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And the angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.” Judges 13:3 Back when I first began learning addiction medicine, I took several online courses, during which the instructors made it sound like all…
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But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.” Judges 14:3…
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After him Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel, and he judged Israel ten years. Then Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried at Aijalon in the land of Zebulun. Judges 12:11-12 Growing up in a church of an evangelical tradition, we celebrated transformation, applauding dramatic stories of changed lives. I was a gang member until I…
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The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire.” Judges 12:1 Last year my wife and I were visiting…
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Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low, and you have become the cause of great trouble to me. Judges 11:35 Yesterday, on the way home from work, I was challenged to a fight. While driving, I was preparing to pass another vehicle, when I saw the driver roll down his window and flip…
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And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD and said, “If you will give the Ammonites into my hand, then whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites shall be the LORD’S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.” Judges…
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And the king of the Ammonites answered the messengers of Jephthah, “Because Israel on coming up from Egypt took away my land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok and to the Jordan; now therefore restore it peaceably.” Judges 11:13 Years ago, I was named in a lawsuit in which the allegations against me were truly…
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Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you bring me home again to fight against the Ammonites, and the LORD gives them over to me, I will be your head.” Judges 11:9 In clinic, it’s not uncommon to meet a smoker with a respiratory illness, suffering with wheezing and shortness of breath. I can…
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Did you not hate me and drive me out of my father’s house? Why have you come to me now when you are in distress? Judges 11:7 When in med school, a buddy and I would go for a run every day over our lunch break. One day, while running, a couple of young girls…
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Then Jephthah fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob, and worthless fellows collected around Jephthah and went out with him. Judges 11:3 I’ve mentioned this before, but when we first got married, my wife and I decided we weren’t going to regularly keep alcohol in the house as we raised our…
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