Judges | Chapter Summaries + Study Questionsਨਮੂਨਾ

JUDGES 11

JEPHTHAH DEFEATS THE AMMONITES + MAKES A TRAGIC VOW

The Israelites appoint a man named Jephthah to lead them in battle against the Ammonites. Confronting the Ammonites, Jephthah argues with their leadership over land and discusses the tumultuous relationship between the Ammonites and the Israelites. Jephthah attempts to make peace, but does not make significant progress.

Jephthah leads the Israelites and God allows them to defeat the Ammonites. Unfortunately, Jephthah made a hasty vow to God that he would sacrifice the first thing that came out of his home if they won the battle. This vow was unnecessary because God's Spirit was with Jephthah in the battle and the land had already been promised to the Israelites if they were to keep His commands. But Jephthah misunderstood God’s character and treated Him more like one of the false gods Israel had previously served.

When Jephthah returns home, it isn’t a cow or a sheep that he first sees, it is his only daughter greeting him upon his return. Not only could he have made a sin offering to atone for his mistake of breaking the vow, but child sacrifice is also prohibited throughout scripture. His unfamiliarity with God made him act faithlessly and sinfully, despite his efforts to be steadfast.

STUDY QUESTIONS

What vow did Jephthah make to God in Judges 11:30–31? What was the result of this vow (Judges 11:34–35)?

How did Jephthah’s vow show a lack of understanding of God’s character and a lack of knowledge of God’s Word?