Judges 11 - Jephthah Becomes Israel’s Judge

In this chapter, Jephthah from Gilead is asked to be Israel’s judge, and to assure a victory he makes a vow with the Lord that breaks his heart. The chapter begins, explaining that Jephthah is a half brother, born to a prostitute, and as a result when they all grew up, his half brothers chased him from the land. However, because he was a great warrior, the leaders of Gilead asked him to be their commander to fight against the Ammonites. “But Jephthah said to them, “Aren’t you the ones who hated me and drove me from my father’s house? Why do you come to me now when you're in trouble?” (Judges 11:7)

The leaders responded by simply saying that they needed him, and if he accepts they will make him ruler over all of Gilead. Jephthah then says, “If I come with you and if the Lord gives me victory over the Ammonites, will you really make me ruler over all the people?” (Judges 11:9) I like that Jephthah knows that his strength comes from the Lord!

Obviously, they said yes and Jephthah became their ruler and commander. He immediately sent messengers to the king of Ammon wondering why Israel was being attacked. The king of Ammon told the messengers, “When the Israelites came out of Egypt, they stole my land from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River and all the way to the Jordan. Now then, give back the land peaceably.” (Judges 11:13)

Jephthah then sent the following message: “This is what Jephthah says: Israel did not steal any land from Moab or Ammon. When the people of Israel arrived at Kadesh on their journey from Egypt after crossing the Red Sea, they sent messengers to the king of Edom asking for permission to pass through his land. But their request was denied. Then they asked the king of Moab for similar permission, but he wouldn’t let them pass through either. So the people of Israel stayed in Kadesh. Finally, they went around Edom and Moab through the wilderness. They traveled along Moab’s eastern border and camped on the other side of the Arnon River. But they never once crossed the Arnon River into Moab. Then Israel sent messengers to King Sihon of the Amorites, who ruled from Heshbon, asking for permission to cross through his land to get to their destination. But King Sihon didn’t trust Israel to pass through his land. Instead, he mobilized his army at Jahaz and attacked them. But the Lord, the God of Israel, gave his people victory over King Sihon. So Israel took control of all the land of the Amorites, who lived in that region, from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River, and from the wilderness to the Jordan. (Judges 11:15-22)

At this point in the message, Jephthah indicates that it was God who took away the land from the Amorites and gave it to Israel, so why should they give it back. He also makes the point that it has been 300 years and no one else has made an issue about the land. He further states that if anyone has been wronged, it has been the Israelites, but the king of Ammon ignored Jephthah’s message.

“At that time the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he went throughout the land of Gilead and Manasseh, including Mizpah in Gilead, and led an army against the Ammonites. And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord. He said, “If you give me victory over the Ammonites, I will give to the Lord the first thing coming out of my house to greet me when I return in triumph. I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” (Judges 11:29-31)

The Lord did give Jephthah victory over the Ammonites, and “when Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, his daughter -- his only child -- ran out to meet him, playing on a tambourine and dancing for joy. When he saw her, he tore his clothes in anguish. “My daughter!” he cried out. “My heart is breaking! What a tragedy that you came out to greet me. For I have made a vow to the Lord and cannot take it back.” And she said, “Father, you have made a promise to the Lord. You must do to me what you have promised, for the Lord has given you a great victory over your enemies, the Ammonites. But first let me go up and roam in the hills and weep with my friends for two months, because I will die a virgin.” (Judges 11:34-37) Wow...how strong, courageous, and faithful is she?!?

The chapter ends with Jephthah allowing his daughter the time she requested, and when she returned he kept his vow to the Lord. “So it has become a custom in Israel for young Israelite women to go away for four days each year to lament the fate of Jephthah’s daughter.” (Judges 11:39-40)

Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us to be faithful servants like Jephthah and his daughter. We love you!

May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.