Judges
chapter 11 reminds us that no matter how unworthy the world might see
us, God can use us to accomplish His purposes. In the first sentence
of the chapter we learn, “Jephthah…
was a mighty warrior. His father was Gilead, his mother was a
prostitute“.
Gilead also had sons by his wife, “and
when they were grown up, they drove Jephthah away“,
saying “You
are not going to get any inheritance in our family because you are
the son of another woman“.
In the same way, many of us have built-in excuses for why we are
unworthy. We may have even come from a bad home situation. One of
the most encouraging verses in the entire Bible is in 1 Corinthians
chapter 6. After describing all the unrighteous kinds of people that
will not inherit the kingdom of God “fornicators…
idolaters… adulterers… homosexuals… sodomites… thieves…
covetous… drunkards… revilers…extortioners“.
The apostle adds,
“And
such were some of you”. It
is critical we see the word, WERE, indicating they no longer apply.
“But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our
God“.
Only God can lift us out of our past to make us totally fit for His
use.
Next
we read, “Some
time later, when the Ammonites made war on Israel, the elders of
Gilead went to get Jephthah“.
They said, “Come,
be our commander, so we can fight the Ammonites“.
A confused Jephthah answered, “Didn’t
you hate me and drive me from my father’s house?”
The elders assure Jephthah, if he fights for them, “We
will make you head of all who live in Gilead“.
Jephthah finally agreed and he led his people against their
oppressors.
Jephthah
first tries a peaceful solution using diplomacy, but the king of
Ammon, “Paid
no attention to the message Jephthah sent him“.
The chapter continues, “The
Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah… and he advanced against the
Ammonites“.
Very quietly, we are presented with the quality of character this
man has developed. He does not look back and see himself as damaged
goods every time things don’t go according to his plan. Instead he
looks to God and by His Spirit, he is assured that God no longer
considers his past (and neither should he!). Where do you look when
things get tough?
Next
we read one of the most controversial verses in the Bible. “And
Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: If You will give the Ammonites into
my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when
I return in triumph will be the Lord’s and I will sacrifice it as a
burnt offering“.
Many use this as an example to not make rash vows to God. Some
point to it as an example of the severe consequences of our promises
and God holding us accountable. As I read the commentaries, I see a
translation that is more in line with God’s nature. In Adam
Clarke’s Commentary, he said the verse could better be translated,
“If
it be a thing fit for a burnt-offering, it shall be made one; if fit
for the service of God, it shall be consecrated to him“.
Jephthah won a great battle, “He
devastated twenty towns… thus Israel subdued Ammon“.
Upon Jephtha’s return, “Who
should come to greet him, but his daughter… she was his only
child”.
Jephthah cried out,
“Oh my daughter! You have made me miserable… I have made a vow
to the Lord that I cannot break“.
Not only was human sacrifice abhorrent to God, but the chapter ends
with “He
did to her as he vowed and she was a virgin“.
I believe she was dedicated as an unmarried servant in the temple,
leaving him without an heir. That was still a disgrace for a man at
that time, but it certainly demonstrated the obedience of a man that
honored God above himself. Jephthah is listed in the “hall of
faith” (Hebrews 11:32) for his obedience. God desires to use you
and me in spite of our shortcomings as well. Once God forgives us,
no matter what our past was like, we are His child! Look up and look
ahead. God loves you!