April 30th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Judges 11:1-12:15 ~ John 1:1-28
Psalm 101:1-8 ~ Proverbs 14:13-14

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 they are all 4 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 most definitely one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I cannot wait to read it again! I actually have a cool 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 year or so 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 hopefully pick it up at a video rental store. A friend of mine was surprised to have found it at the local supermarket little video rental section recently. Website is here - http://video.movies.go.com/thegospelofjohn/ 

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 Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 22-23) Great commentary on John by Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org is at this link: http://bible.org/page.asp?page_id=2348 

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 chapter 14 verse 13 is an interesting look at laughter.  It is said to be 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?

What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings?  Please post up in the Comments section below!

Grace,
Mike

Comments

[Micah Girl]

Re: pornography--I just had a chance this week to hear Clay Crosse, Christian recording artist, speak about his struggle with pornography, and how it affected his life and his marriage. He was very transparent and very humble. He has set up a ministry called Holy Homes and is launching a website soon at and I highly recommend his book, I Surrender All, as well.
http://www.claycrosse.com/
http://www.holyhomes.org/

[John]

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"
http://www.biblestudysite.com/prepositions.htm (see vi)

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.

[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

[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.

[John]

Anka,

Forgot one thing. "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.

[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.

[Anka]

Hmmm...yep that sure puts things in perspective for me cos the Jephthah issue really got me.Thanks John and Oriane.