You Be the Judge!

**All credit for this witty title goes to Miss Elizabeth :)**

Elizabeth:  Since our last posting, I have graduated from TLU and have enjoyed most of a week of summer break. I have done some sleeping, reading, volunteering, and organizing since I have been on break. I have also been a whole lot better at reading my Bible daily and I have actually engaging reflection over the text. One thing I haven't done yet is meet with Allison over skype for coffee and conversation. Perhaps we will do that next week--Friday. Soooo, for our two blog followers, you don't have to be antzy...you can expect a new entry next Friday. In the meantime, let me share with you a few thoughts on the reading I have done this week.

Allison and I read Judges 1-12 over the past week. I'm finding that as I read the Old Testament, it really isn't as dry as many people make it sound, but it is extra confusing. When I can follow along to some extent, the text is interesting, but it gets so confusing when so many names and places are referenced. How am I supposed to keep up with all this information? On top of that, all these peculiar stories are happening. Jephthah has to sacrifice his daughter for the Lord?! (Judges 11) What in the world? Where does this stuff come from? And most importantly, why does it matter to me? How is this relevant?

As I shared this with Allison over the phone, she joked, "so you're saying that if you were the editor of Judges, it would all make more sense?" and at first thought I said yes! But, then I thought about it and if I were recording moments in my life it may sound as scattered as the book of Judges reads to me. When Allison and I carry on conversations, they don't always take a straight path. Often one thought leads to another, to another, and to another before we remind each other to go back to our original topic. And if I were to map out a single conversation, it may very well sound like a piece from Judges. One thing mentioned here and something else there. I found it especially interesting that when reading, I want something clearly defined, clearly mapped out. I don't want any gaps at all, but when I engage in my everyday conversations and experiences they're far from being clearly defined and I don't have a problem with it. In Judges I don't find any consistency. Each chapter seems to deal with different people and mention different places. In the first chapter Israel fights Canaanites, then judges are introduced, but more fighting takes place, more people are introduced. By chapters 10 and 11 Ammonites are the ones Jephthah is fighting. By that point too, the book has covered Gideon, Zebah, Zalmunna, Debroah, Abimelech, and many more. Among these people and places, odd events occur too, like the sacrifice of Jephthah's daughter to the Lord. It is all interesting, but it is a lot to keep up with.

Back to questions, where does this stuff come from? Well I'm not entirely sure. I cannot be sure that all of these things happened exactly as they are recorded, but I can say that each of these people were trying to find answers of their own. They wanted some direction, they wanted to see God more fully. The writer(s) of Judges most likely didn't record every detail of every situation, so there are gaps that I as the reader have to deal with. I'm left wondering what happened to the families of the people who died in the battles? What are these people thinking before they turn to God? Oh so many questions, but with gaps I have the opportunity to consider these things. So, why does this matter? Because ultimately the people in Judges were searching for a leader, some common ground, they wanted a foundation in their lives so that they could live fuller lives. And, this matters to me, because that is what I want in my life too. I want a fuller life where I know God is in control and can help lead me through tough times. God knows what happened in the gaps that were left open to the readers in the book of Judges; He was with those people. Like the people and places of Judges, God will be with me in rough times and will provide the direction I need in whatever place I may be.

My challenge to you is to think about the places in your life that seem most jumbled and consider how you may see God in the midst of it all.

Here, there, everywhere.

Allison:  Hello blog world!  Today is a big day!  You may not have noticed the small memo on your calendar this morning, but today is a day for celebration, because TODAY is the first official non-introduction blog of Alphabitz!  After reading this, feel free to pop open a bottle of your preferred champagne, or sparkling grape juice for us underage folks (….I think we actually have some leftover from New Years…).  But I digress….without further ado, I bring you a perspective on Judges chapters 1-12 :)!---that sounds lame…but don’t worry; it’s not.

So, Judges.  Aye, yes.  I’ll bet that hasn’t been a recent sermon topic!  And for a good reason too.  It’s a little all over the place, a little frustrating, and a little old (granted, it’s all old).  But there’s some cool stuff in Judges too, and I feel like I have more in common with the Israelites than I would care to admit.  But today I will admit away!    Judges 2 talks about how the people felt lost; they were turning to idolatrous gods, and basically doing anything but following the Lord.  Israel always seems to play the role of the poor and weak little brother, and it’s only through God that they ever reach any sort of victories (funny how God tends to choose those who we deem weak).  And so God took pity on them. 

Side note—while the Old Testament is notorious for presenting an “angry” and “harsh” image of God, I feel like there are quite a few places in this book so far that speak to God’s endless love and mercy, particularly in His dealings with the Israelites.  So chew on that.

Where was I?  Oh yes, so God took pity on them and gave them judges, who were more like political/military leaders than judicial figures. 

But what frustrated me was how they get one judge, that judge “rules” for however some-odd years, dies, and then the Israelites go right back to where they were before—goofing off, worshiping local idols, and basically living life like this judge never existed.  I mean my thoughts were something to the effect of, “Look Israelites!  This is ridiculous!  Can’t you just stay on track for a little while?”  And I was truly impressed that every time their antics got them in a situation of oppression or whatnot and they turned and “cried to God for help”, He immediately took pity and sent them another leader.  No hesitation, no lecture, no “this is the last straw”.  They realized their wrongs, turned back to God, and He welcomed them with open arms.  And He didn’t force himself on them when they turned away—it was a conscious choice on their part to turn back and follow the Lord’s leading.  And I couldn’t understand how God could be so forgiving, especially when they most likely were going to turn astray again by the end of the chapter.

But then I realized, I still don’t understand that forgiveness and that grace.  I still don’t get how God loves us infinitely and welcomes us back with open arms every time we realize where we’ve fallen, even though He knows we’ll mess up again.  I don’t know about you, but I am so much like the Israelite people.  Things are going great, life is good, I’ve got a great active faith community keeping me grounded, but the moment things change, the moment those circumstance get shaken up, it is so easy for me to fall away, to get off track, and try to do things according to my own plans.  And I’m sure anyone reading a story of my life would think the same things I did.  “Look Allison!  This is ridiculous!  Can’t you just stay on track for a little while?”  Because it’s so true.  I’m not perfect, and I definitely do my fair share of running back to God, teary-eyed and snotty-nosed and so truly repentant.  And that’s not to say it’s not sincere.  But I am so beyond thankful that our God is a God of grace, mercy and n^th chances.  That He knows our hearts and that He doesn’t give up.  So while the Israelites do frustrate me a bit, they hold a special place in my heart, because if I just substitute my name in there, those verses could be the story of my life.  But more than that, they are the story of the infinite grace our God gives and the incomprehensible love that is always within reach.  And that my friends, is the essence of the gospel.

So Judges eh?  Not so bad really.  Actually, I’m kind of liking this one.  Chime in!  What are your thoughts?  And as always, we leave you with some alphabitz to mull over…

Searching  Direction  Love

Sisters in Christ,

~Allison & Elizabeth