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A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. ³ The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. (NIV)

If you feel a strong Biblical resonance as you read these words, you are not alone. It reminded me of the announcement of John the Baptist’s birth, in Luke 1:5ff. Samson, along with John, is one of a few characters in Scripture whose birth was announced in advance. The others are Ishmael (Genesis 16:11), Isaac (Genesis 18:10), and Jesus Himself (Luke 1:30,31)

‘Samson’s mother had been barren (verse 2), like other famous biblical mothers before her (Genesis 11:30; 25:21; 29::31) and after her (1 Samuel 1:2; Luke 1:7). So, as He had done for these other mothers, God enabled Samson’s mother to conceive and give birth to a son.’ (Tom Hale)

Many years ago I came across the beautiful hymn, ‘Spirit divine attend our prayers.’ One of the verses says:

‘Come as the dew and sweetly bless
this consecrated hour;
may barrenness rejoice to own
thy fertilizing power.‘

I wrote in my journal the words I have put in italics. They spoke deeply to my soul. No matter how intractable a situation may seem, with God things can change. Where we are ”unable”, He is able.

PRAYER: Lord I lay before you this issue that I cannot resolve…I know that you are all-powerful and can do something about it, if it is your purpose. I pray about it in confidence that you will do the right thing and the best thing, whether I recognise it as answer to prayer or not.

(By the way, the tribe of ‘Dan’ lay adjacent to where the Philistines lived. It seems appropriate that a ”Danite” was raised up to defeat them)

Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years. (NIV)

We have repeatedly seen the Judges ‘cycle’: Spiritual decline – an experience of chastisement – crying out to God – the raising up of a ‘Judge’ (Deliverer/Saviour/Rescuer).

But in this case, there were forty years of divine discipline at the hands of the Philistines, yet there is no record of there being any heart cry to God.

‘Perhaps they had simply given up on God and turned completely to the gods of Canaan. If so, God’s raising up of Samson was an act of pure grace – all the more so because of its miraculous nature.’ (Tom Hale)

‘Even Samson’s name, commonly linked to sun worship, hints at Israel’s drift toward Canaanite ways; indeed, his whole story mirrors Israel’s—consecrated and empowered, yet wayward, while God’s mercy never fails.’ (Bible Gateway)

It seems God just stepped in. He is sovereign. He can do that. So when things seem bad, let’s not lose hope. Things can change.

After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel. He had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He gave his daughters in marriage outside his clan and brought in thirty daughters-in-law from the outside for his sons.

¹⁰ He judged Israel seven years. Ibzan died and was buried in Bethlehem.

^11-12 After him, Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel. He judged Israel ten years. Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried at Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.

^13-15 After him, Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel. He had forty sons and thirty grandsons who rode on seventy donkeys. He judged Israel eight years. Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried at Pirathon in the land of Ephraim in the Amalekite hill country. (The Message)

Once again I am reminded that although a few of God’s servants may become very well known, the majority do not; and that’s okay. It’s ultimately about God’s purposes. Do your very best in whatever sphere God gives you, be it large or small.

We are about to start looking at the life of Samson, the last of the Judges. Whereas there will be widespread recognition of his name (after all, he had both fame and infamy), Ibzan, Elon and Abdon do not spring readily to mind. But here’s the thing: each one of them played their part. You and I can do the same.

There’s a lot to be said for obscurity (although I doubt these 3 were anonymous in their time). I heard a pastor of a mega-church somewhere in Asia say how nice it would be to go into the city with his family, and not be recognised. To just be able to lead a quiet life. But he was so well-known, with thousands upon thousands in his church, and an international television ministry, that such a life was not possible.

So you have to do the best with whatever God gives you, wherever he puts you, and not be looking over your shoulder at someone else’s ‘allotment’.

Remember:

”They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.” (John 3:26,27)

And:

”Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” (John 21:20-22)

In a book entitled, ‘No easy answers’, in one chapter, Enoch Powell dialogues with Malcolm Muggeridge. I enclose below a short extract from their conversation:

‘POWELL

…I am aware in relation to religion, of a sensation which is like that of being hungry, as one can be of a similar sensation in relation to poetry or music.

MUGGERIDGE

What are you hungering for?

POWELL

I’m hungering to hear, to be told, and to receive, things which I don’t know where to find elsewhere, and which I feel I shall be the poorer if I don’t hear and receive, and which I believe in some sense I shall die if I don’t have. That’s vague—I’m sorry. When one talks of music, one has to talk in musical terms, and when you talk of religion you must talk in religious terms.’

As I discovered this book, through the recommendation of a friend, I thought that Powell was expressing something that lies deep in every human heart: a spiritual hunger only Jesus can satisfy. He is the ‘living Bread’

“Bread of Life? Jesus lived up to the title. But an unopened loaf does a person no good. Have you received the bread? Have you received God’s forgiveness?” Max Lucado

Jephthah judged Israel six years. Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in his city, Mizpah of Gilead. (The Message)

Someone said that the true measure of a life is not its duration but its donation: not how long we live but how much we give.

My attention was drawn to the ”six years” in our text. I know that’s not a reference to his life-span. But I found myself thinking, ‘God can do so much through a person in a short period of time.’

Drawing from memory, Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones spoke about a particular preacher, who was a good and faithful man, but had quite an ordinary, unremarkable ministry. Then, just for a relatively small period of time, the Spirit of God came upon him in great power, and he saw the most remarkable results. But then, after a while, the great success came to an end (I believe he said this occurred as suddenly as it started) and he returned to his ‘normal’ ministry – which was not in any way to be disparaged. Lloyd Jones’ point, I believe, was that the Spirit of God is sovereign. He is in control, we are not. He does what He wants, through whom He wants, whenever He wants.

”The wind blows wherever it pleases.” (John 3:8)

So, the thought for today is this: God doesn’t need a lot of time to do a lot of work!

So why did you show up here today? Are you spoiling for a fight with me?”

⁴ So Jephthah got his Gilead troops together and fought Ephraim. And the men of Gilead hit them hard because they were saying, “Gileadites are nothing but half breeds and rejects from Ephraim and Manasseh.”

^5-6 Gilead captured the fords of the Jordan at the crossing to Ephraim. If an Ephraimite fugitive said, “Let me cross,” the men of Gilead would ask, “Are you an Ephraimite?” and he would say, “No.” And they would say, “Say, ‘Shibboleth.’” But he would always say, “Sibboleth”—he couldn’t say it right. Then they would grab him and kill him there at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two Ephraimite divisions were killed on that occasion. (The Message)

See where pride can lead. How cruel it was; all so unnecessary. Our pride may not lead to cutting people up as such, but to cutting them off, and cutting them through with piercing words. The ‘Bible Gateway’ notes say: ‘The dispute turns deadly, and the Lord’s non-involvement shows that this is an intertribal feud that God has not sanctioned.’

Referring back to the previous trouble with Ephraim (ch.8), Warren Wiersbe says: ‘Jephthah was not as patient and tactful as Gideon, and the result was a civil war that took 42,000 lives. ”See how great a forest a little fire kindles!” (James 3:5).’

He goes on to make this excellent point: ‘The word shibboleth is in the English dictionary and means ”a test for determining if you belong.” If you do not conform exactly to what a group demands, you are rejected. Some Christians make these minor matters a test of spirituality and fellowship and bring division to the church.’

Wiersbe highlights the relevance of Prov.17:14:

”Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.”

I also think about James 3:13-18:

”Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. ¹⁵ Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷ ‘But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

‘The chapter closes by contrasting two kinds of wisdom: true biblical wisdom manifests itself in virtues that foster peace rather than division.⁷ Practically, learning to use words wisely comes from focusing more on the inner life than on the tongue itself, more on the source than its outflow.’ Bible Gateway notes

PRAYER: ‘Make me a channel of your peace…”

”What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? ² You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.” (James 4:1,2)

The men of Ephraim mustered their troops, crossed to Zaphon, and said to Jephthah, “Why did you go out to fight the Ammonites without letting us go with you? We’re going to burn your house down on you!”

^2-3 Jephthah said, “I and my people had our hands full negotiating with the Ammonites. And I did call to you for help but you ignored me. When I saw that you weren’t coming, I took my life in my hands and confronted the Ammonites myself. And God gave them to me! So why did you show up here today? Are you spoiling for a fight with me?”

⁴ So Jephthah got his Gilead troops together and fought Ephraim. And the men of Gilead hit them hard because they were saying, “Gileadites are nothing but half breeds and rejects from Ephraim and Manasseh.”

^5-6 Gilead captured the fords of the Jordan at the crossing to Ephraim. If an Ephraimite fugitive said, “Let me cross,” the men of Gilead would ask, “Are you an Ephraimite?” and he would say, “No.” And they would say, “Say, ‘Shibboleth.’” But he would always say, “Sibboleth”—he couldn’t say it right. Then they would grab him and kill him there at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two Ephraimite divisions were killed on that occasion.

⁷ Jephthah judged Israel six years. Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in his city, Mizpah of Gilead. (The Message)

Three short quotes from Matthew Henry have wormed their way into my thinking about this passage:

‘Pride was at the bottom of the quarrel. Proud men think all the honours lost that go beside themselves…’

‘Those resentments that have the least reason for them have commonly the most rage in them.’

‘He does not take take the glory of the success to himself but gives it all to God: ”The Lord delivered them into my hands. If God was pleased so far to make use of me for his glory, why should you be offended at that?” ‘

The Ephraimites had a bit of a track record in this area (see ch.8). Their pride was insulted. They felt their position as the leading tribe was undermined. Warren Wiersbe comments: ‘The men of Ephraim could never rejoice in another’s victory as long as they were left out.’

The question for today is simply this: ‘Can I?’

PRAYER: Lord, how deadly, how insidious is pride, and how pervasive in our sinful hearts. Equip us in this fight, and enable us to humble ourselves under your mighty Hand (1 Peter 5:6)

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him.

¹ Deliver me from my enemies, O God;
be my fortress against those who are attacking me.
² Deliver me from evildoers
and save me from those who are after my blood.

³ See how they lie in wait for me!
Fierce men conspire against me
for no offense or sin of mine, Lord.
⁴ I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me.
Arise to help me; look on my plight!
⁵ You, Lord God Almighty,
you who are the God of Israel,
rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
show no mercy to wicked traitors.

⁶ They return at evening,
snarling like dogs,
and prowl about the city.
⁷ See what they spew from their mouths—
the words from their lips are sharp as swords,
and they think, “Who can hear us?”
⁸ But you laugh at them, Lord;
you scoff at all those nations.

⁹ You are my strength, I watch for you;
you, God, are my fortress,
¹⁰ my God on whom I can rely. (NIV)

Once more, in this psalm we find David in very real danger. The heading of the psalm provides the context (see 1 Sam. 19:11). So David’s affirmation that God is His ”strength”, and that he ‘relies’ on Him (9,10) is truly wonderful. We note the definite requests scattered throughout these verses, and we realise that this man was asking for very real help from the God he knew to be very real, and very powerful.

Matthew Henry points out that in these dire straits, David nevertheless maintained his composure and communion with God (No doubt he maintained the latter because of the former). He goes on to write:

‘And thus earnestly should we pray daily to be defended and delivered from our spiritual enemies, the temptations of Satan, and the corruptions of our own hearts, which war against our spiritual life.’

‘Deliver us from evil…’

After this, many of his disciples left. They no longer wanted to be associated with him. Then Jesus gave the Twelve their chance: “Do you also want to leave?”

^68-69 Peter replied, “Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We’ve already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God.”

^70-71 Jesus responded, “Haven’t I handpicked you, the Twelve? Still, one of you is a devil!” He was referring to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. This man—one from the Twelve!—was even then getting ready to betray him. (The Message)

‘The preaching of the Word of God always leads to a sifting of the hearts of the listeners.’ Warren Wiersbe

Recently, I heard an interview with some well-known Christian leaders/authors. They were pointedly asked, ‘In a time of declension from the faith, with a number of people ‘deconstructing’ their Christianity, what keeps you going?’ One or two of them came back to Peter’s great words in verse 68:

”“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

One of the men said, ‘It’s not that I don’t have some doubts and unanswered questions, but if I ask myself who I would follow if not Jesus, I can’t think who. There is no credible alternative.’

‘Christ and believers know one another too well to part on every displeasure…

…Let those who find fault with this religion find a better before they quit it.’ Matthew Henry