Jephthat and his rash vow

Judges Chapter 11

Jephthah of Gilead was a great warrior and son of Gilead, but his mother was a prostitute. Gilead's other sons, Jephthah's half-brothers chased him off the land and vowed he would not get any of their father's inheritance. So he fled and lived in Tob. Soon he had a band of rebels following him and when the Ammonites attacked the leaders of Gilead, they sent for Jephthah and asked him to come fight the Ammonites.

But Jephthah responded that he remembered when they chased him out of the his father's house. And even when the brothers pleaded with him, he refused until they offered to make him ruler. Jephthah said he would come if the Lord would give him a victory and then he would be their ruler.

Messengers from Jephthah were sent to the king of Ammon to demand an answer for the attack on Israel. The king sent back his answer that when the Israelites came out of Egypt, they stole Ammonite land all the way to Jordan. He asked that the land be given back peaceably. But Jephthah answered that Isreal did not steal the land, they had asked permission to pass through the land of Edom on their trek from Egypt and the king of Edom had refused them. So the Isralites went around the kingdoms through the wilderness and still needed to cross the land in the land of Moab, but were refused again. Finally they asked permission from King Sihon of the Amorites to cross, but instead he attacked them. So the Lord, God of Israel gave them victory over King Sihon and Israel took control of the land of the Amorites.

Jephthah stated it was the Lord who took away the land of the Amorites and gave it to Israel. So he refused to give it back after three hundred years and argued that they made no effort to win back the land in all that time. But the kinf of Ammon paid no attention.

The spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah and hewent throughout the Israelite lands building his army and made a vow to the Lord that if he was given victory, the first thing coming out of his house to greet him when he returned in triumph, would be sacrificed as a burnt offering. When he returned home, his only child, a daughter ran to greet him and Jephthah tore his clothing in anguish; his heart was broken. He told his daughter of his vow to the Lord and she said, "Father, you made a promise to the Lord and you must do what you promised for the Lord gave you a great vicotry over your enemies. But first let me go up and roam in the hills and weep with my frieds for two months and I will die a virgin."

Jephthah let her go away for two months and when she returned, her father kept his vow and she died a virgin. So it became a custom in Israel that young Israelite women would go away for four days each year to lament the fate of Jephthah's daughter.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Jepthah was an outcast in his own family, yet he grew up to be a leader. He was intelligent in that he tried to avoid bloodshed by reasoning with the Ammonite king and gave a good argument why the Lord took their land. We don't understand why Jephthah gave God such a rash vow. His faith should have been strong enough to ask God for a victory over his enemies, or was it? Was he ignorant of God's command against human sacrifice? Probably, because he came from a pagan background with pagan rituals. He probably had in mind that an animal would run out to greet him. Some experts think the girl did not die, but went away because God would not have honored such a wicked practice.


How does this chapter relate to us today? Jephthat was illegitimate and suffered as a result, yet God used him. Remember if you are suffering from rejection from family, from a failed relationship, don't blame others and get discouraged. God used Jephthah and he is able to use you too. As a Christian you know that everyone has a place in God's family and you can help others to realize their abilities. This chapter also serves as a warning to not make rash, unspeakable vows to the Lord.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Arlene’s nephew David, Logan and the newly born Stella who is taking mother’s milk now and Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family. Update on Stella: She has good days, but is far from out of the woods. Pray for her, please and her parents too.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.