Foolish Vows

Jephthah was a might warrior who overcame his estrangement from family and is mentioned as a man of faith in Hebrews 11. He also understood Israel’s history about God’s faithfulness because of his answers to the Ammonite king about Israel’s right to the land. (Judges 11:12-28) Yet, before he went to battle, Jephthah made a foolish vow to give a burnt offering to anything that came out of his door to meet him after the battle. Did he think it would be a goat or sheep? No, it was his one and only daughter who met him with song and dance for his victory.

There is debate on whether he actually offered his daughter or not. She could’ve remained a virgin until her death as an offering or because of the evil practices of paganism in that day—she could’ve been burned as an offering. Whatever her plight, it was because of her father’s foolish vow.

As believers, we also need to be careful of making foolish vows. Jesus said, “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” Since we live in the age of grace, we don’t have to live with “If You do this for me God…then I will do this for You” mentality.

We simply live by faith. Our decisions aren’t prompted by making vows or promises to God; rather, instead we are driven by faith in His word. God knows when our hearts and desires are to please Him and walk in His ways. We can refrain from making foolish vows and instead trust in Him with all of our hearts to work everything for our good..

Prayer

Dear Lord, I repent of the times I’ve made foolish vows. Help me to walk by faith in Your word and simple obey the truths that are in it. Amen.

In His Service,

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