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OT Action News: Jephthah's Vow

Album: 30: Through Thick & Thin

Episode: 389

Lesson/Theme: Biblical history

Bible Verse: Judges11:33-35

Characters: Jared, Edwin, Eugene, Whit

Writer: Phil Lollar

Sound Designer:

Original Air Date: January 17, 1998

Last Air Date: July 20, 2009

Description:
Lisa calls into the Kid's Radio program "Adventures in the Bible" to ask Whit a question about her friend Nick who uses the phrase "I swear." She is interrupted by Brink Chetley, the O.T. Action News anchor, who has a breaking story from 1089 B.C. The Ammonites have declared war on Israel to get back land they believe Israel stole from them when they came out of Egypt. Correspondent Jared DeWhite reports from the Israelite Tent of Meeting where the leaders agree to buy protection for Israel from Jephthah. Gamaliel, Jephthah's half brother, approaches him with their request that he and his men deliver Israel. Still bitter about past events, Jephthah agrees but demands they make him judge over Gilead. He attempts a peaceful solution with the Ammonite King, but it results in an argument, so Jephthah marches on Ammon. Before the battle, Jephthah vows that if God delivers Ammon to him, he will sacrifice the first thing out of his house upon his return as a burnt offering. Jephthah wins the war and kills the King of Ammon. He returns to his home in Mitzpah where his only daughter Adena runs out to meet him. Jephthah is heartbroken, but realizes he must keep his vow. Adena asks to go to the mountains for two months with friends to mourn the fact that she'll never marry. Eugene Meltsner, the Middle East expert, explains that Jephthah's vow could be interpreted that he would dedicate her to the Lord for life instead of actually offering her as a burnt offering (since human sacrifice was forbidden).

Questions:
Why were the Israelite leaders so hesitant to agree to Jephthah's deal? Why was it foolish for Jephthah to make a vow like he did before the battle? How can we apply what happened to Jephthah to today? Do people today ever make rash vows?