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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Monday, 30 June 2025:
Judges 11:2, 3 — …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.” Then Jephthah fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob, and worthless fellows collected around Jephthah and went out with him.
Jephthah’s story begins with rejection. Despite being a “mighty warrior,” he was cast out due to his mother’s shameful status. Like Joseph and David, Jephthah’s early rejection became a platform for God’s future deliverance. He was driven out by his own people and associated with outcasts, yet God would use him to deliver Israel. God often raises up the overlooked and rejected (1 Corinthians 1:27). Jesus Himself was “despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3), yet became the Savior of the world. Jephthah’s beginning reminds us that human rejection does not hinder divine purpose.
How often do we judge others without considering the circumstances that contributed to who they have become and that helped to influence their behavior? If we had experienced their circumstances, are we certain that we wouldn’t be just like them if not worse? And how often does our response to sinners merely drive them into deeper sin rather than lead them toward repentance, reconciliation, and a right relationship with God? God has given us a message of reconciliation before a sinful world. Does our behavior draw sinners towards Jesus Christ or repel them?
- 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 -- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
Judges 11:4-11 — And they said to Jephthah, “Come and be our leader, that we may fight against the Ammonites.” But Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “Did you not hate me and drive me out of my father’s house? Why have you come to me now when you are in distress?” And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “That is why we have turned to you now, that you may go with us and fight against the Ammonites and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.” Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you bring me home again to fight against the Ammonites, and the Lord gives them over to me, I will be your head.” And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The Lord will be witness between us, if we do not do as you say.” So 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.
When Israel is oppressed, the elders of Gilead seek Jephthah’s help. At first, he questions their motives, knowing they had rejected him. But they make a covenant with him, appointing him leader. Jephthah accepts, but only after making clear that the Lord will be the judge.
Jephthah shows wisdom and caution. He does not rush back into leadership without clarifying who will lead and deliver—the Lord. Unlike Abimelech in chapter 9, who seized power for selfish gain, Jephthah recognizes divine authority. This is a reminder that true leadership must be rooted in submission to God’s authority, not ambition or vengeance (Matthew 20:26-28).
Judges 11:12-28 — The Lord, the Judge, decide this day between the people of Israel and the people of Ammon.” But the king of the Ammonites did not listen to the words of Jephthah that he sent to him.
Jephthah seeks peace with Ammon first, recounting Israel’s history and showing they had not wronged the Ammonites. His message is biblically and historically accurate, affirming Israel’s right to the land. His argument reveals a surprising knowledge of God’s Word and a desire to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.
Before he leads in battle, Jephthah stands as a messenger of truth. This pattern of diplomacy before war reflects Jesus’ teaching: “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). The believer’s first response must be grace and truth, not retaliation.
Judges 11:29-31 — Then the Spirit of the Lord was upon Jephthah… and Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, “If you will give the Ammonites into my hand, then whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me… shall be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.”
Jephthah is empowered by the Spirit, yet immediately makes a rash and unnecessary vow. This demonstrates the tragic reality that a person can be used by God and still act unwisely. God had already chosen to deliver Israel, and Jephthah’s vow suggests a lack of full trust in God’s promise. He treats God like a pagan deity who needs bargaining. This reminds us of Jesus’ teaching not to make oaths (Matthew 5:33-37), but simply to trust and obey.
Judges 11:31-39 – “…then whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites shall be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.”
Did Jephthah sacrifice his daughter? Jephthah may not have actually killed his daughter, though this is what is usually preached. Jephthah may have committed his daughter to celibate service to the Lord (a living sacrifice). Human sacrifice was forbidden to a Jew (Leviticus 20:2; Deuteronomy 18:10), and the Bible offers substitute (or redemption) for human sacrifice — “And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.” (Exodus 13:13) Many believe that Jephthah and his daughter did not mourn her looming death but rather the fact that she would never marry and have children:
“Several contextual indicators support this conclusion. First, the two-month period of mourning that Jephthah granted to his daughter was not for the purpose of grieving over her impending loss of life, but over the fact that she would never be able to marry. She bewailed her virginity (bethulim)—not her death (11:37). Second, the text goes out of its way to state that Jephthah had no other children: “She was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter” (11:34). For his daughter to be consigned to perpetual celibacy meant the extinction of Jephthah’s family line—an extremely serious and tragic matter to an Israelite (cf. Numbers 27:1-11; 36:1ff.). Third, the sacrifice is treated as unfortunate—again, not because of any concern over her death, but because she would not become a mother. After stating that Jephthah “did with her according to his vow which he had vowed,” the inspired writer immediately adds, “and knew no man” (11:39). This statement would be a completely superfluous and callous remark if she had been put to death. Fourth, the declaration of Jephthah’s own sorrow (11:35) follows immediately after we are informed that he had no other children (11:34). Jephthah was not upset because his daughter would die a virgin. He was upset because she would live and remain a virgin. Hannah made a similar sacrifice when she turned her son over to the priestly direction of Eli for the rest of his life (1 Samuel 1:11). How many are willing to make such sacrifices? Actually, however, these tremendous acts of devotion were no greater than that which God requires of all Christians: to offer ourselves as spiritual burnt-offerings in service to God (Romans 12:1).” — Apologetics Press
On the other hand, if Jephthah did kill his daughter, it would be no more shocking than other stories we are about to read in Judges. As previously mentioned, Gideon’s personal ephod was a direct affront to God that should jump out as scandalous to the highest degree; the Bible does not specifically call out the point, assuming the reader would clearly understand the nature of the offense. Human sacrifice was common among the Baal worshippers, and we know that God punished the Israelites for practicing child sacrifices as the Baal worshippers did. Archeology has also confirmed that the Jews slipped into child sacrifice associated with Baal worship. There is no limit to the evil of people who have rejected God. Where God reigns in the hearts of men, we have a reflection of Heaven – “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).” Conversely, were God has been rejected, we will see a reflection of Hell. The Book of Judges is a warning to future generations as to what happens when society turns from God; it is appalling. “Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.” (Luke 10:11)
Judges 11:32-33 — So Jephthah crossed over to the Ammonites to fight against them, and the Lord gave them into his hand. And he struck them from Aroer to the neighborhood of Minnith, twenty cities, and as far as Abel-keramim, with a great blow. So the Ammonites were subdued before the people of Israel.
Jephthah defeats the Ammonites with the help of the Lord. The victory is total. God delivered His people once again through an unlikely servant.
God’s faithfulness remains unshaken despite human weakness. This aligns with Paul’s teaching that God often uses the weak and foolish to display His strength and glory (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Victory came not because of Jephthah’s vow, but because of God’s mercy.
Judges 11:34-40 — … the daughters of Israel went year by year to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in the year.
When Jephthah returns, his daughter—his only child—comes out to greet him. Jephthah is devastated, but says he must fulfill his vow. His daughter submits, and the chapter closes with her mourning her virginity.
This is one of the darkest and most tragic episodes in Judges. Whether Jephthah actually sacrificed her or consecrated her to lifelong celibate service is debated, but the emphasis is on the grief and devastation caused by a foolish vow. The lesson is clear: God does not desire rash sacrifices but faithful hearts (Hosea 6:6; Romans 12:1).
Judges 11:35 — I have opened my mouth to the LORD, and I cannot take back my vow.
Take your promises to God very seriously — He does, and He demands that you fulfill them, holding you accountable if you don’t. Be very careful not to make promises to God in haste. Having said that, if you have made a vow to sin against God, you must not keep it. Better to bear the burden of your careless words (Matthew 12:36) than to also suffer the guilt and punishment resulting from the act.
Judges 11:36 — My father, you have opened your mouth to the LORD; do to me according to what has gone out of your mouth.
Jephthah’s daughter demonstrates incredible faith, surrendering her fate to God while honoring the promises of her father. How many people do you know who would display this level of loyalty? Would you?
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 30 June 2025: Learn from Jephthah: trust God’s Word, don’t try to manipulate Him, and be slow to speak, especially when making commitments. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Identify an area where you’ve made a hasty promise—to God, to yourself, or others. Today, turn back to the Word. Repent if needed. Honor God with clarity, faith, and humility. He desires your obedience, not your bargains.
Prayer: “Father, help me to trust You without manipulation. Teach me to walk in wisdom and let my words be few but faithful. Thank You that Your plans are not dependent on my perfection, but on Your grace. May my leadership, decisions, and commitments be guided by Your Word and Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 