Judges: Repeating CyclesSample

The next Judge we’re looking at is Jepthah. Like the other Judges God had sent to help Israel find their way back to him, Jepthah was sent after Israel turned away and faced the consequences of their disobedience.

Jephthah was an unlikely leader. His mother was a prostitute, and his brothers kicked him out of the family, claiming he didn’t belong. He ended up in a place surrounded by what the Bible calls “worthless rebels.” Some may have been thieves, while others may have just been men without land or resources—people society had pushed aside.. But Jepthah found community among them, a group of outsiders who knew what it felt like to be rejected.

Desperate for a leader, the Israelites asked Jephthah to lead them. After some negotiation, he agreed—but he was going to lead on his terms. Instead of physical attacks and battles, Jephthah chose to lean into what he felt was his greatest strength: negotiation. However, when he tried to negotiate with God for a good outcome, it ended badly for Jephthah.

Jephthah made a vow to God, but it wasn’t a vow to worship the holy God for who he is. It was a manipulation tactic. “If you do this for me, God, then I’ll do this.” “If you give Israel victory, I’ll sacrifice on the altar whatever comes out to greet me.” Did he assume it would be a dog that came out to greet him? If so, the truth brought deep anguish: his only child came out to greet him. To be clear, this was not what God wanted; sacrificing a human was against God’s Law.

Admittedly, we’ve probably all bargained with God. But God will not be controlled by our manipulations; he is wise, powerful, merciful, and just. His ways are perfect, and we need to trust him—not try to convince him to give us our way.

Prayer: Dear God, your ways are perfect. Help me to trust in your plan and your timing. I worship you because of who you are and what you have already done, when you sent your son to die on the cross for my sake. Amen.