TCN's Biblical Journey- March 30

Today's reading is 2 Kings 8-12

Don't choose poorly.

Jehoshaphat was a good king, but he spent a lot of time with the disobedient kings of the northern tribes. It was probably on one of these trips that he picked up a wife for his son from the daughters of Ahab, Israel’s most wicked king. This may have been a diplomatic move, but whether it was Jehoshaphat’s choice or Jehoram’s it was a horrible choice. 

Scriptures tell us in verse 18 of chapter 8 that Jehoram followed in the way of Ahab because his wife was one of Ahab’s daughters. It is said that a good woman can make a man, and it can be true, however, a bad spouse can bring down a man or a woman. If a person isn’t careful a spouse who is against God can be their downfall. I am not advocating that a person gets a divorce if their spouse isn’t saved. Scripture clearly teaches that if the unsaved spouse is willing to live peaceably then to stay with them (1 Corinthians 7:12-13) and Jesus is very clear on his dislike of divorce (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:8-9).

What am I warning?

First, if you’re married then to guard your heart, keep it centered on Christ. Secondly, if you’re not married don’t get married to a non-believer. Obey scripture and marry a believer. Where an unbelieving spouse may lead you could be disastrous for you and your family.

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TCN's Biblical Journey- March 29

Today's reading is 2 Kings 3-7

In 2 Kings 3:15, a musician's music help Elisha get an answer from God.

Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you. 2 Kings 3:14.

Who is Elisha speaking to? The King of the Northern Tribes of Israel. This wasn’t some person who was safe to ignore this was the person who could have you killed and not give it a second thought, yet Elisha wasn’t impressed. Why? Because Elisha was there to serve the Lord, not an earthly king. Elisha definitely did not feel he was obligated to give God’s wisdom to those who were not serving God, but since there was a person there who was at least trying to serve God Elisha relented and sought God’s assistance.

When I look at this story I am reminded that we are not here to solve the world’s problems just, so they can continue doing what they are doing. However, when we see a fellow Christian in a fix we need to consider giving them a hand. There are many people who think Christians should just give help because they are able to, but what I see here is a reminder that we are not called to give help just because someone is powerful or in need. We need to give help because God calls us to or because there is a fellow believer in need. 

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TCN's Biblical Journey- March 28

Today's reading is 1 Kings 20-22 and 2 Kings 1-2

Direction is only good if you don't throw it away

Asa’s son, Jehoshaphat, was a good king and seems to learn from his father what needed to be done. Yet he was willing to try and work with the wicked kings of Israel. He continued some but not all the reforms which God would have required in the nation. In today’s world, he would be an average second-generation Christian, which is sad.

Here in chapter 22, he could recognize that Ahab brought forth prophets which he could tell were false and asked to hear a prophet of God. Ahab, against his own judgment, brought forth Micaiah. Micaiah’s interaction is priceless but ultimately fruitless. Jehoshaphat who called for a true prophet of God didn’t listen and barely escaped with his life.  

One can only guess why Jehoshaphat called for a true prophet and then didn’t listen. I guess that he was looking for God to confirm what he had already planned to do and when God didn’t, he did it anyway. The lesson to learn is if we ask God for direction, we need to make sure we want it and not just want God to back up our plans. God needs to be our leader not our confirmation after the fact. 

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TCN's Biblical Journey- March 27

Today's reading is 1 Kings 15-19

Asa removed his mother as queen.

Following God at times means there will be division in the family. Jesus said “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.  From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

When we look into 1 Kings 15:13, we see that Asa removed his own mother from being queen because she made an idol. Asa was determined to serve the Lord even if it meant he had to choose to depose his own mother. Jesus doesn’t like division in families, but He knew that the choice to follow him would cause this because others in the family would refuse.

It must have been a tough decision for Asa, but he chose God over his family. Throughout history people have been forced to choose, some had to do like Asa, others have been put out of there family, and others lost their lives. Choosing God may have negative ramifications in this life but the eternal rewards are worth it. 



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TCN's Biblical Journey March 26

Today's reading is 1 Kings 10-14

Women were Solomon's problem.

BUT, this is how chapter 11 starts. I have often said that when you add a “but” to the end of a sentence, it negates everything before it. Chapters before this record the wisdom and wealth of Solomon and his mighty deeds, it seems like God was giving Solomon all that he wanted, and all that God promised. However, there was a problem: women.

God specifically told the children of Israel not to intermarry with other nations. God warned what would happen if people started intermarrying, they would turn from the Lord to follow the gods of their wives. This is exactly what happened. With Solomon, the problem wasn’t one wife bringing in a false god, but hundred of wives.

God would have some mercy on Solomon because of David (here again we see the positive influence of others changing the world even after their death). However, God promised to take the most of kingdom from David’s line. Some may argue it was God who brought conflict into Solomon’s kingdom, however, I happen to believe that it was Solomon’s own actions which brought it about. Solomon might have seen his mistakes if he had been serving God, but he wasn’t and so adversity came.

David’s obedience made the way for Solomon’s long rule. Solomon’s disobedience insured that his descendants would be in near constant warfare between the northern tribes and the southern tribes. We may never see how our actions play out, but they always change the world around us.  

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Note: I am sure these ladies are not representative of the type Solomon surrounded himself with. 

TCN's Biblical Journey March 23rd

Today's reading is 1 Kings 5-9

In Kings 5, we see the preparations for the building of the temple. It is amazing to see the manpower and the work going into this project. However, I noticed something in the first verse which caught my attention and therefore I am going to focus on it.

When Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king to succeed his father David, he sent his envoys to Solomon, because he had always been on friendly terms with David. (1 Kings 5:1 NIV, emphasis added)

Solomon’s first ally was not based on anything he had done. His first ally was there because of whom Solomon’s father had been. We see because David had friendly relations with Hiram, Solomon was given the benefit of friendly relations back. Solomon responded wisely, and a relationship was built between Solomon and Hiram but the groundwork was already laid by David.

I have heard it said to be careful and don’t burn bridges behind you. The idea is you may have to cross them later, but here I see that a bridge David built was one which Solomon was able to cross. This is a reminder our actions don’t just affect our lives but the lives of those who come after us. Look around we see the effect of actions done by those who came before us still affecting us today. The effects of slavery and Jim Crow still impact American society today. Before we go pointing at Western Culture, we need to remember that every society has a past which affects them and there is plenty of blame to hand out. However, our job isn’t to point blame but to allow God to transform us. This scripture reminds us that the good we do also have an impact on the lives of those that come after us.

We may need to deal with the past we have been left, but we need to be thankful for the blessing we have received also. We also need to remember that our actions today can have a positive influence on those who come after us. 

TCN's Biblical Journey Mach 22

Today's reading is 2 Samuel 24 & 1 Kings 1-4

I can't give what cost me nothing.

"I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing" (2 Samuel 24:24)

What are you giving to God? We understand that salvation through Jesus Christ is free, but what we offer the Lord after that cost us. We are asked to give him our lives, our loves, and in short everything we have so that he will be the Lord of our life.

Too often people want things from God but they don't want it to cost them anything. It is like the person who wants the benefits of owning a car without buying it, maintaining it, or putting any gas in it. It doesn't work that way, and neither does salvation. Salvation is free, we can't pay for it nor can we ever earn it, but part of salvation is surrendering all of our life to Jesus. This action of surrender cost us, it cost us selfish desires and sinful actions, but the benefits outweigh the cost. It is like surrendering a broken down bike for a new truck. Yes, you don't have the bike but you don't need it. You have something better. 

David understood that if he was offering the sacrifice the sacrifice needed to come from him. He needed to give up something that cost him something and so do we.


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TCN's Biblical Journey March 21

Today's reading is 2 Samuel 19-23

Leaders have to consider others!

Though much of what Joab does is wrong, here in 2 Samuel 19 I have to agree with him. David's sorrow for the loss of his son Absalon has distracted him from his role as king. It is often the case that a leader has to set aside there own feeling and concerns for the welfare of his/her people. When they need to be encouraged or congratulated, the leader needs to do the job even if they don't feel like it. Joab was correct in pointing out that when a leader only looks to their own problems and emotions that they can dishearten their follower and end up losing their support. David's men gave him the victory and now David was about to lose it by his lack of leadership. In this incident, Joab was absolutely correct.

For us, this story is a reminder that being a leader isn't about us. Jesus reminds his followers that whoever is going to be a leader in His kingdom has to be a servant (Matthew 20:26). Leaders have to consider others before themselves or they may find themselves without any followers.


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TCN's Biblical Journey March 20th

Today's reading is 2 Samuel 14-18

David was undecided or ignoring the problem.

There are many questions surrounding why David refused to see Absalom in 2 Samuel 14. For many the idea that if David had gone to see him rather than leave him in exile then perhaps the rebellion that Absalom cooked up would never have taken place. The truth is it is all conjecture. We can only guess. Some see David’s heart as being toward Absalom in anger others interpret it as love. It is possible that the ruse Joab set up was to give David a legal reason to allow Absalom back. As one commentary put it, David “desired to see him (Absalom), but was ashamed to show kindness to one whom God’s law and his own conscience obliged him to punish; and wanted a fair pretense, which therefore Joab gave him.”[1]

Whatever the reason David's decision to do nothing for two years after allowing Absalom’s return probably added to the resentment Absalom felt. It is very likely that the continued lack of response to what was going on in David's household laid the groundwork for Absalom’s rebellion.

Looking at this chapter, I am reminded again that ignoring an issue only adds to the problem.

A final note, when talking about Absalom the scriptures here indicate that he was a handsome man. There seems to be a pride that Absalom has in his own beauty, which may have been the ultimate factor in his decision to try and take over the kingdom. Pride scripture teaches comes before a fall, and it does seem Absalom had his fair share of it.

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[1]Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary. Accessed on 3/19/18. http://biblehub.com/commentaries/jfb/2_samuel/14.htm

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TCN's Biblical Journey March 19th

Today's reading is 2 Samuel 9-13

Best defense against punch...

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

In the old movie, Karate Kid 2, the master tries to teach his apprentice the best defense against any attack. The words fit perfectly into Christian discipleship. The master said, “Best defense against punch, no be there when it comes.” This is oh so true when we look at the life of David. In 2 Samuel 11:1 it is recorded, “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.”

The kings were supposed to be going to war, but David stayed home. If he had been in the field, there would have been no affair with Bathsheba, no illegitimate child, no murder of a husband and none of the related consequences. All because David wasn’t where he was supposed to be.

The scripture I quoted at the top here promises God will keep us from temptation beyond what we can handle. I can’t help but think that God’s answer is often the same as in the movie, don’t be there. If you don’t place yourself in a position to fall you won’t fall. If you can’t resist cookies at midnight, don’t buy cookies and put them in your house. If gossip or pornography are problems when you get online get rid of the computer of set protections, so you will not go to those sites, or only get online when a friend or your spouse can see your screen.

However, the best defense against temptation is to be where you are supposed to be. For David, it was to be in the field. For you, it may be at work, or I would really say in church and Bible study. You will be surprised at the temptations that won’t come if you are where you belong.  

TCN's Biblical Journey March 16th

Today's reading is 2 Samuel 4-8

The biggest complaint I hear from people about 2 Samuel 6 is the death of Uzzah. He was after all trying to help. It might have just been a natural instinct not a conscious act of disrespect. Why would God be so unfair? But is that the whole story? 

NO.

To explain I often start with the proposition that a well intention action doesn’t prevent injury. If you move a live electrical wire way from a child, you may mean well, but those intentions don’t save you from the current in the wire. However, this being the case that isn’t what is happening here. What is happening is the ark is being moved by the same method the Philistines used and not the way God commanded the Israelites to move it. If the priest would have been carrying it the way God intended, then this would never have taken place. What we see is not the illustration I used above. A better picture would be someone wiring a house wrong and while trying to plug something into the outlet a person dies. Who is responsible in this later illustration? The person doing the wiring, not the person plugging in.

What we do not know is if Uzzah was both the person who should have known better than to put the ark on a cart or just the person trying to do right. The truth is in this world actions have consequences even if the person has the right motive and the actions of others can affect you. They can even kill you.  God wasn’t being mean he was following the rules he set in place. God’s rules like electricity don’t change because people have a good motive.

Good motives can’t undo wrong behavior. Perhaps that is a lesson we can learn here. Motives and attitudes can influence our actions and behavior and we might wish that our motives can undo bad behaviors, they never do. Certain behaviors result in certain outcomes no matter our motives. It is a truth we need to remember.  

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TCN's Biblical Journey March 15th

Today's reading is 1 Samuel 30-31 & 2 Samuel 1-3

"How could you stretch out your hand against the Lord's anointed?" 

2 Samuel begins with David receiving word that Saul was dead. It has been guessed that perhaps the young man who came to David was lying about killing Saul and found him dead and made up the story to gain favor with David. We don’t know, it could have been that the sword-bearer was wrong when he thought Saul was dead before he killed himself 1 Samuel 31:4. However, if this young man was telling the truth there is a strange irony which might be easy to miss.

In 1 Samuel 15, God told Saul to go and utterly destroy the Amalekites. In verse 20 Saul claims he did kill all the Amalekites except the King. Yet over and over we see Amalekites showing up. The one which really stands out is here in 2 Samuel 1. The person who claims to have killed Saul was someone who Saul claims he had killed. There is an irony here. Could it be that Saul’s own disobedience caused his death? Perhaps if nothing else it is an example of one’s actions having unintended consequences.

 It also reflects to the warning God gave Israel in Deuteronomy 32:23 about not driving out the inhabitants of the land, “But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.”

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TCN's Biblical Journey March 14th

Today's Reading is 1 Samuel 25-29

Have you ever been cheated? In David’s day, men would help guard herds and shepherds for their owners. The common practice was to share something with those who had helped guard your property. David and his men though didn’t plunder any Nabal’s goods nor, as it would appear to allow anyone else. Nabal’s servants point out that since David and his men were there they hadn’t lost anything. Yet, at the time of the festival, a time of generosity, Nabal was greedy.  Nabal used the division between David and Saul as an excuse to keep from sharing anything with David and his men even though they had earned it.

David began to do what most of us want to do: take vengeance. It is clear he seems to have forgotten God’s word’s in Deuteronomy 32: 35a,36a, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay... The LORD will vindicate his people.” David acted in the heat of the moment in anger. His son Solomon would later write, Proverbs 14:29 (NIV) Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.  David was heading for great folly and an action which would never have been forgotten. Thankfully for David and for the people of Nabal’s family there was a woman with wisdom.  

Abigail was stuck in a bad marriage, she was a good looking and intelligent woman stuck with a man who was mean and bad-tempered. She did what was needed to turn David away from his anger and save her household. She knew one day God would deal with her husband but did not want David to hold the guilt of having killed him in anger.

David saw later that God did deal with Nabal. Could it be that in remembering this encounter David wrote Psalms 37:8 “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.” 

For Abigail, she was vindicated by God and made the wife of a king. She had no promise that any of this would happen, but she trusted God and did what was right. She placed herself in harm's way and shown as a beacon of light to those around her. 

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TCN's Biblical Journey March 13th

Today's reading is 1 Samuel 20-24

I Samuel 20

Jonathan thought everything was fine between David and Saul, Jonathan’s father. David knew that Saul was trying to kill him. Jonathan and David came up with a way to test Saul. David was willing to wait and see if his friend was right and Jonathan tested his father to see if he did intend to kill David.

We know that Saul's heart was filled with murder. Jonathan was going to learn how wrong he was and chose to protect his friend. Scripture says Jonathan was angry, but I wonder also how heart-broken he must have been to see his father behave in the way that he did. It is a reminder that sometimes our deepest pain comes from our own family.

This chapter reminds me just how true friendship should work. It also shows the strength of Jonathan who, though it meant the loss of his kingdom, he trusted God’s choice.  

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TCN's Biblical Journey March 12th

Today's reading is 1 Samuel 15-19

Pretend the doctor comes to you and says “The reason you are sick is because of your appendix. I want to remove it immediately.” You may wonder if it is really necessary and when the doctor confirms that if it isn’t removed you will be dead in a week or two at the most. You know that you trust the doctor and you know she isn’t doing it to be vicious or mean, so you allow the surgery to take place.

Verses 1-3 of Chapter 15 are some of those verses which disturb a lot of people. Like the dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima, there are people who want to argue it was unnecessarily vicious for God to order this done.  Unlike the doctor wanting to remove a sick appendix, God has something Truman, the doctor, or we will ever have a perfect view of eternity. God knew what would happen if even one person escaped. Let me tell you later we find out in the book of Easter that at least one person and probably many people escaped, and it almost caused the extinction of Israel.

Also, why kill everything and take nothing for spoils?  This was a reminder to Israel this was God’s judgment and not a raiding mission (pirating was common in those times, as is it is still today in some places). This wasn’t to be a way to gain wealth. When the people walked away there should have been a sense of dread and a reminder of the consequences of what happens when you fight against God. This lesson wasn’t taught, and we will never know what might have changed in the hearts of Israel if Saul would have been obedient. 

TCN's Biblical Journey March 9th

Today's reading is 1 Samuel 10-14

"Not my fault"

This chapter begins the downfall of Saul. He has been king a year and war is now upon Israel. They started out right but Saul faltered when he saw his army start to disintegrate in front of him.

Saul had his faith been in the Lord would have waited on God's timing, but Saul's faith moved from God to his army. The army didn't know if God would defend them and Samuel the prophet of God was running late. Saul was probably counting on Samuel to offer sacrifice to God so the people wouldn't be afraid and to assure that God would help them. The issue was that Saul was not a priest and instead of waiting he offered the sacrifice that the priest was supposed to.

This might have been overlooked if Saul was truly wishing to please God. However, the text makes it very clear that the sacrifice was meant as a motivator for the people rather than a sacrifice to God. Saul used the things of God to try and manipulate the people.

The other issue that stands out here was he began to offer excuses. Here and as we will see later Saul will blame the Israelites for his choices. In modern wording, he said to Samuel, "I had to, they didn't give me a choice." Samuel didn't believe it and neither did God. We are responsible for our own actions, we can not blame them on anyone else.

John Maxwell says, "Everything falls and rises on leadership." Though I do not always agree with this, it is true 99% of the time. Today, that leadership may be the top leader or those in leadership in other areas, but when we look back to ancient Israel, it always seems to fall on the King. Saul was not willing to take responsibility. Yes, David in some ways did far worse than Saul, but no where do we see David blaming others for his sin. So at the end of the day what helped make David the leader God wanted and Saul a reject was a willingness to accept responsibility for their own actions.


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TCN's Biblical Journey March 8th

Today's reading is 1 Samuel 5-9

One last test.

Yes, that is what is happening in the middle of 1 Samuel chapter 6. The Philistines have had it with the art of God (the symbol of God's presence on earth). The art has brought nothing but trouble, and yet even as they send it back they are testing God. They take two cows who have calves and have never had a yoke placed on them and let them return the ark of God on a cart. A note here cows don't like being separated from their young and second, a cow or any animal has to be taught (broken) so that they know how to work with a yoke. Finally, there isn't just one untrained cow but two. What should have happened was the cow would bolt and the cart, the ark, and everything in it when flying. However, God wasn't through showing his power.

God passed this final test. The cows took the Ark straight back to the Israelites, proving to the Philistines that God was greater.

The story should have ended in rejoicing, but the Israelites at Bethshemesh disobeyed God. They tried looking on the ark and to open it. God had told Israel not to do this and what should have been a time of rejoicing turned into sorry as God punished Israel for a crime greater than the Philistines. Why was it greater? They should have known better.

Another note of sadness in this was that the Philistines had God is their midst, saw his power, and sent him away.

In the end, with the cows, and with the plagues God proved he was who he said he was.

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TCN's Biblical Journey March 7th

Today's reading is Ruth 4 & 1 Samuel 1-4

Ruth 4 begins with a wedding agreement and ends with the knowledge that Ruth and Boaz are the great-grandparents of David. A story of love and redemption are ultimately a part of God's greater story in the Bible. Boaz did what was right by Naomi and Ruth but his actions unknown to him joined him to God's story of redemption. Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz never saw David take the throne and may have never seen him born, but without them, he never would have been.

This to me reminds us that our actions are part of something more than we can imagine. I am currently pastor of a retired minister who helped a young man find his path into ministry. This young man was my pastor when I received my call to ministry. This is just one example of God bringing things around in ways we would never imagine.

How did all of this take place? Because of Boaz's did what was right and because a woman loved and cared for her mother-in-law. When we do what is right we never know what God can do as a result.


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TCN's Biblical Journey March 6th

Today's reading is Judges 20-21 and Ruth 1-3

I would like nothing more than to skip over the last few chapters of Judges. Ruth though has sad parts yet it is a great story of love and commitment. Alas, I feel that I need to look at these last two chapters specifically chapter 20.

There is much to be amazed at here. First, only after a great tragedy does Israel rise up against the evil going on in their midst. Second, I am saddened that the Danites decided to defend those who had committed this horrible crime not to mention living in disobedience to the law of God. Finally, I notice that though God told them to go into battle, they lost the first two days and only on the third day Israel finally received the victory.

One can try to guess why the Lord didn’t make the battle easy for Israel, but the truth is we don’t know why. It was clear God wanted them to fight, and God could have made the victory easy, but that wasn’t what God did. I have heard a few guesses as to why, but at the end of the day it comes down to faith. Do you believe God even when the battle goes against you? Israel wasn’t sure after the first two defeats, so they asked God again, but I noticed when they got the word from God, they went out again in spite of what had happened the day before. They believed even when the battle went against them the day before. 

Are you willing to keep fighting if God asks you to? Even if you are losing? Because remember this no matter what happens now, we know we ultimately win. 


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TCN's Biblical Journey March 5th

Today's reading is Judges 15-19

In Chapter 15 we see again people acting foolishly and God's faithfulness.

Samson, we see at the beginning of this chapter uses the strength God gave him not to free his people but to get vengeance. I can easily point my finger at Samson and say what a waste of power, however, is this waste of power any worse than how sometimes we waste the gifts of life God has given us? Yet God is patient with us and though we throw away our gifts and life toward foolish aims. Samson isn't worse than any of us it is just easier to see the waste because of the great potential. We will never have the strength of Samson, but we are just as responsible for what we do have.

The act of disobedience in this chapter comes when Samson takes the fresh jawbone of a dead donkey and kills the Philistines. Part of the vow of a Nazarite was never to touch anything dead and not even to go near them. Samson didn't need this weapon. He could have done the work with his bare hands or with something else he found. Since it was a fresh kill, it couldn't be said that Samson thought it was just a stick. There was no excuse and with the poem, he said afterward, I have to wonder if he picked up the jawbone on purpose, but that is just speculation. What matters is that Samson again broke his Nazarite vow.

The great act of God's grace comes in two ways, strength and provision. God gave Samson the strength which was promised him and allowed him to kill the Philistine oppressors even though he was using an unholy object. The second is that God gave him the provision of water after the battle. This shows me that just because God is gracious and does a miracle doesn't mean the person is doing right. What Samson and we need to realize is that just because God has given us grace doesn't mean he is pleased with everything we are doing. God even allowed Samson to judge Israel for twenty years, but I have to believe this was God's mercy to Samson and the children of Israel.

In spite of this long period of God's grace, we learn in the next chapter that Samson hadn't changed his ways things were finally going to catch up to him as he goes too far. For the moment, we need to realize the truth that God is longsuffering and patient with those whom should know better. It is also a reminder that just because someone (or you) seems to be blessed by God it doesn't mean that God is pleased with everything they do.


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TCN's Biblical Journey March 2nd

Today's Reading is Judges 10-14

Here in this chapter 11 comes a story which brings lots of argument. The vow and sacrifice of Jephthah. Jephthah made a foolish vow to offer a burnt offering of whatever comes to meet him at his house if God delivered the children of Ammon into his hands. Afterward, Jephthah’s daughter comes out to meet him. Scriptures say that Jephthah keeps his vow. The arguments start with if he really killed his daughter, and why did God accept this.

As far as the arguments on whether Jephthah’s daughter was killed or keep a perpetual virgin (which was nearly a death to a woman of that time and meant the end of Jephthah’s line) both actions are wrong. The real argument is God’s involvement in it. I would note, we don’t see Jephthah calling out to God for forgiveness because of his foolish vow, which I believe God would have answered, “Don’t harm the child.”

First, it was God’s plan to deliver Israel, so Jephthah did not need to bribe God. This looks little more than the attitude of the pagans which surrounded them, offer the god a promise and if they do it pay up. However, God is never bribed. God offers promises and conditions, but He is never bribed into doing something he doesn’t plan on doing. I would note that Jephthah isn’t the last person to do this in the Bible, but it doesn’t make it right.

Second. from what we see in the law God absolutely forbade human sacrifice. Jephthah may have been trying to please God, but this sacrifice was as “Josephus says, neither "conformably to the law, nor acceptable to God.’”[1] This is not recorded as an example of doing the right thing, but life as it really was flawed and here I use the term reprehensible. This is an example of what we should NOT be doing. 

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[1] Pulpit Commentary. Accessed 2/26/18. http://biblehub.com/commentaries/judges/11-39.htm