Sunday: The Israelites do Evil: Judges 10:1-14
Anger at sin and wickedness is an inherent attribute of God. When believers express anger against sin, cruelty, evil or injustice, it is not wrong. Such individuals share in the divine nature and participate in God’s love of righteousness and hatred of evil. (Mark 3:5; Romans 1:18; Hebrews 1:9)
Monday: The Israelites Repent: Judges 10:15-18
Although the Israelites justly deserved the suffering they were undergoing, God was still deeply moved by their repentance. God’s tender mercies are available to all who have sinned, who are suffering grievous consequences, and who repent and seek forgiveness. God’s compassion for a lost world moved Him to send His Son to reconcile sinners to Himself. (Ezekiel 6:9; Hosea 11:7-9; John 3:16)
Tuesday: Jephthah’s Life: Judges 11:1-11
Even though Jephthah was born to a harlot, no person should be blamed for the circumstances surrounding his birth. Why permit the things you cannot control to burden your life? Learn to accept them, and the Lord will work out His purposes in His own time. Opposition will one day give way to opportunity. (Psalms 139:13-19)
Wednesday: Jephthah’s Deliverance: Judges 11:12-33
There is every evidence that Jephthah was a sincere worshiper of the Lord. He negotiated with the elders in the hearing of the Lord, and he knew the scriptures. He was a man of faith and courage who depended on God’s power for victory. This is why God could use him for the deliverance of His people. (Hebrews 11:32)
Thursday: Jephthah Sacrifices Daughter: Judges 11:34-40
Jephthah did not physically sacrifice his daughter’s life. God’s law sternly forbids human sacrifice and would have been considered an intolerable abomination. The emphasis that she was a virgin implies that she was presented to God as a living sacrifice, to devote her entire life to chastity and to service at the sanctuary. (Leviticus 18:21; 20:2-5; Deuteronomy 12:31; Exodus 38:8; 1 Samuel 2:22)
Friday: Jephthah & Ephraim: Judges 12:1-7
The men of Ephraim could never rejoice in another’s victory as long as they were left out. Jephthah was not as patient and tactful as Gideon, and the result was a civil war that took 42,000 lives. (James 3:5; Proverbs 17:14)
Saturday: lbzan, Elon & Abdon: Judges 12:8-15
Some of the judges were barely mentioned in scripture. In a period of about 25 years, three judges lead the Israelites.