April 20, 2012 – Judges 11

We see Israel not only betray God and then seek His mercy and help, but they do the same to individuals.  Here, they throw out the illegitimate son only to seek his help after they are in need. 

We also see that when you make promises to God, beware that God will remember.  It is unclear that he needed to make such a bold offer of his daughter.  God appeared to be with him and helping him, but he made a promise of whoever came out first.  To his credit, he did not stay his hand and did give up his daughter.  To the daughters credit, she understands completely.   We can think this is unbelievably cruel, but did we not see that Abraham was going to sacrifice his only child before he was stopped.  And do we not believe that God sacrificed His only Son.  God promised that He would save us and the Old Testament describes and tells us that it would be through the Sacrifice of the Son of God.  God did not stay His hand.  This commitment to a promise, whether us to God or God to us, is something we need to take seriously and reflect on.  Be careful when you jokingly say “I would give my right arm for _____________”.  We should call it “the Jephthah Rule”.