CONTENTS The history of the Judges during the commonwealth of Israel, and their government is continued. In this chapter we have the relation of Jephthuh's administration. His birth, valor, contest with Ammon in the deliverance of Israel, victory, and rash vow, and the event of it, on the person of... [ Continue Reading ]
It was remarked in the preceding chapter, that the men of Gilead were consulting who to appoint as their leader, to go out with them to battle against the Ammonites. The Lord was about to appear for their deliverance. And when the Lord comes forth for this purpose, he never needs an instrument in or... [ Continue Reading ]
The gathering of vain men unto Jephthah, is not unsimilar to David's army, when he became their captain, when everyone that was in distress, and everyone that was in debt, and everyone that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him, and he became their captain. See 1 Samuel 22:2. But in all thi... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! spiritualize this passage, and see if the cry of the soul to Jesus in the hour of extremity is not similar. Before the soul is brought to this, we are like Gilead, without an head. But when ruin is before us, like the disciples on the lake, the language then is, Lord! save or we perish. Matt... [ Continue Reading ]
If the Reader connects with this view of Jephthah, the history of Joseph with his brethren, he will discover some similarity. But if he spiritualizeth the subject with a greater than Joseph, and recollects how the Lord Jesus was despised of his brethren, of whom it is said, that neither did they bel... [ Continue Reading ]
Just so the sinner in his approaches unto Jesus, when once convinced that there is salvation in no other. Oh! it is precious when once brought by the Holy Ghost, to give all the glory to Him, as our head, and to crown him Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is said of the adored Redeemer, that Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest, but was called of God, as was Aaron. Hebrews 5:4. It is beautiful, and even glorious in the contemplation of redemption-work, that in all Jesus did and accomplished; the Father's gracious hand is seen joi... [ Continue Reading ]
I include the whole of the treaty, which passed between Jephthah, and the leader of the Ammonites, in one point of view, not only for the sake of shortness, but also for the sake of connection. In the perusal of this passage, I would desire the Reader to keep in remembrance the spiritual state of Go... [ Continue Reading ]
I pray the Reader to remark Jephthah's anointing. It was the same spirit which came upon Jephthah, which descended upon the Lord Jesus, only with this difference, on Jephthah, according to the measure of the gift of Christ; upon the Lord Jesus without measure. But it is delightful to contemplate, th... [ Continue Reading ]
Surely the vow of Jephthah proceeded from the want of faith; else why did he doubt, why did he say if the Lord would deliver Ammon into his hands? And Reader! make an observation of it in your own experience whenever faith fails, the ill effects of it are near at hand. A little faith, or lively exer... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe who it was that made Jephthah victorious. Yes! As in heaven so on earth, the armies of God overcame by the blood of the Lamb. It is always delightful to trace from whence our mercies flow; because through grace all the praise will then return to the right owner. Revelation 12:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
Various have been the opinions of pious men, on the subject of Jephthah's vow, and the event of it. But as the Holy Ghost hath not thought proper to make the subject clear, it should seem that it is the Lord's pleasure thus to leave it somewhat obscure; perhaps for the greater exercise of pious men'... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS READER! ponder over this chapter, and remark with me, how very striking the marks of distinguishing grace! While all the sons of Gilead, in hawkish descent, were passed by; Jephthah, the son of an harlot, is chosen to be the servant of the Lord to his people! From hence let you and I le... [ Continue Reading ]