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Post by Josh on Jun 20, 2010 18:03:16 GMT -8
Post your comments, questions, and discussion starters on Judges 9-12 as replies to this post.
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Post by Josh on Jun 26, 2010 8:53:20 GMT -8
So, do you all think Jephthah's vow to sacrifice his daughter meant human sacrifice or dedicating her life to the service of the Lord? Why do you hold your position? (Judges 11:34-40)
If it is the first option, this is definitely one of the most troubling passages in the OT.
If Jephthah did put his daughter to death, it would have been against God's will (Deut. 12:31). However, vows made by the heads of households were considered binding. Is this a case of Jephthah's daughter saving her father from the judgment of breaking a vow?
Furthermore, doesn't verse 29 seem to indicate that this vow was a result of the Holy Spirit's inspiration? (I don't think so- I think this is a case of Jephthah adding his own human element to what God was inspiring him to do)
There are several arguments in favor of seeing this passage as referring to the offering of his daughter to the Lord as a virgin. Don't have time to go into them now, but...
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Post by Josh on Jun 28, 2010 8:55:31 GMT -8
Chris,
I appreciated what you said about the Abimilech story. I think there are a lot of parallels with authority and the abuse of authority in the church. Did you have any further thoughts on that that we could explore here?
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Post by Alex on Mar 31, 2013 21:00:49 GMT -8
Just read across this. It's a troubling passage, more showing how God realizes his plans in spite of the people called. Overall Jephthah is a tragic character, but his choices are as tragic as his condition. Close to home in the end.
Regarding inspiration of his oath; The inspiration seems to predicate his vow, but I don't read that the vow was itself inspired. Rather a misguided response to which he made himself honorbound without thinking out. Like Esau it's a great example of making oaths God didn't ask for. Imagine if Abraham had sworn to kill his son; a response to God's direction but not what God asked for. I find myself often doing the same; in good intentions I fail to listen, and reject God's authority by either deciding the path myself or by bargaining - both counter to His will.
Regarding whether she died - I would love that she was dedicated to God rather than killed; but I don't read this. I would love to be convinced otherwise if you have it, but Jepthah doesn't seem to be doing a great job covering his bases, and the rememberance in verse 40 seems very devoted if not in death.
Here's the follow-up question I came here to ponder: Would Jephtath have been held in greater wrong for breaking the oath? The oath itself is so detestable by God's stated standards it's hard to imagine God being for it in this case. It seems more that Jephthah feared the consequences of men than of God - men would arguably show less mercy.
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Post by Josh on Apr 1, 2013 16:10:55 GMT -8
That was just a brilliant reply Alex- especially about the fine line between our valid inspirations from God and the oaths we turn them into.
A follow up thought I have is: even if God were to consider his vow more binding than the sim of it, wouldn't it have been the most righteous thing for kept hath to have freely taken the punishment for the broken bow rather than fulfill it? I think so.
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