Judges 10-12 Rumors fester into facts

March 22nd, Judges 10-12

       I don't know about you , but I feel like I need to make a flow chart when I read the book of Judges. Lots of things going on, lots of backstory to explain the story etc... The good news this morning is the five Judges that had their time with no drama. They get mentioned by name but not much more. Sometimes that simply the sign of a good job, no one notices. But...
       "The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord." The saga moves along. I encourage you to read the story, but two major things go on...
       First:  Jephthah, son of a prostitute gets written off when no one sees their need of him, wants him to be their rescuer when they get in trouble. Nothing like feeling used by people. Do we love people when we need them and write them off when they aren't needed anymore? Lesson 1 for the day... Love like Christ!
        Second: This is a little more complicated, reading the story would be best. Israel's enemy has a perception about history that leaves them in a place to desire revenge against Israel. But their version of history just isn't accurate. When Israel was traveling through the desert to get to the promised land, several times they asked for permission from countries to peaceably travel through and be on their way. They asked this of the Amorites when they were on their border. Because of the Amorites fear of the nation Israel, they came out and attacked Israel and Israel fought back.
       The Amorite account is that Israel started it and now in the book of Judges they are going to finish it. Jephthah reminds them of the true story and is the hero to repel their advance. But these same issues are alive and well in our lives.
       We rewrite history to protect ourselves, then these ideas fester into facts that generations behind us believe and they or we years later feel some need for revenge on something that isn't even accurate. It's a reminder for us to live in reality day by day. We can work ourselves up into something that isn't even true. Regardless of that, God's invitation to us is an invitation to forgiveness. Even when the sin done against us was real or perceived, revenge isn't part of the life we're called to.
       I also encourage you as you listen to the injustices people speak about to us. They might be like the Amorites, they might be all wrong about the situation. That's not for us to prove, just a good reminder that forgiveness has more value for our friend and a direction to bring them in the midst of it all.