SCRIPTURE CHARACTERS.

JEPHTHAH.-No. 5.

Search the Scriptures * was the injunction of our Lord to those who were the subjects of his personal ministry; nor was it confined to them ;-it unquestionably extends to, and is as binding upon, all Christians now, as it was upon those to whom it was at first addressed. But not only is the sacred volume to be searched, that is, to be studied with humility of mind, and devotedness of attention, by the disciples of Jesus Christ; but, if they would become "wise and understanding" in the oracles of God, they must neglect no means that Providence affords them of penetrating their true signification; and this they are often enabled to do by means of sound exposition of the text. "The word of God is, indeed, like himself, pure and perfect;" but, as clouds and mists frequently obscure the sun, so time and circumstances have thrown a veil over the Scriptures, which has in many parts rendered them obscure; and an explanation of the Seriptures, if not necessary to lead a teachable inquirer into the knowledge of essential truth, is yet highly useful in order to enable him to understand the Scriptures, and to make profit of them to practical as well as doctrinal purposes.

These observations apply with much force to the history and character of Jephthah,-which we proceed briefly to detail, and to illustrate. We find them recorded in the eleventh chapter of the Book of Judges.

Jephthah, was the son of Gilead. Gilead's wife, we read, "bare him sons, and when they grew up they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, "thou shalt not inherit in our father's house,

* John v. 39.

for thou art the son of a strange woman," by which is to be understood, a woman not of the same country as Gilead. "So Jephthah fled from his brethren unto the land of Tob." In process of time, it seems, the Ammonites made war against Israel; and the elders of Gilead, knowing Jephthah to be a man of approved courage and skill, sent to him, "Come and be our captain that we may fight with the children of Ammon." The Gileadites were not less glad to recal Jephthah in danger, than they had been forward to expel him in the season of peace. Necessity often drives men to seek help from those whom in their wantonness they have despised. Reader! strive so to conduct thyself towards all, that thou give not just ground of offence to any. Jephthah replied to the elders of Gilead in the language of remonstrance and reproach, reminding them of their past unkind and unjust treatment of him. "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." Reader, apply this language to thyself, to thine own case! Speak with thy conscience-look backward, and look inward! Didst thou never in thy days of health and worldly prosperity, in effect, thrust out God from thee! practically saying, I desire not the lot of the inheritance of the people of the Lord: I will walk after the devices and desires of my own heart! and hast thou not, when thou hast been reaping the wages of folly, gone to Him whom thou hast offended and besought bis aid; and yet been long in evil case? Marvel not that the God of mercy should for a time hide his face from thee. "Surely, O God, it is but justice, if thou be not found of those who are glad to lose thee; it is thy mercy, if, after many checks and delays, thou wilt be found at last." Reader, when thou art so unhappy (for vice is misery) as to

* Bishop Hall.

fall from thy God, go to him in a spirit of repentant sorrow, and persevere in supplicating mercy, however long may be the time ere the light of his countenance shine upon thee!

To the just remonstrance of Jephthah the elders replied by a promise of making him head over all the inhabitants of Gilead, and by a solemn pledge that they would do this. "Then he went with them; and the people made him head and captain over them;" and Jephthah," it is added, " uttered all his words before the Lord in Mizpeh;" from which it is evident that he was a man of true religion. The people had done all that they had promised, but he would not enter upon the important duties that now devolved upon him, without seeking the direction, assistance, and blessing of God; leaving us this lesson, confirmed by his example, to begin, continue, and end all our undertakings in Him; that is, to commit them to him in faith, prayer, and conscientious obedience. "Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass *."

The first act of Jephthah's rule was most commendable; he sent messengers to treat with the king of the Amorites; and, instead of immediately attacking him, he argued the question in dispute. "To make war, any other, than as our last remedy, is not courage, but cruelty and rashness:" but when reason would not prevail, Jephthah betook himself to the sword. Reader, if thou art ever embroiled with the contentious, seek peace and ensue

it.

Remember the declaration, the beatitude of Him by whose name thou art named, Blessed are the peace makers: for they shall be called the children of Godt. As much as in thee lieth live peaceably with all men, and labour to promote peace amongst all over whom thou hast influence. There

Psalm xxxvii. 5.

+ Matt. v. 9.

is no surer mark of a Christian spirit, than to be a peace-maker.

Jephthah, having failed in his endeavours to preserve peace, at length, in confidence of divine support, went to war with the Ammonites. But, before be went out, Jephthah "vowed a vow unto the Lord, that if the children of Ammon should be indeed delivered into his hands, he declared that whatsoever should come forth of the doors of his house to meet him when he returned in peace, should surely be the Lord's," that is, specially consecrated to the Lord.

There is much difference of opinion on this passage, and some commentators have warmly contended that Jephthah vowed to offer up as a burntoffering whatever came forth of his house to meet him; and that, on his return from the victory which the Lord had given him, Mizpeh, his only child, coming out to meet and to welcome him, he sacrificed her. But the true meaning of the passage seems to be, upon the authority of the most learned interpreters of Scripture, that Jephthah vowed to consecrate to the Lord's service whatever came forth from his house, or to offer it up for a burntoffering, if suitable and lawful for that purpose. Jephthah was first met by his daughter, and she consequently became the subject of his vow; a circumstance which greatly grieved him, because he had beside neither son or daughter, and his vow obliged him to devote her to a single state in the service of the Lord; and so he lost all hope of his name and family being perpetuated in Israel. Jephthah's vow was a rash one. But if he acted

rashly in his vow; much more rashly did he act in his resolution to keep it. "An unlawful vow," says Bishop Hall, "is ill made, but worse performed.” Jephthah should have repented of his folly, instead of requiring from his daughter that to which he had no right to subject her. Reader! thou hast a

lawful and a sacred vow upon thee. Thou art pledged" to renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of this world, with all the sinful lusts of the flesh:"-thou art pledged to the faith of the Gospel, and to obedience to the commands of God. Thy vows are obligatory strive to keep them. Pray for grace to enable thee to fulfil them, and watch diligently, lest having "opened thy mouth unto the Lord, thou go back."

We read further of Jephthah only, that he was involved in a contention with the Ephraimites, which he endeavoured amicably, though unsuccessfully, to compose; and that, having judged Israel six years, he died, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.

Reader! in thy station of life, be it high or low, imitate Jephthab in his disposition to cultivate peace. Strive to put a stop to quarrels in thy neighbourhood, amongst thy acquaintance, and especially in thine own house. Guard thy tongue, that "unruly evil, which sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell."-" A soft answer often turns away wrath."-" Walk worthy then of the vocation wherewith thou art called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace."-Constantly bear in mind that thou art mortal, and make it thy main object " to live in credit and quiet, to be peaceably useful in thy circle, to possess a clear conscience, to enjoy conmunion with thy Saviour, and to die in peace with God and man."

• Ephesians iv. 1, 2

G. B.