And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of 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 up for a burnt offering. Judges 11:30-31 KJV
A vow is a promise, but in this case it was something more. Jephthah was bargaining with God: If God would give him victory then he would make a special sacrifice. Too often we try to strike up the same kind of deals with God. We promise to go to church, to give more in the offering plate, or to do some great act of service if only God will do some certain thing for us. Such reasoning is never necessary or appropriate. It is based on a wrong view of God. God does not bless us because we strike up a good deal with Him. We cannot buy God! God did not require or need a vow from Jephthah in order for him to win; He already intended to use him in leading Israel to victory over their enemy. God does not need vows from us either. In fact, both Old and New Testaments warn us against making vows. It is far better to depend on God, and ask Him to bless and meet our needs.
Lord, I am so glad you are not as we are. We do not need to make deals with you to receive your favor. You bless, show mercy, and give grace because it is according to the good pleasure of your own will, not because of what you can get from us in return.
