JUDGES 11

JEPHTHAH DEFEATS THE AMMONITES + MAKES A TRAGIC VOW

The Israelites appoint a man named Jephthah to lead them in battle against the Ammonites. Confronting the Ammonites, Jephthah argues with their leadership over land and discusses the tumultuous relationship between the Ammonites and the Israelites. Jephthah attempts to make peace, but does not make significant progress.

Jephthah leads the Israelites and God allows them to defeat the Ammonites. Unfortunately, Jephthah made a hasty vow to God that he would sacrifice the first thing that came out of his home if they won the battle. This was unnecessary because God had already promised them the land if they were to keep His commands. But Jephthah was unfamiliar with God and treated Him like one of the false gods they had been serving.

When Jephthah returns home, it isn’t a cow or a sheep that he first sees, it is his only daughter greeting him upon his return. Not only could he have made a sin offering to atone for his mistake of breaking the vow, but child sacrifice is also prohibited throughout scripture. His unfamiliarity with God made him act faithlessly and sinfully, despite his efforts to be steadfast.