Scripture

Jephthah made a vow to the Lord. He said, “If you give me a victory over the Ammonites, I will give to the Lord whatever comes out of my house to meet me when I return in triumph. I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.”

Observation

The Spirit of the Lord comes upon Jephthah, and he leads an army against the Ammonites. He makes a vow to the Lord that he will offer as a burnt offering whatever comes out of his house to meet him when he returns in triumph.

The Lord gives Jephthah a crushing victory over the Ammonites. When he returns home, his only daughter comes out to meet him, dancing for joy. Jephthah tears his clothes in anguish at the result of his foolish vow.

Jephthah’s daughter asks to go into the hills for two months and weep with her friends as she will never have children. She returns home, and her father keeps his vow.

Application

We must always be careful of the things we say, especially the promises we make. Jephthah’s vow was foolish and unnecessary.

The Lord does not require us to make brash promises or costly sacrifices to answer our prayers. He delights to pour out grace upon grace over us. Prayer is not a process of bargaining with God, but of seeking His will and His desires.

Jephthah was foolish in that he should have known that God’s law does not condone human sacrifice in any situation. This raises the question of where were the priests and other religious leaders who could have told him quite clearly that the Lord does not require or allow such things.

Jephthah killed his daughter as a sacrifice to the Lord to thank him for the victory God had given. This sacrifice was abhorrent to God.

Jephthah’s vow was foolish; it was unnecessary; and it was displeasing to the Lord.

Prayer

Lord, I pray that my religious acts will never be obnoxious to you. Please give me wisdom in my words and my deeds. Amen.