Sin, Repentance, and Forgiveness - Jephthah 1

 Scripture:   Judges 10:6-15; 11:1-8 (selected)

 Today’s lesson from the Book of Judges is the 6^th in our series, and it’s one that all of scripture leans toward – and that is the power of God’s Grace.  Grace is one of those things that everyone has heard about, and some even proclaim it.  But very few of us actually understand it. 

 Grace, in the simplest of terms, is God’s love in action for our benefit.  It is also His great gift to the undeserving, His gift of mercy to the needy.  And what does He expect in return?  No more than we would expect when we love another – that love would be shown in return!

 But how do we know that His grace is actually for us?  That the love He shows us is deep and unmistakable?  The truth is that it is all around us!  It is ours in the sacraments of communion and baptism, and it becomes ours every time that we come together in worship, and in those moments when we realize that a prayer has been answered, and in every thought  that comes to us when we read a book, or chapter or even one verse of His word, and grace falls fresh upon us every time we feel God’s blessing on our life.

 And the experience of our Judge for this and next week, a man known as Jephthah, will show us, first, that God’s grace is most evident when we are faithful toward Him, and second , that His grace can come to us either directly through the love He shows, or sometimes through the restoration and acceptance of others.

 But for the next two messages, we are going to see how God’s grace can bless us in one moment, while sometime later, the faithfulness that He shows to our desires will hardly seem to be a blessing at all.

 Read Judges 10:6-10

 Those pesky foreign gods just don’t give up, do they!  And every time that Israel was left to their own designs, those gods came right back to haunt them.  And the truth is that it isn’t just one or two of these false gods, it is a whole conglomeration of those lies!  This time, unfaithful living resulted in 18 years of foreign oppression, and it wouldn’t be until Israel confessed their sins, that not only were they following the worldly gods of other nations, but that they also acknowledge that in doing that, they were turning away from the Almighty God who had seen them through many years of trial, and struggle, and wandering.

 Those other gods were doing nothing for the people, and the people readily admit that their actions are nothing short of sin!  So the question for each of us today is this – what does it take for us to realize our sin, to acknowledge it to our good and gracious God, and to ask for His forgiveness?  Haven’t we all discovered that throughout this book, over and over again, that God’s forgiveness, His restoration to divine Presence and Glory, comes to us only when we leave the ways of earth behind, and ask for His forgiveness, and fully embrace the one true way of our great and Triune God?

 Until we do, persecution, oppression, errant ways, and, SIN will continue to hold us captive.  It is only in our return to God’s truth that the burden of earth’s lies will be lifted from our hearts and minds.

 Read Judges 10:11-15

 The LORD’s words may, at first glance, seem to be a condemnation upon Israel.  But I believe that the LORD is offering the nation a test - a test to ascertain just how convinced they are being when they confess that they have sinned, and have intentionally left the embrace of God’s grace, and now truly desire to be taken back!

 And when we read that God “will no longer save you”, He is revealing the consequence of their repeated denial of His presence in their lives.  After all, how many times do they expect to be forgiven?  In Matthew18:21-22, Peter asks Jesus about this very issue – how many times should I forgive – is seven enough?  And Jesus tells him that seven is nowhere near enough – that every sin that is committed against us must be forgiven over and over again, that in truth, there is no limit on forgiveness.

 So if we are to forgive an endless amount of time, how much do you think that God will forgive us?  And through our experience with His forgiveness, we also discover that the false gods of this world will welcome us back to their way as often as we desire, and it has absolutely nothing to do with their forgiveness!  Worldly forces know that their tool is always based in suffering, and temptation, and hatred of God’s way, while the LORD’s way is focused in our repentance, and Godly truth, and His forgiveness.

 Read Judges 11:1-8

 And it isn’t until now that Jephthah is introduced to this story of restoration, and forgiveness, and redemption.  But in these few verses, it isn’t God’s forgiveness that is being highlighted – it is the brothers, or rather half-brothers, of our Judge.  They had shunned him, and rejected him, and forced him to flee from their presence.  Why?  Because he was not only their half brother, but his mother was a prostitute.  But what was it that caused the brothers to go to Jephthah and invite him to come back home?  It was because they, and the nation, needed his warrior skills to help them take a stand against the army of Ammon.  They wanted him to be the army’s leader!

 It isn’t actually a gift of forgiveness, but it is an invitation to restoration.  So later in this passage, we read that Jephthah accepts the offer, and the offer and acceptance are dedicated to the LORD at Mizpah.  This dedication to the LORD God Jehovah may very well be a confirmation that Jephthah is not only the army’s commander, but that he has been chosen to be God’s Judge.  As we read through the Old Testament, the successful leaders are always the ones who are not only God’s faithful, but also His choice.

 And who does the LORD choose?  The perfect?  The able?  The brilliant?  None of these!  God looks for the repentant sinner, the one who seeks His forgiveness, the one who knows that God is the ultimate authority, that He is the all-knowing, the all-powerful Person, and who we are prepared to follow, regardless of where it may take us.

 We sin and step away from God’s Presence, we come to the realization of our folly, the ignorance that led us to turn away from the LORD, we confess our sin and repent of our narrow minded decisions, we seek the LORD’s forgiveness for failing him and agree that we will never willing turn to the way of earth again, and it is then that we will be welcomed back.

 Jephthah’s lesson is before us.  Will we learn from it, or ignore it!  It’s our choice to make. 

“Three Hundred and ONE!”

 Scripture:   Judges7:1-25 (selected)

 Last week, we examined the call to judgeship that the LORD had placed on Gideon’s life, as well as the response that he gave to the LORD’s angel.  And as you may remember, the task ahead for him was that he would be part and parcel of God’s defeat of Midian, and that the strength that he already had would be sufficient, whether he felt that it was or not!

 His faith was strong, but since he wanted to be sure that this truly was God’s call, he asked for two signs, just so he wouldn’t miss out on the divine truth of the LORD’s call.  God was truly faithful, and each sign was provided perfectly.  In Deuteronomy32:3-4, we read “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.  A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”  And He was that very rock for Gideon.

 The man discovered that God, in his invitation to service, was perfectly faithful, and wanted the man to understand that without a doubt.  The task would be stressful, and would require the highest degree of confidence and trust, while the LORD would be working with and through humanity to accomplish the victory that had been promised.

 Gideon had gained that confidence and trust, and he accepted the call to be part of God’s defeat of the Midianite army.  So today, in our 5^th Lesson from the Book of Judges, we will consider how God’s plan will proceed, and what part Gideon would play in the effort.

 Read Judges7:1-8a

 Last week, we read that Gideon confessed that his family was the weakest in the half-tribe of Manasseh, and that he was the least in his entire family.  This man was anything but the epitome of a hero!  No great heritage to support him, no experience as a mighty warrior, and even though the angel referred to him as a “mighty warrior”, Gideon was, in reality, a farmer.

 He had called for warriors from four of the strongest tribes, and had 32,000 men with him in camp as he waited for the LORD’s instruction.  Gideon trusted God for whatever was about to come, but how about his army?  Where was their trust?  Was it in God?  In themselves?  In Gideon?  In Deuteronomy 20:1-9, we see that the offer to the solders that they could go home if they were afraid has a precedent – that if any are afraid, they should return home, for if they should stay to enter battle, their fear could easily infect others.

 But this time, the LORD had a totally different reason for paring down the military force – He wanted them to understand just who was going to win the day, and while it would involve them, it would be God who would be the power behind the victory.

 And for us, our human abilities, as significant as they may appear, have no power except for what stands within our Almighty God.  And His gift to us is the opportunity to see firsthand what he can do through the trust and faith that we show to Him.

 Read Judges 7:8b-14

 While 22,000 soldiers were culled from the ranks, Gideon remains, even though we discover that he, too, may have been a bit apprehensive about the coming conflict.  But God cares for that, too.  He sends his leader and one of his servants secretly to the Midian camp, where they overhear a conversation between 2 of those soldiers.  It was about a dream that one had, and they both realize that it means that the Israeli forces will, without a doubt, be victorious the next day.

 It seems that God will go to any length to reassure and enable his people when they follow him faithfully.  Gideon, apparently, had no idea as to what the LORD had in store for him, but over and over, he is encouraged and strengthened in faith.  This is one of God’s trademarks – that He will never abandon us (Hebrews 13:5-6) in our time of need, and that is especially true of those times when we are closely following His call.

 We are probably most familiar with this promise from Hebrews, but it was originally given to ancient Israel, first in Deuteronomy 31:6, and later is affirmed in Psalm 118:5-9, where we read  “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?”  This is an eternal covenant that has existed since faith in God was realized to be the only true power for our lives.  And He continues to work in the same, strange way, even today and beyond.

 The problem with this world, though, is that they don’t understand divine, Godly power, and even worse, don’t have any desire to.  They believe in their own physical and mental abilities, and see no need to depend on anything, or anyone, else.  But the Church should know better than that.  We have a promise that the Spirit of God will be active in every life who trusts in Jesus and His word (John14:15-18).  Unfortunately, all too many, even some who claim to be Christians, don’t look to the LORD’s promise of power for their life, either. 

 Judges 7:15-21

 Trumpets, in that day, were used to guide troops as they marched toward battle.  And to hear 300 of those instruments, indicating as much as 300 units of solders, would frighten any army – especially after word of the solder’s dream had spread throughout the Midian camp.  The LORD had given Gideon the courage and faith to do exactly as he had been told, and He had even planted the dream in the mind of the Midianite solder. 

 And to top it off, did anyone see any reference to Israel drawing even one sword, or stringing one bow?  The power of Israel was missing during this engagement, so that the victory would be assigned completely to their Almighty God Jehovah.  Defeat of the massive Midianite army was accomplished through the power of God, and the faithfulness of the 300.  Midian didn’t realize that there were only 300 Israeli solders, and they certainly didn’t know the ONE true God who was, above everything else, the decisive force.

 And He will do this for us today.  Perhaps not in military conflict, but in ways that are needed at the time, and through those who are faithful to the point that whatever God asks for, is faithfully carried out.

Read Judges 7:24-25b

 The enemy fled from the field of battle, but there was one more danger awaiting them at the Jordan – Gideon would send a message to the forces of Ephraim to cut them off at the river, and the foreign troops, who were already demoralized and frightened half to death, were easy pray for this additional force.  The victory would be complete – not by the strength of Israel, but through the authority and command of the LORD Jehovah. 

 Gideon would live and serve for another 40 years, and during that time, Israel knew peace – until, as we now know, the Judge died, and Israel forgot the lesson of Gideon.  They returned to Baal worship, and quickly neglected all that they had been shown about their LORD. 

 May we learn from these lessons, and remember what our God desires for our lives, and especially what He is prepared to do for and through each one of us.  For He will always be the ONE most decisive Person in all that we will ever do.

 May God be glorified through our faithful service. 

“Godly Proof! – Gideon”

Scripture:   Judges6:7-40 (selected)

Have you ever felt that the LORD was calling you to some new effort, but you weren’t absolute certain that it was God who was calling?  It might be your own desire, it might even be a trap being set by the Devil, but while you weren’t actually sure, you wanted to be certain if it truly was God Himself who was asking.  You needed proof.

 But scripture tells us that we should never test God (Matthew 4:6-8).  Does this mean that we should never seek proof of God’s call?  Actually, testing means to see if the LORD’s word is really as powerful and honest as He says it is!  This is, however, different than asking for proof that what we are hearing and understanding is truly God’s will.  Testing is despised by the LORD, but seeking certainty in what He is asking of us is always acceptable.

 But still, the question will always be “how do we go about gaining certainty in what the divine will for our lives truly is”?  Today’s Lesson #4 from Judges focuses on Gideon and his call to be a Judge for his Jehovah God.  But Gideon’s story begins a little different than did the call to previous judges. 

First, the people had lived under oppression for only 7 years, compared to a much longer time before previous judges were appointed. 

Second, which we will read about soon, when they began to cry out, an unnamed prophet was sent to them first as a messenger to remind the people of all that the LORD had been doing for them, and of all that the people had done in denial of His blessings.  And then the prophet left.  No judge yet!

Third, we will read that an angel of the LORD came to Gideon to tell him of God’s desire for his service.  We don’t actually know about the call on the other judges.

 But this angel came to proclaim God’s will to Gideon, and today’s lesson is about his response and acceptance of the call that had been placed on his life.

 Read Judges 6:7-10

 When Deborah conquered Sisera’s Canaanite army, it left a power vacuum in the area.  Neighboring nations would try to move in, and it was Midian who had gained the upper hand over Israel.  But the unknown prophet recounts some of the many times that the LORD had rescued them from similar situations during the many years past, which, apparently, they had forgotten all about.

 Remember that great old hymn “Count Your Blessings”?  In the refrain, we sing “Count your blessings, name them one by one.  Count your blessings, see what God hath done.”  The song reminds us that remembering those things that the LORD has brought to our life requires that we constantly proclaim them, rejoice in them, and give thanks to the one Giver who has made it all possible!

 Israel had neglected to “count” any of the blessings that their Jehovah God had brought to the nation – freedom, guidance, protection, a new home, sustenance, and a holy Presence that exceeded anything that earth could have provided.

 And in our case, how many times each day do we “count” our blessings?  I expect that it is not nearly as much as it should be, so maybe each of us should set a goal for each day – maybe start with thanking the LORD for 10 things He has done for us, and then 11 the next day, and keep adding to our list every day and every time we receive a new blessing!

 Might that keep the worldly “wolves” at bay, and us in the way of our LORD?  Give it a try!  What have you got to lose?

 Read Judges 6:11-13

 Gideon, without actually saying so, seems to have remembered the many stories he had heard about God’s goodness and blessings for Israel.  And he had begun to question those blessings because of all the trials they had been experiencing during the previous 7 years.  So where is  the LORD ?  Apparently, Gideon doesn’t believe that He is anywhere near the nation, and that He doesn’t seem to have a clue as to the nation’s needs!

 Have any of us been there – wondering just why God would let those terrible, those hurtful, those destructive things happen to us, even though we have done our best to be active in His church?  The truth is, though, that the LORD is with us at all times, and in all situations.  So if we don’t seem to see Him at work in our lives, whose problem do you suppose that is?

 The truth is that God is never that far away from us that He can’t touch our life when we ask Him to! 

 Israel had finally “cried out to the LORD”, giving Him the invitation that He had been waiting for, and He begins to intervene on their behalf.  We can never even begin to imagine how much pleasure that our “crying out” to the LORD can give Him!  But His greatest desire is that we don’t wait until the burden we are saddled with becomes unbearable!  We should be “crying” out daily – not always in pain and trial, but in joy for what He has been giving.  And then, when the day begins to turn sour, we will  know that He is already involved in our life, and the delay that we tend to set in place won’t be as great as it might be!

 Read Judges 6:14-18

 God has a way of including us in the work that we ask Him to do.  Its not that He needs help, but this is a gift to each one of us, it is one of the ways the Almighty blesses us.  When we agree to follow the call that He places on our life, we discover firsthand just how much He loves us, and wants to be with us, and wants to be involved with us.  Gideon had just been given the opportunity to say “yes” to this very invitation!

 So let’s think about the way the invitation is offered, and to the words that the Angel expresses.

First, “Go in the strength you have…”  God wants this new servant to know that he won’t be asked to do something that he isn’t already prepared to do.  Each of us also has gifts and strengths that God wants to use, and we will never be asked to do more than that.  Of course, the LORD will go far beyond what we can do, but He wants us to show up first!

Second, He sets the goal – “save Israel out of Midian’s hand.”  Again, Gideon, and we, will be involved with the LORD’s plan, but it will be God who will do all of the heavy lifting!

Third, He challenges Gideon with a question, designed to make him think about something that he should already have known!  “Am I not sending you?”  That must have created a moment of pause for the man – “Sending me – where, why, when?”  I guess he should have been trusting just a little more, for God will tell him, and us, when the time is right for us to know.

 He hesitates, and questions, and asks for a sign that will reassure him.  And that is OK.

 Read Judges 6:36-40

 Now we’ve skipped over a few verses, but to briefly fill in the blanks, Gideon prepares a sacrifice for the angel, and then realizes just who it is that is standing in front of him.  He is then given his first task – to tear down his father’s alter to Baal, and the pole erected to honor Asherah – both being Canaanite gods of fertility.  And he does as he is told.

 This angered both the Israelites who were worshiping these two illicit deities, as well as the Midianites, and the enemy forces begin to gather, threatening Israel once again.  And Gideon gains an understanding of what the angel had been telling him – that he would be the means that God would use to defeat Midian.

 And here is where our passage picks up.  But just to be sure, he asks first for one sign, and then a second. And the Angel of the LORD gives him whatever he needs to be confident, and to follow faithfully, and he proclaims that it is God who will be saving Israel, through his faithful service.

 Gideon needed more certainty than what comes solely by faith, and the LORD faithfully provides whatever the man asks for.  Gideon believes, he trusts, he understands, but he needed just a little nudge to bring the truth of God into focus.  And God will do that for all of us, too.  First, obedience, then understanding, and then accepting the proof that God provides whenever we ask. 

 Let doubt fall away, let faith and confidence flourish, and trust that God’s faithfulness will never let us down, regardless of what He may be asking us to do.

 Give Him a chance to prove Himself - today!