Judges 10:17-11:11 – Godly leaders needed

Leadership matters in the work of God. Good leadership will help to advance the purposes and plan of God. It will help to galvanize the people and unite them to fulfil a God-given goal and objective. Leadership is certainly needed if a group of people seek to advance in their mission. What sort of people should we have to lead in any ministry? The life of Jephthah shows us how important it is to select the right leader.

Israel was now in conflict within the Transjordanian area with the Ammonites. The enemy had a great host camped in Gilead. The Israelites tried to block their advance at Mizpah. Their resistance appeared to have delayed the attack of the Ammonites. But among the people of Gilead, they could not find a suitable person to help them in defending their land. They were wondering who would be qualified for the task. We see them in a quandary asking, “Who is the man who will begin to fight against the sons of Ammon? He shall become head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.” They were prepared to make anyone who was prepared to fight. Unlike all the other leaders, their leader was appointed by themselves.

Jephthah, a Gileadite was chosen to lead them in the battle. Though he was described as a valiant man, his social credential was not so honourable. Jephthah’s mother was a prostitute. Out of concern for the family inheritance, his brothers drove him out of the family. He ran away from his brothers and came to the land of Tob. There he gained acceptance by a group of people described as “worthless fellows.” They were outcasts of society. Jephthah was virtually the leader of a group of fugitives and brigands.  

When the battle with the Ammonites heated up and the Israelites needed someone to lead them, they sought Jephthah out to lead them. The had to eat humble pie in this time of emergency. Jephthah made them uncomfortable by asking them two questions. “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?”  He was able to make them offer him the leadership. So, they said to him, “For this reason, we have now returned to you, that you may go with us and fight with the sons of Ammon and become head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.” The elders then made a solemn oath at Mizpah and installed him as the leader. Jephthah then assumed leadership.

Jephthah’s appointment was haphazard. He was offered the lead in time of crisis. The fact that he was leading a bunch of outlaws could be suggesting to us his questionable conduct and tainted his credibility to lead. We all know that godly and right leaders are critical to the advancement of God’s purpose. Not every Tom, Dick or Harry can fit the role. Good leaders must be carefully selected. After being selected, they need time to be groomed and develop. We see this clearly in Jesus’ choice of the Apostles. He prayed the whole night before he called the Twelve to be with Him. It was only after they had been with Him for a duration before He sent them out to do the work. They were proven and tested before they were commissioned. We must not be hasty in appointing a leader. Be selective. We must get the right man for the leadership role if we want to advance the cause of God.