Judges 11: At What Cost

Judges 11:34 — “When Jephthah went to his home in Mizpah, there was his daughter, coming out to meet him with tambourines and dancing! She was his only child; he had no other son or daughter besides her.” (CSB)

The Old Testament isn’t easy. Let’s just call it like it is. Human sacrifice! Really!? Would the Lord even ask for that?

Jephthah made a vow that if God gave him victory, he would offer as a burnt offering the first thing that came out of his house to greet him. He won. And his daughter—the only child he had—was the one who came out celebrating.

I can't even imagine. What a horrifying moment. He falls to his knees and tears his clothes. I can hardly wrap my head around this.

Why did he do it? Why did he promise to do anything?

Why on earth would he make this vow, a human sacrifice when nowhere—nowhere—do we see The Lord asking for that or requiring it? Why make such a reckless promise?

The real question here is how often have I, in my own way, promised things to God that He never asked for? How many times have I tried to earn His favor? Tried to prove I was worthy of the blessing? Tried to show Him that I was enough? Jephthah wasn’t operating from a place of trust or truth. He was operating from fear. From desperation. From performance. He saw the battle ahead and thought, “What do I need to do to get God on my side?”

Im so grateful the Lord doesn’t work like that. He isn’t manipulated by promises or impressed by extreme gestures. He doesn’t need our deals or our drama. He just wants our hearts.

Every time I open the Word, I try to take a deep breath, say a quick prayer, and listen to a little worship. I need that moment to center myself—to remind myself that the God I’m meeting in the pages is not just holy, but good. He’s not just just, but merciful. Everytime I open the Bible I want the Holy Spirit to teach me something about who He is and how I’m meant to live.

So the question Im asking is, "What have I sacrificed trying to earn what’s already mine through

Christ?"

• My joy?

• My rest?

• Moments with my kids?

• Confidence in who He says I am?

  
  

I don’t want to live my life trying to please people or perform for God. That kind of life costs more than I’m willing to pay. Maybe I should say, I've already paid too high a cost. Today, I’m casting my cares. Im tired of carrying them. I certainly don't have things all figured out in any way. Thankfully, I KNOW and TRUST the One who does.