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Jephthah: Judges 10-12
After other judges, the children of Israel committed more evil, so God allowed the Philistines and Ammonites to oppress them. This lasted for about eighteen years. Finally, the Israelites cried out to God once again and put away their idols.
Jephthah had been an outcast because he was the son of a harlot. “Worthless fellows” had gathered themselves around him. But when the Ammonites came up against Israel again, the people of Gilead asked Jephthah to lead them in their fight. Jephthah was skeptical about this at first since they repudiated him before, but he finally agreed to lead them.
Before Jephthah went to battle the Ammonites, he made a vow to God: “If You will indeed give the sons of Ammon into my hand, then it shall be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the sons of Ammon, it shall be the LORD’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.” Subsequently, he subdued the sons of Ammon.
His vow, however, would cause him much pain. When he returned to his house, his daughter was the first to come out and greet him. She was his only child. He tore his clothes and told her of his vow. She responded by telling him to fulfill it as he had said. He sent her away for two months, and then he fulfilled his vow.
Though Jephthah was victorious over his enemies, this teaches a strong lesson about being careful what we promise. Rash vows will come back to sting. The next time you are thinking about making a vow, think of this.
Discussion
1. Who was Jephthah? Why was he an outcast?
2. What kind of people gathered around Jephthah?
3. Who oppressed Israel at this time? Why did the people want Jephthah to lead them? How did he initially respond to their request?
4. What was Jephthah’s vow to God? Why would we call this “rash”?
5. Did Jephthah fulfill his vow? What was his daughter’s attitude?