1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,920 Speaker 1: Let us pray. And Jeptha came to mispah unto his 2 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:07,960 Speaker 1: house and behold, his daughter came out to meet him 3 00:00:08,200 --> 00:00:12,320 Speaker 1: with timbrels and with dances, and she was his only child. 4 00:00:13,240 --> 00:00:17,360 Speaker 1: Beside her, he had neither son nor daughter. Judge is 5 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:23,080 Speaker 1: eleven thirty four. Dear God, to day, I will watch 6 00:00:23,239 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: what I pledge my allegiance to. I will be mindful 7 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:30,159 Speaker 1: of who is for me and who is using me. 8 00:00:31,480 --> 00:00:34,120 Speaker 1: That will not allow my need to be wanted and 9 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:38,840 Speaker 1: affirmed to cause me to partner with the wrong crowd. Father, 10 00:00:38,960 --> 00:00:41,520 Speaker 1: help me not to commit to things that are going 11 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:44,400 Speaker 1: to hurt me, but rather let me learn to commit 12 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:47,760 Speaker 1: to those who will uplift and empower what you have 13 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:52,080 Speaker 1: placed inside of me. I will not be like Jephtha 14 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 1: and sacrifice the thing that is closest to me for 15 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:59,880 Speaker 1: people who have walked away from me. This is my sea. 16 00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:03,000 Speaker 1: And to partner and lock arms with those who have 17 00:01:03,080 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 1: decided to partner in lock arms with your mission for 18 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 1: their lives. Lord, I confess that today I don't need 19 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:21,360 Speaker 1: perfect people, just purposeful people. In Jesus' name, Amen, thank 20 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:24,679 Speaker 1: you for making prayer a priority in your day. To 21 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:28,080 Speaker 1: learn more about the Bible. Stay tuned for today's story, 22 00:01:28,640 --> 00:01:38,760 Speaker 1: brought to you by Bible in a Year dot com. 23 00:01:38,959 --> 00:01:43,520 Speaker 2: Jeff keeps his promise. In the last story, we learned 24 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:47,760 Speaker 2: of Israel's desire for a king and their appointment of Abimelech, 25 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:53,200 Speaker 2: Gideon's bastard son. Abimelech ruled over Israel with a cruel fist. 26 00:01:53,760 --> 00:01:57,600 Speaker 2: He killed many innocent Israelites. When he was seeking to 27 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:00,160 Speaker 2: burn down a tower in the middle of a city, 28 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:03,840 Speaker 2: a woman dropped a millstone on his head and crushed him. 29 00:02:04,360 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 2: In this story, we will learn about how the Israelites 30 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:11,520 Speaker 2: strayed once again and giving themselves over to every pleasure 31 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 2: and idol they could get their hands on. Soon they 32 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:18,200 Speaker 2: would become oppressed and require deliverance from the Philistines and 33 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:23,639 Speaker 2: Ammonites by Jephtha the Judge, inspired by the Book of Judges. 34 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:29,960 Speaker 3: Hello, this is Pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of 35 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:33,359 Speaker 3: the Bible in a Year. In yesterday's reading, we heard 36 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:36,720 Speaker 3: the tragic and violent story of a Bimelech, the first 37 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 3: king of Israel, who was chosen not by God but 38 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:42,799 Speaker 3: by the people who did not seek God. We saw 39 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 3: the devastation caused by this evil King, and how God 40 00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:49,520 Speaker 3: did deliver his people from his hands by one of 41 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:55,280 Speaker 3: their own. Today we'll find Israel walking away, straying, rebelling 42 00:02:55,360 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 3: once again, giving in to all kinds of sin. And 43 00:02:59,639 --> 00:03:05,160 Speaker 3: as all this rebellion will have grave terrible consequences, the 44 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:08,040 Speaker 3: people will once more be conquered by a foreign nation, 45 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:12,120 Speaker 3: this time the Philistines and the Ammonites. In their hour 46 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:14,520 Speaker 3: of need, God will raise up a man named Jepha 47 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 3: to deliver his people from oppression. Jephtha would be filled 48 00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 3: with God's spirit, but in his fervor he would make 49 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:24,119 Speaker 3: a promise to God that would cause him great sadness 50 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:26,960 Speaker 3: for the rest of his life. Let's listen now to 51 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:28,200 Speaker 3: this powerful story. 52 00:03:29,880 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 2: It may be hard to discern why the Israelites continued 53 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 2: to stray away from God time and time again. After all, 54 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:40,720 Speaker 2: God had delivered them and shown them his faithfulness more 55 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:44,440 Speaker 2: times than they could count. However, the gods of the 56 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:48,680 Speaker 2: Syrians and Ammonites allowed Israel to seek pleasure, lust, greed, 57 00:03:48,800 --> 00:03:51,640 Speaker 2: and pride. They did not hold them to a higher 58 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:55,400 Speaker 2: standard or demand they treat one another well. The gods 59 00:03:55,440 --> 00:03:58,400 Speaker 2: were human made, therefore they might as well have been 60 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:03,200 Speaker 2: human worship so Israel caved to their desires and spiraled 61 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:07,160 Speaker 2: into captivity to their own sin and depravity. As the 62 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:11,440 Speaker 2: Israelites pursued their own gratification, they let their guard down. 63 00:04:11,960 --> 00:04:15,040 Speaker 2: Without God by their side fighting for them, they fell 64 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:19,720 Speaker 2: into captivity to the Ammonites and the Philistines. For eighteen years, 65 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:23,839 Speaker 2: they were brutally oppressed. Women were raped and taken as slaves, 66 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:27,640 Speaker 2: children grew up with cruel task masters, and men were 67 00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:30,839 Speaker 2: slaughtered and hung on trees. It was a dark age 68 00:04:30,880 --> 00:04:34,159 Speaker 2: for Israel, and cries could be continually heard from the 69 00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:39,359 Speaker 2: Jordan River and beyond Israel. As they had many times before, 70 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:43,719 Speaker 2: cried out to God, save us. We have sinned against you, 71 00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:48,200 Speaker 2: but please do not forsake us, they prayed. This time 72 00:04:48,320 --> 00:04:51,479 Speaker 2: God replied to them. Instead of saving them right away 73 00:04:51,560 --> 00:04:53,919 Speaker 2: and sending a judge, as he had done dozens of 74 00:04:53,960 --> 00:05:00,000 Speaker 2: times before, he responded saying, the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammoni, 75 00:05:00,839 --> 00:05:07,200 Speaker 2: the Philistines, the Sidonians, the Amalekites, the Moenites, all these 76 00:05:07,320 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 2: nations I have saved you from. You cried out to me, 77 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:13,960 Speaker 2: and I delivered you from their oppressive hands. Yet you 78 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:17,480 Speaker 2: have forsaken me every time why don't you ask your 79 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:21,720 Speaker 2: new gods to save you? Sometimes israel would forget that 80 00:05:21,760 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 2: God could actually grieve. He loved the people, and they 81 00:05:25,480 --> 00:05:29,279 Speaker 2: rejected him. The Israelites put away their other gods and 82 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 2: served God even in the midst of distress and oppression. 83 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:38,440 Speaker 2: This time they worshiped God before he delivered them, not after. Yet, 84 00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:41,640 Speaker 2: of course, God would not delay long in saving his people. 85 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:45,760 Speaker 2: In the region of Gilead, there was a mighty warrior 86 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:50,440 Speaker 2: named Jephtha. Jephtha grew up estranged from his family, for 87 00:05:50,560 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 2: he was a bastard. His father had him with a prostitute, 88 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:57,040 Speaker 2: and therefore Jephtha was hated by the rest of his brothers. 89 00:05:57,680 --> 00:06:00,719 Speaker 2: He toiled in his father's field and protected his family's 90 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:03,400 Speaker 2: land with his sword, yet it was never good enough. 91 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:07,159 Speaker 2: Jeftha was despised for where he came from, and his 92 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:10,520 Speaker 2: brothers eventually cast him out, saying, you are a son 93 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:13,640 Speaker 2: of a whore. We will never share our inheritance with 94 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:17,760 Speaker 2: the likes of you. And just like that, Jeftha fled 95 00:06:17,760 --> 00:06:20,960 Speaker 2: from his brothers in the land of Tobe. While Jeftha 96 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 2: was journeying, he became beloved by other outcasts and forgotten sons. Together, 97 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:30,440 Speaker 2: they formed a band of worthless fellows, and their reputation grew. 98 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:34,280 Speaker 2: They were known for their power, skill and spirit, and 99 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:38,320 Speaker 2: were hired hands for protection. Jephtha was rejected by his 100 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:41,599 Speaker 2: own family, but found great comfort with the outsiders that 101 00:06:41,680 --> 00:06:46,400 Speaker 2: followed him. Years had passed and the Ammonites ward against Israel. 102 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:50,480 Speaker 2: The elders of Gilead were distressed and desperate for warriors. 103 00:06:50,960 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 2: They had heard of Jefftha's skill and exploits across the 104 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:56,720 Speaker 2: land and sought him out. Come back to us and 105 00:06:56,760 --> 00:07:01,400 Speaker 2: be our leader. The elders begged jeff the scowl. How 106 00:07:01,520 --> 00:07:05,200 Speaker 2: dare they, he thought to himself. First they make me 107 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:07,960 Speaker 2: an outcast, and now that they want something from me, 108 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:12,280 Speaker 2: they treat me like royalty. Jephtha dismissed them and said, 109 00:07:12,680 --> 00:07:16,000 Speaker 2: you hated me and drove me out of my father's house, 110 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 2: and now that you're in need, you come begging. The 111 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:23,840 Speaker 2: elders continued to beg Jephtha. He sat there in silence. 112 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:28,000 Speaker 2: Jephtha had lived as either an outsider or outcast his 113 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:31,800 Speaker 2: entire life. His greatest fear was that he would succeed 114 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:35,280 Speaker 2: in saving Israel, only to be rejected by them again. 115 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:39,320 Speaker 2: He closed his eyes and released a deep sigh. He 116 00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:42,080 Speaker 2: knew what was right, and he knew he could win 117 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:45,760 Speaker 2: against the Ammonites. He opened his eyes and said, I 118 00:07:45,880 --> 00:07:49,040 Speaker 2: will be your leader in battle, but only if I 119 00:07:49,120 --> 00:07:54,120 Speaker 2: remain your leader afterwards. The elders agreed, and Jephthah marched 120 00:07:54,120 --> 00:07:57,320 Speaker 2: with his band of misfit warriors back to his homeland. 121 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:01,840 Speaker 2: Jeffa traveled with the armies of Israel behind him. They 122 00:08:01,920 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 2: marched across a valley near the Ammonite camp. It was 123 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:08,560 Speaker 2: less than a day before battle, and Jephtha knelt before 124 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 2: God in the cool evening. He breathed deeply. His breath 125 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:15,880 Speaker 2: could be seen in the winter air. The spirit of 126 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:18,720 Speaker 2: God was with him. He could feel the power of 127 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:23,400 Speaker 2: God moving upon the land, preparing victory for him. Jephtha, 128 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:27,320 Speaker 2: in a moment of emotion, vowed before God, saying, if 129 00:08:27,360 --> 00:08:30,880 Speaker 2: you give us victory tomorrow, I will sacrifice whatever comes 130 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:34,760 Speaker 2: through my doors first to greet me. Jephtha's oath was 131 00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:37,959 Speaker 2: not warranted or asked for by God, yet he bound 132 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:42,400 Speaker 2: himself to his word and would live to deeply regret it. Jephtha, 133 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:46,240 Speaker 2: his band of misfit warriors, and the entirety of Israel's 134 00:08:46,320 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 2: army crossed into Ammonite territory. They stormed the land, gliding 135 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:54,680 Speaker 2: through twenty of their cities with swords and arrows. First, 136 00:08:54,760 --> 00:08:57,840 Speaker 2: they took the small towns and stormed the largest cities 137 00:08:57,840 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 2: in great force. Jephtha's un wavering bravery and decisive strategy 138 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:07,199 Speaker 2: led them into victory. The Ammonites were subdued under Israel's boot, 139 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:12,160 Speaker 2: and God was glorified. Jefhtha returned home glowing from the 140 00:09:12,240 --> 00:09:16,880 Speaker 2: victory against the Ammonites. He was smiling anticipating the sacrifice 141 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:19,960 Speaker 2: he would make to God. Whatever animal from his land 142 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 2: he would see first, he would take and lay it 143 00:09:22,400 --> 00:09:25,760 Speaker 2: on the altar for God. He closed his eyes once again, 144 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:29,280 Speaker 2: breathing in the sweet air of home. He had finally 145 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:32,160 Speaker 2: been able to return to his father's land with his family. 146 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:35,480 Speaker 2: A new era of peace would reign under him, and 147 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:39,200 Speaker 2: Jefhtha rejoiced over the next chapter of his life. With 148 00:09:39,320 --> 00:09:44,319 Speaker 2: his eyes still closed, Jefhtha could hear tambourines in the distance. Oh, no, 149 00:09:44,960 --> 00:09:48,040 Speaker 2: Jeffa thought. As he opened his eyes. There he saw 150 00:09:48,080 --> 00:09:51,480 Speaker 2: his beautiful daughter dancing in the sunlight. She had made 151 00:09:51,480 --> 00:09:55,760 Speaker 2: an entire routine to celebrate her father's victory. Jeffna's heart 152 00:09:55,840 --> 00:09:58,880 Speaker 2: sank as he watched her twirl with joy. She was 153 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:02,360 Speaker 2: his only daughter. Besides her, he had no other child. 154 00:10:03,120 --> 00:10:07,720 Speaker 2: She was his world and his greatest treasure. Welcome home, father, 155 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:11,720 Speaker 2: she said with glee. Then she wrapped her arms around him. 156 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:16,480 Speaker 2: Jephtha wept. He tore his clothes and rage, My sweet daughter, 157 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:19,079 Speaker 2: I have vowed to the Lord to sacrifice whatever comes 158 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:22,240 Speaker 2: through my gates first. The two of them wept together. 159 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:26,800 Speaker 2: Jephtha's daughter wiped her tears and changed her posture. She said, 160 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:30,840 Speaker 2: you have vowed to God. Do to me whatever is necessary. 161 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:33,880 Speaker 2: Only allow me to go to the mountains and weep 162 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:37,560 Speaker 2: with my companions over my virginity. For now I will 163 00:10:37,559 --> 00:10:40,760 Speaker 2: never be married or be a mother. So she was 164 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 2: sent away for two months to weep and mourn with 165 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:46,600 Speaker 2: her friends. At the end of the two months, Jephtha's 166 00:10:46,679 --> 00:10:49,960 Speaker 2: daughter came down from the mountain. Her father lamented his 167 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:53,480 Speaker 2: own victories in life, for he, in his foolishness, bound 168 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:56,920 Speaker 2: himself to avow God never asked him to give. His 169 00:10:57,040 --> 00:11:00,800 Speaker 2: false sense of honor and obedience caused him grief. He 170 00:11:00,840 --> 00:11:03,200 Speaker 2: and the rest of Israel would remember his vow for 171 00:11:03,240 --> 00:11:06,439 Speaker 2: the rest of their days. It became a custom in 172 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:08,719 Speaker 2: Israel for the women to lament over the daughter of 173 00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:12,880 Speaker 2: Jephthah every year. Legends of Jephthah's bravery would be drown 174 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:17,000 Speaker 2: out by his foolishness, as many stories often do. Yet 175 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 2: the story of God's faithful hand of protection over history continues, 176 00:11:21,679 --> 00:11:23,760 Speaker 2: and his covenant never wavers. 177 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:30,280 Speaker 3: Today's story begins once again with the sinful rebellion of 178 00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:35,240 Speaker 3: God's people. Despite the trustworthiness the faithfulness of God all 179 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 3: that God had done for them as a people, again 180 00:11:37,840 --> 00:11:42,400 Speaker 3: and again, they chose not to obey his commands. The 181 00:11:42,440 --> 00:11:45,800 Speaker 3: people of Israel turned to false God's idols, other gods, 182 00:11:45,800 --> 00:11:50,079 Speaker 3: which are no gods. This descent into wickedness stirred God's 183 00:11:50,280 --> 00:11:53,320 Speaker 3: righteous anger. Because God is a righteous and holy God, 184 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:56,480 Speaker 3: and justice has served, so he removed his hand of 185 00:11:56,520 --> 00:12:00,720 Speaker 3: protection and allowed the Philistines and Ammonites to us Israel. 186 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:08,559 Speaker 3: For eighteen long years, God's people endured unspeakable horrows, men, women, 187 00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:11,280 Speaker 3: and children alike, until once more they cried out in 188 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:14,920 Speaker 3: anguish God, help us. We know we've done wrong, we 189 00:12:15,040 --> 00:12:18,120 Speaker 3: know that we have sinned. Please do not abandon us 190 00:12:18,760 --> 00:12:21,720 Speaker 3: through the years, they had sinned and sinned and sinned again. 191 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:24,800 Speaker 3: But God had taught them that if they turned to 192 00:12:24,880 --> 00:12:28,240 Speaker 3: him and trusted him and repented of their sin, he 193 00:12:28,280 --> 00:12:31,040 Speaker 3: would save them. But this time it was going to 194 00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:34,120 Speaker 3: be different. He reminded them of all he had done 195 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:37,480 Speaker 3: to save them time and time again. Still they insisted 196 00:12:37,520 --> 00:12:41,360 Speaker 3: on idolatry worshiping other gods. So God told his people 197 00:12:41,720 --> 00:12:45,360 Speaker 3: to run to those gods for help. God was deeply 198 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:51,280 Speaker 3: grieved by the repeated disobedience of his children. Israel did repent, 199 00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:54,360 Speaker 3: and the people got rid of the other gods. They 200 00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:57,880 Speaker 3: worshiped God and God alone and submitted to his rule 201 00:12:57,960 --> 00:13:01,920 Speaker 3: his sovereignty in their lives. They didn't wait for salvation 202 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:04,480 Speaker 3: to praise God. They worshiped him even in the midst 203 00:13:04,559 --> 00:13:08,200 Speaker 3: of their trials. God heard their worship and resolved to 204 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:11,720 Speaker 3: save them once again. He would do this through a 205 00:13:11,720 --> 00:13:14,320 Speaker 3: man who himself had felt the great pain of rejection 206 00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:19,040 Speaker 3: by his family. His name was Jephtha. Jephtha was despised 207 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:22,440 Speaker 3: by his own rejected by his brothers because he was 208 00:13:22,480 --> 00:13:27,439 Speaker 3: the illegitimate son of his father. Jephtha left home, despondent 209 00:13:27,960 --> 00:13:31,960 Speaker 3: and alone, until he found company with other outcasts and rejects. 210 00:13:32,800 --> 00:13:37,120 Speaker 3: These became valiant fighters, and after many years pass Jephtha's 211 00:13:37,160 --> 00:13:40,280 Speaker 3: people sought him out for help. They wanted him to 212 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:44,120 Speaker 3: lead them in the fight against the Ammonites. Jephtha's response 213 00:13:44,160 --> 00:13:46,960 Speaker 3: sounded a lot like God's words to his people in 214 00:13:47,040 --> 00:13:51,839 Speaker 3: Judges eleven seven. But Jepha said, to the elders of Gilead, 215 00:13:52,720 --> 00:13:54,680 Speaker 3: did you not hate me and drive me out of 216 00:13:54,679 --> 00:13:57,360 Speaker 3: my father's house? Why have you come to me now 217 00:13:57,440 --> 00:14:01,840 Speaker 3: that you are in distress? But they persisted, and he 218 00:14:01,880 --> 00:14:05,080 Speaker 3: finally agreed, but on the condition that once he defeated 219 00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:07,920 Speaker 3: their enemies, he would continue to lead them, and they 220 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:11,680 Speaker 3: agreed to his terms. So Jephtha gathered Israel's army and 221 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:15,440 Speaker 3: went to fight the Ammonites. Before they faced the enemy, 222 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:19,120 Speaker 3: Jephtha promised he would sacrifice the first thing that greeted 223 00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:21,840 Speaker 3: him back home if they were to defeat the Amonites. 224 00:14:22,240 --> 00:14:24,960 Speaker 3: God had not required this of Jephtha. It was an 225 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:29,800 Speaker 3: impulsive and unsolicited decision, but it was binding because of 226 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:33,320 Speaker 3: the faithfulness of God, not Jephtha's vow. The Lord gave 227 00:14:33,440 --> 00:14:37,640 Speaker 3: Israel victory over the Ammonites. Jephtha returned home a hero, 228 00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:40,920 Speaker 3: but when he was greeted first by his daughter. His 229 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:45,760 Speaker 3: joy turned to abject despair. The realization of what his 230 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:49,640 Speaker 3: promise would cost him came crashing down on him. There 231 00:14:49,720 --> 00:14:52,200 Speaker 3: was no escaping it in his mind, and he knew it. 232 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:57,080 Speaker 3: And he embraced her and wept bitter tears. He allowed 233 00:14:57,080 --> 00:14:58,920 Speaker 3: her to go to the mountains with her friends to 234 00:14:58,960 --> 00:15:00,920 Speaker 3: mourn what she was going on to lose, and then 235 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:04,160 Speaker 3: he made good on his promise. His story is a 236 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 3: reminder that we must always make decisions not based on 237 00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:11,400 Speaker 3: our own imagination, but on God's revelation. In other words, 238 00:15:11,480 --> 00:15:16,800 Speaker 3: his promises not what we think. Jeptam made an unnecessary sacrifice, 239 00:15:16,840 --> 00:15:19,040 Speaker 3: born out of a rash vow that cost him the 240 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:23,280 Speaker 3: child but really saved no one. Many years later, God 241 00:15:23,280 --> 00:15:25,280 Speaker 3: would make good on his promise, born out of love 242 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:28,960 Speaker 3: and sacrifice of his son. But that sacrifice of the 243 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:32,920 Speaker 3: Lord Jesus Christ would not be just for Israelites, but 244 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:35,320 Speaker 3: to the jew first, and also to the Greek, in 245 00:15:35,360 --> 00:15:40,200 Speaker 3: other words, to the whole world. These stories are unusual, 246 00:15:40,600 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 3: and sometimes we listen to these stories and wonder why 247 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:47,760 Speaker 3: this happened, what happened? But remember this entire message of 248 00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:51,080 Speaker 3: the Bible is pointing to the greatest sacrifice of all, 249 00:15:51,480 --> 00:15:55,880 Speaker 3: the redemption of salvation through God's son, the Lord Jesus Christ. 250 00:15:56,560 --> 00:16:00,640 Speaker 3: Always see the Savior in the scriptures. God, thank you 251 00:16:00,720 --> 00:16:04,200 Speaker 3: for today's reading, which reminds us to be thoughtful and 252 00:16:04,400 --> 00:16:08,000 Speaker 3: careful with our commitments. And thank you Lord that you 253 00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:11,920 Speaker 3: counted the cost and send Jesus your son to die 254 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:15,120 Speaker 3: in our place. That though the wages of sin is death, 255 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 3: the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus our Lord. 256 00:16:19,720 --> 00:16:21,960 Speaker 3: And we do pray for those who are seeking You, 257 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:25,200 Speaker 3: who want to know you and have a personal relationship 258 00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:28,240 Speaker 3: with You through your son, and we ask for their 259 00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:33,360 Speaker 3: salvation in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you for listening to 260 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:37,080 Speaker 3: today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm pastor Jack Graham 261 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:40,800 Speaker 3: from Dallas, Texas. Download thepray dot Com app and make 262 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:44,880 Speaker 3: prayer a priority in your life. If you enjoyed this podcast, 263 00:16:44,960 --> 00:16:47,920 Speaker 3: share it with someone you love. By sharing this podcast, 264 00:16:47,960 --> 00:16:51,000 Speaker 3: you can make a difference in someone's life. If you 265 00:16:51,040 --> 00:16:53,200 Speaker 3: want to know more about the Lord, how to know him, 266 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 3: how to serve him and be his disciple, then let 267 00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:00,520 Speaker 3: me encourage you to visit my website, which is Jack 268 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:03,960 Speaker 3: Graham dot org. We would love to assist you in 269 00:17:04,040 --> 00:17:08,159 Speaker 3: any way possible as you grow in your journey of faith. Again. 270 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:11,679 Speaker 3: That's Jack Graham dot org. God bless you.