By Faith: Jephthah

            Jephthah, a judge of Israel, was another man whose story is muddied by the misunderstanding of some. However, with a basic understanding of the Scripture we can understand his great example of faithfulness. The most complicated part of the story of Jephthah was the account of what he did to his daughter. Any student of the Bible must consider the totality of the Bible’s account (like Samson) to receive the fullness of God’s message concerning the life of man.

Jephthah’s Beginning

            Jephthah’s beginning was a good indication of the types of problems occurring in Israel. Jephthah was a son of a harlot (cf. Jud 11:1). This allows us to understand that Gilead attached himself to a harlot and a son was born; he also had children by his wife (cf. Jud 11:2). This type of family dynamic caused trouble, dissension, and distrust among the children, and Jephthah was not welcome among his brethren because he was the “son of another woman” (cf. Jud 11:3). Yet, there was a need for Jephthah. After some time, Israel was at war with Ammon and the elders of Gilead went to find him and sought his help as their leader (Jud 11:5). Reluctantly, Jephthah agreed if they would accept him back completely, then he would do as they wished (cf. Jud 11:8-11).

Jephthah’s Vow

            After Jephthah and the king of Ammon were at an impasse, the Spirit of Jehovah came upon Jephthah, and he made his way to Ammon. It was then that Jephthah vowed a vow to Jehovah that if He delivered Ammon into his hand, he would offer whatsoever came out of his door to meet him when he returned after the battle as a burnt offering (Jud 11:30-31). Jehovah was with Jephthah and he returned home victorious.

The Confusing Part

            The Scripture records that when Jephthah returned the implications of the vow were exposed.

And Jephthah came to Mizpah unto his house; and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; besides her he had neither son nor daughter. And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me; for I have opened my mouth unto Jehovah, and I cannot go back. 

(Jud 11:34-35)

What a horrible result on face value. I suppose that Jephthah did not expect his daughter, his only child to be the one who came out. We can see this is clear if we consider the vow was for a burnt offering of whatever came out. The vow was one that upset him greatly, so much so that he tore his clothes (cf. Jud 11:35). Before we handle what this vow meant, we need to reflect on the attitude of Jephthah. He said, “I have opened my mouth unto Jehovah, and I cannot go back. This is certainly the attitude of faith that must be replicated in the lives of Christians today. When we obeyed the Gospel we opened our mouth unto Jehovah (confessing Christ cf. Rom 10:9) and we cannot go back. The Holy Spirit emphasized this idea repeatedly in the book of Hebrews as He appealed to the Hebrew Christians to not go back on their good confession.

Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us therefore go forth unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after the city which is to come. Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name.

(Heb 13:12-15)

For Jephthah it was without question, he would keep his vow. Will you keep yours? Your children are watching.

            This also brings to our mind that Jephthah’s daughter understood what it meant to be a follower of Jehovah. She said, “My father, thou hast opened thy mouth unto Jehovah; do unto me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth” (cf Jud 11:36). When fathers take their faith seriously their children will take notice, and hopefully have the same dedication as they grow.

What Came of Jephthah’s Daughter?

            So what did Jephthah do? Did he sacrifice his daughter as a burnt offering? No, it was unlawful for him to do so (Lev 18:21; Deut 12:31; 18:10). Why would he mourn if he is not going to kill his daughter? This must mean that he has committed her to perpetual service to the Lord. Can you imagine the hurt of this father who had to tell his daughter this? She would never be married and have children of her own. The text tells us that she went to the mountain to bewail her virginity (cf. Jud 11:37); if she were to be sacrificed would she not bewail her life? Her life would be changed forever.

            What we do not find in the story of Jephthah is human sacrifice, what we do find is a sacrifice of life for service to Jehovah. We see the faithfulness of a man with humble beginnings that was passed onto his daughter who observed what real faith looks like. The New Testament names Jephthah as on who by faith served God (cf. Heb 11:32-36). It is evident that he subdued the kingdom of the Ammonites, he wrought righteousness, from weakness was made strong, waxed might in ward, and turned to flight armies of aliens. Yes, Jephthah’s story is not as complicated as some make it out. His story is one of a man who was faithful and served Israel as a judge for six years (cf. Jud 12:7). His example of faithfulness still teaches us today. May we ever remember and keep our vow to our Almighty King.

Grace and Peace,

R.D. Beavers