See Hebrews 11:32. God raised up judges to save the nation of Israel from itself. They often had major defects in their character but God still used them. The nation would forget God and then judgment would come from outside, only for God to send a judge to rescue Israel in its time of dire need.

God has used Islam in these last days as judgment against the Western World. God is judging the UK, USA, New Zealand, Israel and South Africa in particular for turning away from their Christian foundation. When God has finished using Islam for His purposes He will then deal with Islam. He used great empires to judge Israel and then brought their ruin.

1 – He is a type of Christ

Jesus was rejected and slandered and the same happened to Jephthah. He was rejected by his own people but in their time of need they call upon him. Even his brothers and family reject him. Jephthah is identified as a son of a prostitute. The other legitimate sons in his family of origin had driven him away so he did not receive an inheritance.

In the Old Testament there are many rejected brothers and sons that have become enemies such as Edomites, Moabites and Ammonites. The people are Jordan are Palestinians and oppose Israel. In fact, Israel is surrounded by enemies. The Hebrew people are the indigenous people according to history and archaeology. If you tell a lie often enough and people think it is true. People will kill for a lie, thinking it is truth.

2 – He is a role model despite his wrongdoing

How can God overlook the terrible sin of Jephthath? How can he overlook your terrible sins? God gives Himself amnesia on the terrible things we have done. That is the God of Jephthath. God will remember your sins no more. See Isaiah 43:25 and Hebrews 10:17. He doesn’t remember for a reason. Jesus became guilty of it on the cross. What a great deal for those that accept Christ as Saviour! However, if you are forgiven, then you have to forgive others. How can we not do the same? God only wants to remember our good (virtue) and the rest is erased. Salvation is a great deal and it certainly beats the alternative!

3 – You don’t have to keep stupid promises

Jephthah was initially rejected by those closest to him and accepted by the riff-raff and low life of society. God blessed and used him. The Holy Spirit came upon him and changed him into a great warrior. Yet, he goes and makes a stupid vow to God and then carries it out.

It’s hard to accept that he sacrificed his daughter as it was against the clear teaching of the Bible. However, the earliest Hebrew and Church traditions agree that he did. It was his only daughter. It was stupid. He had made a foolish vow and now he had no descendants. In times of pressure we are all pre-supposed in our prayer life to make foolish promises to God to bargain for what we want. Jephthah should have known better. It was forbidden to sacrifice your son or daughter in fire. God allowed animals to be sacrificed. Had he known the scriptures, then he would not have done such a terrible thing. What you don’t know can hurt you and others! When it is someone in leadership then there is more potential for great damage. When people in leadership don’t know the Word of God then things are bad. The shepherds don’t know how to teach God’s Word and doctrine.

The damage is done and it can’t be undone and forgotten. How can you continue on? It can happen to anyone. It could happen to you. You would like to reverse the mistake and blot it out from happening.

Categories: Judges