Judges 10-12

This section is bookended by 5 judges of little consequence

Tola- saved Israel, led for 23 years
Jair- Led Israel 22 years, had 30 sons on 30 donkeys over 30 towns

Ibzan- 30 sons and 30 daughters (all married outside clan), led 7 years
Elon- Led Israel 10 years
Abdon- 40 sons and 30 grandsons who rode 70 donkeys, led Israel 8 years

Between these bookends is the story of Jephthah

The beginning of the story of Jephthah demonstrates the consistent pattern of the book of Judges

1. Israel does evil (10:6a)
2. God angrily punishes (10:6b-9)
3. Israel cries for help (10:10-16a)
4. God agrees to rescue (10:16b)

Interestingly, stage 3 in this cycle, here, is more complex than normal. Israel's initial cry falls on unwilling ears (11-14). It is only after their cry of repentance is deepened that God can no longer bear their ministry. The deepened repentance is marked by confession (15a), submission (15b), and removal of idols (16a).

This sets the stage for Jephthah as Israel's next judge. He was originally ex-communicated by his brothers b/c he was the son of a prostitute. But when times became tough, the Israelites wanted Jephthah to return, seemingly because of his noted skills as a warrior. Jephthah, then, is able to understand God's perspective. The people only want him when they are in obvious desperate need (11:7). The people claim that if he rescues them they will make him their permanent leader, but he doubts their promise (11:9).

Upon agreement to return, Jephthah attempts to resolve the Ammonite issue through peace rather than war. He corresponds with the Ammonite king, arguing against his military action on the grouds that:

1. Gilead was never the king's land in the first place, Israel took it from the Amorites.
2. Israel's God had given them the land
3. Israel had possessed the land uncontested for 300 years

The king of Ammon, however, paid no attention to the message Jephthah sent him. So often, in this world, attempts to accomplish things peacefully fail. This is a world of war.

Next, Jephthah prepares for military action. In doing so, he makes a foolish vow that whatever comes out of the door of his house after his victory, he will consecrate and/or sacrifice to the Lord. I write "and/or" because there is debate on this point. It turns out that Jephthah's only daughter is the first to come out the door. 2 understandings of this emerge:

1. "AND" Jephthah had promised to consecrate AND sacrifice whatever or whoever came out first. Unfortunately, it was his only daughter. She was subsequently sacrificed.

2. "OR" Jephthah had promised to consecrate OR sacrifice whatever or whoever came out first. Unfortunately, it was his only daughter. She was subsequently consecrated.

I favor the 2nd view. "Or" is a legitimate translation of v. 31 and makes more sense of the remainder of the passage. The young girl did not mourn her death, but her virginity. The heartbreak need not refer to death, but to the fact that Jephthah's family line would not continue.

Chapter 12 begins with another episode of Ephraimite disappointment. They seem to think they were not invited to participate in Jephthah's victory. He suggests they were invited but did not show up. Whatever the reality, Jephthah attacked and destroys many Ephraimites. Though the situation is similar to that experienced by Gideon (8:1), Jephthah's response is much different. The Ephraimites can not even escape Jephthah's attack b/c they are easily identified by their inability to pronounce the word "Shibboleth" instead rendering it "Sibboleth."

In all, Jephthah only led Israel for 6 years before dying and being buried in a town in Gilead.