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Medina
Chapter # 266
Order of the
Eastern Star
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JEPHTHAH'S
DAUGHTER
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The scene
of the first Star Point is laid beyond the Jordan River in
Mizpah, the home of Jephthah, and the surrounding country, some
ninety miles northeast from Jerusalem and thirty miles southeast
of the sea of Galilee.The countries east of the Jordan,
beginning with the Land of Moab, toward the north are Ammon and
Gilead.
At the very beginning we may say that nowhere in the Bible do we
find the name of Jephthah's daughter. She is mentioned by the
phrase "Jephthah's daughter". Modern usage, however,
attaches the name of Adah, and as such she is known to the
members of the Order of the Eastern Star.
The vow that Jephthah made unto the Lord is considered by some
writers as an extremely unfortunate one, and the great blunder
of his life. He doubtless wanted to have every assurance of
success and thus vowed a vow unto the Lord, which cost him the
life of his daughter. Viewed from the
human point of view he may have been incomprehensibly rash in
making such a convenant or vow, yet when once made and success
had crowned his efforts, he could not well turn back,
notwithstanding the efforts that were made by the elders of
Gilead to save him from making so great a human sacrifice. His
daughter was perfectly willing that her life should be
sacrificed and thus fulfill her father's obligation unto
Jehovah. And after all, if Jephthah's vow was to be fulfilled by
a human sacrifice, whom other than his own daughter would you
suggest for its fulfillment? In conclusion may we say in the
dying words of President McKinley; "It is God's way. His
will be done."
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ADAH
"God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines,
With never-falling skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His gracious will."
ADAH
"Obedience"
Our Star life's not always easy,
We do need rare courage now,
Like that of young, heroic Adah,
Keeping her father's awful vow.
We obey, as she has taught us,
Sometimes cry o'er life's ills;
But steadfast we turn our faces
Far from Adah's lonely hills.
This world has obedient daughters,
Carrying out a hard command;
We must seek them -- weary, troubled,
Their quiet trust and true obedience
Are examples naught can mar.
Bring a candle of rare courage
To the first point of our Star
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