He could bear Israel's misery no longer. (Judges 10:16)The story of Jephthah would make a great action adventure movie. Because his father had an affair resulting in the birth of Jephthah, Jephthah was alienated from the rest of his family. His brothers didn't want him muddying the waters at inheritance time, so he was sent away - an exile of sorts.
That was all well and good until his brothers got in trouble with Ammon. Then they needed someone who could get things done, and who wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty doing it. They lit the bat signal, and Jephthah answered. After his attempts at diplomacy failed, he made a deal - a terrible deal - with God. He promised God a sacrifice in exchange for victory - whatever met him upon his return home. When he approached his house, who should run out to meet him but his daughter.
The lesson? Be careful what you promise. Or is it? This was such a terrible promise that I can hardly believe God would have expected him to make it, let alone keep it.
In the above verse, God expresses compassion for Israel, who has chased after foreign gods once again. God vowed to Israel his only daughter, I will no longer save you. (10:13) Later, however, his compassion moved him to overturn that decision.
So what's the deal? Why did Jephthah have to kill his only daughter? Or did he?
Maybe you have an idea.
That was all well and good until his brothers got in trouble with Ammon. Then they needed someone who could get things done, and who wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty doing it. They lit the bat signal, and Jephthah answered. After his attempts at diplomacy failed, he made a deal - a terrible deal - with God. He promised God a sacrifice in exchange for victory - whatever met him upon his return home. When he approached his house, who should run out to meet him but his daughter.
The lesson? Be careful what you promise. Or is it? This was such a terrible promise that I can hardly believe God would have expected him to make it, let alone keep it.
In the above verse, God expresses compassion for Israel, who has chased after foreign gods once again. God vowed to Israel his only daughter, I will no longer save you. (10:13) Later, however, his compassion moved him to overturn that decision.
So what's the deal? Why did Jephthah have to kill his only daughter? Or did he?
Maybe you have an idea.
This story used to really confuse and anger me, because after all, when a *son* (Isaac) was threatened with sacrifice for the Lord a ram was sent in his place, but here's a *daughter* and she gets nothing. Over time I've now concluded that this was an entirely different situation! It had nothing to do with whether it was a daughter or son or even his wife.
ReplyDeleteWith Isaac it was by *God's* instruction it be done. In this case, it was a rash vow by the girl's father and the Lord is most noticeable by His *absence* from this man and his self-imposed vow - there is no prophet speaking out, no angelic messengers, not even a dream or any hint of a spiritual leading. It looks like a 'man-made' problem, and I expect his battle outcome would have been the same whether he'd made this ignorant vow or not. The NT's admonition to not be making vows like this comes to mind. - Amy