Oppressor Years of

oppression Judge Yrs of peace

Mesopotamians 8 Othniel 40

Moabites 18 Ehud 80

Philistines ? Shamgar ?

Canaanites 20 Deborah

& Barak 40

Midianites 7 Gideon 40

Abimilech 3 Tola & Jair 45

Ammonites 18 Jephthah, Izban, Elon,

Abdon 6, 7, 10, 8

Philistines 40 Samson 20

The story of Jephthah (Judges 11:1 – 12:7)

11:1-11

- the son of a prostitute

- driven from his family (by his family)

- a “mighty warrior”

- his family asks him to save Israel from the

Ammonites (promising to make him their

leader if he does).

The story of Jephthah (Judges 11:1 – 12:7)

11:12-33

- attempts a peaceful solution

- on the way to battle, Jephthah makes a

(foolish) vow to the Lord.

The story of Jephthah (Judges 11:1 – 12:7)

11:34-40

Upon returning home in victory….

The story of Jephthah (Judges 11:1 – 12:7)

11:34-40

Upon returning home in victory….

Option 1: Whatever comes out of my door

to meet me when I return in triumph from

the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will

sacrifice it as a burn offering.

Option 2: Whatever comes out of my

door…will be the Lord’s, or I will sacrifice it

as a burnt offering.

The story of Jephthah (Judges 11:1 – 12:7)

12:1-7

- the tribe of Ephraim battles Jephthah

(shibboleth vs. sibboleth)

- Jephthah leads Israel for 6 years.

Lessons

1) Guard against impulsive talk

(Jephthah’s foolish vow).

Lessons

1) Guard against impulsive talk

(Jephthah’s foolish vow).

2) Our past doesn’t have to define us

(Jephthah, “son of a prostitute”).

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