JEPHTHAH'S FOOLISH PROMISE (August 2, 2009)

Wow, Sunday's lesson sure was heavy wasn't it? Who knew a careless promise could lead to someone else's death?! Controlling our tongue and the words that come out of our mouths can be really hard. Remember what James (in the Bible) said? He said our "tongue is a fire." In other words, we could say things that please God (like worship and encouragement), while in the next breath say things that hurt others and cause us to sin. That little muscle inside your mouth is a powerful thing and we must be careful and let God control it. Remember, everything we say, God will judge...no word, action or attitude is insignificant to God. Most of all, we need to be very careful when we use the words "I Promise." That's where Jephthah comes in...

Jephthah's story comes from Judges 11 and what a sad story it is! Not only do his brothers hate him from the start because he has a different mother, they then use him to lead Israel to victory because they know he's a mighty warrior. His brothers promise to make him commander and chief over the army if he agrees to help them and that promise was kept. However, Jephthah, wanting to make sure God gave him the victory over the Ammonites, makes a very CARELESS promise to God... He said: "If you give me the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return home I will sacrifice." Well, sure enough God gives Jephthah and the army of Israel the victory. When Jephthah returns home as a triumphant soldier his only child, his daughter, comes running out of the house dancing and playing tambourines to greet her father. It was at that moment, Jepthah remembered the promise he made to God and was so overcome with sadness that the Bible says he tore his clothes. Because of careless words and not thinking about what He was saying, Jephthah's daughter dies.

This week I challenge you to not make sudden promises to impress people that you know you can't keep. Don't make a promise and then break it because you will hurt and cause trouble for the one you made your promise to. Ask God to help you control your tongue and what comes out of your mouth so that you're always pleasing Him in all that you say and do!

See you Sunday!
Pastor Carrie