Jephthah, The Ninth Judge. Judges 11

 

Judges 11- Jephthah, the Ninth Judge.

 

Jephthah had become a leader of a band of desperados. He is a son of a harlot; he has been exiled by his brethren; and he is the leader of a despised, rejected group. He is not a very likely man to be used; but God uses men like this.  God moves in mysterious ways, and He chooses men that are despised in the world.

Our Lord humbled Himself. “Despised and rejected of men.” He is the “Stone the builders rejected.” His enemies said, “We will not have this Man reign over us.” Yet God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name that is above every name.

Jephthah outlines the way that the Ammonites came into the land. He makes it clear that the land really belonged to the Israelites who gained the land in a legitimate way.  The Ammonites were attempting to not only drive the Israelites off the land but were also trying to exterminate them.

This man had spent years in exile and then suddenly he is exalted to the highest position. He is made a judge. In his excitement, he makes a rash promise. God did not require him to make a vow. It was the hand of God that had elevated him to this position. He should have recognized that. “Whatever comes out to meet me I will deliver it to the Lord.” He had no right to offer that individual to the Lord. God’s commandment is “Thou shall not kill”. He also gave specific instructions about offering children. The daughter is the one who comes through the doors to greet him, and he offers her up to the Lord. That means she shall never marry. She did not understand his promise to be a burnt offering or sacrifice, but that she is not going to marry. Her life is to be dedicated to the Lord.

 

We would do well to promise God only what we think we can execute.

 

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