Read this chapter very critically, and by that I mean ask a lot of questions. Why do Jephthah and the elders do the things they do, say the things they do, and so on? Read through a couple of times at least. Some things won't jump out at you the first time through. As always, jot down questions and notes. One question to be constantly asking about this chapter is, "What is important to the author?"
After doing your own study, go back through with a commentary or two. There are some points that every commentary will comment on, they can't avoid it. The commentaries may bring more questions to your mind as well. Make more notes, and jot down more questions as you continue your study.
After you have your own notes and questions, go back through with the questions below:
- Gilead was the father of Jephthah, but this is the first time we hear of Gilead as anything but a place. Why do you think we're hearing of him now, and what sort of person do you think he would be to give his name to an entire region covering several tribal areas?
- Jephthah starts out tragic in that he's cut off from his family by his brothers, and then gains a band of vagabonds around him. Of which characters does this Jephthah begin to remind you?
- The sons of Ammon are doing battle with Israel, but specifically in Gilead. In the previous chapter, they crossed the Jordan and fought against Ephraim, Benjamin, and Judah. Look at a map to find where Ammon would be. What do you think the sons of Ammon are trying to do with their fights with Israel?
- Tob means "good". So, having been driven out of his fathers house, Jephthah finds a "good land". Why do you think he would give that up to go back and help the people who drove him out before?
- Look at verses 6 through 11 in a few translations. What do you think they offer Jephthah if he leads them into battle at first? And what are they offering at the end? Keeping in mind that nobody else in Gilead wants that position (see chapter 10), what does that tell you about Jephthah, that he would want that?
- Jephthah begins his campaign with the sons of Ammon by sending them messengers to talk over the problem. He's the only judge to have done that so far. Why do you think a great and mighty warrior would want to discuss this problem first?
- This process goes back and forth a few times, but what is Ammon's complaint about the people of Gilead?
- Jephthah recounts the time of Israel coming into the land east of the Jordan. And he is pretty detailed in his account. What does that tell you about Jephthah that he's able to recount back over 300 years?
- Jephthah is willing to discuss, able to describe the events 300 years ago, and tries to dissuade Ammon without giving any concessions (i.e. he's not negotiating). Consider what he tells them about the fact Israel didn't take land from Moab or Ammon. Look up that period in the Exodus in Deuteronomy 2, where the reason is given by God for not harassing Moab and Ammon. What do you think it means that Jephthah is still following that instruction?
- As Jephthah goes to battle, he makes his tragic oath. This is where commentators begin to hedge, hem, hah, and really become distressed. Why do you think Jephthah makes such a vow?
- Jephthah marches through the tribes east of the Jordan to fight Ammon. But consider the description of the battle. What do you think the focus of this author is with this chapter? Where does he spend most of his "ink"?
- The Hebrew term, consistently translated as "burnt offering" in verse 31, means an offering where the entirety of it is burned (dedicated to God), as opposed to a sacrifice where part of the offering is eaten and shared at a meal. What do you think a "whole burnt offering" is for?
- Jephthah succeeds. But there are very few details of the battle given other than the location. Within an entire chapter about Jephthah delivering Israel, why do you think the actual battle is given so little space?
- Jephthah returns home, and out runs his daughter, dancing in celebration. Consider the culture, and the practice of vows. If it's common to word the vow in such a way that the sacrifice is "chosen by God", then who's fault is it that Jephthah's daughter runs out? Consider the daughter knows exactly what will happen to her without further explanation.
- Jephthah is devastated seeing his only child run out to meet him. Consider his daughter's response. We're never given her name, but what do you think of her character and faith?
- She takes two months to mourn the fact she will die a virgin. What does that tell you about her age?
- After two months, Jephthah "kept the vow he had made". What do you think it was like for Jephthah for those two months?
- This is an example of "human sacrifice", of which we don't have another example. In fact, Yahweh condemns the practice (Ezekiel 20:31, 2 Kings 17:31). Yet Jephthah is included in the "roll call of faith" in Hebrews 11 (v.32), and so, is traditionally considered faithful. So, why do you think God accepts this vow?
- Nowhere does it say that Jephthah received his daughter back or had another child. In Hebrews 11, this belief was what was ascribed to Abraham as he offers Isaac, but is stopped. God doesn't stop Jephthah. What does this tell you about God's character? This is the place commentaries truly struggle to make God come out looking good. Since this passage is inspired by the Holy Spirit, perhaps the best way to phrase this question is, how does God describe His character here?
- If the writer and his audience live in the times of the Kings of Judah, then what do you think of this "custom" to which he refers? It implies that his audience is well aware of Jephthah and his daughter. How does that help you understand how God has used Jephthah down through the history of Israel?
That should take well over a week to get through. Remember to keep seeking what these discoveries and questions mean for your walk with God. What does this tell you about your relationship with Jesus, His character, and how you should relate to Him?
