Judges and Prophets – Part 4

Hebrews 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets

‘Jephthae’ Jephthah – faith’s boldness (Judges 11:1-12:7). Facts concerning Jephthah: He was born in Gilead by his father, Gilead, and a harlot. He was a mighty man of valour. His father’s sons cast him out and refused to give him an inheritance because he was illegitimate. He fled from his brethren and dwelled in the land of Tob. He became the leader of a band of worthless men who followed him on various adventures, during which he learned and perfected the art of war. When war with Ammon was imminent the elders of Israel in Gilead sent for him to be captain of the army. He reproved them for casting him out and then seeking his help when they were in distress. He refused to return home to head the army in war if he could not be the head in time of peace. He was promised headship of all Gilead if he would come and be captain of the army in the war with Ammon. He was made head over all Gilead by the people in Mizpeh. He sent messengers to the king of Ammon to avoid war if possible. His people, Israel, were accused by the Ammonites’ king of taking their land when coming up out of Egypt about 350 years before; Jephthah was told the land should be restored. Jephthah denied the charge, stating the historical facts – that Israel did not take the land of Ammon or Moab, and they even went around Edom and Moab to avoid war. He explained that Israel did not even intend to take the land of the Amorites, but were forced to fight them because they would not let the nation pass through to Canaan. He informed the king of Ammon that the land Israel possessed did not belong to his people and they would not give it to them. He told the king that Ammon should be satisfied with their possession as Moab had been with theirs, stating that Israel had not tried to enlarge their borders at the expense of Edom, Moab, or Ammon, and declaring that the Lord should judge between them if he was determined to make war. His appeal had no effect. The Spirit of God came upon Jephthah and he swiftly moved to fight Ammon. He made a rash vow that God would only give him victory. He defeated Ammon. He fulfilled his vow. He defeated Ephraim in a civil war and killed 42,000 men. He judged Israel for six years, then died and was buried in Gilead.

To be continued…