Day 54 – Judges: Character sketch of Jephthah

“So Jephthah led his army against the Ammonites, and the Lord gave him victory. He crushed the Ammonites, devastating about twenty towns from Aroer to an area near Minnith and as far away as Abel-keramim. In this way, Israel defeated the Ammonites.” Judges 11:32-33 NLT

It’s hard not to admire people who can be relied upon to keep their word and whose actions align with their promises. Jephthah, for example, understood that communication is not a way to evade action – it’s the beginning of it. His strong communication skills made him an excellent negotiator, as he approached conflicts with the full intention of resolving them verbally. However, he was also prepared to take other measures if a resolution could not be reached.

Jephthah’s story teaches us that impulsive declarations and commitments can lead to significant pain. The fate of Jephthah’s daughter is complicated to comprehend, as we are uncertain about what ultimately happened to her – whether she was sacrificed as an offering or dedicated to eternal virginity, thus denying him the possibility of having descendants, since she was his only child. We see from his character that he was a man of his word and would have honoured his vow to the Lord, regardless of the personal pain or emotions he experienced.

Strengths and accomplishments

Jephthah was an exceptional military strategist and negotiator, as demonstrated in his correspondence with the king of the Ammonites. Jephthah knew the Lord and followed the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord.

Weaknesses and mistakes

He was bitter over the treatment received from his half-brothers and carried this in his heart. Concerning his own family, he made a rash, foolish, and costly vow.

Life lessons from Jephthah’s story

God can work powerfully through anyone’s life regardless of their background or life history. We should learn to control our tongues and be careful to make vows under heated emotion.

Prayer: Father, we talk before we think. We promise before we consider the weight of the promise, and we vow before thinking of the consequences. May Jephthah’s story teach us to forgive what causes bitterness and guard our words.