Lessons for life from the Bible – Day 1
Jephthah, the rejected exile who saved his people
Um(Imi)bhalo weBhayibheli
KwabaseRoma 10
Jephthah was born in Gilead, in 1200 BC, during the period of the Judges. His father was a married man with a wife and sons of his own. Jephthah’s mother was a prostitute.
His half-brothers scorned him and when they grew up, drove him away. He fled to Tob, where he gathered a band of adventurers around him. They became a formidable fighting force and he won fame as a mighty warrior.
When the Ammonites declared war against Israel, the elders of Gilead rushed to Jephthah in a panic. They begged him to take command of their army. Jephthah, with some bitterness, retorted, “… 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?” (Judges 11:7)
They answered, “Nevertheless we are appealing to you now. Return with us, fight the Ammonites and we will make you our head.”
Imagine the emotions that must have run through Jephthah. Because of his birth he had been despised and rejected, now he was being invited to be his nation’s leader.
Jephthah returned to Gilead and successfully led them to victory. The story of Jephthah is an illustration of a great biblical truth. The Gileadites first had to accept him as their head before he saved them.
We too should be clear about our priorities. If we want Christ to be our Saviour, we must accept him as our head. Only when we submit to his lordship, will we be saved.
He must be received both as our Prince and Saviour, for God has made him both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36; 5:31)
