The Spiral Continues
Notes
Transcript
Words have meaning.
Words have meaning.
Everything we say means something. However, the original meaning of a word, or what someone thinks a word means, doesn’t always equal how we mean to use the word. This is what makes communication hard. Even harder in cross-cultural/cross generational communication.
Words have power.
Words have power.
To some extent the most powerful weapon ever known to man is our tongue. This is what the book of James in the NT indicates when he gives sharp warnings about controlling out tongue and what we say.
Words can be cheap.
Words can be cheap.
This is what we find in the book of Judges. The words of the people of Israel have become cheap. They don’t mean a thing.
God’s soul is frustrated.
God’s soul is frustrated.
This is the result of our sin. I know our text says “He could bear Israel’s misery no longer.” Giving a thought this is His compassion. But, I think it is more than this. I think as we see in the rest of the chapter God is silent. He no longer speaks.
God will not be manipulated.
God will not be manipulated.
Throughout all of judges we see the people trying to manipulate God with their cries for help.
God is sometimes passive.
God is sometimes passive.
Not once in this section of Judges do we see the phrase, “the Lord rose up a deliverer”. Instead God is passive throughout the story of Jepthah.
God is still in charge.
God is still in charge.
Though He may be passive his will will always prevail. Yes, the Israelites are saved in spite of themselves. Because of his GREAT love and compassion he does not wipe us out. Yet, we sometimes just don’t get it.
Be careful what you wish for.
Be careful what you wish for.
The people of Gilead got what they wanted, and the destruction was great.
Watch your words
Watch your words
With God and with others. Listen to the words of James
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.