Jephthah was one of the men mentioned in the hall of fame in Hebrews 11. He was a man of strength who was the offspring of a harlot.

1 – His character in the face of great difficulties (vs. 1-3)

He was not bound by the past. You need to be unshackled from the past. Stop blaming your circumstances. Stop the psychobabble. Jephthah was the son of a harlot – an illegitimate child. His family exiled him as a result. He then joined in with a bad crowd.

Guilt is an obsolete word today. We will not blame ourselves. It is the fault of someone or something else. Jephthah had every reason to turn out bad because of his past. He was able to overcome his past. By the grace of God you can overcome difficulties in your life.

2 – His confidence in the face of danger (vs. 4-11)

• He was not bound by his foes.
• Jephthah must have had a good reputation for the same people who had cast him out to call for him now.
• He is a man who has great confidence in God. Out of a bleak background he had confidence in the face of danger. Fear is a dark room with no light.
• Jesus was despised and rejected but it is in times of trouble that people cry out to him. Jephthah is a type of Christ. He asks that to be the head of the people should he defeat the Ammonites. Before the battle even begins Jephthah comes to the Lord in prayer. Jephthah refused to let present dangers intimidate him but instead he comes to the Lord in prayer.

3 – His commitment in the face of disappointment (Judges 9:29-40)

This is not human sacrifice. The Spirit of the Lord was upon Jephthah when he made his promise. God expressly forbid human sacrifice. In verse 31 the vow is to be the Lords OR offered up as a burnt sacrifice. Jephthah would not have any grandchildren. It is important to keep your word. See Numbers 30:2). Jephthah was bound by his word. It is not right to keep a wicked vow but a righteous vow must be kept. Look at those who break their marriage vows today. Commitment in the face of disappointment shows Jephthah to be a man of strength.

Categories: Judges