DEVOTION – DAY 242

Judges 11:34-35 “A Foolish Vow”

 

Judges 11:34-35 “When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of timbrels! She was an only child. Except for her, he had neither son nor daughter. When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, “Oh no, my daughter! You have brought me down and I am devastated. I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break.”

 

The background to these verses related to Jephthah who was leading the Israelite army into battle against the King of Ammon and the Ammonite army. In order to secure victory in his battle against the enemy, Jephthah made a vow to God, a common practice amongst the Israelites at that time. In effect, Jephthah was bargaining with God that if he was victorious, he would sacrifice as a burnt offering whatever would come out of the door of his house to meet him upon his triumphant return from battle. The implication was that he was prepared to make a human sacrifice if necessary – a practice that God never required nor desired.

 

Jephthah deeply regretted making the unnecessary vow because vv34-35 tells us that it was his only child who greeted him with music and dancing upon his victorious return – it was a common practice to honor armies returning from battle. Jephthah was heartbroken but he had to honor his foolish vow and he did sacrifice his daughter as a burnt offering. Here was an example of a foolish man who tried to assure himself a position of power in Israel by manipulating God to act for him. His plan or vow backfired and cost him dearly. He learnt the hard way that God could not be manipulated. God had granted him victory in his previous battles against the Amorites and he did not have to bargain with God.

 

We learn from Jephthah’s example not to use God, or to bargain with God. God does not owe us anything and we have done nothing to deserve His goodwill. We can do nothing to earn His favor and we must always approach Him with due respect. Today, there are people who continue to try to manipulate God to do what they want. There are people who try to bargain with God by praying to God that if God were to do such and such for them, then, they would do such and such for God. Let us all learn from Jephthah’s example and remember that God cannot be used by us.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, please help us to always have a high view of you and to know our proper place before you, the Almighty God. Forgive us when we have overstepped our boundaries. We humbly ask this of you in the great name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. Have you ever tried to bargain with God? What was the outcome?
  2. Why do people try to bargain with God and what does Jephthah’s example teach you about that? Discuss.
  3. How must you change your view of God in the light of what you now know about God from this passage?