Read the Bible Through in a Year: Day 45
Judges 7-11
Here’s a picture reminding us of the cycle we read throughout the Book of Judges:
Judges 7: Despite a miraculous calling from God, and success in his first actions, Gideon still expressed doubt (Judges 6). After seeing two custom-requested miracles, Gideon prepares to attack the Midianite invaders. He winnows his army down to only 300 men and overhears an encouraging conversation. Gideon and his men surprise the enemy after nightfall with trumpets and torches, sparking a panic. This begins a rout of the enemy.
Judges 8: This chapter follows the great victory described at the end of the previous chapter. This passage begins with Gideon awkwardly soothing the anger of Ephraimites while trying to chase down an escaping enemy. After capturing the Midianite kings, Gideon punishes two towns for failing to aid their fellow Israelites. Gideon refuses to become a literal king but collects tribute from the people and lives like a king all his days, with many wives and sons. The people return to idol worship after his death. Soon after, the concubine’s son, Abimelech, murders Gideon’s other sons and briefly rules before meeting a gruesome death.
Judges 9: Gideon successfully defeated Midianite raiders but declined to become Israel’s official king. His sons, however, were held in high esteem during his remaining years (Judges 8). After Gideon’s death, ambitious men conspire to kill almost all those heirs. This results in a series of bloody events. Eventually, judgment comes on those responsible. Israel fails to learn from the tragedies.
Judges 10: After Gideon rescued Israel (Judges 6—8), his son, Abimelech, murdered his siblings and became a despotic ruler (Judges 9). That ended with further tragedy and bloodshed. Judges 10 begins with a brief description of two judges who ruled after the time of Abimelech. Then Israel falls further than ever into the worship of false gods. Nearly two decades after God turns the people over to their enemies, they confess their sinfulness. The Ammonites encamp against Israel in Gilead. The leaders of Gilead search for someone to lead them in battle.
Judges 11: This chapter begins with a mighty man of valour named Jephthah who stands up to lead Israel against the Ammonites. His story is that since he was born by a harlot and not in the house, his brothers and family kicked him out, not allowing him to have in on the inheritance that they were set to receive. However, while in distress to the children of Ammon, Jephthah is sent for to help them war. They came to an agreement that if he leads them to war, upon winning when they return, he would remain their leader and rule over them.
Jephthah sends messengers to the king of Ammon to ask why they were warring against Israel. They cited that Israel took land from Ammon. Jephthah recounts everything that happened from the time Israel came out of the wilderness until their current state. God helped Israel take the land from the Amorites and Israel possessed their land, but since Israel went into tribute to the Philistines, Ammon took the land of the Amorites as their own. Jephthah asked the king of Ammon if that was right? The king of Ammon wasn’t listening to anything Jephthah had to say and warred with Israel anyway. Israel defeated them, but the problem was that before they warred, Jephthah made a vow to God promising to sacrifice the first thing that comes out of his house when he returns from the war.
The first person to greet him was his only daughter. She asks to mourn for 2 months and then Jephthah keeps his promise to the Lord. From happiness to sadness in a moment. This is one of those difficult passages of Scripture for us to reason through and understand.
What stood out to you in today’s readings? Put your thoughts or questions in the Comments and let’s learn and grow together.