I was asked by ** if I would consider answering your questions regarding the story of Yiptach (Yeeptach) (Jephthah). Actually, Yiptach was my great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather, twice-removed on my great step-sister’s side. And the family story goes: Yiptach was actually hoping his wife came out to greet him instead. (That was more for ** than you.) Sorry everybody; I couldn’t resist. I am in a good mood. LOL!

Anyhow, your struggles with this story are valid. The story is one of both tragedy and victory. However, to completely understand the story (every aspect of it) you have to consider the atmosphere behind it. I am sorry, but there seems to be no hidden secrets in the Hebrew that would bring better light on the story. It is what it is! Sadly, many have tried to excuse away Yiptah’s vow one way or the other; however, accepting the story for what it is does strengthen a person’s faith in Elohim.

During the days of Judges, YHWH used several men and women to bring Judgment upon the enemies of Israel, including Israel herself. Just within a couple of generations after Moshe and Yehoshua, Israel forgot about the mighty things of YHWH and began to serve other gods (Judges 2:1-5). Two of the main ones were Ba’al and ‘Ashtarot (Basically, Nimrod and Samiramis: The Sun God, and his wife the Queen of Heaven).

Anyhow, the children of Israel did horrific things that brought about tremendous judgment from YHWH. Eventually, they would cry out for help and Yah would deliver them by rising up mighty men of valor. Now, although many of them were men of valor, this did not mean that they had chocmah (wisdom). And, sadly, because foreign gods were being worshiped, it was common to see sacrifices of all kinds, including children, virgins, and unclean animals.

Now, although YHWH raised up Yiptach as a judge, it is possible that because he too had seen the ungodly practices of the pagans, didn’t consider his vow to be of any consequence. Most likely, he may have thought that he wouldn’t have to keep it; also he possibly wouldn’t make it back alive. Who knows? Either way, he made a vow that wasn’t uncommon in that day and age, but he should have reckoned that his vow of sacrifice was not what YVWH desired. However, it seems plausible that Yiptach considered an animal or possibly a slave would be the first to greet him outside of the house.

Instead his only child, his daughter, came out celebrating her father’s victory. Yiptah did what any father would have. But he feared the consequences of his God if he didn’t keep his vow. Most likely, he was familiar with the commandment to keep your vow (Numbers 30:1). Therefore, his reaction when he saw his daughter was one of remorse for the ill-advised vow. However, he couldn’t take it back. The tragedy of this vow is that Yiptach got prideful and made a foolish vow (Judges 11:29) because he was seeing success.

The part of this story that is absolutely amazing is that his daughter was another “Yitzchak” in spirit. She was willing to honor YHWH by laying her life down. She knew what was going to happen to her; she was no dummy, nor some bimbo that just shook her head and said, “Whatever daddy . . . I’ll do anything for you.” She recognized the severity of her fate by her father’s reaction.  Notice that he didn’t tell her (11:35), but she knew; which is why she asked for two-month’s time to go and mourn over her virginity.

Regarding the Ruach HaKodesh: Well, during the days prior to the Renewed Covenant, the Ruach of Elohim seems to be present to allow men and women to do mighty exploits before YHWH. Shimshon, David, Yehoshua, Eliyah, etc. An exception seems to be with Shlomo when he apparently had wisdom over mighty acts. However, in verse 29, the Ruach seemed to be giving Yiptah victory over several armies and peoples, which is why he may have made such a foolish vow. As eluted to above, pride is always a temptation when YHWH brings victory. Today, the millions of temples of YHWH, which house the Ruach HaKodesh, make as ignorant decisions as many of the ancients. Because the Renewed Covenant has been placed upon our hearts, and we are the temple of the Ruach HaKodesh, we don’t have an excuse; although, I thank the Lord that his grace is sufficient.

Every day I hear people say, “The Lord told me this . . . or showed me this . . . and thus. . . .” However, the next day the Lord tells them something else, which is usually contradictory to what the “Lord” told them the previous day. Either we accept the consequences of our decisions and vows, or we don’t. However, let’s not be deceived: Yeshua ben YHWH will hold us to our decisions (Mattityahu 5:33-37).

Therefore, what can we take away from this story?

1.       Honor YHWH by keeping your vows—regardless of how foolish.

2.       When YHVH brings victory in your life, don’t get prideful and say things that you’ll regret.

3.       Be willing to honor YHWH with your life.

4.       Don’t involve others with your personal vows to YHWH, and if you do, then hope that they are willing to keep your part of the bargain.

5.       And, best of all—don’t make vows. Just walk with YHWH and do what he does and says.

Shalom,

Adrian

"Changing the way people think, one blog at a time."

Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved

Recently, on the new Aviv Moon Network, I was asked a question about Satan. Well, after I responded, I didn’t expect to see so many comments, both good and bad. Some were encouraging, while others were insightful. And, I’m sure there’ll be more to come.

Now, although I consider myself a Netzari Jew (A Jew that believes in Yeshua of Nazareth), I enjoy my conversations and fellowship with a broad spectrum of believers across the entire Body of the Messiah.

While I was reading some of the comments, one lady, and a wonderful student of the Scriptures I might add, began a discourse over the Jewish mindset vs. the Greek mindset. As of late, I have heard this term tossed around like cookies at a Girl-Scout Convention. This is especially tossed around among the Messianic communities and the Hebrew Roots communities. It’s not that there isn’t something to this, but it is more of a fad than anything else, while several professors, writers, and scholars have succumbed to it. However, I thought I would toss my two-cents-worth into the “convention” (conversation), and let the readers decide.

Now, before you begin, let me make it quite clear. I am not a Roodite; however, I have met the man and thought he was nice. I do enjoy some of his insights, while at other times I think he has lost it. I say this with all humility; I, too, have people who think I’ve lost it in more ways than one. Although I enjoy getting on many websites, while discussing logic and reason, and making a stir where the food in the pot has settled, I do not condone all of his teachings. Therefore, I do disagree with him on many matters, as I do with many within Christianity. I subscribe to no person or god but Yeshua; I follow no one man except the Son of Man, Yeshua. So, if you’re going to discredit me, at least do it with respect.

Below is my comment back to the lady who commented on my blog at the Aviv Moon Network:

Regarding Jewish mindset vs. Greek mindset (THIS IS MY PERSONAL REFLECTION, AND NOT AN ARGUMENT TOWARDS YOU, BUT THE CONCEPT ITSELF): to lock people into a set way of thinking (Jewish mindset, or Gentile/Greek mindset) is to say that there is some magical transition to "thinking" that takes place. I hear this concept quite often; however, in reality--cultures influence our thinking, not languages. Therefore, within the Jewish culture . . . such and such might be true, while in the Greek culture . . . thus and thus might be true. This transition to the Jewish mindset from the Greek mindset is a fallacy (even though there are influential writers and pastors saying such things).

The "culture of sin" whether we are Jew or Gentile, is no longer relevant when we are born anew of the Ruach HaKodesh. Once this begins, we simply have to see Scripture within the setting of that culture, which just so happens to be Jewish; thus, giving us a new reality to what is righteous and what is wicked. This is true of any culture. Therefore, the process of "thinking Jewish" is to merely study the Bible from the culture it was given. The Greeks messed up when they tried to apply biblical truths to their own understandings and paganistic culture. When they did this, they failed to see the truth of YHVH in context.

The church has merely done the same thing. They have applied biblical truth to their culture [Greek or Western], which in doing so have missed the deeper meanings to the truth of YHVH. It has become a fad to say, “Jewish thought vs. Greek thought.” However, the concept is erroneous. There is no possible way that a Greek mind can all of a sudden become a Jewish mind. A Jew is a Jew, and a Greek is a Greek. It is as if we are defining people as first, second, or third-class citizens--because of their race--and that it is wicked to think as a Greek, or to be Greek for that matter. I'm sorry, but I don't buy it!

The reality, however, is that there is a root which feeds the entire tree, and that root is the root of Jesse, the Messiah, Yeshua. It is the "culture" of the kingdom of YHVH that causes us to think properly. Not the magical aspect of becoming Jewish!

It is understanding the culture, and the people, not magically becoming a Jew in your mind. IT IS TO THINK LIKE YESHUA (THE MIND OF MESSIAH) WHICH MAKES US DIFFERENT, NOT TO THINK LIKE A JEW. If that were the case, then most Jews would believe in Yeshua; sadly, they don't! Their minds have not been transformed into thinking like the Messiah.

Sha’ul tells us that we (Jew and Gentile) are L'adam Chadash E'chad (One New Man) in Ephesians 2:15; therefore, we are one in the Messiah not in our being Jewish or Greek, or Spanish, or African. We are all one in Mashiyach if we put on the "mind" of Yeshua. How do we do that? We repent (make Teshuvah), and ask to be led by the Ruach HaKodesh, which is the mind of the Messiah.
Now, don't get me wrong . . . I am flattered by Gentiles wanting to think like me, a Jew; however, the Jewish way of thinking is not always godly. Yet, Yeshua's way of thinking is absolutely awesome. . . . Therefore, let us think like Messiah (Christ) and do his bidding.
That's my personal view, and I'm sticking to it!

Shalom,
Adrian

“Changing the way people think, one blog at a time.”

© 2008, All Rights Reserved