Healing Old Wounds

Jephthah : Healing Old Wounds

Profiles in Judges, part 7

Text: Judges 11

How do we treat Jephthah? A decision needs to be made on the outset with him; is he a model of behavior, or an example of what not to do? Did he make a hasty vow and then murder his daughter, or did he make a righteous plea to God and honor the Lord and his daughter?

The best way to interpret any passage is with Scripture. (Scripture interprets Scripture.)

Example: A pioneer in Science Fiction was Ray Bradbury. He wrote wonderful novels, such as the Martian Chronicles and Something Wicked this Way Comes. His biographer, Sam Weller, quoted Ray Bradbury retelling an incident:

“I was lecturing at Cal Fullerton once and they misinterpreted Fahrenheit 451, and after about half an hour of arguing with them, telling them that they were wrong, I said, “…….” I’ve never used that word before, and I left the classroom.” – from Listen to the Echoes: the Ray Bradbury Interviews, by Sam Weller.

Imagine telling the author what his intent is! In Hebrews 11:32 we learn how God viewed Jephthah. The Holy Spirit writes, “And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David (notice the Lord places Jephthah right before David!) and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions (Daniel), 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

The author of Judges is also the author of Hebrews. He interprets this judge in a positive light. He is seen as a man of faith. We should follow that pattern.

1. His

• is family rejected him because he was the son of a prostitute. (11:1-3)
• Judges 11:3, he lead “a group of adventurers gathered around him and followed him.” 11:3 Literally they are “Empty men.” (Like a gang that picks on the Amonites.)
• Has your family ever hurt you? The Bible has many examples of family hurts. Miriam and Aaron gossiped about Moses’ wife. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. Jesus’ brothers did not believe in him.

2. Amazing:

• Judges 11:4-11
• It’s an amazing moment! They insulted him. And then when they were in trouble, they asked him for help.
• The people who hurt you most may one day need you.
• He forgave them and stepped in to lead in a crisis.

Where did he get that strength?

• He did not let family problems drive him from God.
• His response is theologically masterful. He didn’t leave home and ditch the Bible; he came back with a head full of Scripture.
• You have to GROW past the point of your hurt. If he had responded back when first got hurt it would have been ugly. But he didn’t get stuck back there. He comes back a changed man. A deeper man than the one who left home.

3. Jephthah’s Vow (Judges 11:29-40)

Did he sacrifice her as a burnt offering?

A look at

• God forbade human sacrifice. (Dt. 18:10, Dt. 12:31, Jer. 7:31, Lev. 18:21. Lev 20:2-5)
• There would be no way to offer a human to God. It would profane the name.
• Hebrews 11:32 counts him as a righteous man. While Hebrews 11 includes some sinful people, child sacrifice would have almost certainly have been a dealbreaker.
• The Holy Spirit had already come upon him when he made the vow. Judges 11:29

B. Look at

Judges 11:31 whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites shall be the Lord’s, (or) I will offer it up for a burnt offering.”

• If it is a person, he will dedicate it to the Lord (OR) if it is an animal he will offer it as a burnt offering.
• Exodus 38:8, there were women who served at the tent of meeting.
• Why does he mourn? Because his line is cut off. She is his only child, so she will not bear him children since she is dedicated to the Lord.

C. Look at

• Do according promise (Judges 11:32) Her enthusiastic agreement is a hint he’s not going to burn her alive!
• She goes to the mountains to weep (Judges 11:37) What does she mourn? Her virginity. If she was going to die, she wouldn’t mourn her virginity, she would mourn her life.
• She returns to her father. (Judges 11:39) If she knew he was going to kill her, why would she return after two months? It may be one thing to agree in the moment, but in two months time she certainly would have thought, “wait a minute…”
• She goes with her friends. Even if she was in agreement, it’s hard to believe all her friends would think this is okay. None of them stepped in to hide her? No one talked her out of it? Obviously, she’s not going to be burned alive!
• The women “lament” her every year. The Hebrew word “Tanah” translated “lament” is a “primitive root: to ascribe praise; i.e. Celebrate, commemorate.” (Strongs) They didn’t mourn her, they celebrated her because she gave herself to God.

Pastoral Encouragements for healing old wounds:

1. When God gives opportunity to reconcile,

2. Build

3. Know your