eccl 5:2,4-5). This was his only child and if she remained a virgin there would be no grandkids. It was a rash promise to make God when he was already chosen by God (and he knew it). It would tear him up to forbear having grandkids, but at the least that was the result. At the least she led a life dedicated to the Lord – similar to a nun in the Catholic Church.
Lastly, if Jephthah had done child sacrifice, I would be very surprised to see him included with the other names in Hebrews 11.
Others may have different thoughts.
Also, “lament” in Judges 11:40. Have no idea why Hebrew word “tanah” is translated that way.
lexicon meaning: to recount, rehearse, tell again
and this is the only use of it as meaning “lament”.
Other translations have celebrate, commemorate, mourn, lament, etc. seems to run the gamut.
John
======= Oriane:
This is my first time reading the bible and the story about Jephthah and his daughter did strike me. I couldn’t believe at first that we went from animal sacrifices to human sacrifices, but I am with John on this one.
“…And she said to her father, Let this thing be done for me; let me alone two months, that I may go and wander upon the mountains and bewail my virginity, I and my companions….”Judges 11:37 (Amp)
Meaning of be•wail
Pronunciation: (bi-wāl’), [key]
—v.t.
to express deep sorrow for; lament: a little child bewailing the loss of her dog.
—v.i.
to express grief.
My question was why would she need to express grief for her virginity if she was going to die…instead she would have been expressing sorrow for the loss of her life”
It made more sense to me in the Amplified bible version when it said…”At the end of two months she returned to her father, who [a]did with her according to his vow which he had vowed. She never mated with a man. This became a custom in Israel…” Judges 11:39 (Amp.
Oriane
======= Anka:
Hmmm…yep that sure puts things in perspective for me cos the Jephthah issue really got me.Thanks John and Oriane.
Anka
======== John:
Gospel of John
Why was it written? John tells us is John 20:30-31
“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” NIV
John’s writings of Jesus were not exhaustive, but what was written was written to convince you that:
-Chirst was Messiah (a man)
-Chirst was the Son of God (deity)
-that by believing His message you may have eternal life in His name.
His name – “Jehovah is Salvation”. Salvation is of God (Jehovah) not sacraments, rituals, money, works, or any other saint – it is of God.
Nowhere in any of the Gospels does Jesus ever speak of religion. That is a man-made institution. Jesus speaks of belief, of believing, of having faith – that is what salvation is about – “saving faith” an acknowledgement of your failings and of God’s plan, a belief in Christ, and a trust in God’s plan and a receiving of Jesus Christ in to your life.
If you are not a believer and have a problem with “religion” – that is a red herring – that is not the issue and is just an excuse to distance yourself from God. The issue is Faith – saving faith – and if you take God at His Word. Do you accept God’s Word or reject God’s Word?
This point will be pounded over and over in the Gospel of John.
======================================================
John 1:1
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” NIV
In verse 14 it is made clear that the Word is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ came to earth to tell us what was on God’s mind – He was God’s Word. God’s Work at this time was the plan of Salvation – that is what Jesus came to reveal to the World.
In this phrase are the concepts of Eternality, Trinity, and Deity.
If you have problems with the concept of Trinity. Join the club – we are not meant to understand it. An imperfect example might be:
The Ocean, a wave, and seaspray. If you think of Jesus as a specific wave – he is lesser than the ocean (the Father), made up of the same elements, had a build-up in His ministry, and expired on earth (shore), and then returned to the ocean (Father). Sea-spray, in an imperfect example of the Holy Spirit, is made up of the same elements,is all around the ocean (Father), and finds its way onto some of mankind.
======================================================
Jehovah Witnesses
Take John 1:1 and say the last part of the verse is:
‘and the Word was a god’.
I have looked at enough Greek sites and heard enough people negate this to know it is poppycock.
Dr. Bruce M. Metzger of Princeton (Professor of New Testament Language and Literature):
“A frightful mistranslation.” “Erroneous” and “pernicious” “reprehensible” “If the Jehovah’s Witnesses take this translation seriously, they are polytheists.”
But really all you need to do to know the JW’s are categorically wrong is look at John 1:3
“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” NIV
Then go to Gen 1:1
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” NIV
[God here is Elohim (creator) which by the way is in the plural indicating an OT reference to the Trinity.]
Jesus is God. Jesus is the Creator. I may be wrong, but I think of it as the Father is the architect, Jesus the builder, and the Holy Spirit is the guardian and caretaker of all that is created.
John
======= Patricia:
I was so happy to also start the book of John. I started reading it, and then stopped. Then started over again reading it outloud. there is so much power in the words of this book.
When I think of Jephthah and his daughter it grips my heart. I do believe we are talking about “she will never know a man or carry a child.” I remember studing this years ago, and my studies took me to Gen. 3 and the promised Savior, She would never be the one to be in the linage of Chist. As we look back on the promise she looked forward to the promise. It was a real reproach not to have a child born of your womb.
In Christ,
Patrica
====== Sandra:
Amen. I enjoy this Bible Blog so much. GOD BLESS U MIKE , I pray….
Sandra
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