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Thursday 20th
Week OT
Retreat and
Conference Center at Bon Secours
August 20, 2015
JEPHTHAH’S SPOTTY
RELIGION ++++++++++++++++++
Ø
“The spirit of the Lord came upon
Jephthah,” we
hear as today’s first reading opens
Ø
A
bit later: “The Lord delivered them [the
enemy] into Jephthah’s power
Ø
And
then we hear this man Jephthah, apparently God’s instrument to deliver Israel,
is ready to have his daughter put 2 death to fulfill his vow
Ø
Such
vows are part of local religion surrounding Israel, but were not part of the
religion of Moses
Ø
It
looks like Jephthah’s religion is spotty…
Ø
It’s
in part the religion of Israel’s God, and part that is more primitive and cruel
OUR SPOTTY RELIGION
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
It
may not be so starkly exemplified in our lives, but our religion, too, is most
likely to be similarly a bit spotty
Ø
We
have heard and tried to answer the invitation of God to the wedding banquet,
but we bring to it some unredeemed behavior
1.
For
example, we may show genuine love for family members and neighbors,
2.
But
we are perfectly willing to leave out of our love a whole race or group of
people
3.
Or
we are basically honest, but allow ourselves more leeway when money is involved
4.
Or
we’re faithful 2 Sunday worship, but spend R time there grumbling w/i about
some little slight
5.
Or
we’re sensitive 2 others’ feelings, but allow R-selves an exception, in case of
a wife or husband
Expectations
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
All
this may B reason 4 self-reproof, & it also tells us we cannot expect total
consistency & thoroughgoing Christ-like behavior in everyone else either
CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
It
is quite appropriate that we preface our worship with a request for forgiveness
…
Ø
And
a willingness to forgive the same behavior in others
Ø
After
all whose life is not a little spotty!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
