“Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, and passed through Mizpah of Gilead; and from Mizpah of Gilead he advanced toward the people of Ammon. 30 And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, and said, “If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, 31 then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.” 32 So Jephthah advanced toward the people of Ammon to fight against them, and the Lord delivered them into his hands. 33 And he defeated them from Aroer as far as Minnith—twenty cities—and to Abel Keramim, with a very great slaughter. Thus the people of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.” Judges 11:29-33
Lord God,
The Spirit of the Lord, Your Spirit had come upon Jephthah regardless that he was the son of a prostitute’s liaison with Gilead and rejected by his brothers. You chose to use Him and allow him to know by Your Spirit You were with him. He was able to sent a clear historical argument against war to the King of the Ammonites. You also enabled him to raise an Army.
So why did he need to make a rash vow such as this. Surely he knew his family would rush out of the door to greet him. A wife a child . . . Did he feel the need to give an offering? Pay for Your support in some way?
It is like us when we try to barter with God. It is ridiculous. As if we could match his giving or give him anything that is not already his. Jephthah maybe did not really know You, God that well. But we do. We have seen and heard and known You through Jesus, Your Holy Spirit and Your written word. You would not want us to keep a vow that meant breaking the ten commandments. Perhaps the ‘and’ was an ‘or’ missed out of verse 31. His daughter mourned her virginity and not her death later on in the chapter. That would fit with her being given to serve You, God for the rest of her life rather than killed. Keep us from rash vows and trying to barter with You. We knowing You want our best, can answer prayers that are according to Your will, and will not answer ones that would do us harm.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 11th April 2025
Though the nations rage, kingdoms rise and fall
There is still one King reigning over all
So I will not fear, for this truth remains
That my God is the Ancient of Days
None above Him, none before Him
All of time in His hands
For His throne, it shall remain and ever stand
All the power, all the glory
I will trust in His name
For my God is the Ancient of Days
Though the dread of night overwhelms my soul
He is here with me, I am not alone
Oh, His love is sure, and He knows my name
For my God is the Ancient of Days
Chorus
Though I may not see what the future brings
I will watch and wait for the Saviour King
Then my joy complete, standing face to face
In the presence of the Ancient of Days
Chorus
Lyrics: Jesse Reeves / Michael Farren / Rich Thompson / Jonny Robinson (Cityalight)