Study notes ▪ 2019Tags: Jephthah; Judges 10:6-12:7; Israel; Spiritual life; BaalExcerpted from Profiles of the Judges
Description of Spiritual Failure
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“The
people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served
the Baals and the Ashtaroth, the gods of Syria, the gods of Sidon, the gods of
Moab, the gods of the Ammonites, and the gods of the Philistines. And they
forsook the LORD and did not serve him” (10:6). |
| Nation(s) Oppressing Israel |
Ammon
and Philistia (10:7; 10:17-18; 11:4) |
| Nature of Foreign Oppression |
Persistent
subjugation of the Israelites on the east side of the Jordan followed by
aggressions against the tribes on the west side (10:7-9) |
| Length of Foreign Oppression |
18
years (10:8) |
| Cry for Deliverance |
“And
the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, saying, ‘We have sinned against
you, because we have forsaken our God and have served the Baals.’ … And the
people of Israel said to the LORD, ‘We have sinned; do to us whatever seems
good to you. Only please deliver us this day’” (10:10, 15). |
| Provenance of Judge |
From
the land of Gilead (11:1ff.); see note on the provenance of Jair |
| Special Notes |
Jephthah’s
life and service abounded in contradictions. Initially rejected by his
community because of his birth to a prostitute, his people eventually sought
him out because of his skill as a warrior (11:1-11). On the surface, his
appointment as a judge seems to have been the result of human agency (11:5-8);
nevertheless, Yahweh used him to accomplish his purposes for Israel. Although
his life exhibited a tendency to rash speech and behavior (11:30-31; 12:1-6),
he was zealous and Spirit-empowered (11:29, 32-33). Additionally, he had a
strong appreciation for the history of the Lord’s intervention in Israel’s
history (11:21, 23-24; 11:27). |
| Length of Judge’s Service |
6
years (12:7) |
| Duration of Peace |
Not
recorded |
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