The Cost of Speaking too Soon!

The Cost of Speaking too Soon!Judges 11-12This is a reminder of the story of a man named Jephthah. Jephthah was an Israelite. He was the son of Gilead, but his mother was a harlot. He was a mighty man of valour. Gilead's wife had sons as well. When Gilead's wife sons grew up, they cast Jephthah out of his father's house. Jephthah became a bandit in a place called Tob. When the people of Ammon began to war with the Israelites, the elders of Israel came to Tob, and asked Jephthah if he would lead them in fighting the war against Ammon. He eventually agreed as long as he would be the ruler of the Israelites after the victory. Jephthah prayed to God and won the victory over the Ammonites. Jephthah was so glad that he vowed to the Lord that the first person who came out of his door when he returned home would be dedicated to God or offered as a burnt offering if it ws cattle. when he got home, his one and only child came out dancing and playing the timbrels. He was saddened. This meant his only daughter would be given in service to God because of the vow he made to God. The daughter said it was okay since God gave him the victory. She asked for 2 months to bewail her virginity with friends. And so she did. Jephthah did what many of us do with God. He made a vow to God when he did not need to. We often think that we need to make a vow with God to get our prayers answered. This is not so. God will answer out prayers. We do not need to barter, promise, or make vows for God to answer our prayers. But, if we do make a vow, God will require it of us. Thinking before we try to make a deal with God is wise. It can cost too much when we do not.