JEPHTHAH; or, CALLED TO SERVE

JEPTHAH, OR CALLED TO SERVE

From Haondfulls on Purpose - Book 4 page 78

JEPHTHAH; or, CALLED TO SERVE. . ”God never meant that man should scale the Heaven By, strides of human wisdom. In His works, Though wondrous, He commands us in His Word To seek Him rather where His mercy shines.” -Cowper.

THE names of Gideon and Jephthah have honourable mention by the great apostle in his select roll of the faithful who had “subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, and obtained promises” (). The story of Jephthah is the story of every converted sinner—a lifting up “from the dunghill, and a setting among princes” (). Observe some things concerning him. He

I. Was born to Sin

“He was the son of an harlot” (v. 1). “A mighty man of valour,” but a child of iniquity. Naaman was a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper (). By birth he was disqualified from entering into the congregation of the Lord (). “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” “That which is born of the flesh is flesh.’ “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?”

II. Was Disinherited

“They thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father’s house” (v. 2). His right to inherit by succession was destroyed through his father’s sin (). By one man’s disobedience many have been made sinners. “The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God” () . Adam’s sin drove him out of his inheritance in the garden of Eden, and all his posterity have been born outside. If we would have an inheritance among them that are sanctified it must be by faith in Jesus Christ ().

III. Bacame a companion of the Vain

“Then Jephthah fled, and there were gathered vain men to him” (v. 3). Like a sheep gone astray, he turned to his own way. It would appear that he now became a brigand, or freebooter, an antitype of Rob Roy of modern history. Such were some of us. When deprived of hope we plunged into the abyss of a reckless, selfish life. Seeking to drown remorse with the excitement of sinful pleasures. A man is known by the company he keeps. “Fowl of a feather flock together.” “And being let go, they went to their own company” ().

IV. He recieved an important invitation

“The elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Come and be our captain” (vv. 5,6). These elders no doubt saw in this daring son of the wilds gifts and qualifications that, if rightly directed, might be of immense value to the cause of God and of His people—what the early disciples would certainly see in the gifted, but Christ-hating Saul, and who would doubtless make many an appeal to Heaven for his conversion. The call came to Jephthah as the call of the Gospel carne to us, “while we were yet sinners.” Like the Gospel call, it was an invitation to join the ranks of the Lord’s people, from whom sin had separated him, and to fight the Lord’s battles. Will you come? “ Him that cometh to Me, 1 will in no wise cast out” ().

V. Covenanted with the Lord. “And Jephthah uttered all his words before the Lord in Mizpah “ (v. 11) . This unexpected but gracious call that carne to him seems to have had the effect of making him feel his need of being reconciled to God, and of serving in his Name and strength. If the Gospel of Christ has not had such a transforming ii1fiucnce on our lives we have never yet known it. No matter how unique and outstanding our gifts and abilities may be before we turn to the Lord, if we would be used in His service, these must be wholly yielded to Him, or they can only prove barriers to the progress of His kingdom. It is not the strong heart, but the broken heart that God will not despise. “A broken and a contrite heart, 0 God, Thou wilt not despise” ().

VI. Was Endued with Power. “Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah” (v. 29). The Spirit of the Lord did not come upon him until he had yielded himself to the Lord, and made full confession, by “uttering all his words before the Lord” (v. 11) . It is not to the naturally courageous, but to the consecrated that the gift of the power of the Holy Ghost is given (). He who has the gift of the Spirit has a great gift, no matter what other gifts he has not. No matter what our needs are—wisdom, strength, holiness, etc.—God’s one and all-sufficient provision is imparted by the gift of the Spirit. By Him Christ is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption ().

VII. Gained the Victory. “And the Lord delivered them into his hands” (v. 32). He is fit now to have them delivered into his hands, as he himself is now in the hands of God, that no flesh should glory in His presence. Jephthah is another illustration of God using things which are despised (v. 2) . There is room enough in the grace of God for the most wayward and helpless. There is also sufficiency here for the hitherto barren and unfruitful. We are not saved by our works, neither are we used in the service of God because of our superior gifts or past eventful experience. It is all of grace, and His grace is sufficient for all. Without the living energy of the Holy Spirit within we shall achieve nothing. “Be filled with the Spirit” (.E ph. 5.18). He bath said “ My Grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” ().

- From Haondfulls on Purpose - Book 4 page 78