LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 11:32-34, Well how much more do I need to say?  It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets.  By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God has promised them.  They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword.  Their weakness was turned to strength.  They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.  (NLT)

 

Jephthah?  Before you go on, close your eyes and think of two things Jephthah did that might have gotten him into the Hall of Fame of Faith (besides being a judge in Israel).  Did you think of anything?  Jephthah was the son of Gilead and a harlot and because of that, he was run off by the “sons of Gilead’s wife”; he was told “he would not receive any inheritance from his father’s house”. Judges 11:3 tells us that “vain men” joined him.  During this time the people of Ammon made war against the people of Israel; they came to Jephthah to ask him to lead them against Ammon.  We are not told why and it is never stated that God appointed him to deliver his people.

 

Jephthah sent the King of Ammon a message explaining how the land the King wanted had come into the possession of Israel and no one had disputed Israel’s ownership of it for 300 years.  The king ignored it.  Judges 11:29, states that the spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah and led him as they advanced through the people of Ammon. 

 

This is where things get interesting and you and I might relate to Jephthah.  Even though the Spirit of God is leading him, he did not trust the power of God and Jephthah makes a crazy vow to God in a moment of panic. He vows to sacrifice whatever comes out of his house to meet him when he returns in peace.  I do not think that he understands that vows are serious and must not be broken.  I wonder how many times we have said, “God, if you do ”this” or take “this” away from me, I will never do it again.  You fill in whatever “this” is.

 

Under the guidance of the Spirit of God, Jephthah leads the people of God to victory.  He returns home and his daughter is the first person out of the door of his house to greet him.  It seems likely that Jephthah did not physically sacrifice his daughter because human sacrifice is an abomination to God.  It is more likely that she was presented to God as a living sacrifice and she devoted the rest of her life to “knowing no man” and service to God.

 

We can learn from Jephthah two important concepts for our lives.  One, our trust must be in God.  Success in doing so can often cause us to believe we are actually the reason for that success.  Pride can then lead us instead of the Holy spirit.  Be careful!  The Bible states clearly that “pride goes before the fall” (Proverbs 16:18).  Secondly, do not make vows!  If you happen to, keep it. Matthew 5:37 tells us to let our “yes be yes and our no be no”.  As a Christian, there should be an obvious quality in your character that you will do what you say you will do.  There is no need to add anything to it!