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NASB | Judges 11:31 then it shall be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the sons of Ammon, it shall be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Judges 11:31 then whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites, it shall be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering." |
Bible Question:
This verse is an example of some of the disturbing verses/stories particularly from the Old Testament. This 'godly' man offered up his daughter as the burnt offering (and it is highly suggestive that he knew it would be a *person* coming out from his house, not an animal). I know we can talk about the times he lived in, but yet we often use such types of things to describe why the pagan nations were so evil and had to be wiped out - they had other gods and they sacrificed people. It's like our argument saying the Koran talks about killing - well, so does the bible. Does anyone else grapple with these things? |
Bible Answer: Hi Joanne, Leviticus 27 details the procedures for when someone made a foolish vow, and how much they would have to pay to redeem that which they had vowed. God always wants us to keep our vows, but did not want such things as if someone vowed to give away that which was their inheritance, or, in this case, take the life of the innocent. When Jephthah took his daughter to the priests to sacrifice her, I am certain they would have informed him of the redemption cost, and he would have payed it. His vow would be considered as kept, the girl's life spared, and hopefully, Jephthah would have learned to choose his words a little more carefully. There are indeed some very disturbing things in the Bible, and each is an opportunity to learn about God and man. Everytime you read something that doesn't make sense, or disturbs you, or seems to contradict something else, study it until you understand it. You will find many gems this way. I hope this helps! Love in Christ, Mark |