How much do we think through our actions? The story of a judge named Jephthah illustrates to us the consequences of being impulsive in our relationship with God and he illustrates to us how important it is for us to be “self-controlled,” one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23).
AN INTRODUCTION TO JEPHTHAH – 11:1-3:
He was a “valiant warrior” (ver. 1). “Gilead” was from the family of Manasseh. But he was a son of a prostitute (ver. 1) – this is introduced to show the reason why his half-brothers drove him from their family (ver. 2).
IN THE FACE OF WAR, THE ELDERS GO AFTER JEPHTHAH – 11:4-11:
The “sons of Ammon” fight against Israel (ver. 4). So the elders of Gilead (a phrase used 6 times in this chapter) go after Jephthah, asking him to be their “chief” (ver. 6). This is likely a military position.
JEPHTHAH EXTENDS AN OLIVE BRANCH – 11:12-28:
We have one of the longest speeches in the book of Judges: verses 15-27. Here are Jephthah’s major points:
- On the way out of Egypt, Israel came to Kadesh and asked Edom if they could pass through their land. Edom refused (ver. 17). That story is recorded in Numbers 20:14-21.
- Then Israel asked Moab if they could pass through their land. Moab refused (ver. 17). That story is recorded in Numbers 22.
- Then Israel camped near Arnon (the border of contention with Ammon – ver. 13) – but they did not take Arnon since it belonged to Moab.
- Israel asked Sihon, king of Hesbon, if they could pass through their land. Rather than simply refusing, Sihon made war against Israel (ver. 20). This story is recorded in Numbers 21:21-31.
- In that battle, Jehovah God gave Israel victory and the land of the Amorites (ver. 21).
- That’s how Israel came into possession of the land which Ammon is now claiming (ver. 22). In other words, the land that Ammon is claiming now did not belong to Ammon when Israel took it.
- Since this land was given to them by Jehovah God, could Ammon take it from them (ver. 23)?
- Ammon possesses what the god of Moab, Chemosh (8 times in the OT), gave them when Ammon took over Moab (ver. 24). Israel will possess what their God gave them.
- Next Jephthah reminds Ammon of what happened to Balak, king of Moab (ver. 25). That story is reported in Numbers 22-25.
- Then Jephthah responds by saying that 300 years have passed while Israel camped in and around the area; why did they not claim the land before? Isn’t there a “statute of limitations”? This would put the exodus around 1500 B. C. and Jephthah living around 1100 B. C.
Ammon rejects Jephthah’s olive branch.
THIS MEANS WAR! – 11:29-33:
In the process of gathering his army, Jephthah also made a vow to the Lord and this vow is emphasized in several places in the text. We’ve already seen the idea of making vows before Jehovah in the text: 11:10, 11. Now Jephthah makes a vow (ver. 30). If the Lord will give the sons of Ammon into his hands, then whatever comes out of his house to meet him when he returns, it shall be the Lord’s and he will offer it as a burnt offering. As you probably know, burnt offerings were sacrifices that were totally consumed on the altar. There was no meat left to eat. I direct your attention to the Apologetics Press Study Bible for the suggestion that “burnt offering” is used here in a figurative way.
Jephthah then engaged in battle (ver. 32) and the Lord gave them victory. Not only was Jephthah successful, but he gained for Israel 20 cities and he subdued Ammon on behalf of Israel (ver. 33). Success! Satan instigated the Ammonites to fight with Israel in order to enlarge their land-holdings; instead, Ammon loses land! Don’t we always see Satan losing?
THE VOW JEPHTHAH FULFILLS 11:34-40:
Consider what the Law said about vows (Num. 30:1-2; Ecc. 5:4-5). Consider also what the Law said about offering human sacrifices: (Lev. 18:21; 20:2-5).
Jephthah comes home from the Spirit giving him victory and “behold!” his daughter comes out (ver. 34). Notice that the historian notes twice that he has no other child besides her. Jephthah responds with great distress and consternation, “I have given my word to the Lord and I cannot take it back!” (ver. 35). His daughter responds, “Do as you have sworn to the Lord” (ver. 36). She only asks one thing, that she may go up to the mountains alone with her female companions and lament the fact that she will die without a husband and without a child (ver. 37). Jephthah allowed her to go (ver. 38) and she lamented her virginity. When she returned Jephthah did to her what he had vowed (ver. 39). She had no relations with a man.
This event illustrates to us that just because someone is sincere, does not mean that he or she is right with God. No doubt, Jephthah was sincere when he made that vow to the Lord in verse 30. But, now he surely regrets having made that vow!
In Hebrews 11:32, Jephthah is listed in the “Hall of Faith”. One of the attractions of the Marvel movies is that the “good guys” have flaws. The movie “Civil War” was between Captain America and the Avengers who followed his lead and Iron Man and the Avengers who followed his lead. But, the “bad guys” also often have redeeming qualities or they have a “back-story” that elicits some kind sympathy from the audience. Why? Because human beings are complex and often contradictory kinds of creatures.
But the main compelling message, I believe, we take away from Jephthah is that – like Rahab who lied – God will compliment what He can compliment. Where there is good, God will acknowledge that good. For you and me, despite the fact that we are flawed individuals, God can still use us for His glory.
Paul Holland
