Read the Bible in One Year: OT – Judges 11-12 NT – Luke 6:1-26
Judges 11:29 – At that time the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he went throughout the land of Gilead and Manasseh, including Mizpah in Gilead, and from there he led an army against the Ammonites.
God is sovereign and He works through chosen individuals, whatever may be their background, to accomplish His purposes.
Judges 11 is centered around the story of Jephthah, one of the judges raised up by God to deliver the Israelites from their oppressors. Jephthah was from the tribe of Gilead, and he was a valiant warrior. The Ammonites were oppressing the Israelites. In their distress, the elders of Gilead approached Jephthah and asked him to lead them in battle against the Ammonites. Jephthah initially hesitated, as he had been rejected by his own people due to being the son of a prostitute. However, he eventually agreed to lead them. Jephthah’s life is yet another reminder of the fact that when God choses to use us for His purposes, our past or our circumstances are no limiting factor. What an awesome God we serve!
The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, empowering and equipping him for the upcoming battle against the Ammonites, enabling him with extraordinary strength, courage, and wisdom. We see divine intervention and assistance in Jephthah’s leadership and military endeavors. God is involved in raising up leaders and equipping them for specific tasks. The Spirit’s presence on Jephthah demonstrates God’s sovereignty and His ability to work through chosen individuals to accomplish His purposes.
It is important to note that while God enabled Jephthah for battle, the subsequent events and actions of Jephthah raise ethical and moral questions. Jephthah makes a rash vow to God in the following verses (Judges 11:30-31), which leads to a tragic outcome. The passage serves as a reminder that God’s empowerment does not justify or endorse every action taken by the individuals He empowers.
Life often presents us with challenges and tasks that seem beyond our abilities. We may feel inadequate, overwhelmed, or uncertain about how to proceed. In those moments, it’s crucial to remember that we serve a sovereign God who not only calls us but also equips and enables us for the tasks He sets before us.
Throughout the Bible, we encounter various individuals whom God called and empowered for specific purposes. Moses doubted his ability to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but God assured him of His presence and strength (Exodus 3:10-12). Jeremiah felt inadequate for the prophetic ministry, yet God promised to put His words in Jeremiah’s mouth and be with him (Jeremiah 1:4-10). The apostle Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, experienced a radical transformation and became a powerful instrument in spreading the Gospel (Acts 9:1-19).
God does not call the equipped, but He equips the called. God’s sovereignty overrides our limitations. He specializes in working through our weaknesses and providing the necessary strength, wisdom, and guidance to fulfill His purposes. When we encounter challenges or feel inadequate, we must shift our focus from our own insufficiency to the sufficiency of God’s empowering presence. God assures us that He will faithfully equip and enable us to do all that He calls us to do (Isaiah 41:10). God reminds us that His presence is with us, and His strength is available to us. We need not fear or be discouraged because He upholds us with His righteous right hand.
As we navigate the challenges of life, let us embrace the truth that God is our Way Maker, sovereign, and capable of equipping us for every task. We can rely on His wisdom, strength, and guidance. When we feel inadequate, let us turn to Him in prayer, seeking His enablement and surrendering our limitations into His hands.
Ponder
Do I truly believe that God is sovereign and capable of equipping me for the tasks He has called me to? How does this belief influence my perspective on challenges and limitations in my life?
Am I allowing past mistakes, failures, or societal labels to limit my view of what God can do through me? How can I embrace the truth that God can work through anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances?
How can I cultivate a posture of surrender and reliance on God’s strength in all areas of my life? How can I continually remind myself that it is His power and presence that will enable me to fulfill His purposes?
Preethi Jacob is the author of the yearlong devotional At the Potter’s Wheel, Day by Day. Her journey includes teaching a Bible Study Fellowship class, teaching and leading the Sunday School ministry in her church, leading Bible studies, besides counselling young women. She serves on the Global Mission Team of the United Bible Societies and lives in Bangalore, India with her husband and two young adult children.
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