Text:       Judges 11:30-31; Matthew 14:7,9

By:          Isaac Ekaragha (Deacon)

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Dangerous is the possibility of something happening that may harm something or kill somebody.

Vows are solemn oaths, promises or pledge made to God, deity or person with the sole aim of supporting a cause. 

INTRODUCTION

The practice of deliberately making vows to God was common among the ancient Israelites.

However, making vows to God is still a common feature among some contemporary Christians.

A vow could be religious, social or legal. The religious one was the commonest one in the Old Testament and the most dangerous if renege upon.

Under the religious vow God would not compel anyone to make a vow to Him as it was essentially voluntary.

But where someone chooses to make one, it is therefore become a solemn bond between him and God.

It is better not to vow than making one without fulfilling it – Numbers 30:2, Ecclesiastes 5: 4-5.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Now, from the foregoing passage, Jephthah, son of Gilead by a harlot, made a rash and inconsiderate vow without counting the cost to himself or to others.

Due to the circumstances of his birth and the consequential hatred of his half-siblings, Jephthah had fled from his home and soon gathered a formidable rag-tag group of soldiers around him.

When Ammon threatened Israel, the elders of Gilead pleaded with him to lend his army against the enemy, offering him leadership role over Gilead.

Accepting their offer, Jephthah tried to negotiate a settlement with Ammon to no avail. War was then inevitable.

On the eve of the battle, whether out of weakness of character or sheer impulsiveness, Jephthah made a vow to the Lord and said, “If thou shall without fail deliver the children Ammon into mine hands. Then it shall be, That whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord’s and I will offer it for burnt offering” Judges 11:30-31.

But there was an unexpected twist of event at Jephthah’s home on his victory over the Ammonites.

“And when Jephthah came to Mizpeh into his house, and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child, beside her he had neither son nor daughter. And it came to pass when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back” Judges 11:34-35 

Case study 2 was King Herod who also made a dangerous vow to Herodias’ daughter, having danced gracefully at his own birthday party, resulting in the decapitation of John the Baptist – Matthew 14:1-11.

LESSONS FROM THE PASSAGES

• Never you make a rash and inconsiderate declarations with vows, oaths or declarations without considering the price to pay – James 1:19, Colossians 4:6
• Never make a regrettable vow or oath Judges 11:35, Matthew 14:7,9.
• Be mindful of making vows or oaths that could possibly cost persons their lives – Matthew 14:7.
• Let us be reminded that making vow to God is not the only surest way He can provide solutions to challenges. Prayers and fasting programmes are other options.
• Making dangerous decision is as bad as making dangerous vow Ruth 1:1-5
• Making vow is not meant for the impulsive and fools – Ecclesiastes 5:4
• Never be in a haste to making vows.

CONCLUSION

As we are often confronted with the challenges of making decisions or even possible vows on a regular basis, we should learn to trust in the Lord with all our heart for guidance, not depending on our own understanding but acknowledging Him to direct our paths – Proverbs 3:5-6.

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