It has been noted that Jephthah could not have lawfully sacrificed his daughter because it would constitute human sacrifice, something God explicitly forbade. Some have suggested that his daughter remained unmarried and was given to serve the Lord in the temple.
Deuteronomy 12: 31 you shall not behave thus toward the Lord your God, for every abominable act which the Lord hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.
What different times we live in today; what would happen if I made a vow with God that if he would deliver to me victory over an enemy I would offer my only daughter, who is very bright and just beginning her adult life, as a burnt offering to the Lord. I think we know the answer; our courts, lawyers, news media and press would have a field day, grant me my fifteen minutes of fame just before declaring me insane and put away for all time. My daughter would certainly lament the loss of any part of her freedom, especially her free will to live and serve as she sees fit.
Today we should temper our vows to serve God, to be grateful for his love and forgiveness given to us through the sacrifice of his only son on the cross.
That text really connected with you, since you have only one child and she is a daughter. I'm enjoying your blogs.
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