And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If you shall without fail (and as if God can fail, really Jephthath)
deliver the children of Ammon into my hands, Then it shall be that whatsoever comes forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace shall surely be the Lord’s and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.
(Judges 11 verses 30-36)

Jephthah vowed to God that if he were victorious in battle, whatsoever came through the doors of his house to meet him upon his return from battle, he will give to the Lord as a burnt offering. What did Jephthah think would come through his doors ? a piece of furniture ? his pet dog.

Guess who came out to meet him ? his daughter and she was his only child. Oops. He sure put his foot in his mouth on this one.

Jephthath tore his clothes in dismay and said `I have opened my mouth unto the Lord and I cannot go back’. Proverbs 6 in the Bible says `You are snared with the words of your mouth, you are taken with the words of your mouth’. Well, not only was Jephthath snared but he got his daughter snared too. Careless words spoken.

How often have we opened our mouths and spoken words we could not take back. Do we implicate others too with our foolish promises. The Book of Proverbs in the Bible has many warnings about that deadly but powerful little member - the tongue. Prov 21 says Whoso keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles (its in the plural).

I do not think for a moment that Jephthah intended to offer his daughter as a human sacrifice. If so he had a totally wrong idea of what God takes pleasure in. The Mosaic law strictly forbids human sacrifice. Now wait a minute you say. What about God asking Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Well, did God allow it to happen. Abraham’s was a test of faith, obedience and priorities. Priorities ? Yes priorities. God wanted to make it crystal clear to Abraham who his first love was. God or Isaac. Abraham made the right choice. He chose God and as a reward he got Isaac too.

We make the mistake of thinking silence is evidence of divine approval. After all, God did not tell Jephthath not to vow this vow.
God will never take away your choice. It does not mean that God approves of your offerings and sacrifices. Abel offered an animal. God was pleased. Cain offered fruit. God was not pleased.

We offer God some really stinky stuff. He probably goes `pooh, not your self righteous acts again. I am sick and tired of it.

Do not be rash with your vows. Do not be hasty to speak. Do not make foolish vows. God desires obedience, not burnt offerings and sacrifice.