FAITH
Text: Hebrews 11
Lesson Twenty-six – V.32
Examples of the ancients who were commended for their faith: (Cont’d.)
JEPHTHAH [Part 2]: V.32 – And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets,
See Judges 10:6 – 12:7 for the story of Jephthah.
(Judges 11:4-40) – These verses give the account of the war between the Ammonites and the Israelites, as well as Jephthah’s vow and the outcome. Note:
Judges 11:27 – I have not wronged you, but you are doing me wrong by waging war against me. Let the LORD, the Judge, decide the dispute this day between the Israelites and the Ammonites.”
Let us thank the Lord that He is pointing us to: Romans 8:31-32 – 31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:37 – No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Hebrews 13:6 – So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Judges 11:29 – Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah. He crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced against the Ammonites.
Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah – See Lesson 22, Judges 14:6, 19 and the accompanying passages.
Judges 11:30 – And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD: “If you give the Ammonites into my hands,
And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD – In our time, the main vow is the marriage vow. Let us thank the Lord that He is reminding us that vows are to be kept and not to be taken lightly.
Note: Numbers 30:2 – When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.
Deuteronomy 23:21 – If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the LORD your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin.
Ecclesiastes 5:4 – When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.
Note Hannah’s vow and the fulfillment: 1 Samuel 1:11, 24-28 – 11And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
24After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. 25When they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli, 26and she said to him, “As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. 27I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 28So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.
(Judges 12:1-6) – Here we have details of a war between two tribes of Israel, the Ephraimites and the Gileadites.
Let us thank the Lord that, from this, He is instructing us to take heed “in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:11)
Note: Romans 12:10, 17-18 – 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Galatians 5:15, 25-26 – 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Ephesians 4:31-32 – 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Colossians 3:13, 15-17 – 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.