Judges 10-12

Introduction

1. Let’s turn to Judges 10:1.

2. Have you ever noticed how we pay attention to the dynamic rather than the disciplined?

3. The Spirit filled life involves more than just dynamic acts for Christ.

4. We are continuing in our study of Judges.

a. The thematic verse for Judges is Judges 21:25, “There was no king in those days but every man did what was right in their own eyes.”

b. Our last study we learned about the transition from Gideon to Abimelech.

c. Before we get into the life of Jepthah, the writer mentions two minor personalities.

·        Tola, he judged Israel for 23 years.

·        Jair, he judged Israel for 22 years.

5. Tonight, I would like us too see that there is more to the Spirit filled life than dynamics.

I. Jephthah delivers Israel, yet he has problems controlling his mouth.

A. Israel returns to a regular pattern to lay the setting for Jephthah (Judges 10:6-18).

1. Israel falls into sin by embracing idolatry

2. Israel turns back to the Lord following his rebuke with revival and a resolution.

B. The story of Jephthah’s deeds are 

1. Jephthah vindicates his reputation following the treatment by his family (Judges 11:1-29).

2. Jephthah vows to the Lord if God grants victory (Judges 11:30-31).

3. Jephthah victory delivers Israel (Judges 11:32-33).

4. Jephthah is vexed when his daughter dances into the conditions of Jephthah’s vow (Judges 11:34-40).

a. Did Jephthah offer his daughter as a sacrifice?

·        This is the view of Josephus, Matthew Henry, and F.F. Bruce.

·        Leviticus 27:1-8 provided the instruction for substitution in vows.

b. Did Jephthah not offer his daughter as a sacrifice but as a servant in the Temple?

·        This is the view of Keil and Delitsch and Feinberg.

c. I have difficulty thinking that he killed his daughter especially since he is mentioned in Hebrews 11:32 as a man of faith.

5. Jephthah’s vengeance is expressed over the insults of the people (Judges 12:1-7).

C. Jephthah is followed by Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon prior to Samson’s appearance.

II. The Spirit filled life involves more than just dynamic acts for Christ.

A. Jephthah did great deeds and brought deliverance for Israel, yet he couldn’t control his mouth.

1. Interestingly, this story is filled with speech acts that draw our attention to the mouth.

·        Jephthah’s speech, negotiation, vow, and the Shibboleth.

2. The Scriptures of great men who did great acts of faith but failed in some small area.

a. Moses led Israel through the Red Sea, but couldn’t go into the land due to failure.

b. David delivered Israel, but watched Bathsheba and fell into adultery and murder.

c. Peter confessed Christ than denied the Savior.

B. The Spirit filled life involves more than just dynamic acts for Christ.

1. James gives instruction about the tongue and its power to destroy; Spirit filled living will guard the tongue.

·        The tongue destroyed the Ephramites and Jephthah’s daughter; it will destroy us.

2.   Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.Proverbs 17:28

Conclusion

1. Jephthah delivers Israel, yet he has problems controlling his mouth.

2. The Spirit filled life involves more than just dynamic acts for Christ.