Friday, April 04, 2008

Jephthah's appointment

I am currently working on a project on Jephthah in Judges 11. I have found that when I ask a lot of questions, it tends to help me process things. I thought that it might be a cool thing if I put my thoughts and questions down here. Then, if you want to do a little study on a passage that you may not have spent much time on previously, this might be helpful to you. I hope this is beneficial. I really love working and thinking through these things in community. Please put your thoughts in any comments, as they will greatly help me in my work as well.

I decided to break them up into smaller bite-sized passages rather than the entire chapter, and we can look at different events that happened in Jephthah's life. So periodically, I'll post new questions from the next section.

Today's reading: Judges 11:1-11

Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior. His father was Gilead; his mother was a prostitute. Gilead’s wife also bore him sons, and when they were grown up, they drove Jephthah away. “You are not going to get any inheritance in our family,” they said, “because you are the son of another woman.” So Jephthah fled from his brothers and settled in the land of Tob, where a group of adventurers gathered around him and followed him.
Some time later, when the Ammonites made war on Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob. “Come,” they said, “be our commander, so we can fight the Ammonites.”
Jephthah said to them, “Didn’t you hate me and drive me from my father’s house? Why do you come to me now, when you’re in trouble?”
The elders of Gilead said to him, “Nevertheless, we are turning to you now; come with us to fight the Ammonites, and you will be our head over all who live in Gilead.”
Jephthah answered, “Suppose you take me back to fight the Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me—will I really be your head?”
The elders of Gilead replied, “The LORD is our witness; we will certainly do as you say.” So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and commander over them. And he repeated all his words before the LORD in Mizpah.


Some questions:
*What was Jephthah's background/family history? Why do you think this is important?

*When Jephthah was thrown out, where did he go? Who were his companions? The NIV states they were "adventurers". This is a kind translation. The Hebrew calls them "empty men." This is sometimes translated as "worthless men." What kind of work would "empty men" do? Does that say anything about Jephthah?

*For what reason did the elders seek out Jephthah? Why do you think they chose Jephthah? Was this the best they could find?

*What is Jephthah's initial reaction? Do you sense any bitterness?

*11:9 is not translated very well in the NIV. The verb they translate "take me back" is the same word for repentance and restoration. Is Jephthah negotiating for a higher title "head" versus "commander" or is he really asking for dignity and to be restored to his family?

*Jephthah is given a position of authority. In fact - it is actually stated as a legal proceeding, a very strong affirmation that this is indeed reality. Given Jephthah's previous occupation, what is the outlook that he will be successful? Is this a foreshadowing into the story, or a possible sign of redemption of his negative past?

*Verse 11 is the first time we are introduced to God in the story. What is his role? Why has God been excluded from this important decision? Why has Jephthah found it necessary to repeat the words before the Lord? Who or what is at Mizpah? (hint - it's not a place of worship, so why would Jephthah find it necessary to do it here?) (second hint - look at Judges 10:17-18). Was Jephthah proclaiming the words for God's benefit, or to let the people know what is going on? What do you think are his motives?

Thanks so much for looking at this passage with me. Your comments are greatly appreciated and welcomed. If you have other questions that I might research for you having to do with this passage, please let me know.