“Say what you mean and mean what you say,” my mother told me too many times to recall. I certainly talked plenty, so she probably wanted me to learn to measure my words.
Sometimes our words become our weights.
For example, recently my family and I shopped for a house, and I promised my daughter I’d take her to the park that day. Then house shopping morphed into all day house budgeting. If we wanted to purchase the lot that butted up to the woods with the creek, we needed to make a decision—now.
Late into the afternoon, my brown-eyed, six-year-old with a head full of spiral curls looked up at me with tears in her eyes, “But you promised to take me to the park.”
Her wave of her tears felt heavier than the decision of building a home.
So I cannot imagine the immense weight of sorrow and guilt Jephthah felt when he flippantly vowed to the Lord to sacrifice whatever came out of his house after the battle if the Lord gave him success—and then his only child, his daughter, burst out of the house singing.
Grief is always heavy, but especially when we are the ones who cause the pain by our words or actions. Our sin sometimes falls back on us with torrential force. When this happens, the only way forward is through the mercy of God. Have you ever felt pain mixed with guilt? Repentance and grace lead us forward.
Psalm 51 is David’s crying out to God in his grief and confession of his sin. But his consequences remained even after the repentance. We can imagine that the weight of David’s sin or the death of Jephthah’s daughter weighed down the hearts of these men for the rest of their lives.
When it comes to living for the Lord, God’s Word invites us to approach His throne with confidence through faith in Jesus (John 14:13). But Scripture also gives us these stories as a warning: measure our words, whether in prayer or in action. May our yes be yes and our no be no. Anything more than this is evil (Matthew 5:34–37).
@Rhonda J – praying for you back! My dad has always struggled with back problems so my heart goes out to you. Happy Friday! Praying for you all
♥️
That is a good connection, ALLISON BENTLEY!
I am very confused about Jephthah’s daughter being offered as a sacrifice. Both my NIV and ESV study Bibles say “burnt offering” in verse 30. My King James Version does, as well. The notes in my study Bibles say that there is much speculation about this (I.e. sacrifice vs. serving the Lord in the tabernacle). I think I need to do a little more research! And, KRISTINE LOUGHMAN, I always wondered about that too. (Who would come out the front door but a human in his family? Ummm…)
And CEE GEE…. Thank you for pointing out that Jephthah’s ONLY child was his sacrifice. God sacrificed HIS only child too. Wow.
Remember, sweet sisters, that He gave us only ONE mouth (and two ears). Today’s readings need to remind us of that daily, huh? (Well, I need to be reminded daily! Which brings up a funny memory from another Bible study, where a widowed lady from our church said, “I never sin. I live by myself.” Good grief! It always made me chuckle. While she wasn’t using her ONE mouth, I’m sure her thoughts were sinful at times. I know mine can be!)
Father, we pray for Your forgiveness on any oaths that we have spoken out of carelessness and impulsiveness that cause harm to our children, family and even ourselves. Father, by the power of the redemption of the blood of our Lord Jesus, one sin or for all sin, we pray for the cancellation of any impulsive oaths that have been spoken over ourselves, over our children, over our future, careers, oaths, either by us, or by our parents/grandparents/ ancestors that we did not know, out of ignorance, let all those words be made of no effect, let them all be cancelled, wiped clean and forgiven. Let no evil consequences take place on our children, families, ourselves, or anything concerning us because the weight of these oaths. May the blood of our Lord Jesus wash us clean and purge any evil and impulsive oath that have been declared, knowingly or unknowingly, if any, and all. May you put the guard over our words every day and bring it to remembrance that words have the power of life and death- remind us of the story of Jepthah’s daughter who died in vain. By Your grace, may we not make promises in haste. In Jesus’ Mighty Name. Prayers lifted for our dear requests. LAUREN GW, happy 5th bday to your sweet son, prayers for him & your tender mama heart, and strong healing & deliverance for your husband. Happy weekend she’s. May God bless you, sustain you & families.
Have a blessed weekend ladies. Love to you all. Keeping your requests in prayer. ❤️
In my NLT study Bible there is a comment on 11:34-35. It says, “God does not want promises for the future, but obedience for today.” GAYLE CRAIK I also did the same as you. I told the Lord whatever it would take for my children to come to know Him. I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma shortly after that and have had many surgeries since. I am cancer free now, and I certainly became closer to the Lord, I know that God is in control. I doubt it is coincidence that happened. Sometimes I have to laugh because I said that to the Lord and He certainly heard my prayer. My children still don’t know the Lord but it has given me opportunity to share with them the hope I have in Jesus.
Thank you all for your prayers for my family. I can’t tell you how much it means to know that women I have never seen or met are praying. Continued prayers appreciated. My husband is now staying with a friend because he doesn’t want to continue to emotionally harm myself and our kids and he had a falling out with his mom. There are some treatments available, but he is resistant because his PTSD is so heightened that everything feels like a threat and he feels betrayed by the VA. Please pray God gives us wisdom about how to love him through this. Please pray that he is open to resources and the right resources are available to restore his mind. It’s heartbreaking to see him just as a shell of his former self. My son turns 5 today and is heartbroken that his dad isn’t here to celebrate
My biggest take away for today is – be careful what you vow to the Lord. We are reminded in Ecclesiastes 5:1-5 not to be quick with our mouths or utter anything hastily before God. Jephthah learned that lesson the hard way – may each of us learn from his mistake!
I too read in Enduring Word that most likely Jephthah’s daughter was set apart to do service at the tabernacle. 1.Because God did not condone child sacrifices and it was strictly forbidden and 2. Jephthah is mentioned in the Hebrews roll call of faith & it’s highly unlikely that his name would be listed if he had indeed sacrificed his daughter.
Praying for all your requests today…
@Lauren GW @Rhonda J @Lynn from Alabama @Adrienne @Lehua K @Teresa Donley @Kelly H @Foster Mama @Jaclyn @Mandi
And for Lewiston, ME – all of the families who lost loved ones, safety & protection for residents while this man is still out there, for the family of the shooter.
Never take a day for granted – hug those you love, tell them you love them, and live each day for the glory of God.
Blessings to all my SRT sisters – have a wonderful weekend!