human sacrifice in the OT: Jephthah and Saul
last quarter's reading of the Bible was in Reese's Chronological format. this quarter i'm reading the OT in the Jewish order. in that order Ruth comes near the end and one goes directly from Judges to 1 Samuel. in reading 12 to 15 chapters a day, two guys appeared back to back in my reading who's contrast helped me understand their actions.
Jephthah (Judges 11) was rejected by his brothers for his mother was a prostitute, yet this rejected one was called on to deliver his hometown. He tried diplomacy. Then the Spirit of the Lord came on him (v. 29) and he advanced on the Ammonite army. then he makes a crazy vow to God, who was with him already, that if he's victorious he'll sacrifice to God the first thing that comes out of his door to meet him in his triumph (v. 31). Perhaps this guy was so red neck he normally had cows and sheep coming in and out of his door. Perhaps he had alot of friendly pets. Perhaps he didn't really mean a burnt sacrifice. Or perhaps, he was a nutcase who really wanted to prove his fierce commitment. That last one has something in common with King Saul. Well, he wins. and his daughter is the first to greet him, which bums him out. she's bummed too. he gives her 2 months to grieve then he did to her as he vowed (v.39). apparently there is a tradition that honors the girl (v. 40). but the dad, the deliverer does not receive comments or kudos.
fast forward to Samuel and Saul.
the people are fed up with the corruption of Samuel's sons and ask for a king. Samuel is rippin' mad. he blasts them, reminding them how God always provides a deliverer for them mentioning Jephthah and himself in the same sentence (1 Samuel 12: 11).
So later on King Saul is taking advantage of enemy panic caused by his son Jonny. but then Saul makes a ridiculous pronouncement cursing anyone who eats before dusk while they slaughter (14:24). turns out, this wasn't a good policy, starving exhausted soldiers aren't as effective. Jonny wisely ate some honey he found in the woods. he never heard his father's stupid curse. Saul sought God for some strategy and God didn't answer, which led Saul to believe someone sinned. eventually the lots fell to Jonny, who promptly confessed. Saul figured it was his duty to kill his son. the entire army intervened on Jonny's behalf. Saul learned one lesson from Jephthah but everyone else learned another.
What did Saul need to learn? Samuel confronts him in ch. 15. He rhetorically asks whether God delights in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as obedience to God's voice (v.22). killing their children in sacrifice in complete disregard to God's command against murder exemplifies the twisted thinking that Samuel condemns.
For some reason we have trouble loving God and loving our neighbor at the same time. Historically, the crusades and the inquisition come to mind. socially, we all see and sometimes participate in increasing the offering to alleviate guilt. we apply a theory that flashing cash with one hand will distract God from the sin our other hand is at. children are so bad at lying and covering up their errors that it is humorous. as adults before the all knowing God, similar games are just plain pitiful.
Jephthah should of repented of his rash vow. so should Saul. they were foolish vows, foolish sacrifices.
"To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice."
Jephthah (Judges 11) was rejected by his brothers for his mother was a prostitute, yet this rejected one was called on to deliver his hometown. He tried diplomacy. Then the Spirit of the Lord came on him (v. 29) and he advanced on the Ammonite army. then he makes a crazy vow to God, who was with him already, that if he's victorious he'll sacrifice to God the first thing that comes out of his door to meet him in his triumph (v. 31). Perhaps this guy was so red neck he normally had cows and sheep coming in and out of his door. Perhaps he had alot of friendly pets. Perhaps he didn't really mean a burnt sacrifice. Or perhaps, he was a nutcase who really wanted to prove his fierce commitment. That last one has something in common with King Saul. Well, he wins. and his daughter is the first to greet him, which bums him out. she's bummed too. he gives her 2 months to grieve then he did to her as he vowed (v.39). apparently there is a tradition that honors the girl (v. 40). but the dad, the deliverer does not receive comments or kudos.
fast forward to Samuel and Saul.
the people are fed up with the corruption of Samuel's sons and ask for a king. Samuel is rippin' mad. he blasts them, reminding them how God always provides a deliverer for them mentioning Jephthah and himself in the same sentence (1 Samuel 12: 11).
So later on King Saul is taking advantage of enemy panic caused by his son Jonny. but then Saul makes a ridiculous pronouncement cursing anyone who eats before dusk while they slaughter (14:24). turns out, this wasn't a good policy, starving exhausted soldiers aren't as effective. Jonny wisely ate some honey he found in the woods. he never heard his father's stupid curse. Saul sought God for some strategy and God didn't answer, which led Saul to believe someone sinned. eventually the lots fell to Jonny, who promptly confessed. Saul figured it was his duty to kill his son. the entire army intervened on Jonny's behalf. Saul learned one lesson from Jephthah but everyone else learned another.
What did Saul need to learn? Samuel confronts him in ch. 15. He rhetorically asks whether God delights in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as obedience to God's voice (v.22). killing their children in sacrifice in complete disregard to God's command against murder exemplifies the twisted thinking that Samuel condemns.
For some reason we have trouble loving God and loving our neighbor at the same time. Historically, the crusades and the inquisition come to mind. socially, we all see and sometimes participate in increasing the offering to alleviate guilt. we apply a theory that flashing cash with one hand will distract God from the sin our other hand is at. children are so bad at lying and covering up their errors that it is humorous. as adults before the all knowing God, similar games are just plain pitiful.
Jephthah should of repented of his rash vow. so should Saul. they were foolish vows, foolish sacrifices.
"To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice."
-Proverbs 21:3
Ecclesiastes 5 speaks to these situations.
1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. 4 When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. (ESV)
i think God makes exceptions for extremely stupid vows such as Jephthah's and Saul's. Saul, in fact went on to more success, but his other faults led to his eventual downfall.
1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. 4 When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. (ESV)
i think God makes exceptions for extremely stupid vows such as Jephthah's and Saul's. Saul, in fact went on to more success, but his other faults led to his eventual downfall.
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