Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, but he was the son of a harlot; and Gilead begot JephthThough rejected by his family, God blessed and used Jephthah.ah. Gilead’s wife bore sons; and when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out, and said to him, “You shall have no inheritance in our father’s house, for you are the son of another woman.” Then Jephthah fled from his brothers and dwelt in the land of Tob; and worthless men banded together with Jephthah and went out raiding with him. (vv.1-3)
Rejected by his family because of his illegitimate ancestry, Jephthah grew up in the area in what would be modern-day Syria. Though rejected by his family, God blessed and used Jephthah. God did not count the wrong for which he was not responsible, a disqualification. He raised him up; He gave him His Spirit; He employed him to deliver His people in the hour of their need against the Ammonites.
Men are not to be blamed for the wrong doings of their parents as long as their personal merits are beyond reproach. And, no matter where we come from, no matter what our background, the LORD can use us all for His purposes. If Jephthah, the son of a harlot, a reproach of his people, a marauder, could be used to defend Israel – just think how God might use you.
We’ve all come out of some pit. God has already performed miracles in our lives. Let’s look forward to how He may want to bless us and use us in the future.
The Truth: “I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8)
