CENTRAL THOUGHT
God despises no man; He delights in all who fear Him.
TEXT: JUDGES 11:1-40
INTRODUCTION:
Jephthah was the son of Gilead, from the tribe of Gilead in Israel. His mother was a harlot whose name was not mentioned. He had half brother who regarded him as an illegitimate son of their father. They hated him and denied him any inheritance in their father’s house. He was chased out and fled to the land of Tob, where he gathered to himself, people of like mind and became a leader. Not too long, the gang became a band of great warriors. At about this time, the Ammonites began a war against Israel. The elders of Israel sent for Jephthah to come back home and lead Israel to fight against their enemies. He did not forget the circumstances that led to his departure from his father’s house, but the love of brotherhood constrained him to accede to their request. However, he entered into an agreement with them to ensure that they would keep all their promises. Though, regarded as a worthless person by his people, Jephthah acknowledges the place of God in his life and realized that only God could give him victory over the Ammonites. Before he went to the war, he made a vow to God, which late turned out to be a costly one. We shall consider in this study, how he helped his people to fight their enemies- the Ammonites, his costly vow, and his strength of will to fulfill it in spite of the resultant pain.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
- Know the issue that worked against Jephthah
- Understand what worked to his advantage and how he overcame his challenges
- Learn from the turn of events that worked to Jephthah’s favor
- Consider how he helped his people fight the Ammonites
- Consider his costly vow and his strength of will to fulfill it in spite of the pains
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) “NOW JEPHTHAH THE GILEADITE WAS A MIGHTY MAN OF VALOUR, AND HE WAS THE SON OF AN HARLOT…” JUDGES 11:1
(a). WHAT IN THIS STATEMENT WORKED AGAINST JEPHTHAH?
The statement was true of Jephthah, but circumstances that were not his making worked against him during his youthful age. The status and life of his mother as a harlot did not favor him in his father’s house. His half-brothers regarded him as an illegitimate son, and so was not qualified to be a bonafide member of their family. This posed a great challenge in his life as a young man; consequently, he became an outcast among his people.
(b). WHAT WORKED TO HIS ADVANTAGE AND HOW DID HE OVERCOME HIS CHALLENEGE? Judges 11:3
His rejection by his people eventually created an opportunity for him to discover his potentials. Soon after his departure from among his people to the land of Tob, he discovered leadership within himself when he gathered other fellows of like mind. Within a short period, he had become the leader of a band of warriors. In spite of the unfortunate situation Jephthah found himself, he never gave up hope in God, as was proved by the turn of events later in his life. Under God, he was able to organize the band into a contingent of foot soldiers who could dislodge any invading army. In the process of their activities, he proved himself of a mighty man of valor.
QUESTION 2A) WHY DID THE ELDERS OF GILEAD REQUEST JEPHTHAH TO COME BACK HOME? Judges 11:4-8
When the Ammonites began a war against Israel, the elders of Gilead sent a delegation to Jephthah to come home to lead them against the Ammonites’ army, having known that he was a brave and notable man in the land of Tob, and the commander of a squad of great warriors. Often times, great potential is wasted because of prejudice or unnecessary beliefs and norms dictated by the society or neighborhood. Jephthah remembered quite well the circumstances that forced him out of Gilead, but he had a forgiving spirit. So, he agreed to return home to serve his people. However, he entered into an agreement with the delegation to confirm that he was not to be deceived, and that the promise they made would be fulfilled.
QUESTION 2B) WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THE TURN OF EVENTS IN JEPHTHA’S FAVOUR?
Matt. 21:42
The reference in this question talks about our Lord Jesus Christ, who was rejected by His people the Jews, who is now the only access to salvation. This can be applied to the relationship between Jephthah and his people. The man who was regarded as an illegitimate son became the only one that could deliver them from the hand of their enemies. This teaches us that the word of God is for all times. It does not fail, and it is applicable to all circumstances and situations. The lessons we should learn from this are:
(i). Every creature has a purpose to accomplish for God.
(ii). We should not despise anyone created in the image and likeness of God; no matter how unprofitable we may think he appears. No one is useless in the hand of God. “Do not call unclean, what God had made clean”.
(iii). We should not continue to be-mourn any unfortunate situation we may find ourselves, rather, we should seek to take advantage of any opportunity the situation may present for solution.
(iv). Acknowledge that every condition of life is transitory; we should hold on to God in faith, be patient and not despair. “It shall come to pass”.
(v). God is no respecter of persons, whoever fears Him is counted a profitable servant, by Him and for Him.
QUESTION 3) WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT JEPTHAH’S REQUEST TO THE ELDERS OF GILEAD AND THEIR INVOLVING THE LORD IN THEIR AGREEMENT? Judges 11:9-11
A reflection on the role played by the elders of his people during his eviction from his father’s house casted a doubt in the mind of Jephthah about their sincerity in their request, so he felt there was need to ensure that he does not fall a victim in their hand a second time. He had to present his own side to the bargain. In agreement to Jephthah’s request, the elders made reference to God as their witness. As it is common with written agreement between two parties, it has to be sealed in the presence of a witness who affirms the authenticity of his witness by appending his signature in a space provided for such purpose. It then became necessary for Jephthah to involve the Lord, on whom he also relied upon to give him victory over the Ammonites. In this circumstance, and all others, God is the greatest and only deity who should be worshipped so the agreement needed to be sealed in the presence of the God of Israel.
QUESTION 4A) WHAT DO YOU THINK WAS THE REASON(S) WHY JEPTHAH DECIDED TO FIRST HAVE DIPLOMATIC DIALOGUE WITH THE KING OF AMMONITES? Judges 11:12-28
It could be understood that from his childhood Jephthah was aggressive in nature. It was the circumstance that led him to becoming a warrior. He believed in peaceful resolution of conflict and co-existence. When his half-brothers were not ready to accept him, rather than pick up a fight with them, he quietly left the environment. He still believed that issues or misunderstandings could be resolved amicably without a fight. He also felt that the Ammonites’ king may not be conversant with the history of the Israelites and how they became the occupants of the piece of land in question. He felt there was need to discuss with him the history of the land, believing that, perhaps that will make the king see reason why war should be avoided. From his knowledge of Scriptures, he took time to explain to the king of Ammonite how the God of Israel gave them the land and counseled him that the Ammonites should be content with the land given to them, by Chemosh their god. He also made reference to the king of Moab (Balak) who never made any case against Israel concerning the land. However, the king of Ammonite was not willing to accept Jephthah’s explanations and continued to attack Israel. As the dialogue failed, Jephthah was left with no other option, but to let the king of Ammonites know that the God of Israel is still alive, and He is the God of war. He therefore attacked the armies of the Ammonites and had victory over them.
QUESTION 4B) WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THIS?
We can learn from this that:
(i). It is advisable to always seek peace and avoid conflict (Mark 9:50; 1 Pet. 3:11; Rom. 12:18).
(ii). There is a need to clarify issues that may have been misunderstood to avoid unnecessary conflict that may follow thereafter.
(iii). It is better to have good understanding of any prevailing situation before going into action.
(iv). It is important to create time to pray and seek God’s direction before embarking on any venture.
(v). We should learn the attitude of the king of Ammonite, not to allow our attainment to becloud us to the extent that we no longer listen to the voice of reasoning.
(vi). It is better to first explore every available opportunity to resolve issues rather than rush into taking action.
QUESTION 5A). COMMENT ON JEPHTHAH’S VOW. Judges 11:29-31 & Eccl. 5:2 & 6
In his desire to make a mark in Israel, Jephthah was zealous to lead the armies of Israel against the Ammonites. He made a vow to God and said, “Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the children of Ammon shall surely be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.”. He was truly sincere in his vow as he really needed the victory so much. However, the vow appeared to be an emotional reaction to a situation that could make a great difference in his life if victory was achieved. He did not carefully think about the consequences of his vow to God if peradventure he was unable to fulfill it at the end. He was so carried away by the fame and glory he would enjoy among his people should he return from the war victoriously. He never sought the face of God in prayer before he vowed. It looked as if he wanted to entice God with a vow, so He could give him victory over Israel’s enemies.
The vow was motivated by the euphoria that could accompany such a feat and the acceptance of his leadership by a people who has thought he was a ‘good for nothing’ among them. At the end, he regretted making the vow, as his only daughter was the first to come out of his house to welcome him from his conquest of Israel’s enemies.
(b). WHO GAVE JEPHTHAH VICTORY OVER THE AMONITES? Judges 11:32-33
From the moment the elders of Gilead intimated him of their mission – to lead them to war against their enemies – Jephthah believed that only God could give him victory over the Ammonites (v9). Truly, according to his faith and belief, God indeed gave Jephthah victory over the Ammonites.
(c). READ JUDGES 11:34-40 AND COMMENT ON JEPHTHAH’S ACTIONS AND THAT OF HIS DAUGHTER
When Jephthah discovered that he had made a very grievous mistake in his vow, he tore his clothes in anguish. He cried out bitterly over the disastrous effect of his vow. However, his daughter wholeheartedly accepted her fate when she realized that she would die as a result of her father’s vow to God. Rather than crying and whaling over an unfortunate incident, she calmly went to her father to request that she be given an opportunity to spend time with her friends to mourn together as she would die a virgin. Her father gave her two months to spend time with her friends. Although this was a great challenge to Jephthah, he was willing to fulfill his vow to God. In spite of the anguish and devastating effect this would have on Jephthah’s life, he refused to have a ‘second thought’ about it. He was a man that “sweareth to his own hurt”.
On the side of his daughter, she demonstrated an uncommon courage. Instead of denying her father, heaping abuses on him and perhaps abscond from home, as some would have done today, she humbly accepted her fate and still honored her father by going to him to request for permission to spend some time with her friends.
(d). ANY LESSONS FOR US?
There are lessons for us to learn from the actions of Jephthah and his daughter as highlighted here:
(i). We must be wary of making a promise without considering the consequences of failure.
(ii). It is not good to take rash or thoughtless decisions that could affect the well-being of others.
(iii). We must be determined to please God in whatever situation we may find ourselves.
(iv). We should spend time to seek God’s face about any matter and be led of the Spirit of God.
(v). We should allow the fear of God to be the determinant of whatever we say or do in any given situation.
Class to mention others.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
The life of Jephthah proves to us that no man is useless before God. We should not write off or despise anyone as a result of any unfortunate challenge of life. In the spirit of live for one another, we should appreciate the strength of others and do our best to help them overcome their weaknesses. In addition, we should not be in a hurry to vow. When we disposed to make a vow, we must endeavor to fulfill it. Let the willingness to Jephthah to fulfill his vow to God challenge us to always fulfill our vows.
MEMORY VERSE: JUDGES 11:32
“So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the LORD delivered them into his hands”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
Monday: JEPHTHAH – “THE MAN THE BROTHERS REJECTED”. Judges 11:1-11
TUES: HASTY VOW.
Judges 11:30-31; Gen. 28:20-22
WED: VOWS MUST BE FULFILLED.
Judges 11:35-38; Eccl. 5:4-6
THU: AVOIDING HASTY VOWS.
Eccl. 5:2; Prov. 10:19; 20:25
FRI: TURNING A DISADVANTAGE INTO OPPORTUNITY.
Judges 11:2-6
SAT: ACKNOWLEDGE GOD IN ALL YOUR WAYS. Judges 11:9 & 11; 1 Cor. 3:6-7