Mon.’s Devo - A Deliverer

Read: Judges 11:1-12:5; John 1:1-28; Psalm 101:1-8; Proverbs 14:13-14
Gilead needed a war commander and they knew who it needed to be. They had driven their step brother, Jephthah, out of town and now they had to humble themselves and go get him. They convinced him to come back and help by bribing him with being their leader when it was over. He finally agreed.
Even though he was the son of a prostitute, he knew what God had done for Israel. He knew their history. When the Ammonites stated why they were fighting for their land, Jephthah knew the truth and told them that God had given them their land and He would decide who got to keep it.
When the Ammonites refused to hear that, the Spirit of God came upon him and gave him the victory. Jephthah made a foolish vow before he went to battle that whatever came out of his door first when he got back, he would offer as a burnt offering. He must have had cattle and animals that roamed freely in and out of his door. He never dreamed his one and only daughter would come out first. But, when she did, he kept his promise. She was granted two months to mourn the fact that she would never marry and then she gave herself to be sacrificed. This is hard for us to fathom but this was the time of the judges where everyone did what was right in their own eyes. Human sacrifices were the norm in the religion of those around them so they had gotten immune to the inhumanity of it.
We cringe at this, but it is the same as abortion in our day or neglect or abuse. At least this girl died thinking she was dying for a cause.
The Ephraimites complained to Jephthah that they weren’t included in the battle and wanted to kill him. Jephthah had to fight his own brothers to defend his honor. Jephthah led Israel 6 years.
Ibiza was judge for 7 years followed by Elon who judged 10. He was followed by Abdon who ruled for 8 years.
John begins just like Genesis and speaks of the beginning of time also. He tells us that Jesus was with God when he created the world and that Jesus is the Word that became flesh and dwelt among men. John was the voice that prepared the world for Jesus coming. He never claimed to be the Messiah or even Elijah or the Prophet although he came in the spirit of Elijah and was definitely the last of the Old Testament prophets. Jesus was all three.
Lord, today, may we walk in your Spirit preparing hearts to receive you.