The Book of Judges

 The Book of Judges was taught by Dr. James Modlish

 

Judges 11:1-12:7
“The Story of Jephthah”

 

Introduction:

Even as Judges is a picture of the Laodicean church doing its own thing most of the time, Jephthah is a representative of the Laodicean Christian's struggle with the flesh and the Spirit (Gal. 5:16,17).

Remember, chapter 10 deals with Israel trying to make up their mind how committed they wanted to be to the things of the Lord. When they finally get serious, they recognize they need someone to lead them.

 

I. Jephthah - the son of the flesh (11:1-3)

Jephthah, the son of a harlot, is rejected by his half-brothers because of the inheritance issue. Someone who is strong in the flesh usually has no trouble collecting an audience or following. The flesh can be very crafty in imitating the work of the Spirit.

 

II. The exaltation of the flesh (11:4-11)

When in trouble, people who are walking in the flesh will naturally gravitate to the strengths of the flesh for solutions.

Israel was quite aware of the prowess of Jephthah and appealed to him rather than look to a spiritual solution (Rom. 8:5).

The flesh has a great desire to run our lives (vs. 9) (Rom. 6:16); all it waits for is our permission.
 

III. The rehearsal of history (11:12-28)

A. It's interesting to remember that Judges is a picture of the Laodicean church age, and during that time there is a great controversy about who the real estate of the Middle East really belongs to. This is an accurate picture of the region today.

B. Jephthah presents correct representation of history that can be compared with the facts in Numbers and Deuteronomy.

C. The flesh doesn't always lie, cheat or manipulate; it just waits to be in charge.
 

IV. The reversal of events (11:29-33)

A. Jephthah to this point has been a picture of the flesh, but the Spirit of God actually enters into the picture (vs. 29) and leads Jephthah to a great victory.

B. The larger question may be "how did the Spirit get into the equation?" Jephthah had just rehearsed a great deal of Bible to the enemy. That's exactly what Jesus did when He faced the adversary. (Jn. 6:63)

C. Until we receive our incorruptible bodies, the flesh will always be lurking in the shadows dying to say or do some stupid thing that makes us look spiritual. (1 Sam. 15:22; Rom. 7:24,25)
 

V. Are there any other options? (11:34-40)

A. Why didn't Jephthah fall on his face before God like Hezekiah did, confess his foolishness and get God's real direction? Could it be that his desire to look like the hero was even more powerful that his love for his only daughter? (Rom. 7:21)

B. The virgin daughter probably types the 144,000 virgin witnesses in the Tribulation that lose their lives for their testimony. (Rev. 7:14; 14:3-5)
 

VI. The arrival of the knot heads (12:1-7)

A. Ephraim was given an invitation to join the fight and declined and then got a burr under the saddle when they couldn't participate in the victory. How many Christians don't want to get in the fight, but want to attend the party.

B. Many Shemites have trouble pronouncing "b's" (vs. 6). The Japanese are notorious for the problem; consequently, invading American forces in World War II often used the word blood for a password. It's still the password into heaven! (1 Jn. 1:7)

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