Judges 10-12
Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Day 78 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) primarily focuses on Jephthah, a mighty warrior who rose to lead the Gileadites (a tribe of Manasseh). During this time, Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord and "sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites" (Judges 10:7). Civil conflict also arose with Ephraim (Judges 12:1-4). Jephthah overcame both the Ammonites and Ephraim in battle.
DesiringGod.com has a great post on how Jephthah, along with Gideon, Barak, and Samson from the book of Judges, are captured in Hebrews - the faith hall of fame. The post references commentary* from Tremper Longman and Ray Dillard:
What a collection of human beings in the book of Judges! Strange heroes they are—a reluctant farmer, a prophetess, a left-handed assassin, a bastard bandit, a sex-addicted Nazirite, among others. It is easy at a distance to point out the foibles and failures of the leading characters in this downwardly spiraling story.
But lest we get too proud, Paul reminds us, “That is what some of you were” (1 Corinthians 6:11). With similar mixtures of ignorance, frail obedience, and tangled motives, we, like them, were “washed, sanctified, and justified” by the grace of God. For all of their flaws, we are to learn from their faith. For it was in faith that Gideon, Barak, Jephthah, and Samson “conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised”
*An Introduction to the Old Testament, Longman and Dillard
Longman and Dillard reference 1 Corinthians 6:11 where Paul talks about conflict and sin among believers and he specifically calls out cheating and lawsuits among believers. Paul then goes on to write how we should not be quick to be proud among such a crowd, assuming we are righteous while others are not:
Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Longman and Dillard go on to encourage us that even though all of us as believers are broken, God called up for us one (Jesus Christ) who redeems our sin and uses it for His glory.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who rescued me...flaws and all! Thank You Jesus. I am not deserving of such love and such a gift. I sin...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
