Setting – Jephthah was driving out of Gilead and then requested back that he might lead them to war against the Ammonites, because he was a great warrior.
Content – Jephthah was born from a harlot and was shun by his half-brothers. They pushed him out of the land so that he wouldn’t receive any of his father’s (Gideon) inheritance. The sons of Ammon fought against Gilead, in which the leaders of Gilead called on Jehphthah to fight for them; since (v. 1), “Jephthah the Gileadite was a valiant warrior”. Jephthah would become their leader of Gilead if he accepted, which he did.
The sons of Ammon fought against Gilead because they thought they had taken away their land from them. Jephthah gave history of the events that lead up to taking of the land. It was because of king Sihon who fought against Israel, fearing that they would take his land instead of just passing through it. God gave Israel victory over Sihon and possessed the land (v. 23), “Since now the LORD, the God of Israel, drove out the Amorites from before His people Israel, are you then to possess it?”
The king of the sons of Ammon ignored Jephthah and fought against him. Jephthah made a vow to God that (v. 30-31), “If You will indeed give the sons of Ammon into my hand, then it shall be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the sons of Ammon, it shall be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”
He won the war and his daughter came out to great him. But his daughter (his only child) (v. 36) “…said to him, "My father, you have given your word to the LORD; do to me as you have said, since the LORD has avenged you of your enemies, the sons of Ammon.
She left for two months and wept because she would never marry. Her leaving (v. 39-40), “Thus it became a custom in Israel, that the daughters of Israel went yearly to commemorate the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in the year.”
Application – Be careful of your vows. Jephthah made the vow to God because he obviously wanted the victory of the sons of Ammon. But he didn’t need to make such a vow. In fact, if he would have thought through it, a sacrifice other than an animal is what the foreigners did for their god’s and not something God would condone.
If we are within God’s will such extreme vows are not required. If we are walking with God we see God’s hand working and trust in His provision, protection and preeminence. This was clearly seen with Moses and Joshua. Such vows are from those who are despite. Those who follow God know of His will and entrust themselves to Him during good and bad circumstances.
Content – Jephthah was born from a harlot and was shun by his half-brothers. They pushed him out of the land so that he wouldn’t receive any of his father’s (Gideon) inheritance. The sons of Ammon fought against Gilead, in which the leaders of Gilead called on Jehphthah to fight for them; since (v. 1), “Jephthah the Gileadite was a valiant warrior”. Jephthah would become their leader of Gilead if he accepted, which he did.
The sons of Ammon fought against Gilead because they thought they had taken away their land from them. Jephthah gave history of the events that lead up to taking of the land. It was because of king Sihon who fought against Israel, fearing that they would take his land instead of just passing through it. God gave Israel victory over Sihon and possessed the land (v. 23), “Since now the LORD, the God of Israel, drove out the Amorites from before His people Israel, are you then to possess it?”
The king of the sons of Ammon ignored Jephthah and fought against him. Jephthah made a vow to God that (v. 30-31), “If You will indeed give the sons of Ammon into my hand, then it shall be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the sons of Ammon, it shall be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”
He won the war and his daughter came out to great him. But his daughter (his only child) (v. 36) “…said to him, "My father, you have given your word to the LORD; do to me as you have said, since the LORD has avenged you of your enemies, the sons of Ammon.
She left for two months and wept because she would never marry. Her leaving (v. 39-40), “Thus it became a custom in Israel, that the daughters of Israel went yearly to commemorate the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in the year.”
Application – Be careful of your vows. Jephthah made the vow to God because he obviously wanted the victory of the sons of Ammon. But he didn’t need to make such a vow. In fact, if he would have thought through it, a sacrifice other than an animal is what the foreigners did for their god’s and not something God would condone.
If we are within God’s will such extreme vows are not required. If we are walking with God we see God’s hand working and trust in His provision, protection and preeminence. This was clearly seen with Moses and Joshua. Such vows are from those who are despite. Those who follow God know of His will and entrust themselves to Him during good and bad circumstances.
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