Judges 12 wraps up the story of Jephthah, a smart and a very tough guy whom God used to lead the people of Israel into a season of relative freedom. But Jephthah’s story also includes some rather difficult and tragic events, some of his own making, and creates in us a longing for a more faithful leader. Join Pastor Jim as he connects the dots between the Old Testament and New Testament to show us how Jesus Christ is the ultimate judge, savior and deliverer.
Sermon Notes
“Judges is not a nice book. It’s rough and raw and confronting. Working on it has been like living with someone who always tells you the truth: it is good for you but not pleasant. In this commentary I have tried to let Judges be what it is instead of taming it.”
Barry G. Webb
The Book of Judges
“The book of Judges is not simply a record of man’s sin and God’s judgment, it is a record of God’s love, which seeks men even in their sin.”
Gary Inrig
Hearts of Iron, Feet of Clay
Repeating cycle of spiritual decline in Judges:
- Rebellion against YHWH
- Retributive Justice
- Regret/Remorse/Repentance
- Rescue & Restoration
The repeated themes found in the book of Judges are:
“The sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord” occurs 7 times! (2:11; 3:7, 12; 4:1; 6:1; 10:6; 13:1)
“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Judges 21:25
Judges 12 reminds us that:
1. Dissension is a timeless human problem.
“In the essentials- unity, in the non-essentialsliberty, in all things- charity.”
2. Some of us don’t get brave until after the battle.
“The chief difficulty in maintaining Christian witness is timidity. The life of the world is gaudy, noisy, and assertive. The life of faith is modest, quiet, and unassuming. What can an ordinary Christian say that will stand a chance in the brash shouting of money and pleasure and ambition? Or in the wailing laments of boredom and depression and self-pity?”
Eugene Peterson
3. Some of us demand respect but dodge responsibility.
“Here lies the tremendous mystery – that God should be all-powerful, yet refuse to coerce. He summons us to cooperation. We are honored in being given the opportunity to participate in his good deeds. Remember how He asked for help in performing his miracles: Fill the waterpots, stretch out your hand, distribute the loaves.”
Elisabeth Elliot
4. If we want a greater salvation we must look to Jesus, the Savior greater than any of the Judges.
“The gospel–the message that we are more wicked than we ever dared believe, but more loved and accepted in Christ than we ever dared hope– creates a radical new dynamic for personal growth, for obedience, for love.”
Tim Keller