Judges 11:1-40
My heart kind of goes out to Jephthah in Judges 11:1-40. Yes, he was a judge, but his journey getting to that point was certainly a tough one. You see Gilead was Jephthah's father, but his mother was a prostitute. Now because of this, Gilead's sons drive Jephthah out and he ends up living in the land of Tob, hanging out with...well...not the best crowd. Now Jephthah was a mighty warrior, so when the Ammonites gather for war against Israel, who do you think the men of Gilead call? You got it--Jephthah--not because they like him or want him back, but because they need him. (Ouch!) So, Jephthah agrees to fight the Ammonites and he is successful. Sadly, though, Jephthah makes a senseless vow to the Lord which leads to Jephthah having to take the life of his only child and daughter.
So what did you learn from the story of Jephthah in Judges 11? Was there anything in particular that struck a chord with you? How might you draw on this passage when it comes to dealing with your personal life circumstances? Tami W.
be careful what you say/vow to God.
Why would a man of God make a vow to hurt his own children?
Only to be excepted? His family rejected him and he would do anything for their
Acceptance.
We need to be careful about who we let influence us in that manner.
No mans approval should ever push us to do evil.
This is a sad outcome for Jephthah but he did follow through on his promise. In a way he gave as sacrifice to GOD the best that he had without knowing it. Reading this reminds me of how important it is to guard your lips. I also feel that it is possible that the "worthless" men he attracted actually looked up to him and followed him as their leader. It's almost as if GOD was preparing him to be a leader.
Jephthah shows up in the faith chapter (Hebrews 11). Many scholars including J. Vernon McGee agree that he did not take the life of his daughter, but that according to his vow, she was never allowed to marry. She remained a virgin her entire life.
This scriptures or it's interpretation is very tough. Eventually we will know in Heaven if this meant taking Jephtah's daughter life or having her sacrifice remaining a virgin (not marrying nor having children).
It is better to rely on God's word and promises than to enter a committment of which we may overlook consequences. Especially if this is not a condition of God to answer our prayers and receive His blessings.
It's better to rely on God's love on all our situations, problems, ordeals and trust that at His particular moment either we will understand and/or his answers will occurs.
Amen to myself !!!!
im in total agreement with Carol that when we make a vow/ say to God our promise it will be fulfil. because he says in his words that theres power in the tongue,
This is a reminder to me that when I choose to do something, even a "good work", that I think far enough ahead. This is to ensure that it is me carrying the cost for that activity and not others such as unwitting family members.
Hi everybody! Peace be with you! The first thing I thought of when I read this was: "Watch what you say to the LORD." Via con Dios amigos!
This is one of those cases where "be careful what you promise". I believe that it was as the scriptures stated, and that he did sacrifice his daughter. The Lord would have allowed him to do his work anyways, but this was a true test of whether Jephthat was a man of his word and deed, or if he was just empty words. It reminds me to always try and be aware of what I say, commit to, or promise in all that I do.
This let me reflect on important is is to watch what we say/promise because we will be required to be a person who stick by our word regardless of the circumstances. Thus we should be careful and weigh our words.
We need to avoid these "if-then" statements (v.30-31) in our conversations with God. In my immaturity, I've been tempted to do the same, but it amounts to trying to manipulate God and to say it bluntly, that boat don't float! Just look at the devastating consequences that resulted from it in this example. Mature faith is humble with a servant's heart, seeking guidance and direction from above...not trying to have control, but relinquishing it. I'll row, God. You take the rudder.
I have read many translations and commentaries on the bible and at bible school the opinion based on God's known personality, He does not condone human sacrifice, so maybe what happened is that the young lady remained a virgin all her life thus killing and sacrificing Jepthah's hope of having a lineage. I guss all answers will be known in heaven
I wonder what Gilead would have thought of all these circumstances. He did commit adultery and was the reason that one of his sons were rejected from being included in the family. The lesson here is simple: Fathers be that man of character for your family, guard your eyes, keep your heart with all diligence, and pledge to protect your family NO MATTER WHAT.
This passage has always bothered me. I think the text is clear that his daughter was indeed sacrificed. I can't understand why Jephthah made that vow in the first place. He had to know that it would a family member unless he kept lambs, goats, dogs, etc in his house. God knew what would happen, yet it appears that he allowed it. Was God happy with that sacrifice? I don't think He would be, but scripture has no mention of God's reaction.
Even more curious is the daughter's reaction. She accepts it. If that happened to me, I would hate the god of my father who would allow that, tell him "no way", pack my bags and leave!
Perhaps our thinking is so different than theirs was in those days and in that culture. Perhaps the false gods they were following required human sacrifices and this is part of the penalty of accepting the current culture's ways. God allows sin, and this is the best explanation I have.
What is encouraging is that God chose to work through Jephthah, in spite of his sin and his father's sin. We need to remember that when we are tempted to judge ourselves or others.....
I'm going to have to defend Tami's position on this one. As I read the text, it clearly states that "(Jephthah) did with her according to his vow that he had made." Concerning Becky's comment, I'm a little confused..."according to his vow, she was never allowed to marry"...again, as I read the text, according to his vow, she was offered up a a burnt sacrifice. Concerning the vow, there's nothing in the text at all about virginity or marriage. If Jephthah did not offer her up as a burnt offering, then he did not keep his vow, according to the text. I don't see any allowance for a substitution. Dionne, God did not instruct Jephthah to make his vow. If He did, it would have been up to Him to ensure that the family watch dog was the first thing coming out of Jephthah's house to greet him when he returned, in keeping with the vow and with God's known personality. Most of what humanity does is not condoned by God. That doesn't mean that He will not allow it to happen. I agree that this is a shocking story, and a hard one to swallow, according to the text. I think that that's the point...we really need to examine this carefully and not try to water it down so it's easier to take.
Welcome to the 'other' Carols.
I like that Jephthah kept his word, even though the outcome was painful. I like that God keeps his word, even though the outcome for us, and Him, is often painful.
As for the confusion as to what specifically happened, is'nt it amazing that God doesn't reveal all, and continues to keep us interested and thinking about consequences and searching for guidance in our own choices! More and more I see how we think like humans and cannot think like God. Like Ton says and Tami is trying to help us do, examine and search the Bible and grow in closeness to God, praying for discernment.