Man’s depravity and God’s rescue: Jephthah, a broken savior – shadow of the ultimate Savior
- Sermon By: Caleb Kent
- Categories: Broken Saviors; Faithful King
Bible Passage: Judges 10:6 – 11
1. Idolatry leads to enslavement.
a. Every time Israel worshiped the idols of a nation, that nation ended up oppressing them. A pattern of idolatry leading to enslavement.
b. Despite their pain and misery, Israel continued to worship the same idols that let them down and brought them into trouble.
c. But human hearts have not changed. We know that when an idol leads to slavery, what we need is more of that idol again. Idolatry – slavery – idolatry
b. Despite their pain and misery, Israel continued to worship the same idols that let them down and brought them into trouble.
c. But human hearts have not changed. We know that when an idol leads to slavery, what we need is more of that idol again. Idolatry – slavery – idolatry
2. What a person serves eventually dominates and takes ownership of their life.
a. They had their own powerful God, but they would go back to the cycle of chasing after tangibility – shortcuts, wanting things done their way.
b. v7. “God became angry” – he is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5-6).
c. He “sold them” into the hands of the Philistines and Ammonites, which shows that even though they were running away from God, and serving other gods. God continues to be the ultimate owner of their lives. He has the right to do anything he wishes.
d. “Sold them” is a strong phrase. This describes what God did even in Judges 2:14, 3:8, and 4:2, as well as here. “He sold them into the hands of their enemies.”
e. When you sell something to another person, it means the new owner can do with it as he pleases.
f. Romans 1:23-25 Paul talks about idolatry. “Therefore, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts”. The judgment for idolatry is… idolatry.
g. Idolatry and slavery go hand in hand. Idolatry leads to slavery and slavery to idolatry.
b. v7. “God became angry” – he is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5-6).
c. He “sold them” into the hands of the Philistines and Ammonites, which shows that even though they were running away from God, and serving other gods. God continues to be the ultimate owner of their lives. He has the right to do anything he wishes.
d. “Sold them” is a strong phrase. This describes what God did even in Judges 2:14, 3:8, and 4:2, as well as here. “He sold them into the hands of their enemies.”
e. When you sell something to another person, it means the new owner can do with it as he pleases.
f. Romans 1:23-25 Paul talks about idolatry. “Therefore, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts”. The judgment for idolatry is… idolatry.
g. Idolatry and slavery go hand in hand. Idolatry leads to slavery and slavery to idolatry.
3. How does real repentance look? (11:15-18).
a. Israel’s confession – do whatever best you think to us, “BUT please rescue us.” (whatever could mean even wipe us out, but rescue us – selfishness in their prayer.
b. Repentance is heartfelt conviction and hatred of what was done, regardless of whether it caused trouble or not.
c. Real repentance could look like – do anything, we don’t deserve now even to be rescued.
d. They “got rid of the foreign gods” (v. 16), Judges show us that the Israelites often changed their behavior in order to gain favor with the Lord, but they kept their idols in their homes, like an “insurance” or security.
e. But repentance is more than that it goes beyond the surface level. It does not just focus on behavior but on motives.
f. The two signs of real repentance are:
b. Repentance is heartfelt conviction and hatred of what was done, regardless of whether it caused trouble or not.
c. Real repentance could look like – do anything, we don’t deserve now even to be rescued.
d. They “got rid of the foreign gods” (v. 16), Judges show us that the Israelites often changed their behavior in order to gain favor with the Lord, but they kept their idols in their homes, like an “insurance” or security.
e. But repentance is more than that it goes beyond the surface level. It does not just focus on behavior but on motives.
f. The two signs of real repentance are:
i. A sorrow for sin, rather than just for its consequences
ii. A sorrow over idolatrous motives, not just behavioral change.
ii. A sorrow over idolatrous motives, not just behavioral change.
4. God’s response to Israel’s misery was with unconditional love for his people.
a. Despite Israel’s wrong motive in turning to Him, he still chose to answer them.
b. It says in verse 16, God could not bear the misery of Israel any longer.
c. All these narratives show us of men’s inhumane and rebellious nature, but importantly, they point us to God’s grace, his patience, and willingness even then to work on his children.
d. The people declared that whoever would take the lead would be head over the people living in Gilead.
b. It says in verse 16, God could not bear the misery of Israel any longer.
c. All these narratives show us of men’s inhumane and rebellious nature, but importantly, they point us to God’s grace, his patience, and willingness even then to work on his children.
d. The people declared that whoever would take the lead would be head over the people living in Gilead.
5. The strength and might of a person is in inner restraint, not necessarily external power.
a. He was a mighty warrior, but did not contest or fight back. It simply said, “so Jephthah fled.”?
b. True greatness is not shown in power, but in restraint.
c. At times, silence and acceptance are the wisest response – but it requires true humility and maturity, for a weak heart cannot endure it. (Proverbs 17:27).
b. True greatness is not shown in power, but in restraint.
c. At times, silence and acceptance are the wisest response – but it requires true humility and maturity, for a weak heart cannot endure it. (Proverbs 17:27).
6. Doing the right thing is more important than guarding our shame/pride.
a. They overcame their personal dislike for Jephthah, humbled themselves, and begged him to defend them (Judges 11:4-6).
b. To do the right thing, we must sometimes silence our pride and bear the weight of shame—not for ourselves, but for the greater good.
c. True maturity is seen when we let go of ego and even hide our shame, choosing the right path for the sake of others. It opens the way for God’s greater purpose to be accomplished, not just in our lives but for the entire tribe and nation.
d. Jephthah was appointed as the head and commander (v11)
e. There is a similarity between the Israelites’ dialogue with God in 10:10-16 and with Jephthah here.
b. To do the right thing, we must sometimes silence our pride and bear the weight of shame—not for ourselves, but for the greater good.
c. True maturity is seen when we let go of ego and even hide our shame, choosing the right path for the sake of others. It opens the way for God’s greater purpose to be accomplished, not just in our lives but for the entire tribe and nation.
d. Jephthah was appointed as the head and commander (v11)
e. There is a similarity between the Israelites’ dialogue with God in 10:10-16 and with Jephthah here.
i. The Israelites prostituted themselves, rejected God, but when they were in great distress and in trouble, they cried out to God for help.
ii. The Gileadites rejected Jephthah, humiliated and drove him away from them but when they are in trouble now, they have come to him for help.
iii. The way they dealt with Jephthah was the way the Israelites dealt with God Himself – Forsaking him when everything was alright, but begging him when crises hit them.
ii. The Gileadites rejected Jephthah, humiliated and drove him away from them but when they are in trouble now, they have come to him for help.
iii. The way they dealt with Jephthah was the way the Israelites dealt with God Himself – Forsaking him when everything was alright, but begging him when crises hit them.
7. Jephthah does not go to war immediately. First, he seeks a peaceful resolution (v12-13):
a. In response to the king of the Ammonites, he uses three arguments to counter the claim
i. Historical (v 15-22). The land was never the Ammonites’ (who lived north of the Jabbok), and it was won by Israel fairly from the Amorites. (Deuteronomy 2:16-25). The Lord gave victory to Israel, and Israel took over the land of the Amorites – from Arnon to Jabbok and from the desert to the Jordan (v21-22).
ii. Theological (v 23-24). Jephthah uses an argument that could be understood by all the people of that time and place. The Lord, the God of Israel, obviously gave Israel the land of the Amorites, by enabling them to defeat Sihon (v 23). Surely, the Ammonites would do the same if their god, Chemosh, gave them a victory (v 24).
iii. Logic (v 25-27). Jephthah appealed logically that Ammon had not tried to take the land Israel had possessed for 300 years. If they had a legitimate claim, they should have tried to secure it long ago (Judges 11:26). So why now, after 300 years?
ii. Theological (v 23-24). Jephthah uses an argument that could be understood by all the people of that time and place. The Lord, the God of Israel, obviously gave Israel the land of the Amorites, by enabling them to defeat Sihon (v 23). Surely, the Ammonites would do the same if their god, Chemosh, gave them a victory (v 24).
iii. Logic (v 25-27). Jephthah appealed logically that Ammon had not tried to take the land Israel had possessed for 300 years. If they had a legitimate claim, they should have tried to secure it long ago (Judges 11:26). So why now, after 300 years?
b. Finally, Jephthah called on Yahweh the Judge to judge who had the rightful title to the land (Judges 11:27).
8. Greed can blind a person to do what is right
a. Greed blinds the king of Ammon – hence, he paid no attention (v28).
9. Divine enablement, an assured victory (11:29)
a. He was then clothed with the Spirit of the Lord, which is a divine enablement, an assured victory with the Ammonites. The outcome is certain, there will be victory.
b. But a broken saviour, Jephthah, made a terrible mistake –
b. But a broken saviour, Jephthah, made a terrible mistake –
10. A terrible vow and tragedy (11:30-31)
a. vs 30-31 – In desperation, Jephthah made a vow to the Lord.
b. Exactly what had Jephthah promised God?
c. Many have interpreted Jephthah’s promise to God as an animal sacrifice
d. Other interpreters read his daughter’s lament that she would never marry (v 37-38)
e. In short, Jephthah did promise to make a human sacrifice to God if God gave him victory.
f. Why then does Jephthah make the vow?
b. Exactly what had Jephthah promised God?
c. Many have interpreted Jephthah’s promise to God as an animal sacrifice
d. Other interpreters read his daughter’s lament that she would never marry (v 37-38)
e. In short, Jephthah did promise to make a human sacrifice to God if God gave him victory.
f. Why then does Jephthah make the vow?
i. Influence of pagan culture
ii. Pagan view of God’s character
ii. Pagan view of God’s character
11. The God of the Bible only calls for one kind of human sacrifice:
a. The self-sacrifice of offering God the lordship of every area of our lives. (Romans 12:1).
b. Even this is not to secure his favor, but in response to it: “In view of God’s mercy … offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1).
b. Even this is not to secure his favor, but in response to it: “In view of God’s mercy … offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1).
Principles from the narrative:
1. Real repentance requires right motives: The Israelites cried out to God, but their initial repentance was shallow—they only wanted relief from suffering, not a restored relationship with God (Judges 10:6–10).
2. Inner Restraint and Self-Control: Self-control is often harder than retaliation, but it is the mark of godly character. Like Jephthah, we are called to let God vindicate us rather than taking matters into our own hands (Romans 12:19).
3. Letting go of pride and shame to do the right thing: Jephthah’s brothers had to let go of their pride and shame to do what was necessary. Sometimes God requires us to swallow our pride, reconcile with those we’ve wronged, and seek help—even from the very people we once rejected. Humility is often the gateway to God’s deliverance.
4. Integrity over greed: The king of Ammon knew Israel’s history and the truth of God’s word (Judges 11:12–28), yet he ignored it because greed and ambition blinded him. God’s people are called to walk in integrity – even when it costs us. Integrity means living by God’s truth, not twisting it for personal gain. Greed destroys; integrity preserves.
5. Shaped by Scripture, not culture: Jephthah’s tragedy came because he let cultural thinking about gods and vows shape his choices instead of God’s Word. Likewise, we must constantly test our values, habits, and decisions against Scripture. God’s people thrive when His Word, not the world, forms their convictions.
2. Inner Restraint and Self-Control: Self-control is often harder than retaliation, but it is the mark of godly character. Like Jephthah, we are called to let God vindicate us rather than taking matters into our own hands (Romans 12:19).
3. Letting go of pride and shame to do the right thing: Jephthah’s brothers had to let go of their pride and shame to do what was necessary. Sometimes God requires us to swallow our pride, reconcile with those we’ve wronged, and seek help—even from the very people we once rejected. Humility is often the gateway to God’s deliverance.
4. Integrity over greed: The king of Ammon knew Israel’s history and the truth of God’s word (Judges 11:12–28), yet he ignored it because greed and ambition blinded him. God’s people are called to walk in integrity – even when it costs us. Integrity means living by God’s truth, not twisting it for personal gain. Greed destroys; integrity preserves.
5. Shaped by Scripture, not culture: Jephthah’s tragedy came because he let cultural thinking about gods and vows shape his choices instead of God’s Word. Likewise, we must constantly test our values, habits, and decisions against Scripture. God’s people thrive when His Word, not the world, forms their convictions.
Jephthah Portrays a shadow of the greater Savior.
1. Jephthah’s narrative portrays some shadow of the greater Savior, who was to come.
2. Just like Jephthah, who was rejected by his brothers, Jesus “came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:11).
3. He spent time in the wilderness and was “tempted in every way … yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
4. Truly, Jesus Christ is the greater, ultimate Savior. He was rejected by His own, yet through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, He secured not a temporary deliverance, but eternal salvation and peace for us, His people.
2. Just like Jephthah, who was rejected by his brothers, Jesus “came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:11).
3. He spent time in the wilderness and was “tempted in every way … yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
4. Truly, Jesus Christ is the greater, ultimate Savior. He was rejected by His own, yet through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, He secured not a temporary deliverance, but eternal salvation and peace for us, His people.
Takeaway:
Let God through our Lord Jesus rule over you, dominate your life to overcome all shapes and sizes of idolatry.
Fruit/Result of our surrendered life:
• Genuine repentance
• Inner restraint, self-control
• Letting go of our pride and shame and do the right thing
• Not allowing greed to blind us. But a person of integrity
• Our life will continue to be shaped by Scripture and not culture.