Of all the Book of Judges’ gut wrenching episodes. Jephthah’s is one of the most problematic. He is a mighty warrior of valor who has acceptance issues. Judges, in providing his background story, alludes that he most likely carried with him emotional insecurity; The tale unfolds with his estrangement from his father’s family.
The story takes off with the elders of Gilead entering into an agreement with Jephthah. If he won a battle against the Children of Ammon, he would become their leader. The elders indicated, ”may the Lord bear witness between us, if we do not do according to your word.” Judges 11:10. Later on, Jephthah vows to the Lord: “If you will indeed deliver the Children of Ammon into my hand, then it shall be that whatever emerges- what will emerge from the doors of my house- toward me when I return in peace from the Children of Ammon, it shall belong to the Lord and I shall offer it up as an elevation-offering.” Judges 11:30-31
Jephthah succeeded in his military endeavor; the Children of Ammon are delivered upon him.
When he returns home, his first encounter at the doors of his house is his only daughter. She, unfortunately, is the promised sacrifice. Upon being notified of her father’s vow, his daughter states “my father, you have opened your mouth to the Lord- do to me according to what has gone out of your mouth.” Judges 11:36. The text notes that “he carried out with her the vow that he had vowed, and she never knew a man.” Judges 11:39. [Note: from the reading, one must wonder whether there was an actual sacrifice or whether she merely remained a virgin and never married.]
Thus, two Ten Commandments’ moments simultaneously occur with Jephthah: frst, there is the seriousness of one’s making vows and evoking the Lord in doing so- using the Lord’s name in vain, second, his daughter’s cooperation to honoring her father.
Impliedly, the author seeks to outrage the reader. Jephthah is a cautionary tale for an individual making vows. It is the lesson of using one’s words wisely. Beyond that, the passage has been criticized in that Jephthah could have sought redress. He could have petitioned to the Lord. Perhaps, a legal authority on such matters could have solved the problem. A legal authority may have evoked an interpretation that his vow impliedly did not include human sacrifice. Thus, it could have been argued that his vow implied meant an animal sacrifice. Thus, in view of such an interpretation, there would have been compliance with the vow. Certainly, the Torah offers precedent on such matters, i.e. Abraham and Isaac, to assert such a position.
In sum, this cautionary tale is one worthy of being in a teacher’s arsenal for a lesson plan. It can stir much debate, discussion and solutions.
Be well!!
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