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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: RESOLUTION (01/07/16)
In Judges 11:30-31, Jephthat makes a vow to offer as a burnt offering, “whatever comes out of my house to meet me when I return in triumph.” When he does return from victory, the first one to greet him was his daughter. He is immediately distraught.
Having read that passage many times, I have wondered a little angrily, “What did he think was going to come out to greet him? Was he so consumed with getting victory that he didn’t think through this vow and its potential consequences?
In a sad ending to a sad story, Jephthat does fulfill his vow and take his daughter’s life because, in those days, a man’s vow, was more important than anything else.
Today, we still often make commitments without thinking through the ramifications. Gyms are filled in January with people who have made a “resolution” to eat less, get in shape and lose weight. By February, the lines to use machines at the gym will be almost nonexistent. Those New Year’s resolutions are forgotten or laughed off as a joke.
Government bodies and organizations pass non-binding resolutions to make a statement on some issue the body believes is important. But the strength of the resolution ends with the words. With nothing to back up the words, the resolution goes quietly into a file.
Proverbs 20:25 says, “Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost.” Wow! I wish Jephthat had access to the wisdom of King Solomon before he made such a rash commitment that led to his daughter’s death. Today, we need to hold to the truth that our words are important and we should count the cost and make commitments that stand the test of time.
It even happens in the way people present the plan of salvation God offers through the sacrifice of Jesus. So often, people are told to pray a prayer without understanding what a commitment to Jesus Christ is all about. It’s as if the prayer is some type of “magic words” that can get us into heaven. People need to know before praying this important prayer that it signals the beginning of a life committed to following and serving The Lord, no matter what happens. In Luke 14, Jesus tells disciples to “count the cost” before making the commitment to follow Him.
“If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’ Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” (Luke 14:26-33, NLT)
One of the dictionary definitions for resolution is “a firm decision to do or not to do something.” The decisions we make today often aren’t very firm at all. They are watered down, subject to change at any moment. Many of those who pray the prayer to “give their heart to Jesus” end up walking away from that commitment when it gets too difficult.
It is time to follow the teaching of our Savior and make resolutions that change us forever. Ultimately, that kind of change is what God wants for us.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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This article has been read 422 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Bonnie Bowden 
01/14/16
I have never read that passage before. It does remind us to count the cost before making oaths.

Double-spacing between the paragraphs would make for easier reading.
Virgil Youngblood 
01/14/16
Jephthah is listed in the roll call of the faithful: Hebrews 11:32. There is much to ponder in trying to understand this story from the Bible. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.
Francie Snell 
01/15/16
This is very interesting. You had my focused attention all the way through. You made some very valid points.
Please us proper spacing next time and keep writing.
God Bless

C D Swanson 
01/19/16
Well done...well expressed, good message.

God bless~