“Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, but he was the son of a harlot; and Gilead begot Jephthah. 2 Gilead’s wife bore sons; and when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out, and said to him, “You shall have no inheritance in our father’s house, for you are the son of another woman.” 3 Then Jephthah fled from his brothers and dwelt in the land of Tob; and worthless men banded together with Jephthah and went out raiding with him.4 It came to pass after a time that the people of Ammon made war against Israel. 5 And so it was, when the people of Ammon made war against Israel, that the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob. 6 Then they said to Jephthah, “Come and be our commander, that we may fight against the people of Ammon.” 7 So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “Did you not hate me, and expel me from my father’s house? Why have you come to me now when you are in distress?” Judges 11:1-7 NKJV
“Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, and passed through Mizpah of Gilead; and from Mizpah of Gilead he advanced toward the people of Ammon. 30 And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, and said, “If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, 31 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 11:29-31 NKJV
Lord of the Victory,
These men only forgive their brother, who has battle and raiding skills, when they need him. And they judged him because of his mother. He rightly asks them why they are wanting his help now. An agreement is reached and he goes forth. There is posturing and messages back and forth and when Jephthah finally faces his enemies he gets a last minute wobble and makes a vow – if You do this Lord I will give You . . . He did not have to bargain or make treaties or try to make You obligated to him. When You do something according to Your will it is because You are God. It is who You are. The battle was already won. You are obligated to no-one.
I find it hard to believe Jephthah would kill his daughter knowing it was forbidden to sacrifice a child. His vow was “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 (or) I will offer it up as a burnt offering.” Dedicate to the Lord or sacrifice? There is not a word for and/or in the original. Dedicating her to the Lord would explain why she mourned her virginity and knew no man as she served only You, Lord for the rest of her life.
We do not need to try to obligate You to helping us. Jesus showed us the full extent of Your generosity, grace and forgiveness. He showed us Your willingness to answer prayer and the security we have in following You as our King and judge. Keep us humble, secure in our faith and certain in our trust. Not making unnecessary rash vows.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 18th March 2026
You can read this hymn and change the pronouns . . .
Your love has no limits, Your grace has no measure,
Your power no boundary known unto men;
For out of Your infinite riches in Jesus
You giveth, and giveth, and giveth again . . .
- He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
Lyrics: Annie J Fint