Rev. Tim Koch, pastor at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Judges 11:29-40.
The downward spiral of the book of Judges quickens even in the midst of the LORD’s deliverance. The Spirit of the LORD comes upon Jephthah in order to deliver victory over the Ammonites to His people. However, Jephthah’s vow casts a deadly pall over what should have been a lively celebration. Even apart from its content, Jephthah’s vow was unnecessary because he already had the LORD’s promise of victory. The content only makes his vow even more foolish and ungodly. He never excludes the possibility of sacrificing a member of his own household, as a faithful Israelite would have done. Foolishness turns to tragedy when Jephthah’s only daughter greets him upon his return. The decay of Israel’s religious life is evident as neither Jephthah nor his daughter ever consult the LORD, His Word, or His servants, the Levites, in order to seek a way to avoid this ungodly human sacrifice. Instead, they go through with the deed, after which Israel’s corruption only grows; they observe a religious festival God had not commanded while continuing to ignore those He had. All of it is one big mess; thanks be to God that He does not forsake His messy people.
“Rebellion and Rescue” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Judges. This book is characterized by a familiar. As the generations after Joshua forget the LORD and what He has done for Israel, they fall into idolatry. The LORD gives them over into the hands of their enemies in order to bring them to their senses. When they cry out to Him in repentance, He sends a judge to rescue them and give them rest for a time, until they relapse into idolatry once more. In this cycle, we see a picture of our own Christian life. Daily, the old Adam in us is drowned in contrition and repentance, and the new man emerges in Baptismal forgiveness to live in righteousness and purity before God forever.
