Judges 10-12

The poor Israelites.  They just can't seem to get things right with God in Judges 10-12, and it's not because He hasn't tried to help them.  Following Abimelek's murderous reign, the Israelites continued making a mess of their lives by serving other Gods.  The Israelites on the east side of the Jordan are oppressed by the Ammonites, and God sends Jephthah, the only surviving son of Gideon, to rescue them.  He leads Israel six years followed by guys named Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon.  

Jephthah is another one of God's unlikely heroes.  He's not perfect.  His mother was a prostitute; and following the murdering spree in his hometown by his half-brother, he is forced to hang out with a bunch of scoundrels.  Jephthah is faithful to his word.  But unfortunately, his carelessness with words leads to his daughter's death.

None of this stops God from using Jephthah.  God makes him a successful, mighty warrior among His people, just like Gideon.

Did you catch what the Israelites had to do in today's reading to realize the fullness of God's blessings in their lives?

15 But the Israelites said to the Lord, “We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.” 16 Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord. And he could bear Israel’s misery no longer. 

Judges 10:15-16

God wants us to find the joy He offers us.  We find that when we decide to let go of all that separates us from Him.  God's peace is found in serving Him.

What does that mean for your life?

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank You for making unlikely heroes into mighty warriors with Your redeeming grace.  I want to be a mighty warrior for You.

I thank You that, in Christ, my weaknesses are transformed to strength.  

In the name of Your Son, Jesus, I pray,

Amen

Grace and peace,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.