his was a prominent family in israel - but his mother was a prostitute - his half-brothers - those born to his father's wife - drove jephthah from their home when they were grown
starting life in this manner normally separates the men from the boys - and jephthah showed his mettle - he became a mighty warrior - a leader
later israel faced certain war with another nation - so the elders of his own tribe - the same tribe that drove him away - now came to his new home to ask him to lead them in battle - jepthah had a decision to make - should he refuse? - should he laugh in their face? - should he demand a fortune? - his response was both cautious and wise
jephthah had plenty of opportunity in life to prove who he was - lesser men have faced his struggles and have been driven to horrible endings - yet hundreds of years later - when the book of hebrews is written - jepthah is listed among the many faithful heroes of israel
his story is in judges 11 - verse 29 says "the Spirit of the Lord came upon jepthah" as he led the battle - and he prevailed - he won big - the bible says he devastated 20 towns of the enemy!
you can tell this story many ways - you could say the Spirit of God anointed the illegitimate son of a prostitute - or that God can use those whom others cast away - all true
to me the story is about the man jephthah was - God is the same God for each of us - same power - same grace - same consistency - but some people live as though greatness is not in their future - and so it isn't
not jephthah - when it was time - when God needed him - he was ready - he refused to allow his heritage to disqualify him - refused to allow his family to dismiss him - refused to become bitter and resentful
this week i have been encouraging you to ask God's Spirit to do awesome things for you and through you - and encouraging you to expect it - having that expectation is not just a mental attitude - it means also being ready - preparing yourself - keeping your spirit right - not allowing your heart to be turned - who knows what God is planning? - are you ready?
live as though you expect God's Spirit to do great things through you!
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