The story of Jepthah is perhaps one of the most disturbing stories in the Bible. Jepthah is a man of his times, and the times are not good. At this point in the book of Judges, the Israelites had turned away from the Lord at least a half a dozen times. Each time they turned away, their issues and idolatry became more and more profound. Jepthah's mother was a prostitute and so his home life was not good. He was despised by his step-mother and brothers. Eventually, he was thrown out of the home.
Like any young man looking for a place to belong, Jepthath joined a gang. He knew how to fight. When the Israelites were under the oppression of the Amorites, who did they call? Jepthah, the outcast. Jepthah, however, was a man of great faith. He trusted in the Lord and relied on the Lord. He was willing to come to the aid of his people as long as they promised not to cast him out again. He sought the Lord's favor as he went out to battle. So much so that he promised he would sacrifice the first thing that walked out of his home when he returned. Unfortunately, Jepthah likely did not have many Torah studies in his home growing up. So, he likely thought of the Lord like one would think of the Canaanite gods. As if he would impress God by such an oath, and perhaps assure God's favor. Moreover, it is likely that Jepthah was promising a human sacrifice. However, he likely expected it to be a servant. He certainly did not expect it to be his one and only child...his daughter.
The Bible records that Jepthah kept his vow. He sacrificed his daughter to the Lord. What are we to make of this event? More importantly, what does God make of it? Shockingly, when we read Hebrews 11 and peer down the great hall of the faithful, who do we find but Jepthah? How can this be?
I think there are two important lessons for us to learn from Jepthah's life. First, God excuses ignorance, but he does not excuse unbelief. Faith is of primary importance to God. I have heard it said that not even God can steer a parked car. God calls us to be people who live out their trust in him. That we would be a people who tremble at his name and put him first in our lives. Jepthah was determined to honor God no matter what it cost him, and God saw him as a man of great faith.
The other lesson we learn is that great faith without understanding can do great damage. Had Jepthah known the Scriptures, he would have known that human sacrifice was an abomination to God. Because Jepthah grew up in a culture that was largely ignorant of the Lord and had confused the worship of Yahweh with the worship of Baal, it led him to incredible heartache and loss. Today, we find people who view doctrine as almost a dirty word. They do not understand the seriousness of correct doctrine and a right understanding of the Bible. Rather than spending time to search and study the Word historically, contextually, and linguistically, they settle for a cursory reading or even attribute their gut feelings to Holy Spirit. This can lead to great problems. While God may honor the person's faith, their ignorance can lead them and others into great trials.
In sum, we should learn from Jepthah that above all else, God desires faith. So much so, that he is willing to excuse ignorance to those who act faithfully. However, this is no plea for ignorance. As a people committed to honoring God with our lives, let us commit to great faithfulness, but also commit to passionately and purposefully studying the Word of God.
Like any young man looking for a place to belong, Jepthath joined a gang. He knew how to fight. When the Israelites were under the oppression of the Amorites, who did they call? Jepthah, the outcast. Jepthah, however, was a man of great faith. He trusted in the Lord and relied on the Lord. He was willing to come to the aid of his people as long as they promised not to cast him out again. He sought the Lord's favor as he went out to battle. So much so that he promised he would sacrifice the first thing that walked out of his home when he returned. Unfortunately, Jepthah likely did not have many Torah studies in his home growing up. So, he likely thought of the Lord like one would think of the Canaanite gods. As if he would impress God by such an oath, and perhaps assure God's favor. Moreover, it is likely that Jepthah was promising a human sacrifice. However, he likely expected it to be a servant. He certainly did not expect it to be his one and only child...his daughter.
The Bible records that Jepthah kept his vow. He sacrificed his daughter to the Lord. What are we to make of this event? More importantly, what does God make of it? Shockingly, when we read Hebrews 11 and peer down the great hall of the faithful, who do we find but Jepthah? How can this be?
I think there are two important lessons for us to learn from Jepthah's life. First, God excuses ignorance, but he does not excuse unbelief. Faith is of primary importance to God. I have heard it said that not even God can steer a parked car. God calls us to be people who live out their trust in him. That we would be a people who tremble at his name and put him first in our lives. Jepthah was determined to honor God no matter what it cost him, and God saw him as a man of great faith.
The other lesson we learn is that great faith without understanding can do great damage. Had Jepthah known the Scriptures, he would have known that human sacrifice was an abomination to God. Because Jepthah grew up in a culture that was largely ignorant of the Lord and had confused the worship of Yahweh with the worship of Baal, it led him to incredible heartache and loss. Today, we find people who view doctrine as almost a dirty word. They do not understand the seriousness of correct doctrine and a right understanding of the Bible. Rather than spending time to search and study the Word historically, contextually, and linguistically, they settle for a cursory reading or even attribute their gut feelings to Holy Spirit. This can lead to great problems. While God may honor the person's faith, their ignorance can lead them and others into great trials.
In sum, we should learn from Jepthah that above all else, God desires faith. So much so, that he is willing to excuse ignorance to those who act faithfully. However, this is no plea for ignorance. As a people committed to honoring God with our lives, let us commit to great faithfulness, but also commit to passionately and purposefully studying the Word of God.
