God Sees and Calls

Judges 11: 1-7

“Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior. His father was Gilead; his mother was a prostitute. 2 Gilead’s wife also bore him sons, and when they were grown up, they drove Jephthah away. “You are not going to get any inheritance in our family,” they said, “because you are the son of another woman.” 3 So Jephthah fled from his brothers and settled in the land of Tob, where a gang of scoundrels gathered around him and followed him. 4 Some time later, when the Ammonites were fighting against Israel, 5 the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob. 6 “Come,” they said, “be our commander, so we can fight the Ammonites.” 7 Jephthah said to them, “Didn’t you hate me and drive me from my father’s house? Why do you come to me now, when you’re in trouble?”

Jephthah’s mother was a prostitute. He was driven away from home by his half brothers. He surrounded himself with a gang of scoundrels.  He was rejected by his people yet he became a mighty warrior; the savior of Israel.  

Jesus’ mother was a young woman, who became pregnant before she was married.  The ancient world would have labeled her a prostitute.  Jesus was driven into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit.  He became a mighty preacher and healer.  He surrounded himself with ordinary men from Galilee.  He was rejected by His people, yet He became the savior of the world.

The world sees and rejects.  God sees and calls us to His kingdom.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)