God never ceases to amaze me.  If you were picking out someone to deliver your own people from bondage, would you pick a man who was the son of a prostitute, who collected “worthless men” around him, and who made at least one, hasty, regrettable vow?  Neither would I, but this is exactly what we find God doing in Judges 11 and 12.

Jepthah is noted for being “the son of a prostitute” (Judges 11.1).  He is kicked out of the family by the legitimate brothers because he is illegitimate.  He heads off to Tob (wherever that is) and surrounds himself with “worthless men.”  Now here is material for great use, right?  What do we find in Judges 11.29: “The Spirit of the Lord was upon Jepthah.”  Seriously?  Did I read that right?  God picks THIS guy to deliver Israel from bondage to the Ammonites?

What does Jepthah do when he pursues the Ammonites?  Makes a vow that if he is successful, the first living thing he sees when he returns to his house will be offered as a burn offering.  Is this a good idea?  Did he consider the fact that he just might see a human being?  (Theologians differ on whether he ultimately sacrificed his daughter or just devoted her to God so that she was never allowed to marry.  I won’t investigate the point here in the interest of brevity.   Suffice to say that we can probably all agree that it was a rash vow).  At any rate, the first living thing he sees is his daughter!

God never ceases to surprise me with his unexpected actions.  I would not believe that he would choose a Jepthah to deliver his people from oppression.  Of course I would not expect him to send the Saviour of the world to be born in a barn either.

When I read about Jepthah, it does give me hope.  If God can use Jepthah, then he just might be able to use me…and you…and in a great way too.