Judges 11-12 An Unwanted Brother

"The circumstances of birth or of family are not a handicap to the person who will live by faith," my commentary said in summarizing this story about Jephthah.

It described Jephthah as "the unwanted brother," for his father had gotten a prostitute pregnant and then taken the boy into his home, but upon his father's death, the boy's half-brothers had driven him away.

Years later, when the people of Ammon were threatening Israel, the elders of Israel asked him to come lead their army, for he had a good reputation as a commander.  He agreed, even though it appears that those same elders had cooperated with his brothers in originally expelling him.  His agreement called for him to be named ruler of Gilead if the battle was won.  Jephthah became "the unopposed leader" as a result.

He then tried diplomacy to prevent the war, but he was "an unsuccessful diplomat," for the Ammonites refused to listen to his excellent logic.  He knew his Scriptures and Israel's history, and he was a man of faith.

But there was one slip-up.  He made a vow to God as he was going out to battle.  Vows were completely acceptable under Jewish law, so long as they were kept, but this amounted to a bargain with God.  "If God would give the Israelites victory over the Ammonites, Jephthah would sacrifice to the Lord whatever came out of his house when he arrived home.  His only child -- a daughter -- ran out to greet him.  Jephthah agreed that he had to keep his vow, as did his daughter.  My commentary went into a lengthy analysis about all of the possibilities of sacrificing his daughter "as a burnt offering" and why she would not be an acceptable sacrifice to God as a burnt offering, and the conclusion reached was that she was likely given to the Lord to serve Him at the tabernacle, much the way Samuel was.  The sacrifice was that she would never marry or have children to perpetuate Jephthah's lineage.

Jephthah later became a ruler in defense when men from Ephraim came displaying pride and anger as they had with Gideon years before.  They claimed they wanted to share the glory of the victory over Ammon and hadn't been invited to the battle.  In reality, Jephthah had called and Ephraim hadn't responded.  A battle resulted and 42,000 soldiers from Ephraim lost their lives because of that pride and anger.

Father, thanks for showing me that the circumstances of birth or of family are not a handicap when You are allowed to rule.  Remind me of that often as I begin to teach children You love.  You also reminded us of the value of diplomacy and civility in first dealing with those who oppose us, and also to trust You to deliver Your promises.  We don't have to make bargains with You.  Help me to always take the high road.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford