Making a Vow

Judges 11:29-40

"If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord's, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering." (31)

Jephthah won a victory in a battle, but he had to lose his only daughter due to his vow to God, who actually hated this kind of offerings, so he allowed His people to give animals or grains, instead of humans, as they are specially made to honor Him. Then, why did he make this kind of vow to God? He was with the spirit of the Lord, which means that he was full of holy spirits and wisdom and strength enough to win over it.

First thing that pops out of my mind is the culture of the land, where Canaanites worshiped idols giving humans as an offering, esp. before Baal or Baal-birth, etc. because they believed that they could get fertility. Most of them are directly associated with sex, pregnancy, childbirth and crops. Culture has an influential power, so it impacts on people living within without even noticing it.

Secondly, I think that he was determined to win over the Ammonites, so he made a vow to God, which he thought that it was a key to success. He seemed to have good faith on Him, but his eagerness was over God's will. His attitude of the war was totally changed from trusting in God to making up his mind to win for himself, maybe, for his honor.

Thirdly, he did not care for others, except his victory, as he was obsessed with his goal or an objective. He was a good warrior and a faithful man as well as a good leader, but he made a big mistake, leading to the death of his own precious daughter. The Lord wants us to remember his behavior and warns us not to do it again, so He keeps silent for that.

As a result, I learn a good lesson from him: If you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall. (Corinthians 10:12)

Joshua 1: 8

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written on it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.