Inherent Idolatry

And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD. He said, “If you give me victory over the Ammonites, I will give to the LORD whatever comes out of my house to meet me when I return in triumph. I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” [Judges 11.30-31] 

Just because someone makes a vow to God does not mean it is done as God would have it.

A vow is a powerful commitment. Bible history reveals (this story included), that a vow stands whether it is Godly or not. And, this is precisely why God repeatedly warned Israel about intermingling and intermarrying with godless and idolatrous people, specifically, the people of Canaan.

Jephthah was the product of such forbidden intermingling. Jephthah, being "of Gilead" was certainly the Israelite descendant of Joseph through Manasseh, Makir and Gilead. The origin of Jephthah's prostitute mother is unknown, but her prostitution alone is evidence of her idolatrous godlessness. As far as role models go, neither Jephthah's prostitute-paying father nor his sex-selling mother were exemplary.

The fact therefore, that Jephthah made any kind of vow to God at all shows his zeal to serve God. In that zeal however, he made a vow whose conditions were idolatrous in origin.

But still, there are questions about Jephthah's vow we might explore...

First, should we assume that Jephthah lived in his house not only with his family but also with animals acceptable for sacrifice? It could be true... But, what if it was a dog?

Next, Jephthah had only one child, a daughter. It would seem much more likely that a child would rush out first to meet a father returning from war. This is only because the child, in most cases, would be much quicker to respond than the anxious mother who would be equally, if not more excited to welcome her husband home alive. 

Jephthah's response, when his only child ran out to meet him, is telling:

When he saw her, he tore his clothes in anguish. “Oh, my daughter!” he cried out. “You have completely destroyed me! You’ve brought disaster on me! For I have made a vow to the LORD, and I cannot take it back.” [Judges 11.35]

When Jephthah made his vow, did it not even register in his mind, even if they kept animals in the house, that his child or his wife might possibly come out first? And, what did his response to his daugther say then to his wife?

Finally, before we cast an evil eye upon Jephthah, we should understand that Jephthah was working with the knowledge he had. His parents were both philanderers and not likely strong 'teachers of God's ways.' So, it is entirely possible that Jephthah was indeed zealous enough to sacrifice his only child or his wife in misguided devotion to God even though human sacrifice was inherent to idolatry.

The lesson in Jephthah's story for us is this: how might inherent idolatry be affecting our devotion to God today?

Can we be sure that our current "'Christian" practices are all indeed "Christian" if, in fact, those practices look nothing like Christ? Just asking for a friend...

Father in heaven, Jephthah's story reminds me how important it is that I give up my own way, take up my cross, and follow Jesus. May I be found doing just that - and that alone. So be it.