Jephthah's Foolish Vow
I told you that things would get worse and worse as we read through the book of Judges. The people and their leaders became more out of touch with the Lord and more full of the flesh, so they acted in many foolish ways. One example of this foolishness was the vow that Jephthah made to the Lord. He did it without thinking first and considering the consequences of what He was telling God. He promised to offer the first thing that came out of his house as a burnt offering upon his peaceful return from a victory over the Ammonites. (Judges 11:30,31) His daughter and only child was the first thing to come out. I do not believe the Lord was pleased when he made the vow or when he fulfilled it, even though we are always to keep our vows to the Lord. Let me explain.
Perhaps, Jephthah thought that a farm animal would come out, or even a pet, but he did not expect a person to come out first. No matter what he thought, that was no way to make an offering to the Lord. The sacrifice was not to be picked by random, but God asked for the first and the best of what we have to be given to Him. Also, God never spoke of human sacrifice in a positive light, except when He asked Abraham to offer Isaac. However, that was just a test, and He stopped him before a human life was taken. That is why I say that this vow and fulfilling this vow were not pleasing to God.
I pray that we will always think before we make a hasty vow to God. Each vow needs to be made after prayerful consideration, because we need to be fully convinced the vow is right, and that we are committed to fulfilling it. Then, when we make a vow and keep it, God is pleased, and we are blessed.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Judges 13-16.
Perhaps, Jephthah thought that a farm animal would come out, or even a pet, but he did not expect a person to come out first. No matter what he thought, that was no way to make an offering to the Lord. The sacrifice was not to be picked by random, but God asked for the first and the best of what we have to be given to Him. Also, God never spoke of human sacrifice in a positive light, except when He asked Abraham to offer Isaac. However, that was just a test, and He stopped him before a human life was taken. That is why I say that this vow and fulfilling this vow were not pleasing to God.
I pray that we will always think before we make a hasty vow to God. Each vow needs to be made after prayerful consideration, because we need to be fully convinced the vow is right, and that we are committed to fulfilling it. Then, when we make a vow and keep it, God is pleased, and we are blessed.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Judges 13-16.