Judges 11:23 Study Bible: So now the LORD, the God of Israel, has driven out the Amorites from before his people Israel, and should you possess them?

◄ Judges 11:23 ►

Now since the LORD, the God of Israel, has driven out the Amorites from before His people Israel, should you now possess it?

Study Bible

Now since the LORD, the God of Israel,
This phrase emphasizes the covenant relationship between the LORD and Israel. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) signifies the personal name of God, highlighting His sovereignty and faithfulness. The title "God of Israel" underscores His unique relationship with the nation, chosen to be His people (Exodus 6:7). This sets the stage for understanding the divine authority behind Israel's actions.

has driven out the Amorites
The Amorites were a significant Canaanite group inhabiting the land before Israel's conquest. This phrase recalls God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land (Genesis 15:16). The driving out of the Amorites is a fulfillment of divine judgment against their iniquity and a demonstration of God's power and faithfulness to His promises.

from before His people Israel,
This indicates the direct intervention of God in history to benefit His chosen people. It reflects the broader narrative of the Exodus and conquest, where God acts on behalf of Israel to establish them in the Promised Land. This divine action is a recurring theme, showing God's commitment to His covenant and His role as a warrior for Israel (Exodus 14:14).

should you now possess it?
This rhetorical question challenges the legitimacy of any claims to the land by others, specifically the Ammonites in this context. It implies that since God has given the land to Israel, any attempt to reclaim it is against divine will. This reflects the biblical principle that the land belongs to God, and He grants it according to His purposes (Leviticus 25:23). The question underscores the futility of opposing God's decrees and serves as a warning to those who would challenge His plans.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jephthah
A judge of Israel, known for his leadership and vow. He was a Gileadite and a mighty warrior who led Israel against the Ammonites.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The God of Israel, who is portrayed as the divine warrior and deliverer of His people, having driven out the Amorites.

3. The Amorites
A group of ancient people who occupied the land before the Israelites. They were defeated by Israel under God's command.

4. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were given the land of Canaan as their inheritance.

5. The Ammonites
A neighboring nation to Israel, who were in conflict with Israel over territorial claims.

Teaching Points

Divine Sovereignty and Ownership
God is the ultimate owner of all lands and peoples. His decisions and actions in history demonstrate His sovereignty and authority.

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The conquest of the Amorites is a fulfillment of God's promise to give Israel the land. Believers can trust in God's faithfulness to His promises today.

Righteousness in Conflict
Jephthah's argument is based on historical and divine justice. In conflicts, believers should seek righteousness and truth, relying on God's past actions as a foundation.

God as Deliverer
Just as God delivered Israel from their enemies, He delivers believers from spiritual battles. Trust in God's power and provision.

Historical Context in Faith
Understanding the historical context of God's actions helps believers appreciate His ongoing work in their lives and the world.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Jephthah's understanding of history and God's actions influence his leadership and decisions?

2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty in our own lives, similar to how He drove out the Amorites for Israel?

3. How can the account of the Amorites and Israelites encourage us to trust in God's promises today?

4. What lessons can we learn from Jephthah's approach to conflict resolution that can be applied to our personal or communal disputes?

5. How does understanding the historical context of biblical events enhance our faith and trust in God's plan for us?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 2:24-37
This passage recounts the initial conquest of the Amorites under Moses, providing historical context to Jephthah's argument.

Joshua 24:8-12
Joshua's recounting of God's deliverance and victories over the Amorites, reinforcing the divine right of Israel to the land.

Romans 8:31
This New Testament verse echoes the theme of God being for His people, similar to how He fought for Israel against the Amorites.

Sermons

Different Views Held as to Jephthah's Vow	L. H. Wiseman, M. A.	Judges 11:1-33
Jephthah	W. G. Blaikie, D. D.	Judges 11:1-33
Jephthah's Vow	T. Taylor, D. D.	Judges 11:1-33
Why are Ye Come unto Me Now When Ye are in Distress?	J. Parker, D. D.	Judges 11:1-33
The Model Diplomatist	A.F. Muir	Judges 11:12-28

People

Abel, Ammonites, Amorites, Balak, Chemosh, Israelites, Jephthah, Manasseh, Sihon, Zippor

Places

Abel-keramim, Ammon, Arnon, Aroer, Edom, Egypt, Gilead, Heshbon, Jabbok River, Jahaz, Jordan River, Kadesh-barnea, Minnith, Mizpah, Moab, Red Sea, Tob

Topics

Amorite, Amorites, Dispossessed, Drove, Possess, Possession, Presence, Shouldest, Shouldst, Wouldst

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Judges 11:21-22

5354 invasions

Library

Whether a Vow Should Always be About a Better Good?
Objection 1: It would seem that a vow need not be always about a better good. A greater good is one that pertains to supererogation. But vows are not only about matters of supererogation, but also about matters of salvation: thus in Baptism men vow to renounce the devil and his pomps, and to keep the faith, as a gloss observes on Ps. 75:12, "Vow ye, and pay to the Lord your God"; and Jacob vowed (Gn. 28:21) that the Lord should be his God. Now this above all is necessary for salvation. Therefore …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Of Vows. The Miserable Entanglements Caused by Vowing Rashly.
1. Some general principles with regard to the nature of vows. Superstitious errors not only of the heathen, but of Christians, in regard to vows. 2. Three points to be considered with regard to vows. First, to whom the vow is made--viz. to God. Nothing to be vowed to him but what he himself requires. 3. Second, Who we are that vow. We must measure our strength, and have regard to our calling. Fearful errors of the Popish clergy by not attending to this. Their vow of celibacy. 4. Third point to be …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Jesus Works his First Miracle at Cana in Galilee.
^D John II. 1-11. ^d 1 And the third day [From the calling of Philip (John i. 43). The days enumerated in John's first two chapters constitute a week, and may perhaps be intended as a contrast to the last week of Christ's ministry ( John xii. 1). It took two days to journey from the Jordan to Cana] there was a marriage [In Palestine the marriage ceremony usually began at twilight. The feast after the marriage was at the home of the bridegroom, and was sometimes prolonged for several days (Gen. xxix. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Importance in Luke's History of the Story of the Birth of Christ
IT needs no proof that Luke attached the highest importance to this part of his narrative. That Jesus was indicated from the beginning as the Messiah -- though not a necessary part of his life and work, and wholly omitted by Mark and only briefly indicated in mystical language by John -- was a highly interesting and important fact in itself, and could not fail to impress the historian. The elaboration and detail of the first two chapters of the Gospel form a sufficient proof that Luke recognized …
Sir William Mitchell Ramsay—Was Christ Born in Bethlehem?

Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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