Judges 11:29-12:1-15
We are currently studying the judge Jephthah and his command over Gilead. We see that God does not immediately present salvation for the people, so they go out on their own and select Jephthah to be their ruler. Not only do they want him to lead them into battle, but if he wins they will allow him to hold the title of head over them. This is important, as this leadership was selected by the people and his headship was desired by himself. Interestingly enough, we see that Jephthah does lead wisely. He enters into diplomacy instead of leading with a sword. He then puts his fate and the fate of Israel into the hands of the Lord. In verse 29, we see the Spirit of the Lord is on Jephthah, which is so significant. We see that God is blessing who the people chose.
He then makes a vow to the lord that whatever comes out of the doors of his house first he will give to the Lord as a burnt offering, under the condition that the lord grant the Israelites victory in battle. God does grant Israel and Jephthah the victory, and so it is time for Jephthah to make good on his end of the bargain. Only, in a twist of fate, his daughter is the first to leave to greet Jephthah. Jephthah, of course, is greatly troubled but goes forward regardless, sacrificing his daughter, a virgin, to the Lord.
What is there to say about something so horrific? First, we must remind ourselves that this is absolutely against Scripture and an abomination to the Lord (ex. Lev. 18:21). We also need to remember that if one offers an oath or vow that would lead to sin, it is grounds to turn away from that oath and confess even the vow as sin (Lev. 5:4-6). Therefore, he did not have to do this by any means: it was not commanded by God or demanded that he follow through. The only explanation for such a terrible action was that Jephthah had an incomplete, flawed, fractured picture of who God is. Instead of leaning into the Lord and understanding of the Lord, Jephthah made an unnecessary vow and participated in an unholy and unnecessary sin. This leader gives a picture of the state of God’s chosen people: they no longer know who their God is.
How do you view Jephthah’s vow? How do we view this story in congruence with the fact that these are God’s chosen people?
Chapter 12 begins with Ephraim once again feeling betrayed that they were not called upon to fight the enemies of Israel. If you remember, a similar scene erupted under the leadership of Gideon. Under Gideon, the people of Ephraim were sweet talked into passivity. We see that things have changed under Jephthah. He is unable to keep the peace and is instead an instigator. Ephraim is struck by the Gilead and we see roots of discord and disunity between brothers.
What does this in-fighting show about the state of the chosen people of Israel? Do you see any comparison today?