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12 The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire.” And Jephthah said to them, “I and my people had a great dispute with the Ammonites, and when I called you, you did not save me from their hand. And when I saw that you would not save me, I took my life in my hand and crossed over against the Ammonites, and the LORD gave them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me this day to fight against me?” Then Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead and fought with Ephraim. And the men of Gilead struck Ephraim, because they said, “You are fugitives of Ephraim, you Gileadites, in the midst of Ephraim and Manasseh.” And the Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. And when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, “Let me go over,” the men of Gilead said to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” When he said, “No,” they said to him, “Then say Shibboleth,” and he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it right. Then they seized him and slaughtered him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time 42,000 of the Ephraimites fell.
Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in his city in Gilead.
After him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel. He had thirty sons, and thirty daughters he gave in marriage outside his clan, and thirty daughters he brought in from outside for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years. Then Ibzan died and was buried at Bethlehem.
After him Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel, and he judged Israel ten years. Then Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried at Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.
After him Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel. He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys, and he judged Israel eight years. Then Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried at Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.
(ESV)
As Jephthah’s reign comes to an end, we can reflect back on how he led and judged Israel. As is the case with every other judge, he had his high points and low points. You get the sense with the judges that they are able to bend Israel’s attention back to God, but never fully accomplish their goal of keeping the people fixated on Him. There is always a backslide waiting to happen.
Jephthah’s character and leadership reminds me a little bit of King David. He was a strong diplomatic advisor. He was a fearless in battle, and a more than capable leader. He certainly exhibited faith during his time in leadership. However, he was also insecure and selfish. This is the primary characteristic that separates him from people like Moses or Joshua. He was not a good father and he was not a good shepherd.
His primary objective was to lead and save Israel. His identity was found in conquering his enemies through his relentless determination and military prowess. But he did not care for Israel. This is made crystal clear by the fact that in the previous chapter he did not think before vowing someone from his household to the Lord for a military victory. He did not love Israel like God did. He would not truly be able to motivate Israel because he lacked the humility and grace.
As I reflect on Jephthah, I am reminding of the perfect leader. He is both strong in his leadership but loving in character. He is just as much truth as He is grace. I am thankful God did not send us another judge. I am thankful He sent us His Son, Jesus, who is the perfect sacrifice and who showed us what a true leader looks like.
For us, we must think of this narrative and consider our own weaknesses. Where are we strong and where are we lacking? Where do we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit so we can be more like Christ?