GREAT EMPOWERMENT: THE JUDGES’ FAITH

Week 1: JEPHTHAH’S TESTIMONY

During this study, we will be doing a ‘deep dive’ into a scriptural passage. It is strongly encouraged that you study the passage and entire chapter ahead of the study. Also be prepared with your research tools, for example Google or your study Bible, as you will need to reference it during the study. Spend time answering and discussing each question with the intention to gain sufficient understanding to help your own private Bible study as you further explore these topics.

Study Chapters: Judges 10-12, Hebrews 11:32-40

Pilot text

Judges 11:1-3; 29-32 1 Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, but he was the son of a harlot; and Gilead begot Jephthah. 2 Gilead’s wife bore sons; and when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out, and said to him, “You shall have no inheritance in our father’s house, for you are the son of another woman.” 3 Then Jephthah fled from his brothers and dwelt in the land of Tob; and worthless men banded together with Jephthah and went out raiding with him.
29-32: 29 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, and passed through Mizpah of Gilead; and from Mizpah of Gilead he advanced toward the people of Ammon. 30 And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, and said, “If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, 31 then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”
32 So Jephthah advanced toward the people of Ammon to fight against them, and the Lord delivered them into his hands. 33 And he defeated them from Aroer as far as Minnith—twenty cities—and to Abel Keramim, with a very great slaughter. Thus the people of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.

Discussion Points

1. 1. Looking at chapter 10, how do you think the writer of the book of Judges perceived God? What did he want to communicate to the readers about God’s character?
   2. How would you describe Jephthah’s character as portrayed in chapters 10-12?
   3. What do you think about Jephthah’s vow to God?
   4. Knowing what you do about God, how do you think God felt about it?

Closing thoughts: The writer of the book of Judges introduces us to a flawed Israelite people, of whom Jephthah was merely a picture. In Jephthah, there seemed to be no redeeming qualities – he was an outcast not helped by his own behaviour (after fleeing his community, he banded together with ‘worthless’ men to go out raiding. In other words, he was a bandit). Yet Jephthah was the person chosen by the people and, thereby God, to deliver Israel. However we also see a Jephthah who made a life-changing mistake. Of his own accord, Jephthah made a rash vow which was neither demanded by nor acceptable to God (see Deut 12:30-31). This story looks like it ended badly, but did it?
The writer of Hebrews (11:32) refers to Jephthah as an ‘elder’ of faith, who obtained a good testimony with God. This tells us a few things:
First, Jephthah’s empowerment to become the leader of those who rejected him was a matter of grace through faith, pointing to a God who justifies those whom He calls. Jephthah’s elevation from outcast to leader was also a picture of Christ, of whom it was said “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvellous in our eyes”.
Second, this indicates that the story of Jephthah’s daughter was not about her death (which would have been detestable to God, and certainly not cause to obtain a good testimony with Him). Instead, Jephthah had by faith just like Abraham, foreseen and felt the pain of God’s redemption plan for us, for the sake of whose deliverance He would give up his Son.
Faith is key to experiencing great empowerment. As we believe God for the demonstration of His power in our lives, we must come in faith, ready to walk into the reality of the finished work. Remember, for it to be truly marvellous in our eyes, it must be the Lord’s doing.

Application Questions (use scriptures to support your position):

1. “If we must experience God’s empowerment, we must reject the help of man – because God will not share His glory with any man”. Agree/disagree with reasons.
2. After your life group meeting, a brother shares with that he is believing God for a great financial breakthrough. Having gone through this study, he how strongly feels convicted that God is asking him to dedicate the first thing that comes out of his house when he arrives home, in order to secure a ‘good testimony’. What would you say to this brother?