Hey Pastor John,
I just finished one of my Old Testament CDs, we are just finishing Judges*. It’s so frustrating and heartbreaking to read this. God would set up a judge, the people did well and served God, the judge dies, and then the people would do evil again. God would punish his people, they would repent and he would send them another judge. Repeat. Over and over.
The story of Jephthah’s daughter really broke my heart. How he made an oath to God to offer to God whatever came to greet him when he returned home (he thought it would be an animal), but instead his daughter ran out. He killed and offered his daughter to God. He did not know that God would never want him to do that. He was trying to please God and honor his oath, but suffered greatly. All because God’s men were not doing their job of teaching the people the truth.
There are so many stories like that during this time. There were so many people who really wanted to serve God and live a righteous life, but just didn’t know how. God’s men were not doing their job and a lot of people suffered because of it.
It’s just left me thanking God for what He has taught you and for what you have passed to us. To be given the truth and to be fed the knowledge of how to please God and how to worship Him acceptably. To know God’s precious Son and the love they have for each other and for us. What is that worth? Everything! It made me think of how much pain, frustration and confusion Jesus has really saved us from.
Really puts a prayer in my heart: please, Jesus, keep us open and humble enough to receive whatever you teach us next. I know it will be for our good.
Love you!
Michelle