Reading for December 31st

 Read Judges 11.29-40. In 11.29-40: Jephthah's vow. In verse 29: Only now the spirit of the Lord empowers Jephthah, perhaps reflecting the Lord's earlier reluctance to deliver Israel (10.13-16). In verse 30: Another example of a war vow can be found in Num21.2. In verse 31: His vow is rash, careless, and egocentric. The language does not necessarily specify that this will be a human sacrifice (NRSV whoever could also be "whatever"). Israelites shared their houses with farm animals. Burnt offerings suggest an animal, although human sacrifice was not unknown in Israel. In verse 34: She is doing an expected and predictable thing. Israelite women customarily celebrated victories with tumbrels and with dancing (Ex 15.20-21; 1 Sam 18.6-7). In verse 35: He is distraught (tore his clothes), but also sounds as though he is blaming her. Every ancient reader would agree that his vow was irrevocable. In verses 36-37: She is courageous and suitably devout, but also seizes control of she will spend the last months of her life. Bewail my virginity; To die without the possibility of motherhood was a dreadful tragedy in Israelite culture. (re-emphasized in v. 39). Jephthah too is now childless (v. 34). In verse 40: This annual commemoration may have preserved her story for later generations. Comments or Questions..