Jephthah

Israel is in a cycle of continual oppression due to her sin of idolatry. Once again, the nation is in need of a hero. An unlikely hero emerges who acts in faith and is empowered by God to deliver Israel from the sons of Ammon. However, Jephthah makes a tragic vow that will cost him dearly. Join us for session nineteen as we learn from Jephthah the high cost of idolatry in our lives, as well as the grace of God that is ready to deliver us when we repent.

Verses:

Hebrews 11:32

Judges 10:6-7

Judges 10:10-14

Judges 10:15-16

Judges 11:29

Judges 11:30-31

Judges 11:35

Deuteronomy 12:28-32

Proverbs 6:16-19

Discussion Questions:

1. What stuck out to you most in this story?

2. Why is Jephthah an unlikely hero, and how does that resonate with you? In what areas do you feel least likely to be chosen for God’s use/purposes?

3. Why is our background irrelevant to the calling of the Lord? How can we obey even in areas that seem daunting or for which we feel unqualified or unworthy? (See 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 & 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

4. God had told the Israelites that the foreign gods would become a snare to them.  How do we see this to be true in this story, and how is it true in our own lives?

5. Though Jephthah intends to worship the Lord, the method he picks is actually an abomination to the Lord. In what ways can our lives be abominable to the Lord? (Proverbs 6:16-19, Jeremiah 7:9-10) If so, what should we do? (Isaiah 1:16-18)