Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.

WORSHIP FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Worship can be as simple as thanking God for who He is & what He does. (Psalm 100:4)
1. Start by journaling or saying out loud 3-5 things you’re thankful for in the last 24 hours.
2. Play or sing some worship music you love, or choose from one of our Spotify Playlists.
Further Focus: Declare what God’s Word says is true about who you are in Christ back to Him.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Pray a simple prayer before reading, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth. (John 14:26)
Today’s reading is from Judges 11
*Focusing as a Family? Find Paradox on the Parent Cue App
Highlight verses that capture your attention, and ask three simple questions as you read…
S = Say. What is the main point? What does it teach about God (Jesus) & yourself?
O = Obey. What can you apply (practice) from this passage today?
S = Share. Who can you share what you’re learning with today?
Further Focus: One of the best ways to learn more about the Bible is by discussing it with others.
Work through this week’s Lifegroup Discussion Guide and meet up with a Paradox Lifegroup.

A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING
This passage of Scripture is difficult - troubling, even. And yet, there is so much insight here if we’re willing to dig for it. First, a note on hard to understand passages of scripture. I typically use a thin-line, readable paper Bible with no commentary for everyday reading, so that I am not tempted to read what someone said about God’s Word before letting God speak to me in His Word. But when it gets tough, I have a few go-to resources. The first is a good study Bible. I suggest the ESV Study Bible. It’s also helpful to have a commentary that you trust to give more background. I often use the IVP Bible Background Commentary. Of course, a pastor, mentor, or lifegroup leader can help with that too! Finally, it’s important to read scripture in context - not just the immediate context, but the context of all of scripture. This last one is especially helpful for our subject matter today.

It’s not uncommon in churches to hear people expressing a desire or sharing stories of being “used by God.” While this is a good desire, it’s ultimately misses the point. Why? Because of one of the main points of this “Imperfect Heroes” series and today’s reading - anyone can be used by God. What is better is to know, love, and serve God. Enter Jephthah. Scripture does not say that Jephthah was raised up by God. Instead, it seems he was the people’s good (or convenient) idea. Jephthah was rejected and exiled for reasons completely beyond his control. He lived the life of an outcast and rebel - falling in with the “wrong crowd” and gaining a reputation for himself. Perhaps that’s why he was asked to lead Israel into battle. Jephthah agreed - on the condition that securing a victory would bring him power. After trying to settle the dispute through diplomacy, v11 says that God’s spirit was upon Jephthah. God was going to use people’s plan and Jephthah’s desire for power to accomplish His purposes. But remember, being used by God isn’t really the point. Jephthah was truly an Imperfect Hero. Seemingly in order to earn or ensure God’s favor, a victory, and his power, Jephthah makes a vow. Thoughtless at best, downright evil at worst. He would sacrifice whoever he saw first upon his return. It seems, both because Israelites did not keep pet dogs that would come out to meet a person upon their return - but people usually did - and because a simple animal sacrifice would not have been appropriate for the significance of this event, that Jephthah is anticipating a human sacrifice. Furthermore, in the over 250 occurrences of the term used here, it refers to an actual sacrifice burnt on an altar as opposed to being “sacrificed” to a life of celibacy and temple service (Women did not serve in this way at that time. There were, however, temple prostitutes to other gods - who would not need to mourn their virginity.) This was Jephthah’s idea. God had already explicitly forbid human sacrifice multiple times (Lev 18:21, Lev 20:2, Deut 12:31, Deut 18:10, Jer 19:5, Ezek 20:30-31, Ezek 23:37, Ezek 39) and even provided an “out” for a vow made that would not be pleasing to God (Lev 5:4-6). All that to say, whether this was an example of the extent of Israel’s moral decay at the time or Jephthah being tragically uninformed, this was a horrible, evil end. Jephthah seemed to know neither God’s life-giving law nor God himself (Romans 1:19-23). Did he do some good things? Yes. He was even “used by God.” But that isn’t the point - do you know God? Don’t settle for stumbling into usefulness. Proverbs 14:12 reminds us that there is a way that seems right to a man, but it ends in death. Choose instead to love, honor, and serve God. As Deuteronomy 30:15-20 says, choose life that you may live! - Dave Kubiak

PRAYER FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
If you’re just starting out, try praying through a Ripple Prayer.
Further Focus: Use Nations Prayer to pray for the nations and those serving them.

SHARE THE FOCUS | 1-5 Minutes
Text someone a prayer/encouragement, or share a thought/question with us in the Forum.
Going Deeper: Invite someone to read the Focus with you. Text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.

That’s all for today.
Stay focused on Jesus, and make it a great one!