| Thursday, August 20, 2009 St. Bernard, Abbot, Doctor of the Church (Memorial) | ||
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Judges 11:39 And at the end of two months, she returned to her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had made. She had never known a man. And it became a custom in Israel
This at first glance is a very troubling story. The tendency is to do one of two things. Either we look at this with our value system and misinterpret the significance of what is going on here, or we misread it and do not understand what is being said in the first place.
Scholars think that Jephthah’s daughter was not killed, but it is really about her remaining a virgin that is the issue. Being the only child means that the family line stops there. This is a much bigger deal then than we would think it is now. But even if she was killed, didn’t Abraham attempt to kill his only son? Didn’t God give his only son? Would this be inconsistent with Gods modality? Would we be willing to give something so dear for our salvation?
Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to value what you give for me and to have a heart that would give anything in return.
Amen
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