Jephthah (This one breaks my heart.) Jephthah was born to Gilead of "a harlot." Gilead's wife who had borne him sons, drove Jephthah away without inheritance, and he joined a gang. When the Ammonites warred on Israel, the elders of Gilead persuade him to fight, saying if he goes, he'll become the leader. Jephthah sends several messaged to the leaders of the Ammonites asking to pass through, but they are all ignored.
The spirit of the Lord comes upon Jephthah and he vows to God that if the Lord delivers the Ammonites into his power, whoever comes out of the doors of his house to meet him upon his return shall belong to the Lord. I shall offer him up as a holocaust" (sacrifice).
When he returns after defeating the Ammonites, his only daughter comes forth. This really puts Jephthah in a bind. He tells his daughter what he must do, and she's willing to do as what his vow requires, but she wants to go to the mountains for 2 months to "mourn her virginity" (My notes: "to bear children was woman's greatest pride; to be childless was regarded as a greate misfortune. Hence Jephthah's daughter asks permission to mourn the fact that she will be put to death before she can bear children.")
She returns and accepts her fate. Celebrating her death becomes a custom.
Several things about this story. It reflects Abraham and Isaac. (But this time the father isn't stopped, but allowed to make the sacrifice). The daughter also prefigures Christ, who died for the salvation of all, and Mary, who is celebrated for her virginity.
1 comment:
Another good story. There are certainly a wide variety of people who have been called to do God's will.
You have a good summary. There is a long letter (vs 14-27) that Jephthah sent to the Smmonite king. After the elders of Gilead made him commander, he simply asked, "What do you have against us?" The Ammonites replied that Israel took their land long ago and are "warned" to give it back peacefully.
Jephthah sends back a long letter stating the actual historical events. Notes point out 3 main points:
1- Israel took it from Sihon, king of the Amorites, not from the Ammonites
2- The Lord gave the land to Israel
3- Israel had long possessed it
He ends the letter saying, "Let the Lord be the judge." Which simply makes this another opportunity for the world to see God's power.
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