Judges 11:4 - Meaning and Application

Here is the distress Israel was under when the Ammonites invaded their land, Judges 11:4. This may have been the same invasion mentioned in Judges 10:17, when the Ammonites gathered and camped in Gilead. The phrase “in the course of time” seems to point back to the expulsion of Jephthah, meaning many days passed after his disgrace before he was brought back with honor.

Then the elders of Gilead came to Jephthah and asked him to help them. They did not send a letter or a messenger, but went in person to bring him back, and they meant to hear no refusal. The need was urgent, so there was no time to delay. Their message was, “Come and be our commander” (Judges 11:6). They knew none among themselves was fit for so great a task, and in effect admitted their own weakness. They knew Jephthah was bold and used to fighting, so they decided he was the man for the job.

See how God prepares people for the work he plans for them, and even uses their troubles to lift them up. If Jephthah had not been driven out by his brothers’ cruelty, he may never have had the chance to build the strong fighting skill that now made him useful and famous. Out of the eater comes food. Israel had gathered and set up camp (Judges 10:17), but an army without a leader is like a body without a head. So they said, “Come and be our commander, so we may fight.” This shows how necessary government is. They were willing to fight, but they knew they could not do it without someone to lead them. A community needs some to rule and others to obey. It is better to be under wise rule than for every person to be his own master. We should thank God for government, especially for good government.

Jephthah raised an objection before accepting their offer: “Did you not hate me and drive me out?” (Judges 11:7). It seems his brothers were among these elders, or at least the elders had shared in his mistreatment by failing to stop it. Their duty was to defend the poor and fatherless (Psalm 82:3, Psalm 82:4), so by not helping him they had made themselves guilty of his expulsion. Magistrates who have the power to protect the wronged are guilty if they leave their harm uncorrected. Jephthah was saying, “You hated me and expelled me, so how can I trust this offer is sincere, and how can you expect me to serve you?” He was willing to help his country, but he wanted them to remember their former sin and repent of it. In this, he acted like Joseph, who humbled his brothers before revealing himself to them.

Jephthah’s treatment by the Gileadites also reflects Israel’s whole condition before God at that time. They had pushed God away through their idols, yet in their trouble they asked for his help. He showed them how rightly he could have refused them, yet he still delivered them graciously. Jephthah did the same. Many people ignore God and good men until they are in distress, and then they want God’s mercy and the prayers of good people.

The elders urged Jephthah to accept the rule they offered him (Judges 11:8). They were saying, in effect, “Since we wronged you before, and now want to make up for it, we are coming back to you with an honor that can balance the insult.” This story warns us not to look down on people because they seem lowly, and not to wrong anyone just because we have power over them. We do not know how soon we may need the help of those we now mistreat. It is wise not to make anyone our enemy, because our troubles may one day make us glad to seek his friendship.

This is also an encouragement to people of real worth who are ignored or mistreated. Let them bear it with patience and cheerfulness, and leave it to God to bring their light out of hiding. Fuller, in his book *Pisgah Sight*, said that virtue will sometimes win its own rise, and when those who hated it end up needing it, they will be forced to honor it. Then that honor will shine all the brighter.

Jephthah then made a careful agreement with them. He had mentioned their former wrongs, but when he saw their repentance, he did not keep pressing them with it. Since God had forgiven Israel for their insults to him (Judges 10:16), Jephthah was ready to forgive as well. Still, he thought it wise to settle the matter clearly for the future, because he was dealing with people he had reason to distrust.

He first put a fair question to them (Judges 11:9). He did not speak as if victory were certain, because God might justly allow the Ammonites to win as further punishment for Israel. So he said, in effect, “If, by God’s blessing, I come home victorious, will you really make me your leader?” He also did not claim success in his own strength. If he won, it would be because the Lord delivered the enemy into his hand. He meant to remind them to look to God as the one who settles the dispute and gives victory. In the same way, the question is asked of those who seek salvation through Christ: if he saves you, will you allow him to rule you? For he will save on no other terms. If he makes you happy, shall he also make you holy? If he is your helper, shall he also be your head?

They answered at once, “We will do as you say” (Judges 11:10). “Lead us in war, and you shall rule us in peace.” They did not hesitate, because the need was too plain and too urgent for delay. They knew they had the authority to make this agreement for the people they represented, so they confirmed it with an oath: “The Lord be witness between us.” They appealed to God’s knowledge of their present honesty, and to his justice if they later proved false. The text says, “The Lord be a hearer.” Whatever we say, we should remember that God hears it and speak with that in mind.

So the original agreement between Jephthah and the Gileadites was confirmed. It seems all Israel later approved it as well, since Judges 12:7 says that Jephthah judged Israel. He then went with them to the place where they had all gathered (Judges 10:17), and there, by common agreement, they made him their head and commander. Thus the bargain made by their representatives was confirmed, and he became not only their commander for the present, but their leader for life.

Jephthah was willing to risk his life for this small honor (Judges 12:3). So should we not be discouraged in our Christian fight by any hardships we meet, when Christ has promised the crown of life to the one who overcomes?

Jephthah also gave God a faithful and humble acknowledgment in this great matter (Judges 11:11). He spoke all his words before the Lord in Mizpeh, meaning that as soon as he was raised up, he went at once to prayer. There he laid the whole matter before God, both his call to the office and the work of carrying it out. He kept his eyes on the Lord and would do nothing without him. He did not trust his own judgment or courage, but depended on God and his favor.

He told God all his thoughts and worries about the matter, because God allows us to speak freely with him. He said, in effect, “Lord, the people have made me their leader. Will you confirm their choice and own me as your people’s leader under you and for you?” God rightly complained of Israel, “They have set up kings, but not by me” (Hosea 8:4). Jephthah would not be head by the people’s making unless God approved it too. He would not accept the rule unless God gave him leave. If Abimelech, the son of Gideon who seized power for himself, had done this, he might have prospered.

Jephthah also said, “Lord, they have made me their captain to go before them in this war against the Ammonites. Will you go with me? If not, do not send me. Make the justice of the cause clear to me, and assure me of success.” This is a rare example, and all people should follow it, especially those in places of honor. In all our ways, we should acknowledge God, seek his favor, ask his counsel, and take him with us. Then our way will be successful. Jephthah began the campaign with prayer, and what began so devoutly was likely to end well.