FRIDAY - 29TH APRIL, 2022
MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO
JEPHTHAH HARMED HIMSELF IN VOWING - Vow Series 003
Read Judges 11
Judges 11:31, KJV
"Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering."
One major person I sympathised with who became a victim of his vow is Jephthah. This is where this Bible verse finds fulfilment on him.
Psalms 15:1,4 KJV
"1 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 4 ...He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not."
Jephthah has been fetched by the elders of Gilead to lead them to war and fight against the Ammonite on their behalf. For Jephthah to have sworn, that task was not easy in his sight. What you must know is that no one vows under ease. Vowing is done when pressurized, in fear, great need or uncertainty. That's why all these great emotions that pervade the air at the time of seeking help or deliverance may blindfold one's reason. Many people are not different from he who went to borrow money and was asked how much he'll be able to pay back monthly but mentioned an exaggerated amount in order to look serious and impressing to the lender. Many of them don't keep their word. You'll see them lagging behind and by that they'll destroy their reputation with their creditor. There's this idea in human mind that does believe in the using of vow to stir up God. It is a challenge anyway both to human and to God. If He was unavailable before he'll think, at my vowing, He comes to fight my battle now. However, vowing is not to be considered as a tool for bribery.
Jephthah however didn't specify his obligation to God more specifically. He said at his victory, he'll sacrifice to God whatsoever comes out of the door of his house to meet him. Yet, humans live in that same house with him! What was he thinking? Did his householders went on vacation before? Was his daughter in boarding school and was not expecting her at home? Or was Jephthah domesticating some animals? You could go on and on proposing this and that as to why Jephthah would make a vow that was open ended. That vow had no full stop behind it. It was like a fill in the gap vow. It's not different from an open cheque yet. Why? He didn't specify what he would sacrifice. He said, "whatsoever!" That's where event that God permits came in to make a choice of her daughter.
At conquest, Jephthah arrived in fulfilment having defeated the Ammonites but alas, look at who came out of his house to meet him rejoicing. The daughter was happy that her father had just won the victory. That's typical of females to do even when it is their husband who has just hit it big. However, Jephthah couldn't believe his eyes. He lamented it but quieted himself like a man to do like he has said. The most shocking is that that's his only child. Just his only child. When you make your vow, under no condition should you leave it open ended. I told you, you have been given the right to fix for both yourself your desire and your obligation to Him. Choose it specifically, wisely and lift it to God. Let Him see it ahead of time. You'll observe that despite the unfortunate situation Jephthah fell into, God didn't appear to Him from heaven in sympathy that the vow's terms should be reviewed. There's no reviewing in vow. Once you peg it down, you're on your own. God didn't force the terms on you, you choose and He will judge you by your own mouth. So, bridle your mouth. Jephthah knowing this told the daughter, I can't but do unto you as I have vowed. The daughter knowing what weight vow carries and knowing that God has kept His part of the terms to her father also agreed to it until she was indeed offered up to God. Watch your mouth. I'm telling you. Don't let your reason be clouded. After man might have received what he longs for, the scales do fall off his eyes to see his errors. See your fault and error before you vow. Don't trap yourself. Exercise caution.
PRAYER: I receive a heart of wisdom in vowing. I shall exercise faithfulness in deed on all my confessions.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Judges 8:18-9:21; Luke 23:44-24:12; Psalm 99:1-9; Proverbs 14:9-10
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