College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Judges 11 - Introduction
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 11
Jephthah made leader in Gilead. Jephthah was a mighty man of valour, but he was an outcast from his family since he was born of a harlot. When the Ammonites oppressed the people, they turned in desperation to him to give them the necessary leadership. Since the people had assembled and were looking for a leader as described in chapter ten, it is apparent they were in urgent need. The fact that the people chose him and that Jephthah agreed to lead them is not as important as the fact that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him (Judges 11:29).
Jephthah's attempt at negotiations. Jephthah demonstrates rather full knowledge of Israel's past history, and he sent to the king of the children of Ammon to ask what possible reason they had for attacking Israel. He reminded the Ammonites that the Israelites had lived in the land for three hundred years, and surely they had made clear their claim to the land which was promised to their forefathers. The Ammonites, themselves, were descendants of Lot through his incestuous union with his daughter, and Israel had not attacked them when they came up through the territory under the leadership of Moses. Neither had there been any other time when Israel had shown ill will towards the Ammonites. Jephthah, therefore, asked the Ammonites to leave Israel alone.
Jephthah's vow. The notes in Scofield's Bible entitle this section, Jephthah's awful vow. Such a heading begs the question in regard to the nature of his vow. Did Jephthah have in mind the making of a human sacrifice? Did God grant him a victory knowing that he intended to make a human sacrifice? Did Jephthah actually sacrifice his daughter? The Scripture says, Jephthah did according to his vow (Judges 11:39), whatever that was.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
Necessity is the mother of invention. The men of Gilead would have nothing to do with Jephthah until necessity forced them to such deep distress that they were driven to seek him to be their leader. From being an outcast, he arose to be head over his people. Such is often the case in modern civil and military government. In extreme cases, proud men have been forced to swallow their pride and to do what the necessity of the situation demands.
2.
The Judge be judge (Judges 11:27). Jephthah felt his case was right in the eyes of God, He pled with the Ammonites to see the verdict of history when he was convinced that the children of Ammon were not fighting a bellum justum. Since they were not justified in going to war against Israel, he urged them to drop their military strategy and to leave Israel alone. Armed as Jephthah was with the conviction that God would prove him right, he had a courage that he would not otherwise have possessed.
3.
Pay thy vows unto the most High (Psalms 50:14 b). A separate listing of guidelines is given for the performance of vows in Leviticus 27. God did not require the Israelites to make vows; but when they made vows, they were expected to keep them. Jephthah performed his vowwhatever that vow may have been. He had vowed that he would give to God whatever came from his house when he returned after his victorious battle against the Ammonites. All who vow houses, lands, personal properties, talent, or treasure to God should be as careful to fulfill those vows as was Jephthah.
TEN QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 11
1.
Who was Jephthah's father?
2.
Where did he live?
3.
Against whom did he fight?
4.
Had Israel fought against Ammon when Moses led the people into the Promised Land?
5.
Who did Jephthah say was the god of Ammon?
6.
How long did Jephthah say Israel had been in the Promised Land?
7.
Did the Spirit of the Lord come upon Jephthah?
8.
Who first met Jephthah when he came back from battle?
9.
Did Jephthah refuse to perform his vow?
10.
Was the daughter willing for him to perform his vow?