July 21, 2021
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Judges? Here’s today’s reading:
Judges 11 (NIV)
1 Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior. His father was Gilead; his mother was a prostitute. 2 Gilead’s wife also bore him sons, and when they were grown up, they drove Jephthah away. “You are not going to get any inheritance in our family,” they said, “because you are the son of another woman.” 3 So Jephthah fled from his brothers and settled in the land of Tob, where a gang of scoundrels gathered around him and followed him..........Continue Reading
Jephthah made a vow to God that seemed unnecessary and then had to make a sacrifice that God would never have wanted him to. I did research a little to see if he really did it and it seems unclear if he actually burnt her or if he just gave her to the church as a monetary type sacrifice. His willingness to fulfill his vow shows him faithful even if it was a foolish vow but if he had just trusted that God would be with him in battle it wouldn’t be necessary at all!
I have the same thought as Kelly. On the onset, I and most probably other readers too are likely to get the impression that human sacrifice was something God encouraged – but this here only shows that sometimes people, even those who are close to God make unnecessary promises like that.
God certainly demonstrates here that He uses a wide range of individuals to accomplish His will. Jephthah was a brave guy but also subject to impetuous foolishness shown with his vow which ended up involving his daughter’s life. Not surprising, he only “ruled” for 6 or 8 years.
Such a sad story, but I hope that Kelly’s research shows that the daughter didn’t have to die. When I read about the vow, I thought oh no, this is going to be bad. So be careful what you promise the Lord.
Jephthah is a compelling character. A man who was rejected by his family but overcame his upbringing and made something of himself. He even makes the people understand the inconsistency of rejecting him on one hand and relying on him on the other. He shows the same wisdom in dealing with the king of the Ammonites. Before he attacks he asks why they have oppressed Israel. When the king gives an inaccurate answer, Jephthah gives him a history lesson. He is even brave and capable to lead Israel in battle. But after so many good things, he makes a short sighted vow to God. He never imagined His daughter would come through the door when he made it, but would it be so unheard of that he shouldn’t have taken the risk? God never condoned or required human sacrifice, but as others have said, the story calls all to consider what we promise to God. He never made the Israelites or us vow things to Him, but once we vow something, He expects us to follow through. And the account presents itself like Jephthah did fulfill the vow….I wonder why there is no pleading with God to free Him from it…..
Jephthah. Did nothing wrong but his brothers sent him away. Always loved how God uses the outcast to fulfill his plan. Where is the wise person. Teacher of the law. Philosopher of this age. Has not God made foolish. The wisdom of the world. Man. Can I relate!!!! Thank you Jesus !!!!
36“My father,” she replied, “you have given your word to the Lord. Do to me just as you promised, now that the Lordhas avenged you of your enemies, the Ammonites. 37But grant me this one request,” she said. “Give me two months to roam the hills and weep with my friends, because I will never marry.”
38“You may go,” he said. And he let her go for two months. She and her friends went into the hills and wept because she would never marry. 39After the two months, she returned to her father, and he did to her as he had vowed. And she was a virgin.
I like how Jephthah corrects the reasoning of the King of Ammon. It made me think of today’s thoughts of reparations or returning of land to the original inhabitants.