In Judges 11:29-40, Jephthah made a vow to God. If God would
give him victory over his enemies, Jephthah would sacrifice as a burnt offering
whoever comes out of his door upon his return home. God gave him the victory.
His only child, daughter, came out of his door to greet him. Well, you can
surmise the rest.
I promised a long time friend that I would attend a certain
meeting at church to get reacquainted with her. These meetings were held every two
weeks. I regretted making the promise for the meetings were not a good fit for
me. Recently God reminded me of my promise. He also informed me that I should
fulfill my promises no matter how much they hurt. I went. I inferred from her
reaction that she was not interested in pursuing the friendship. I was released
from my promise. Next time, I won’t be hasty in making any promise I am not
willing to keep.
Jephthah could have easily not made the promise. But he was
passionate about defeating his enemies. He could have specified an animal as a sacrifice
and not be vague with his vow. Who else would have been excited to see him more
than his only daughter? Maybe his wife? His servants? Did Jephthah spend the
rest of his life mourning? There are many could’ve, should’ve, and would’ve.
But the one that perplexes me the most is that he could’ve avoided sacrificing
his daughter altogether. In Leviticus 27, God shared how anyone who dedicated
persons can redeem them with money. Did Jephthah know this? “My people are
destroyed from lack of knowledge,” Hosea 4:6.
O Lord, please protect us from our own stupidity and
ignorance. Please reveal the truth. In Jesus' name, amen.
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