As we read about North Korean doctors performing operations without anesthetics, I see a regime far more desperate than anything else. Back in the days of 2 Kings, everyone must have been desperate. Every army passing through and every government existed for its own benefit only. Disappearances were common, from any number of causes. Slavery itself was common, including within Israel. All of Solomon’s alleged achievements were done with slave labor – Israelites and foreign slaves working as corvee. His son Rehoboam’s infamous statement “my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions [that is, cat-o-nine tails]” puts to lie the claim that only non-Israelites served as slaves.

We know enough not to expect justice in this world. But note that the unnamed Hebrew slave girl, unlike Megumi, did not hang herself. What other differences are there between that time and this?

So when is it OK to overlook such things? When it serves ‘our’ [in this case the Israelites] side?

The clan of Gilead not wanting to place their faith in God, instead turned to a strong man to place in charge of them (11:6), which is ultimately the sin that all of Israel later commits by choosing to have a king over them.

So to me the story in verses 30-39, while tragic serve to illustrate that Jephthah is a man of violence who does not respect life. Also the vow that he makes in v30 assumes that it will be a member of his household, and we are to assume this vow is a rejection of the Spirit of God in v29.

Or perhaps it’s not as controversial as Kobie hoped. I for one did not squirm in my seat since I know that “Life is complicated and messy.” I am very thankful that I do not live under such conditions but I am well aware that many people do.

We know that where human needs are greatest is also where bad decisions often make things worse. Recently there was a Pew Foundation study reinforcing this. It showed that in poverty-stricken parts of the world, the men (what, always the men?) have zero money for their children’s schoolbooks or rent. Yet they manage to find money for booze and other chemical forms of escape. Yet don’t the rich squander as foolishly on multiple houses, yachts and private planes?

While we can ponder our philosophy of giving (or not giving) to beggars on the street, we can get a call from a friend or relative – someone whose cry for help we cannot ignore. That cry for help can be tinged with anger and frustration, from someone who does not want to need your help. Worse, we often get such calls when the situation is far beyond our ability to help.

I know I have felt uncomfortable when approached for help. Is it a deadbeat? Someone truly in need? Someone who could get violent? Many times I have shied away from a sense of self-preservation, only thinking in retrospect how I might have helped with little risk to myself or my family. But too late! The chance is gone, I failed another test! Or is it that I warded off another threat? Years later, I still wonder about some encounters.

I don’t need pastors assuring me everything is OK. I just need reminders that there may be another test at any moment.

So from that perspective I can have compassion for the mother, but to be honest I might not feel the same way if I were dealing with the situation directly.

Just as the mother is an imperfect creation of God, so am I, and in a difficult situation, I may have to ask for God to love them on my behalf because I may not always be able.

But this is what we do. After all, what credit is there in loving the lovable? We are called on to love our enemies. Bart’s case wasn’t his enemy, but was certainly a challenge.

If you are following along, nodding politely, let’s move to the next level: Is Bart ready to love the rapist? Are you? Am I?