“Jephthah’s Living Sacrifice“
[By Brad Turner]
When one reads Romans 12 and considers transforming one’s life to becoming a living sacrifice to God, one cannot help but think of Biblical examples that illustrate this concept. One name that does not readily leap to mind is Jephthah. When asked to write this article, his name was the first to pop into my mind. During an ongoing Bible survey study with a fellow Christian, we had just finished the time of the judges, and likely Jephthah was “still on the brain”. Nevertheless, can we learn about an aspect of being a living sacrifice from this man’s life? There really is not much to go on, yet Samuel acknowledges Jephthah along with others in delivering God’s people (1 Samuel 12:11), and years later the Hebrew writer does the same (Hebrews 11:32) within the “the heroes of faith” chapter. “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction,” – Romans 15:4a (ESV). So, we can conclude that something was important about this man, and something can be learned about him and from him.
So, who was he? Judges 11-12 tells his story. He was an illegitimate son of a harlot, and run out of town by his own people. He then surrounded himself with “worthless fellows”. These guys had to have the reputation of either being able to get things done or to be left alone. Either way, Jephthah was the man in charge. Interestingly, when the Ammonites afflicted the people, who did they go to for help? You guessed it, Jephthah. He agrees to lead them if they allow him to come home again and, take note of this, “the Lord gives them over to me”. This “outsider” realizes that God was in control. The people agree, and essentially Jephthah tells the oppressing king that his god can give him land, but not this land, because our God has given it to us. The story tells us that, like other judges, “the Spirit of the Lord was upon him”. At this point in the story Jephthah makes a vow to God. In exchange for victory and a peaceful return home, he will offer a sacrifice – whatever would come out of his house to greet him. Seems a bit rash, or at least not very well thought out. He did not seem desperate.
Was he excited and “caught up in the moment”? We know the story. His only daughter. Tragic, isn’t it? Notice his response. “For I have opened my mouth to the Lord, and I cannot take back my vow” (Judges 11:35, ESV). He knew what the law said about making vows before God. “If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth” (Numbers 30:2, ESV). Deuteronomy 23:21-23 also speaks of how important keeping a vow made to God is, and the guilt of sin in breaking that vow. Many years later the Preacher warns not to have God be angry at our voice because of our rash words and failure to keep a vow (Ecclesiastes 5:2-6). After this, his daughter goes into the mountains for two months to prepare herself for the inevitable. At the end of those two months “she returned to her father, who did with her according to the vow that he had made” (Judges 11:39, ESV). Now, many have debated about what exactly this meant. Was it actual human sacrifice, which we know God opposed, yet commanded Abraham to do the same as a test of faith? Or, was it a dedicated life in service to God away from her father, never to see him again? I will let your studies answer that for you. The fact is, Jephthah kept his word!
How would we respond? What would we do during that two months? Would we try to cajole God into changing the agreement? Maybe modifying or amending slightly the terms of our vow? Would we outright renege on our word?
How many times have we said to God, “Lord, if you get me out of this mess (you fill in the blank), I will do such and such (you fill in the blank)”? Or, have we promised God, that although we really messed up, and happened to avoid any major consequences, we would never ever do that (you fill in the blank) again? Our Lord said, “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’” because no one can make a vow of any substance to God. (Matthew 5:37, ESV)
What has this to do with Romans 12? Well, a lot actually. A living, daily sacrifice means an ongoing process, and we talk every day! What we say, do we mean? Do we have the reputation of someone who does not keep their word, or that our word really does not mean that much to give others a sense of trust or honor? A lot of times we are pretty good at identifying sins like “not cussin’”, telling dirty jokes, gossip, and hateful speech, but what about integrity?
In “the good ol’ days, a man’s word was gold”, or a handshake could seal the deal and one would not have to worry about the other party breaking their word. Now, we have lawyers to draw up contracts in triplicate and sign our names in multiple areas to make sure we keep our promise. On the other hand, with enough resources and a savvy lawyer, we can get out of even those agreements!
When one confesses Christ before others and submits to baptism, it is a promise to God for life. When one vows to honor and love another person at their wedding, it is for life. When one agrees to work for an employer, then one is to work.
How often do we slide? Do we keep our word, if it means an inconvenience, or actually leads to suffering in some way? A sacrifice, perhaps? This attitude is rampant in today’s world. However, being living sacrifices, we are TRANSFORMED and not CONFORMED to the ways of the world. We call ourselves “people of the Word”, included in that should also be “people who keep their word.” Just like Jephthah did.