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THE VOW OF JEPHTHAH

12 September 2011

THE VOW OF JEPHTHAH
Judges 11:30-31

1. Making of a vow to God
And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD Judges 11:30a

2. Condition of the vow
If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands Judges 11:30b

3. Content of the vow
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. Judges 11:31

VICTORY OF JEPHTHAH OVER THE AMMONITES

1. The Lord delivered the Ammonites into Jephthah’s hands Judges 11:32

2. The Ammonites defeated and subdued Judges 11:33

JEPHTHAH’S RETURN TO HIS HOME

1. His only child, his daughter went to greet him Judges 11:34

2. Jephthah’s sorrow

a) He tore his clothes (expression of deep sorrow)

b) He felt he could not go back on his vow Judges 11:35

DAUGHTER OF JEPHTHAH

1. Courage of the daughter Judges 11:36a

2. Urged her father to keep his word to the Lord Judges 11:36b

3. Ask for some time to spend with her friends before she dies Judges 11:37

CARRYING OUT OF THE VOW

He carried out his vow with her which he had vowed. She knew no man. Judges 11:39

DOCTRINE OF VOWS

1. It is an oath

2. It is a solemn promise made to God

3. It is meant to be kept (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7)

EVALUATION OF JEPHTHAH’S VOW

1. It was unnecessary

2. It was foolish

3. It was wrong

a) Human sacrifice is wrong

b) God would not accept this “burnt offering” (Psalm 50)