Scripture:
Judges 11:1-7 ESV
[1] 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?”
Observation:
Jephthah had a beginning to his life that was looked at as disgraceful. He was not a child that was made for a husband’s love for his wife, but a man’s lust for a woman. The other members of his family discarded him as not having any value and tossed him away. Telling him horrible things like you won’t get any of the inheritance. I can picture the scene. Because it hits so close to home. Your brothers chasing you away from the only home you have ever known telling you you don’t belong there, and all because of something you had nothing to do with…you were born. That should set the scene. His family later realized they needed him more than they knew. They had to eat a little crow and go to him when they found themselves in a bind, and ask for his help. Ammonites he encamped against Israel and who was needed…the son of a prostitute Jephthah someone they had discounted because of how his life began. I believe that his question is valid…you thought I was worthless before but now that you need something I have value. If we read on in the scriptures we see that he makes the right decision. He makes the statement let the LORD determine my value. If I am to lead then GOD will give the enemy into my hands and if not he won’t.
Application:
I’m so grateful for Jesus Christ and Cross Pointe Church HE died for all who will acknowledge his name and Cross Pointe Church did not discredit me because I don’t look like a pew filler. My background is rough and if you looked at the way I was raised you would think that guy will never be in our church, and honestly, if that’s how you feel maybe your church is too good for me. Jesus came for the broken. The wonderful thing is HE doesn’t leave you that way. I can point to any number of people in my church and tell you a story of redemption that will blow your mind. Now don’t get me wrong we have the opposite side as well the ones who get saved at 9 at church camp and never left the church and they are needed as well. Trust me on that. They have a voice in my life as well. I would like to say that Jesus took a liar a thief a tax collector and a few foul-mouth fishermen and changed the way we thought about the gospel. So what I’m saying in all this is…it doesn’t matter how your race started GOD wants to use you. I’m not trying to steal people from other churches. I do have to say this though it broke my heart after I got saved when in a bible study at that church I was told GOD couldn’t use me because I had been divorced. If GOD can use a donkey listen HE can use whoever is willing the question is are you willing? Will you let HIM determine your value? Only HE knows what HE made you for. Grab ahold of it and don’t let go. If HE can use a tattooed ex-con Jesus freak like me then HE can do whatever HE wants.
Prayer:
Father, your word tells me that church is not a school for saints but a hospital for sinners of which I am the worst. Without you, none of us have a chance. Only you can take what the world has discarded and make something beautiful. In the hands of the potter, a lump of clay turns into a vessel for honorable use. I just want to thank you for finding value in this old lump of clay. I know that I am not the only lump of clay you are working on. I just pray that as you make each vessel you fill it with the priceless gift that is your son I once saw a guy who would collect trash and turn it into a work of art. Father that man was a picture of you. You can take all the things that have been said to destroy us and use them to motivate us I pray for all those this morning that have been cast to the side. That they would see their value does not come from those who have discarded them, but that it comes from a heavenly father who thinks they are to die for. Father wrap your loving arms around the broken today. Show them how much you truly love them. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.