Judges 11:1-12:15: Jephthah

Outline

• Jephthah’s ascent
• Jephthah’s politics
• Jephthah’s parenting
• Jephthah’s problem-solving

Introduction

The book of Judges is the story of man’s ever deepening sinking into sin. Judges uses the various generations and rulers appointed to show what life without God looks like, it is a degrading picture of compounding wickedness. The book of judges started off with promise, there were judges who were godly men who led according to God’s principles and who brought about peace throughout the land. With each generation we have watched the repetitive cycle of sin, punishment and God raising up a deliverer repeat in a weakening way. Abimelech was not raised up by God but stole leadership with murder and force. As we move on into chapter 10 we see continuing darkness. It begins with the mention of Tola and Jair (10:1-4). Conspicuous by its absence is any mention of God exalting or raising up a leader. Also missing is any mention of the land having peace. These godless and peaceless reigns set up the scene for the dark backdrop for the rise of the sinful leader Jephthah.