Joshua 11
Judges 11 unfolds mainly around the story of Jephthah, one of Israel’s judges. The overall structure can be divided into Jephthah’s appearance (verses 1–3), Jephthah’s recognition and calling (verses 4–11), negotiations with the Ammonites (verses 12–28), war and a vow (verses 29–33), and finally the episode involving the fulfillment of his vow concerning his daughter (verses 34–40). This chapter shows how a person with a weak background goes through the process of being used by God, and also the complexity of human life in which themes of vows, victory, and pain coexist at the same time.
1verseWhen Jabin king of Hazor heard of it, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, to the king of Shimron, to the king of Achshaph,
2verseand to the kings who were on the north, in the hill country, in the Arabah south of Chinneroth, in the lowland, and in the heights of Dor on the west,
3verseto the Canaanite on the east and on the west, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite in the hill country, and the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpah.
4verseThey went out, they and all their armies with them, many people, even as the sand that is on the seashore in multitude, with very many horses and chariots.
5verseAll these kings met together; and they came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.
6verseThe LORD said to Joshua, “Don’t be afraid because of them; for tomorrow at this time, I will deliver them up all slain before Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.”
7verseSo Joshua came suddenly, with all the warriors, against them by the waters of Merom, and attacked them.
8verseThe LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, and they struck them, and chased them to great Sidon, and to Misrephoth Maim, and to the valley of Mizpah eastward. They struck them until they left them no one remaining.
9verseJoshua did to them as the LORD told him. He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire.
10verseJoshua turned back at that time, and took Hazor, and struck its king with the sword; for Hazor used to be the head of all those kingdoms.
11verseThey struck all the souls who were in it with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them. There was no one left who breathed. He burned Hazor with fire.
12verseJoshua captured all the cities of those kings, with their kings, and he struck them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.
13verseBut as for the cities that stood on their mounds, Israel burned none of them, except Hazor only. Joshua burned that.
14verseThe children of Israel took all the plunder of these cities, with the livestock, as plunder for themselves; but every man they struck with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them. They didn’t leave any who breathed.
15verseAs the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua. Joshua did so. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.
16verseSo Joshua captured all that land, the hill country, all the South, all the land of Goshen, the lowland, the Arabah, the hill country of Israel, and the lowland of the same,
17versefrom Mount Halak, that goes up to Seir, even to Baal Gad in the valley of Lebanon under Mount Hermon. He took all their kings, struck them, and put them to death.
18verseJoshua made war a long time with all those kings.
19verseThere was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, except the Hivites, the inhabitants of Gibeon. They took all in battle.
20verseFor it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, to come against Israel in battle, that he might utterly destroy them, that they might have no favor, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.
21verseJoshua came at that time, and cut off the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua utterly destroyed them with their cities.
22verseThere were none of the Anakim left in the land of the children of Israel. Only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, did some remain.
23verseSo Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD spoke to Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Then the land had rest from war.
Jephthah’s Background and His Call as a Judge
Jephthah was born the son of a prostitute, driven out by his brothers, and forced to live as an outsider. However, when the Ammonites invaded Israel, the people, needing help, came looking for him again, and Jephthah accepts the position of judge on a conditional basis. This scene shows that the narrative shows a socially marginalized person being brought into leadership.
Debate with the Ammonites
Through conversations with the king of Ammon, Jephthah argues logically about the fundamental issue of land ownership. In the process, he tries to persuade by referring to Israel’s history and God’s guidance, but the king of Ammon does not accept it, and matters quickly turn toward war. This passage reveals conflict in human relationships and also God’s initiative in history.
Jephthah’s Vow and Victory in Battle
Jephthah makes a vow to God out of a deep desire for His help. Although he wins a great victory in the war, the result of his vow leads to a tragic episode involving his only daughter. This scene makes you reflect on the themes of human devotion and resolve, and the need to handle vows or promises with care.
Jephthah’s Daughter and the Aftermath of the Vow
Jephthah’s daughter hears the contents of her father’s vow and responds with solemn acceptance, while the text emphasizes her mourning over her virginity. Interpreters differ on whether the passage describes her death or lifelong dedication without marriage; either way, the narrative highlights the tragic cost of rash vows and the spiritual confusion of the period.
Points to Ponder
- Even though Jephthah had humble origins, take time to reflect on why God used him.
- Consider the meaning of a vow, the importance of carefulness, and how crucial a promise before God is.
- Consider the grief of Jephthah’s daughter and the painful consequences that one person’s vow brought upon a family and community.
Applying It to Me
- I too may sometimes feel a sense of being sidelined or have weaknesses in life, but I hope you trust that God can use even that.
- Act carefully in the face of decisions or promises of faith, and also think about how my choices affect other people.
- May this be a week in which you learn wisdom to ask God directly when you face a path of difficult choices, and to communicate with the community.
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