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JEPHTHAH (V)
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Judges 11:34-40

1 Samuel 1:10-28

 

“…then shall the LORD

be my God.”

 

JEPHTHAH (V)
 
Jephthah’s victory over the Ammonites was conclusive, though the details given are not extensive. As Jephthah returned to Mizpeh victorious, and the land joyous, he expected that the leaders of Israel would fulfil their word to him, and he would fulfil his word and vow to the LORD.
 
“And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house…” (Judg 11:34). To his horror and dismay, his daughter came out to meet him. His only child now belonged to God because of his vow, and Jephthah lamented his loss. In his zeal he vowed, and then he regretted it. Vows are to be fulfilled with joy as acts of devotion, not with regret and lament. That he regretted what he said when he vowed is a clear indicator that he vowed rashly and had not thought it through carefully. Hannah, during the period of the judges, made a vow, but she came with a song and a sacrifice to fulfil her vow. One who gives to the LORD should not regret what he has given or consider it a loss. Offering ourselves a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1) is to be done with joy and considered our reasonable service.
 
“…My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the LORD, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth…” (Judg 11:36). The response of Jephthah’s daughter is remarkable. Her gratitude for the deliverance God had wrought was the reason she gave as she accepted to bear the burden of her father’s vow. For what God had wrought, her life and virginity were a price she submissively gave up. She requested a two-month reprieve, but not to mourn or regret her decision to submit, or to lament her father’s rash vow. The two months were not spent with her father who had been “brought low,” but rather her maiden companions; and they bewailed not her untimely death, but her virginity (Judg 11:37). And as she had requested, she returned after the period given her that her father might fulfil his vow to the LORD. She made no attempts to avert or subvert the tragedy befalling her. Jephthah too, though distressed, still fulfilled his vow to the LORD. Vows are important and must be fulfilled. Therefore, we must be careful what vows we make.
 
THOUGHT: Make vows that you will fulfil with joy, not with regret.
PRAYER: Father, give me the grace to fear Thee and fulfil my vows with joy.

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