March 11 – Judges 11:1-11
March 11 – Judges 11:1-11
11 Now Jephthah
the Gileadite was a mighty warrior, but he was the son of a prostitute.
Gilead was the father of Jephthah. 2 And Gilead's
wife also bore him sons. And when his wife's sons grew up, they drove Jephthah
out and said to him, “You shall not have an inheritance in our father's house,
for you are the son of another woman.” 3 Then
Jephthah fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob,
and worthless fellows collected around Jephthah and went out with him.
4 After a
time the Ammonites made war against Israel. 5 And
when the Ammonites made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to bring
Jephthah from the land of Tob. 6 And they said
to Jephthah, “Come and be our leader, that we may fight against the
Ammonites.” 7 But Jephthah said to the elders of
Gilead, “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?” 8 And
the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “That is why we have turned to you now,
that you may go with us and fight against the Ammonites and be our head
over all the inhabitants of Gilead.” 9 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.” 10 And the
elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The Lord will be witness between us, if we do not do as you
say.” 11 So Jephthah went with the elders of
Gilead, and the people made him head and leader over them. And Jephthah
spoke all his words before the Lord at Mizpah.
Jephthah was not accepted
by the family of Gilead as he was born of a prostitute. He was rejected and
sent away. However, as the Ammonites began to make war against Israel, the
people of the nation realized what an asset Jephthah could be. He knew he was
being used for his strength and success in battle. He also knew that his
success would be determined by God. He came back to Gilead where he was made
head leader over Gilead.
I love these words, “And
Jephthah spoke all his words before the Lord at Mizpah.” Not only was Jephthah a mighty
warrior, he was a man of God. He was used of God even though he was rejected by
man. Sound familiar? Jesus was rejected and yet God had great plans for Jesus.
Thank God today that His son, Jesus, became our savior and our rock.
Heavenly Father, I’m so
glad You use us based on You, and not us.
We can’t be smart enough, good enough, rich enough, talented enough or educated
enough to do anything on our own. We
need You to be anything worthwhile. I
love that You use those who the world would least expect to do anything worthy
of You. You take ashes and make something
beautiful from it. Thank You for loving
me enough to use me.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen!
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