June 18
Lesson 3 (KJV)
Jephthah
Devotional Reading: Acts 15:6–21
Background Scripture: Judges 11
Judges 11:4–11, 29–31
4 And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel.
5 And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob:
6 And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.
7 And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father’s house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?
8 And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore we turn again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.
9 And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the Lord deliver them before me, shall I be your head?
10 And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The Lord be witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words.
11 Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the Lord in Mizpeh.
29 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon.
30 And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,
31 Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.
Photo: Devonyu / iStock / Thinkstock
Key Verse
Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the Lord deliver them before me, shall I be your head?—Judges 11:9
God’s Urgent Call
Unit 1: Called to Be Strong
Lessons 1–4
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Summarize the conditions of the agreements made between Jephthah and the elders of Gilead.
2. Compare and contrast the vow of the elders of Gilead with the vow of Jephthah.
3. Dramatize a situation in which participants work to overcome suspicion of one another.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
A. Imperfect Leaders
B. Lesson Background
I. Reluctant Ally (Judges 11:4–7)
A. Present Need (vv. 4–6)
How Do We Respond?
B. Past Abuse (v. 7)
II. Leadership Contract (Judges 11:8–11, 29)
A. Position Promised (vv. 8–10)
B. Commitment Confirmed (v. 11)
C. Spirit Strengthens (v. 29)
III. Rash Vow (Judges 11:30, 31)
A. The “If …” Clause (v. 30)
B. The “Then …” Clause (v. 31)
Rash Promises
Conclusion
A. On the Lookout for Leadership
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
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Abimelech
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Uh-bim-eh-lek.
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Ammon
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Am-mun.
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Ammonites
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Am-un-ites.
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Bezaleel
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Bih-zal-ih-el.
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Gilead
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Gil-ee-ud (G as in get).
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Jephthah
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Jef-thuh (th as in thin).
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Mahatma Gandhi
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Muh-hot-muh Gon-dee.
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Manasseh
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Muh-nass-uh.
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Midianites
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Mid-ee-un-ites.
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Mizpeh
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Miz-peh.
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Philistines
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Fuh-liss-teenz or Fill-us-teenz.
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What Do You Think?
How should we deal with people who come to us only because they need our help?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding fellow believers
■ Regarding unbelievers
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