May 1, 2000

Lesson for May 14



EXPLORE THE BIBLE SERIES:
Don't bargain with God,
just cling to his promises
___ Judges 11
___By Ellis Orozco
___Calvary Baptist Church, McAllen
___An airplane was descending with lightning speed headed for certain destruction. One of the passengers cried out to God, "Lord, if you save us I promise I will ... ." His wife sitting next to him quickly cried out, "Stop, Harry, the plane is straightening out. We're safe." We need to be careful about trying to bargain with God.
___ God uses the outcast (Judges 11:1-11). Jephthah did not have the pedigree to be an illustrious leader. His father was Gilead and his mother was a prostitute (Judges 11:1). When his siblings were old enough to divide the inheritance, they shunned their illegitimate brother and told him, clearly, that they wanted nothing to do with him.
___Jephthah moved to another area, licked his wounds and went on with life. He built a following and proved himself to be a good leader among his new neighbors in the land of Tob.
___The one who isn't given much of a chance is often the one who overcomes the obstacles to excel in life. Jepthah had to work for everything he had. As a result, he grew in strength and character.
___When the time came, he was ready to be used by God. It was the trial that prepared him for his finest moment.
___ Jephthah seeks peace (Judges 11:12-28). The Ammonites began to wage a ruthless war against the sons of Israel. The elders of Gilead decided whoever was willing to lead their army would be made head of all those living in Gilead (Judges 10:18). Apparently, Jephthah had built quite a reputation as a leader. Word of his effective leadership must have reached back to his home in Gilead. The elders of Gilead went to him (with their tails tucked between their legs) and asked him to come home and lead their army. Jepthah agreed on the condition that he would be made undisputed leader of Gilead.
___Jephthah showed a great amount of character in his willingness to forgive and forget the way he had been treated. That character shines again in the way he dealt with the Ammonites.
___He begins by communicating a lengthy history of how God had given them the land where they resided. Throughout his letter, Jephthah points to God as the giver of all things and the one solely responsible for everything Gilead had obtained.
___Although Jephthah's attempts at a peaceful resolution failed, it showed great character for him to try.
___ Bargaining with God (Judges 11:29-40). After a resounding affirmation of the greatness and superiority of God in his letter to the Ammonite king, Jephthah's faith seemed to falter. Before his battle with the Ammonites, Jephthah made a rash vow to God in order to secure victory.
___Jephthah's vow was a sign of his insecurity in God's original promise to help him. This kind of bargaining with God is unnecessary and carries tragic consequences.
___The vow cost Jephthah his own daughter.
___Jephthah was a great leader. However, even great leaders are susceptible to fear and doubt. When in doubt cling to God's promises and there will be no need for bargaining with God.

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