Judges 10:17-11:11
17 Then the sons of Ammon were summoned, and they camped in Gilead. And the sons of Israel gathered together and camped in Mizpah.
18 And the people, the leaders of Gilead, said to one another, “Who is the man who will begin to fight against the sons of Ammon? He shall become head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.”
Chapter 11
1 Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a valiant warrior, but he was the son of a prostitute. And Gilead had fathered Jephthah.
2 Gilead’s wife bore him sons; and when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out and said to him, “You shall not have an inheritance in our father’s house, for you are the son of another woman.”
3 So Jephthah fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob; and worthless men gathered around Jephthah, and they went wherever he did.
4 Now it came about, after a while, that the sons of Ammon fought against Israel.
5 When the sons of Ammon fought against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.
6 And they said to Jephthah, “Come and be our leader, that we may fight against the sons of Ammon.”
7 But Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “Did you not hate me and drive me from my father’s house? So why have you come to me now when you are in trouble?”
8 The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “For this reason we have now returned to you, that you may go with us and fight the sons of Ammon, and become our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.”
9 So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you bring me back to fight against the sons of Ammon and the Lord gives them up to me, will I become your head?”
10 And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The Lord is witness between us; be assured we will do as you have said.”
11 Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and leader over them; and Jephthah spoke all his words before the Lord at Mizpah.
Selection of Jephthah
The eighth judge, Jephthah
A person should be evaluated based on his or her lifestyle and character, not by the parents’ status or lineage. In that sense, a man named Jephthah received an unfortunate treatment. He was born to a Gileadite father and a prostitute mother. Due to issues with his maternal heritage, he faced discrimination from his legitimate brothers and was eventually driven out of Gilead. His half-brothers refused to share their inheritance with Jephthah. He moved to the land of Tob in Gilead, where he gathered a group of worthless fellows around him. They invaded enemy territories to sustain themselves and began plundering food and necessities. This experience with them provided Jephthah and his group with combat skills.
Battle against the Ammonites
Now, the Ammonites army assembled and camped in Gilead. The Israelites also gathered and camped at Mizpah. The inhabitants of Gilead realized that they needed a strong leader to win this battle. They even considered that if such a leader could bring them victory, he could become the king of the Gileadites. Once again, the desire for “kingship” among the Israelites can be seen. They remembered Jephthah and sent messengers to him, pleading for him to come and lead them in battle. (1) At first, Jephthah resists their offer. However, upon hearing the words of apology from the elders of Gilead, he calms his anger. (2) He not only lacks confidence in himself but also in winning this battle. Therefore, he seeks assurance that victory comes from the Lord and looks up to Him. (3) Lastly, he secures the acknowledgment from the elders that if he is victorious, he will become the head (ruler) of the Gileadites. The elders accepted this before the Lord. If Jephthah were to risk his life and fight against the Ammonites, and as a result, save the Gileadites, it would be only natural for him to become the head of the Gileadites thereafter. Jesus Christ willingly gave His life as the Savior of sinners. It is most natural for those who have been saved by Him to accept Him as their Lord. Are you living your life, acknowledging your Savior as your head (Lord)?
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, I now know that believing in Jesus as the Savior is the same as accepting Him as the Lord. Help me again today so that I can walk as Your servant. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.