Grace In The Scrap Heap

A. INTRODUCTION

1. People have to learn to deal with the heartbreak of r __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __; there's no way to avoid it.

a. We sometimes have to deal with rejection as the result of injustice: manifestations, perhaps, of another person's:

(1) s __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __, or

(2) h __ __ __ __ __, or

(3) j __ __ __ __ __ __ __.

b. But not all rejection is unjust. We sometimes have to deal with fair and sensible rejection which comes upon an honest and unbiased appraisal of the facts at hand.

(1) Perhaps I am not as q __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ as another. I may lack the necessary skills, talents, or experience required for selection.

(2) I might not have been properly p __ __ __ __ __ __ __.

(3) It is possible, in spite of adequate qualification and preparation, to p __ __ __ __ __ __ one's self poorly.

(4) It may be a problem with my a __ __ __ __ __ __ __. Perhaps I refuse to do what is required for acceptance. Either I am l __ __ __, or s __ __ __ __ __ __ __, or adamant in my refusal to "play by the rules," a choice called, in the terminology of Scripture, ordinary d __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __, or, as is most often the case with most

Christians, I __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ obedience.

c. The question in the matter of rejection for the Christian is not, "How can I avoid it? There are, however, three important questions regarding rejection which we must confront.

(1) How can I avoid exercising my unjust rejection of others?

(2) How should I deal with my rejection by others?

(3) Am I guilty of rejecting God by my lack of complete o __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __?

2. What? God? Does He have to deal with rejection? According to the Bible: y __ __!

a. God the S __ __

(1) Isaiah 53:1-6

(2) 1 Peter 2:1-8

(3) John 12:44-50

(4) Luke 6:43-49

b. God the H __ __ __ S __ __ __ __ __

(1) Ephesians 4:25-32

(2) 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

b. God the F __ __ __ __ __

(1) 1 Samuel 8:1-18

(2) 1 Samuel 10:17-19

3. Our study of the Book of Judges continues today with the story of J __ __ __ __ __ __ __, who judged in Israel in the 5th epoch of that period of her history. We will consider him in two separate studies.

a. The first part of the story of Jephthah will teach us at least two lessons about rejection:

(1) How should I deal with my own rejection by others?

(2) What happens when God's Chosen People persist in their rejection of Him?

b. Next week, God willing, we will consider the consequences of "swearing before God," the taking of "voluntary oaths."

B. TEXT

1. Judges 10:6-18: The consequences of a __ __ __ __ __ __ __ and the requirements for r __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __.

a. Israel's familiar predicament in v.6: Then the children of Israel again did e __ __ __ in the s __ __ __ __ of the Lord..."

(1) B __ __ __ __

(2) A __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

(3) gods of M __ __ __ ( Chemosh, Numbers 21:29 )

(4) gods of the A __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ( Milcom, 1 Kings 11:5 )

(5) gods of the P __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ( Dagon, Judges 16:23 )

b. Again God "sold" them into the hands of their enemies -- this time it was the Ammonites and the Philistines -- who "s __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ and c __ __ __ __ __ __" them for 18 years.

c. Again (almost on cue) Israel "c __ __ __ __ o __ __" to Jahweh (v.10).

(1) They p __ __ __ __ __ honestly to God.

(2) They were "s __ __ __ __," we can be sure. After all, they were in "great distress."

(3) They c __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ their sin -- they "said it again" by naming it to God.

(4) Was there something they failed to do?

d. Jahweh's response is quite different this time (v.11-14):

(1) He did not agree to rescue them immediately. In fact, He did not indicate that He would ever rescue them again

- Had Israel taken Him to the limit of His l __ __ __ - s __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __? Had they finally exhausted His reservoir of patience, grace and love? Or was He exercising "t __ __ __ __ l __ __ __?"