LESSON 12

Great Characters of The Bible

Introduction:  This lesson deals with a most unusual man whom Scripture records as a great man of faith.  It was Jephthah who made the vow of sacrifice for the first thing that walked through his doorway.  That “thing” turned out to be his only child—his beloved daughter.  As in all his dealings, he kept his word.  Though he was not thought of highly for his beginnings (he was the son of a harlot), he was sought out for his abilities as a leader in Israel’s time of need.

Jephthah

Background Reading:  Judges chapters 11-12

Text:  Judges 11: 1-8, Hebrews 11: 32; Key Verses 11: 1, 11: 3

Main Emphasis—to show that character can overcome experience

History—Gilead had a son, Jephthah, who was born of a harlot.  When his wife had birthed two sons, those two sons as soon as they were able, forced Jephthah out of his father’s home.  Jephthah left and went to dwell in the land of Tob.  As in the case of many young people who leave (for whatever reason) their parents’ home, he became mixed up with the wrong crowd.  God was not, however, through dealing with Jephthah.  When trouble came, Jephthah was sought for his fighting skills.  Jephthah, however, trusted God.  His trust in God led to victory over the Amorites.

Explain how this lesson shows that there really is no excuse of the wrong environment.  Jephthah grew up with the stigma of not just being an illegitimate child, but the illegitimate child of a harlot.  This could have stopped him from ever doing anything for God, but he chose not to blame God for his lot in life or his experiences.  His choice was to follow God, and remain faithful to his God and faithful to his honor.  He made that which was missing from his own life the strongest part of his character.

Examples of visual aids:

1)   Show 2 books with book covers.  Beforehand, switch the book covers.  Ask for the titles—don’t judge a book by its cover!

2)   Take a glass of water and take a drink.  Put some dark food color in the water and drink again.  Because you know the character (ingredients) you can still drink the water.

Main Points

·       Environment does not necessarily determine character.

·       God does not seek the perfect past, rather He seeks perfecting character.