Vowing Faith

VOWING FAITH

Text: Hebrews 11.32

Introduction:

A. In this series of studies various aspects of faith

have been considered.

1. By faith Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice.

2. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob.

3. By faith Moses made a wise choice.

B. Today we learn about a man whose faith caused

him to bind himself under a vow:

Jephthah, the ninth Judge of Israel.

I. THE SORRY CONDITION OF ISRAEL, Judges 10:6,7,9.

A. We worshiping the idol gods of the nations around them.

B. This angered God so that He "sold" them

into the hands of their enemies.

C. The were sorely distressed by their enemies.

II. JEPHTHAH WAS REJECTED BY HIS BROTHERS Judges 1:1-3.

A. Because he was the son of a harlot.

B. He fled from the persecution of his brothers.

C. Some obvious truths:

1. It is wrong to persecute a person because of his birth,

race, social or economic condition.

2. Jephthah must have been an exceptional person.

a. He did not let the conduct of his brothers sour him on life.

b. He became "a mighty man of valor."

3. us we learn that a person can rise above his circumstances.

III. JEPHTHAH IS RECALLED BY HIS BROTHERS Judges 11.6-11

A. We would say Jephthah's brothers had to "eat crow."

B. They must have felt very desperate to have asked of one

whom they had hated and despised.

C. This reminds us of the way many treat God.

1. They separate themselves from Him by their sins, Isaiah 59.2

2. They think they can have a better life without God.

3. Like Jephthah's brothers, they will not share

the good things of earth with Him: time and offerings.

4. But let their sins get them into trouble,

as they surely will, and they want God:

a. To forget their past sins and indifferences.

b. To a them a special favor, and bail them out of trouble.

c. Note: God is not man's servant; men are to serve Him

d. Such people are very selfish -- self-centered.

e. They often are heard to remark, "I just do not know

what I have done to deserve this."

IV. JEPHTHAH WAS EMPOWERED BY THE "SPIRIT OF THE LORD," Judges 11.29

A. He returned to help his beleaguered brothers.

B. He attempted to make peace with the enemies.

C. When they would not listen to reason and agree to peace,

he wisely prepared for war.

V. JEPHTHAH'S VOW Judges 11.30-31

A. He believe in God, and acknowledged that only with God's help

could he defeat the enemies.

B. But he made a foolish vow.

1. Because God did not require it.

2. Because he could not know what or who

would pass through the door to meet him.

C. Jephthah' vow raises some serious doubts about his spiritual maturity.

1. What kind of offering did he expect to make

in thanksgiving for victory?

a. Human sacrifices were strictly forbidden by the law of God.

b. Did he expect an animal to pass through his door

to meet him when he should return in victory?

I think not.

c. Did he expect a household slave to be the first to greet him?

Probably.

2. God would not be pleased with such an offering,

and most certainly would reject it and the offerer.

VI. JEPHTHAH'S VICTORY Judges 11.32-40

A. God did indeed give Jephthah and Israel a great victory.

B. Jephthah must have been returning with great joy.

C. But the joy of victory was turned into sad lameatation,

because of his foolish vow.

1. And who should be first to meet him but his daughter,

his only child.

2. This must have been as if a sword pierced his heart.

D. Now, what will he do?

1. Will he perform his vow to the letter?

2. Will he confess his foolishness in having made such a vow and retract it?

3. Or, will he try to circumvent it with some kind of substitution?

E. It does not appear that Jephthah offered his daughter as a human sacrifice,

but instead dedicated her to perpetual virginity. Questions:

1. Was this any more acceptable to God than if he had offered her on an altar?

Where did He ever command such action?

2. Has not God commanded that all normal women should marry and bear children?

F. How Jephthah suffered because of his foolish vow.

1. The joys of a great victory were silenced.

2. He and his entire family were greatly distressed.

3. His posterity was cut off from the earth forever.

4. He was deprived of the pleasure of grandchildren.

5. He must have suffered continuous anxiety, all because of his rash vow.

Conclusion

A. Humble birth and circumstances need not deter one

in accomplishing a worthy and honorable goal in life.

B. One should not refuse to do good to and help others

because they have done him evil, Matthew 5.44.

C. God will bless all who repent of sin and serve Him.

D. One should count the cost (consider the consequences)

before making a vow to God or to man.

E. But having made a sensible vow, one should keep it,

even if it hurts.

F. Parents should not impede the usefulness of their children

by their foolish vows.

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