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And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD. He said, "If you give me victory over the Ammonites, I will give to the LORD whatever comes out of my house to meet me when I return in triumph. I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering." Judges 11:30-31 NLT
Although soldiers are known to pled with God from foxholes, the Lord isn’t interested in bargaining. He is more delighted with a heartfelt prayer than a hasty promise.
Jephthah had the Spirit of the Lord upon him as he gathered the armies together to meet the enemy. God had given him all he needed for victory. Still, Jephthah felt compelled to make a hasty promise to the Lord—a vow that only ensured his own grief, not the battle’s outcome.
As soon as the victorious Jephthah saw the face of his daughter, his only child, his heart broke. Most likely, Jephthah’s daughter did not lose her life, but both she and her father lost something very precious. She was deprived of marriage, children, and the social acceptance they gave. He lost grandchildren and posterity.
Years later, Solomon warned, “Don’t make rash promises…before God” (Ecclesiastes 5:2 NLT). Even wiser? Jesus said to count the cost before making a commitment (Luke 14:28), make sure your “yes” is “yes” (Matthew 5:37), and obey God out of love and worship—no strings attached.
Prayer: Lord, You want me to never make a rash vow. I won’t.
Although soldiers are known to pled with God from foxholes, the Lord isn’t interested in bargaining. He is more delighted with a heartfelt prayer than a hasty promise.
Jephthah had the Spirit of the Lord upon him as he gathered the armies together to meet the enemy. God had given him all he needed for victory. Still, Jephthah felt compelled to make a hasty promise to the Lord—a vow that only ensured his own grief, not the battle’s outcome.
As soon as the victorious Jephthah saw the face of his daughter, his only child, his heart broke. Most likely, Jephthah’s daughter did not lose her life, but both she and her father lost something very precious. She was deprived of marriage, children, and the social acceptance they gave. He lost grandchildren and posterity.
Years later, Solomon warned, “Don’t make rash promises…before God” (Ecclesiastes 5:2 NLT). Even wiser? Jesus said to count the cost before making a commitment (Luke 14:28), make sure your “yes” is “yes” (Matthew 5:37), and obey God out of love and worship—no strings attached.
Prayer: Lord, You want me to never make a rash vow. I won’t.
