A theological view of history Judges 11:12-28

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1 1 A theological view of history Judges 11: Then Jephthah sent messengers to the Ammonite king with the question: What do you have against me that you have attacked my country? 13 The king of the Ammonites answered Jephthah s messengers, When Israel came up out of Egypt, they took away my land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, all the way to the Jordan. Now give it back peaceably. 14 Jephthah sent back messengers to the Ammonite king, 15 saying: Israel did not take the land of Moab or the land of the Ammonites. 16 But when they came up out of Egypt, Israel went through the wilderness to the Red Sea[a] and on to Kadesh. 17 Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, Give us permission to go through your country, but the king of Edom would not listen. They sent also to the king of Moab, and he refused. So Israel stayed at Kadesh.18 Next they traveled through the wilderness, skirted the lands of Edom and Moab, passed along the eastern side of the country of Moab, and camped on the other side of the Arnon. They did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was its border. 19 Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon, and said to him, Let us pass through your country to our own place. 20 Sihon, however, did not trust Israel[b] to pass through his territory. He mustered all his troops and encamped at Jahaz and fought with Israel. 21 Then the Lord, the God of Israel, gave Sihon and his whole army into Israel s hands, and they defeated them. Israel took over all the land of the Amorites who lived in that country, 22 capturing all of it from the Arnon to the Jabbok and from the desert to the Jordan.23 Now since the Lord, the God of Israel, has driven the Amorites out before his people Israel, what right have you to take it over? 24 Will you not take what your god Chemosh gives you? Likewise, whatever the Lord our God has given us, we will possess. 25 Are you any better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever quarrel with Israel or fight with them? 26 For three hundred years Israel occupied Heshbon, Aroer, the surrounding settlements and all the towns along the Arnon. Why didn t you retake them during that time? 27 I have not wronged you, but you are doing me wrong by waging war against me. Let the Lord, the Judge, decide the dispute this day between the Israelites and the Ammonites. 28 The king of Ammon, however, paid no attention to the message Jephthah sent him. Intro

2 2 History is important. Knowing history is important. How you understand history is even more important. How you understand history reveals your belief system. Understanding history requires that you understand the actors, actions and events. You must understand all these in context and have a full picture of their goal and ultimate meaning. If you are a believer in the God of the Bible that will shape how you read and understand historical events and the very nature of history itself. Judges 11:12-28 shows us that God alone is the ultimate judge of history. God is the ultimate actor in history. Because he is the ultimate judge and actor over what has happened, he alone is able to be the ultimate judge and actor for all that will happen. Overview Quick review. Jephthah was the son of the prostitute who was kicked out of Israel and became a gang leader but was recruited back into the people of God to help defend them from enemies that had been attacking them for 18 years. In verses 12-28, Jephthah as the new leader of God s people began negotiations with the attacking Ammonite king. In this conversation, they lay out their reasons for peace, war, their views on history and their fundamental religious perspective. History reveals the gods (v24) In the middle of this back and forth between Jephthah and the Ammonite king. Jephthah makes a statement which is the base of the entire section. In verse 24 we read, Will you not take what your god Chemosh gives you? Likewise, whatever the Lord our God has given us, we will possess. The way these leaders and people understood their current situation was an outworking of how they understood history and all of life. The fight between Jephthah and Amon was a battle pitting the god of Ammon against Yahweh the true and living God who determines all of history. Application Jephthah s statement what your god gives you is your possession and what Yahweh gives us is our possession might seem militaristic. It may sound like might makes right. Whoever has strongest god wins. It sounds that way.. because it is. Scripture reveals history as salvation history. It is a life and death war. It is the story of a people and a savior versus the slave master enemy. This basic understanding of history as revealed by God in Scripture forms the way we interpret life as God s people. It forms our worldview. And one major vantage point is that scripture paints a picture of our God versus all of our enemies. What is a worldview? A worldview is a set of beliefs about the fundamental nature of life. All persons have worldviews; they are inescapable. One s worldview will determine how he views the entirety of life, the decisions he makes, why he does what he does, how he

3 3 understand history, etc..the starting point in a genuine Christian perspective of the world is God s self revelation. (1) Genesis 3:15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel. Salvation is one major aspect to the Christian understands the world around them. The nature of the world we live in includes an opposing enemy that must be defeated. We are all slaves of Sin, death and the devil. These horrible realities must be conquered if we are to be freed and have true life. The god of this world must be conquered by the true and living God if there is to be any hope. You as a follower of Christ must work to understand the arc of history. The way you see the world around you and the history must be informed by the God s revelation in scripture. By placing yourself within the salvation worldview taught by scripture you can see the significance of history. You, in Christ, derive meaning from the God who fights, conquers and wins for you. In Christ you possess what Christ wins for you. Transition Having laid the groundwork that comes from verse 24 we can look at the different players in this story. We have Yahweh, Yahweh s servant Jephthah and Yahweh s enemy. Each will give their perspectives. History as Yahweh s Servant sees it Overview Jephthah takes the position as the wronged party. He asks King Ammon why he has unlawfully attacked his country. Jephthah gives 300 years of history to justify his righteousness. Jephthah approaches the interaction with Amon in 3 ways First, Jephthah takes a diplomatic stance verse Then Jephthah sent messengers to the Ammonite king with the question: What do you have against me that you have attacked my country? Starting in verse 12 Jephthah begins a dialogue with the Ammonite king. Jephthah attempted to settle the Ammonite crisis peacefully by negotiating concerning Israel's and the Ammonites' conflicting land claims.(3) 2nd, Jephthah takes the moral high ground (verses 25-26) Jephthah says 26 For three hundred years Israel occupied this area, the surrounding settlements and all the towns along the Arnon. Why didn t you retake them during that time? 27 I have not wronged you, but you are doing me wrong by waging war against me. 3rd, Jephthah takes on the role of the people

4 4 Jephthah from the very outset took on the role of leader of the people. He uses Me my people (Block pg 362). Jephthah far more than any judge in this entire book speak and acts like a king. Jephthah the excommunicated prostitutes son is almost entirely forgotten. What has emerged is a man in charge of his country and his people. He speaks for them and defends their righteousness. Application Jephthah s view of history and this problem, his worldview was based on Yahweh s past actions and his place in the people of God A leader in Christ s church must understand themselves as Standing on Christs work It is Christ s work alone that we stand in and point our people and our enemies back to. Never ourselves. As part of the people of God. Must fully be part of the people they are leading. If they truly to lead they must unite themselves to the people God would have them care for. OT through NT people of God 1 Peter 5:1-4 undershepherd Christ himself does(get examples) Came as his people, under the law to fulfill the law and do all righteous submission to God the father in behalf of the people Transition Jephthah is not the only one with a view of the world. Yahweh s enemy also has a perspective. We can read Amon s flippinat disregard for history starting in verse 13 History as Yahweh s enemy see s it (v13) Overview 13 The king of the Ammonites answered Jephthah s messengers, When Israel came up out of Egypt, they stole my land.now give it back peaceably. Came out of Egypt Yahweh s enemy s perspective We might be surprised to read that some Ammonite king we have never heard of would have such a full knowledge of Israelite history. We should not. If the narrative of Exodus is true this would have been a major happening in the region. It also would have marked something very theologically significant for the enemies of Yahweh and his people. The movement of Yahweh's people out from slavery is seen as illegitimate because the world cannot watch as its slaves are set free.

5 5 The enemy s demand Israel stole my land The Ammonite position is that Israel stole their land and they have every right to get it back. 2 ways for this to happen Israel can be killed Give the land back peacefully The irony of demanding the land peacefully as they were on the verge of their yearly attack on the land. The same attack that they had been doing for the past 18 years. Israel to give it back and become a slave people once again. The enemy s disrespect and disregard Verse 28 tells us The king of Ammon, however, paid no attention to the message Jephthah sent him Amon is a bad faith negotiator. He disrespects an opponent, he wishes to kill what is weak and he disregards the true interpretation of history. Application The world s view of history will never be one that recognizes or accepts God s people s existence, truth, reality or history. Satan The accuser: the ultimate bad faith negotiator. The world feels it owns you and will demand you. 1 Cor 6:20 you were bought with a price You must hold onto that truth because the accuser is looking to strip God s people of their life and freedom. You must know and develop your understanding of the accuser s our enemy s view end of the world history and through developing the true Christian understanding through wise and patient reflection on scripture. You develop this knowledge so that you are equipped for daily battle with the enemies of this world. They will be coming at you striking against the way you see the world and the fundamental reality we are a part of as God s historical people in Christ s Church. Transition Having seen the enemy s perspective we can turn to see how God s chosen people explain historical History as Yahweh s people see it (v14-20) Overview In response to Ammon, Jephthah writes a long historical account. Jephthah spoke for the people and responded to Amon laying out their historical and theological case. You can read about the particulars of that history in Exodus 13-15, Numbers and Deuteronomy 2.

6 6 Jephthah speaks for Israel In speaking for the people Jephthah lays out both historical and theological case for Israel s right to exist in this land. Historical/Chronological Let me lay out the a quick version of e history that we read about. Yahweh freed his people from Egypt. After crossing the Red Sea Israel begins its movement toward the promised land of Canaan. While on the way Israel had to cross various other countries. In doing this Israel showed the utmost respect for the territorial integrity of Moab and Edom. Israel took diplomatic steps to secure permission to pass through the lands of Edom and Moab. And when that permission was refused, rather than forcing their way, the Israelites had marched through the desert around these two nations until they arrived from the east at the Arnon River. Not once did they enter Moabite territory. This current land was won by Israel in a battle which was started by ancient enemy. The Ammonites' present claim is a fabrication based on a revisionist understanding of history. Theological Came out from Egypt Yahweh s people s perspective on coming out of Egypt was that it was an act of God s self revelation to the world. It formed how they understood the world as God s chosen people. Stance of moral uprightness, Amon not Israel has sinned theologically acceptable because it was done by a work of God. As such they were legitimate in life, land and continued existence. Application As a member of God s people, Christ s body you must grapple History in moral, ethical, theological and factual terms. Have confidence that as you do this Scripture will prove God true and the accusers as liars. Transition Having seen Jephthah s, Amon s and Israel s perspectives on history we can now to turn Yahweh s perspective History as Yahweh see s it (v21-23) Overview

7 7 21 The Lord, the God of Israel, gave Sihon and his whole army to Israel. Israel took over all the land of the Amorites who lived in that country, 22 capturing all of it. Now since the Lord, the God of Israel, has driven the Amorites out before his people Israel, what right have you to take it over? Yahweh s actions can be seen from 2 vantage points; his people s versus his enemies Gave (verse 21) In verse 21 we read that Yahweh gave Israel victory in battle and gave them this land they are currently in. Yahweh relates to his people from the vantage point of protector and gift giver Driven (verse 23) Yahweh also relates to those who are not his people. Here we see a much different kind of relationship than God has with his chosen people. He relates to them as one who drives them out. In driving them out he declares his enemies to have no right to what is not theirs. Yahweh has not given land or victory or life so they have no right to it. Application God takes only 1 of 2 stances with people he interacts with. Savior or conqueror. There is no middle ground. Christ Christ speaking for his people to their enemies said My sheep hear my voice and run to me. You are are not my sheep. Christ, fully reveals God, only sees people as those whom he defends and saves or those whom he fights against and conquers his people. Are you Christ s saved one or His enemy? God s perspective on salvation is always the same he by decree and power conquers his people s and sets them free. It is on the basis of his decree that his people have life Justification God s relation to His enemies is Condemnation. In driving them out he declares his enemies to have no right to what is not theirs. Yahweh has not given it to them so that have no right to it. Transition Yahweh gives or he drives out. Yahweh is the true judge of history Yahweh the true judge of history (v25-28) Let Yahweh, the Judge, decide the dispute this day between the Israelites and the Ammonites. That is how all of life is determined. The god of this world vs Yahweh the God of heaven and earth. This story gives us a window on how we understand all of history. The

8 8 worldview picture properly understood as revealed history in Scripture gives a picture that points forward looking for final and full embodied revelation Christ: the focus and judge of history Colossians 1: The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Christ is the servant of the Lord judging history John 5:22 "For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, Christ confronts the enemy of the Lord s lie about history Acts 17:30-31 God has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through Christ whom He has appointed."therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring that all people everywhere should repent, Christ speaks the truth for the people of God concerning history John 8:15-16 "You judge according to the flesh but my judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me. Christ is the focus and judge of history Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and Christ who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. Christ is the full revelation of how God sees and judges all of history. You cannot fully understand history until you come face to face with the judge of history.

9 9 References (1) (2) Rashomon (3) NAC commentary Block pg 357 (4) (5) Subject: Complement: Exegetical point: Homiletical point: God alone is the ultimate judge of history. God is the I.ti ate actor in history. Because he is the ultimate judge of all that has happened and he is the ultimate actor in what has happened, he alone is ultimate judge of all that will happen.

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