Judges 11:7,8
‘But Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “Did you not hate me and drive me from my father’s house? So why have you come to me now when you are in trouble?” The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “For this reason we have now returned to you, that you may go with us and fight the sons of Ammon, and become our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.”’
I do love this. All of us have felt rejection. Maybe not outright rejection, but maybe a snub. This is a complete vindication. They did reject him because he was a half brother and his mother was a prostitute. They literally drove him out.
All of the sudden those who drove him out need him. He lays it out. They don’t deny it. But offer him the job as their leader if he would lead them in fighting their enemies. Most of us have gotten small vindications, but rarely to this degree. This is complete and wonderful.
God engineered this. He will do this on occasion. Psalm 23 says, “He prepareth a table for me in the presence of my enemies”. God will honor us when He chooses.
I had some things that I considered injustices that I thought God would step in. It was about a three month ordeal. It didn’t end as I would have hoped. Almost the opposite. I learned an important lesson. We can’t push His hand. We can pray, but don’t push it. He still may turn it around. He may not. He has healed me and I am good either way.
Today’s story is a sweet one to any of us have felt rejection. Thank You, Lord, for what You did for Jephthah. All of us snubbed ones cheer for him.
Thank You that You’ve got all of us who were rejected. You understand. You also were snubbed by Israel. In fact now that I’m reflecting this may be about Your snubbing. Israel turned to other gods and turned You out. I’m sorry for this. Unfortunately I have sought my own self interest, thus turned my back on You. Your love and forgiveness are so great. Thank You for taking us back. You are vindicated just as Jephthah was.
You want to heal our hurts. However, others are involved and timing is as well. Our hearts are in You hand however things turn out. Help us not to test You. We know You will do things right.