Waiting For Guidance From the Lord

In Jephthah’s days, his people were not walking with God. Jepththah was chased from home by his siblings. However, when they needed him, he helped them. He lost his only child as result of coming to their aid. After he helped them, some still criticized him. There was bloodshed. Lives were lost. His story raises questions for consideration.

When your family disowns you, should you resort to crime? Should you agree to help people who need you, but have previously hated you? What if the people you helped, came against you afterwards?

Below is a summary of Jephthah’s story from Judges 11-12.

Jephthah was a mighty man of valor…

but he was the son of a harlot

His stepbrothers drove him away…

Jephthah fled to the land of Tob

He became a leader of worthless men…

Robbers.

The Ammonites made war against Israel.

So, the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah,

“Come and be our commander…

Fight our enemies.”

Jephthah asked them, “Did you not hate me?

Did you not expel me from my father’s house?

Why have you come to me now when you are in distress?”

They replied, “Go with us and fight our enemies.

Be the leader of us all.”

Jephthah asked them, “If… the Lord delivers them to me…

I shall be your leader?”

“Yes,” they replied.

Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah.

He advanced toward the enemies.

He made a rash and unneeded vow to the Lord.

That vowed resulted in the death of his only child.

The Lord delivered the Ammonites into his hands.

He defeated twenty cities with a very great slaughter.

Thus, the enemies were subdued.

Then, some of his own people gathered against him.

They said to Jephthah,

“Why did you not call us to go with you [to war]?

We will burn your house down on you with fire!”

Jephthah fought against them…

He slew 42,000 of them.

Jephthah judged (led) Israel six years.

Then, he died and was buried.

What about Jesus? Christ came to His own, but His own received Him not. He did not resort to crime. He did not slay those who attacked Him. He chose to die for the sins of those who hated and mistreated Him.

What about those who enter Christian ministry? Is it possible that we too will experience some of what Jephthah and Christ experienced? When should you pull away from users and abusers? When should you persevere in rescuing them?

The answer can be found via Scripture reading, prayer, and by asking trusted fellow believers for advice. Some Scripture advocate for overcoming foes and others for forgiving and helping them. This is why prayer is important. The Holy Spirit does help God’s people to know which direction to go when the right path forward is unclear. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will give a Bible verse to guide you. Sometimes He will give peace to you when you are making the right decision. Sometimes He will take peace from you when you are about to make a bad decision. Other times, He will speak to you through godly friends who care about you more than they care about the right or wrong of a situation. The main point is not to make a rash decision as Jephthah did, but to wait on the Lord until you receive His guidance.