Judges 11:24 Study Bible: Won't you possess that which Chemosh your god gives you to possess? So whoever the LORD our God has driven out from before us, we will possess.

◄ Judges 11:24 ►

Do you not possess whatever your god Chemosh grants you? So also, we possess whatever the LORD our God has granted us.

Do you not possess
This phrase challenges the Ammonites' claim to the land, suggesting that they have no more right to it than Israel does to what the LORD has given them. The Hebrew root for "possess" is "yarash," which means to inherit or occupy. This term is often used in the context of the Israelites taking possession of the Promised Land, emphasizing divine providence and inheritance.

whatever your god Chemosh grants you?
Chemosh was the national deity of the Moabites, often associated with war and destruction. The mention of Chemosh here is significant because it highlights the contrast between the gods of the surrounding nations and the LORD, the God of Israel. Historically, Chemosh was worshipped through practices that were abominable to the Israelites, such as child sacrifice. This rhetorical question underscores the futility of relying on false gods for territorial claims.

So also, we possess
This phrase asserts Israel's right to the land based on divine grant. The repetition of the concept of possession reinforces the legitimacy of Israel's claim. The Hebrew word "nachal" is often used in the context of receiving an inheritance, which in Israel's case, is divinely ordained.

whatever the LORD our God has granted us
The LORD, or "Yahweh," is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. The phrase "our God" signifies a personal and covenantal relationship between God and Israel. The word "granted" comes from the Hebrew "natan," meaning to give or bestow. This highlights the belief that the land is a divine gift, not merely a territorial conquest. Theologically, this underscores the idea that the Israelites' right to the land is based on God's promise to Abraham and his descendants, as seen throughout the Pentateuch.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jephthah
A judge of Israel, known for his leadership and his vow. He is the speaker in this verse, addressing the king of the Ammonites.

2. Chemosh
The national god of the Moabites, often associated with the Ammonites in this context. Jephthah references Chemosh to make a point about divine sovereignty over lands.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The God of Israel, who Jephthah acknowledges as the true sovereign over the land Israel possesses.

4. Ammonites
A neighboring nation to Israel, engaged in conflict over territorial claims. The king of the Ammonites is in dispute with Israel over land.

5. Land of Gilead
The region in dispute, which Jephthah argues was given to Israel by God, contrasting the Ammonite claim.

Teaching Points

Divine Sovereignty
Recognize that God is sovereign over all nations and lands. Just as Israel's possession was granted by God, we should trust in His provision and timing in our lives.

Respect for Boundaries
Jephthah's argument highlights the importance of respecting God-given boundaries. In our lives, we should honor the boundaries God sets, whether in relationships, ethics, or spiritual practices.

Faith in God's Promises
Jephthah's confidence in God's grant of land to Israel encourages us to have faith in God's promises. We should stand firm in the assurance that God will fulfill His word.

Engaging with Others
Jephthah's diplomatic approach to the Ammonite king teaches us to engage with others respectfully and wisely, even in conflict, using reason and faith as our guide.

Understanding Cultural Contexts
By understanding the cultural and religious contexts of the Bible, we can better appreciate the depth of its teachings and apply them to our modern context.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Jephthah's reference to Chemosh help us understand the cultural and religious dynamics of the time? How can this understanding inform our interactions with people of different beliefs today?

2. In what ways does the concept of divine sovereignty, as seen in Judges 11:24, challenge or affirm your current understanding of God's role in your life?

3. How can we apply the principle of respecting God-given boundaries in our personal and professional lives?

4. Reflect on a time when you had to stand firm in faith, trusting in God's promises. How did that experience shape your relationship with God?

5. How can we use Jephthah's example of engaging with others in conflict to improve our own communication and conflict resolution skills? What other biblical examples can you think of that illustrate this principle?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 2:9, 19
These verses discuss God's instructions to Israel regarding the lands of Moab and Ammon, emphasizing divine boundaries and inheritance.

Numbers 21:29
This verse mentions Chemosh and the Moabites, providing context for the cultural and religious background of the region.

Psalm 115:3
This verse speaks to God's sovereignty, reinforcing the idea that God grants lands and blessings according to His will.

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

Causeth, Chemosh, Dispossessed, Drive, Driven, Gives, Giveth, Lands, Likewise, Possess, Presence, Sends, Whatever, Whomsoever, Wilt, Won't

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Judges 11:24

8769 idolatry, in OT

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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