The Reject

In some ways, this story is very similar to the cycle we’ve seen over and over… sin, oppression, deliverance, and peace. In other ways, this story is unique. Jephthah, our next Judge, is a very successful warrior, but he “makes a deal” with the God of Israel: “If you will give the Ammonites into my hand, then 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, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.” After the Lord delivers the Ammonites into his hand, the first thing to come out of his door is his only child. What does all this mean? That’s what we’ll explore this week, but for now, let’s notice just how far Israel has gotten from knowing the character of their God. With Jephthah’s deal, he’s treating the God of the Bible like all of the gods of the nations around him… and Israel is beginning to look a lot like those nations.