Jueces 11:1-11: Jefté, esto es "el que abre", y su hija

Judges 11:1‑11
El principio de este relato introduce al libertador: ¡cuán lejos estamos del llamamiento de Gedeón, donde la fe está en actividad y la humillación es una lección aprendida! Jefté el Galaadita lleva la marca de esta insuficiencia constatada en el curso del libro de los Jueces, pero de la que Dios se vale para poner al hombre de lado. Jefté, “el hombre valiente”, era hijo de una ramera: hubiera enrojecido al pensar en su madre: además, le falta la preparación y los caracteres indispensables para llevar a cabo una mejor obra: sin embargo Dios se sirve de él, y nos mostrará por su medio algunos rasgos de Cristo. Recordemos que la historia de los creyentes, tanto en el Antiguo Testamento como en el Nuevo, y la nuestra también, no tiene valor sino cuando reproduce algún reflejo de la imagen de su divino Modelo. Jefté nos confunde: su historia nos ofrece poca edificación si no buscamos en él lo que manifiesta a Cristo: esto es porque descubrimos mucho más fácilmente los defectos de nuestros hermanos y los detalles de sus deficiencias, que la manera por la cual Dios se quiere glorificar por ellos.
Abstracción hecha de su origen, Jefté, el mayor de la familia de Galaad es rechazado por sus hermanos: “No heredarás en la casa de nuestro padre porque eres bastardo” (versículo 2). ¿No recuerdan estas palabras los sentimientos del pueblo judío para con el Señor: “No decimos bien nosotros, que Tú eres un Samaritano, y tienes demonio?”; “Este es el heredero: venid, matémosle y tomemos Su heredad” (Juan 8:4848Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? (John 8:48); Mateo 21:3838But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. (Matthew 21:38)). Huyendo, Jefté se deja despojar de sus derechos, se humilla en lugar de levantar la cabeza contra la injusticia: abandona sus derechos y se marcha a un país extranjero. Todo esto le pasó al Señor, pero por motivo inverso al de Jefté, es decir por la pureza de Su origen, de Su nacimiento y la santidad de Su vida.
Pero llegó el momento cuando los que echaron de casa a este hermano mayor, aborrecido y rechazado —como otrora José y Moisés— se ven obligados de ir a buscarle: “Andaré y tornaré a Mi lugar hasta que conozcan su pecado, y busquen Mi rostro. En su angustia madrugarán a Mí” (Oseas 5:1515I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. (Hosea 5:15)). “Y como los hijos de Amón tenían guerra contra Israel, los ancianos de Galaad fueron para volver a Jefté, y le dijeron: ven, y serás nuestro capitán” (versículo 5). “¿No me habéis vosotros aborrecido, y no me echasteis de la casa de mi padre? ¿Por qué pues venís ahora a mí cuando estáis en aflicción?” (versículo 7).
Es menester que la conciencia de los que le vienen a buscar sea alcanzada: Jefté repite las mismas palabras que Jehová les había dicho: “¿No me habéis dejado?”. Y los ancianos de Galaad respondieron a Jefté: “Por esta misma causa tornamos ahora a ti” (versículo 8). El pecador que ha rechazado a Cristo en tiempo de bonanza se humilla a Él en tiempo de aflicción: este es el motivo por el cual generalmente Dios permite la prueba: pero no siempre. Noemí no volvió de su exilio donde había encontrado tanta amargura, sino cuando oyó que Jehová había visitado a Su pueblo para darles pan: esperó allí en la humillación. Pero no queda ni un momento más en Moab cuando la bondad y la misericordia la atraen a la tierra de Israel. Siente profundamente la angustia de tener que dejar las tumbas de los difuntos, pero se marcha hacia la tierra de los vivientes.
Jefté no consiente en tomar el título de jefe que le es ofrecido, sino después de la victoria: “Si me volvéis para que pelee contra los hijos de Amón y Jehová los entregare delante de mí, ¿seré yo vuestro jefe?” (versículo 9). ¡Cuán bello es ver a este hombre públicamente aborrecido por sus hermanos, en vez de vengarse, soportar el oprobio, y alcanzar luego la conciencia de los que vuelven a él! Pero no acepta ser cabeza de ellos sino después de haber vencido al enemigo: débil figura de Cristo, pero como tal Jefté es estimado digno de conducir al pueblo de Dios, y además, de estar en la lista de los hombres de fe encabezados por el Señor mismo (Hebreos 11:1-33; 12:21Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 32And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, (Hebrews 11:1‑33)
2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)).