A Harlot's Son
Reading: Judges 8 - 11
My Verse: "Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior, but he was the son of a harlot, Gilead was Jephthah's father" (Judges 11:1).
LORD God, the Bible is so fascinating. Each and every story, in fact every word was recorded for our benefit, our edification. You had a purpose for recording these events. We may not understand completely or fully the reasons behind these stories but we can through study and meditation on them get some edification - some small spark of understanding that helps us in our walk with You.
Here, is this man Jephthah. He was apparently a great man - that men would follow him, and the elders would seek him out to be their leader. He even seems to be a believer in You. In verse 11:9, he acknowledges that any victory he achieved would be through You - "and the LORD gives them over to me." He knew well the history of Israel and acknowledged that You were behind all Israel's victories. He even seemed to be able to be diplomatic by trying to first talk to the Ammonites. So he did seem a natural leader.
However, You did not raise him up to be Israel's leader. The Israelites did this themselves, without seeking Your guidance in this. Did you not choose him because even though he believed he did not surround himself with good people? The men that followed him were described as "worthless fellows." He did not seek You out - seek out Your wisdom in all things?
You did enable him to do amazing things. "Then the Spirit of the LORD was upon Jephthah" (11:29).
Yet Jephthah was foolish. He said and made rash statements - like the terrible vow he made which had awful results. "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" (11:30). Well, of course it was his only child, his daughter that ran out to meet him!
LORD God, what do I take away from this fascinating and tragic story? I think one thing I do learn from this is that our background does not need to define who we become. The fact that Jephthah's mother was a harlot caused him to be looked down on by his own family, yet he was sought out by the Israelites later because of the natural talents that You, LORD God gave him. He had great skills and abilities. He also chose to believe in You and so was a believer.
Yet, it is so important even as believers that we do our part. We have decisions to make every day - decisions that will either bring us closer to You or draw us away. Too many of us take a lackadaisical attitude toward our walk with You. As a result we too, like Jephthah, act foolishly and sometimes suffer the awful consequences of our foolishness.
Thank You, LORD God for this edifying story of Jephthah, the harlot's son.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Reading: Judges 8 - 11
My Verse: "Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior, but he was the son of a harlot, Gilead was Jephthah's father" (Judges 11:1).
LORD God, the Bible is so fascinating. Each and every story, in fact every word was recorded for our benefit, our edification. You had a purpose for recording these events. We may not understand completely or fully the reasons behind these stories but we can through study and meditation on them get some edification - some small spark of understanding that helps us in our walk with You.
Here, is this man Jephthah. He was apparently a great man - that men would follow him, and the elders would seek him out to be their leader. He even seems to be a believer in You. In verse 11:9, he acknowledges that any victory he achieved would be through You - "and the LORD gives them over to me." He knew well the history of Israel and acknowledged that You were behind all Israel's victories. He even seemed to be able to be diplomatic by trying to first talk to the Ammonites. So he did seem a natural leader.
However, You did not raise him up to be Israel's leader. The Israelites did this themselves, without seeking Your guidance in this. Did you not choose him because even though he believed he did not surround himself with good people? The men that followed him were described as "worthless fellows." He did not seek You out - seek out Your wisdom in all things?
You did enable him to do amazing things. "Then the Spirit of the LORD was upon Jephthah" (11:29).
Yet Jephthah was foolish. He said and made rash statements - like the terrible vow he made which had awful results. "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" (11:30). Well, of course it was his only child, his daughter that ran out to meet him!
LORD God, what do I take away from this fascinating and tragic story? I think one thing I do learn from this is that our background does not need to define who we become. The fact that Jephthah's mother was a harlot caused him to be looked down on by his own family, yet he was sought out by the Israelites later because of the natural talents that You, LORD God gave him. He had great skills and abilities. He also chose to believe in You and so was a believer.
Yet, it is so important even as believers that we do our part. We have decisions to make every day - decisions that will either bring us closer to You or draw us away. Too many of us take a lackadaisical attitude toward our walk with You. As a result we too, like Jephthah, act foolishly and sometimes suffer the awful consequences of our foolishness.
Thank You, LORD God for this edifying story of Jephthah, the harlot's son.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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