Bible in 365 Days – Day 94

Focus Chapters:

• Judges 11:29-40
• Judges 12-15

Standout Verse(s):

THE ACTION

Judges 11:30-31 NLT

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.”

THE REACTION

Judges 11:32, 34-36, 39 NLT

So Jephthah led his army against the Ammonites, and the Lord gave him victory.

When Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, his daughter came out to meet him, playing on a tambourine and dancing for joy. She was his one and only child; he had no other sons or daughters. When he saw her, he tore his clothes in anguish. “Oh, my daughter!” he cried out. “You have completely destroyed me! You’ve brought disaster on me! For I have made a vow to the Lord, and I cannot take it back.”

And she said, “Father, if you have made a vow to the Lord, you must do to me what you have vowed, for the Lord has given you a great victory over your enemies, the Ammonites.

When she returned home, her father kept the vow he had made, and she died a virgin.

Observation (s):

1. Jephthah made a vow to the Lord in order to ensure that the Lord would give him victory over the Ammonites.
   

   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.”

2. When Jephthah realized the consequences of his vow, his first reaction, though dismayed, was to honor it.
   

   When Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, his daughter came out to meet him, playing on a tambourine and dancing for joy. She was his one and only child; he had no other sons or daughters. When he saw her, he tore his clothes in anguish. “Oh, my daughter!” he cried out. “You have completely destroyed me! You’ve brought disaster on me! For I have made a vow to the Lord, and I cannot take it back.”

3. Although Jephthah’s vow would result in her demise, his daughter still encouraged him to keep it.
   

   And she said, “Father, if you have made a vow to the Lord, you must do to me what you have vowed, for the Lord has given you a great victory over your enemies, the Ammonites. 

Application:

Have you ever promised to do something only to realize that the results are going to hurt you deeply? That’s what happened with Jephthah! He made a vow to God assuming that the first thing to come and greet him, following his victory, would be something that wasn’t precious to him and could be easily parted with and sacrificed. Much to his horror, the first thing to greet him was his one and only precious daughter!

Many of us, if we were in Jephthah’s shoes, would start making excuses and thinking of ways to break our word to God. Despite his dismay and sorrow, his first reaction is to honor the vow he had made. One cannot overlook Jephthah’s daughter! Although the consequences would result in her demise, she also encouraged her father to honor his vow. The person Jephthah found precious was someone who held him to his word!

In the end, Jephthah kept his vow to God, although it meant sacrificing the person he loved the most. Your word should be your bond! Surround yourself with people who will encourage you to honor vows. Will you keep your vow?

May the Peace of God go with you!

XOXO
Chañel

Bible Godly Lessons Bible Challenge dismay God Jephthah Jephthah's daughter sacrifice vow

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I am a dynamic young lady who loves the Lord and seek to have a joy that no one can take away. My all-time favourite thing to do is gaining discoveries by design from My Father during our time each day. Reading, learning and trying new things falls behind in a close second place. My dream is to use my God-given talents to positively impact as many people as possible. As a proud Wolmerian, with a zest for life, I adhere to the “Age Quod Agis” motto in that whatsoever I do, I always do it to the best of my ability.