Passage
Judges 11:29-40 (ESV)
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
Acts 8:26-40
Key Verse: 8:35
Jephthah's Foolish Vow
Date: Nov. 17, 2017
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 11:29a,32b
1. Victory by God's Spirit (29-33)
The Spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah to subdue Ammon. But before the battle he made a rash vow: if the Lord gave him victory, he would sacrifice as a burnt offering whatever greeted him. Perhaps he was expecting a sheep or goat. It was a vow he shouldn't have made nor needed to make. The Lord gave 20 towns of Ammon into his hands.
2. "Oh no, my daughter!" (34-40)
When Jephthah returned home, to his dismay he was greeted by his only child, a daughter, dancing to timbrels. His foolish oath required a terrible obedience, which they both felt he had to keep. His daughter wept for 2 months, for she would never marry and have a family. Some interpret this that she had to serve the Lord as a virgin. But the plain meaning is that she became a burnt offering, something forbidden by God (Dt 12:31). God doesn't require strange oaths. He desires obedience that comes from faith.
Prayer: Lord, give me the faith and the presence and power of your Spirit to do what you want me to do, as a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ.
One Word: Victory by faith and the Spirit of God
