Judges 10-12

After nearly 50 years of relative peace (10:1-5), the people of Israel repeat their rejection of God.  This time God doesn’t “raise up” a judge. Instead a local thug, Jephthah, (11:1) and his group of scoundrels (11:3) are hired to do the dirty work.  God delivers His people once again, in spite of disreputable Jephthah. In rash bravado, Jephthah makes a pagan vow that costs him his daughter (11:35).  Israel’s internal violence increases under Jephthah and thousands die in his short 6-year reign. (12:6-7)

Human efforts, both individual and societal, to save ourselves always end in disaster.  But in Jesus, the righteous judge, (2 Tim 4:8) we have hope for a good and just future.