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Yeeftakh (Jephthah), whose name means “he opens,” is one of the most tragic of the judges of ancient Israel. His rash vow to God that ended being fulfilled by his daughter as a sacrifice disturbs many people. However, a close look at the account suggests quite a different outcome.
Food for thought from the recorded discussion
How is the argument between Israel and Ammon parallel to the dispute between Israel and the Arabs who call themselves “Palestinians”? Was Israel commanded to conquer Ammon upon entry into the land from Egypt? Why didn’t Israel cross over the border from Amor into Ammon? How does Ammon exaggerate his border? How does this claim reach into Moab’s land?
Why did Israel not take control of the land referred to in this passage for 300 years?
What is the god Chemosh and how does it related to Moab and Ammon?
Why did Yeeftakh make such a rash vow to God to sacrifice the first think that greeted him on his return from victory? Could this be connected to the sense of inadequacy Yeeftakh felt as a judge? Why would God bless a vow based on a such a monsterous vow? Why can’t Yeeftakh renounce his vow to God?
Why did God choose Yeeftakh’s daughter, his only child to greet him? What does this incident teach Yeeftakh about his character and his daughter?
Why did his daughter weep over her virginity and not her life? Could her fate be that of Anna the prophetess who never left the Temple (Luke 2:27)? The burnt offering, 
‘olah in Hebrew meaning “that which goes up,” was to be delivered whole to God without priests or others getting benefit. Could it be that she was offered to God as a living sacrifice (cf. Rom. 12:1)?
Assume Jepthah did offer his daughter as a sacrifice. He was supposed to be executed for doing so, because that was a symbol of worship of other gods (Lev. 18:21; Lev. 20:2-5; Deut. 18:10). How could Yeeftakh be zealous for God’s law enough not to break his vow yet be willing to break God’s law by presenting a human sacrifice?
What then did Yeeftakh mourn if his daughter simply remained alive in the Tabernacle?
Reader: Jeff. Speaker: Daniel Agee.