What does Judges 11:5 teach about God's use of unlikely leaders? Verse in Focus “ When the Ammonites made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.” (Judges 11:5) A Surprising Candidate • Jephthah was the son of a prostitute (Judges 11:1). • Driven away by his half-brothers, he lived as an exile in Tob, leading a band of outcasts (v. 3). • Humanly speaking, nothing about his pedigree or circumstances suggested “deliverer material.” What God’s Choice Reveals • The Lord delights in overturning human expectations. – See 1 Corinthians 1:27-29: God chooses “the foolish… the weak… the lowly” to shame the strong. • God’s purposes are not stalled by social stigma or a painful past. • Leadership hinges on God’s call, not on community approval. • Rejection often becomes preparation; Jephthah’s years as a warrior-leader in exile equipped him for national deliverance. Echoes Throughout Scripture • Moses—fugitive shepherd turned liberator (Exodus 3). • David—overlooked youngest son, anointed king (1 Samuel 16:7-13). • Gideon—fearful farmer called “mighty warrior” (Judges 6:11-16). • The apostles—unschooled fishermen entrusted with the gospel (Acts 4:13). Timeless Takeaways • Never count yourself—or anyone else—out of God’s plans. • God often selects those the world sidelines, so His glory is unmistakable. • Past wounds and marginalization can become platforms for Spirit-empowered service. |
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