I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Judges 11. “So she said to him, ‘My father, if you have given your word to the Lord, do to me according to what has gone out of your mouth, because the Lord has avenged you of your enemies, the people of Ammon.’  Then she said to her father, ‘Let this thing be done for me: let me alone for two months, that I may go and wander on the mountains and bewail my virginity, my friends and I” (Verses 36-37). Be careful of your words. Don’t make idle promises to God. I am sure at the time Jephthah wasn’t thinking that his vow was idle. I am sure the intentions of his heart were good. “Lord id you do this, then I’ll do this…” We do it now as well, the barter. The price Jephthah paid for his idle words? His one and ONLY child. Some may be thinking God spared Issac why not this child? There is a difference, God asked Abraham to sacrifice Issac to test Abraham’s heart. Jephthah vowed to give the first thing that came out of his house after battle to God as a burnt offering, IF God would help them defeat the enemy.  God did what he asked. He made the vow, without ever thinking about what it would mean. Don’t idly vow to God, just to get what you want. God held Jephthah to his vow, He will do the same with us. So think and pray before you speak. God holds us to our word.