An Incredible Woman Without A Name

Judges 11:30-40

What an incredible story of faith, love, submission, and full obedience to God.

Many don't know this woman existed, yet God set apart 10 verses in the Bible to tell her incredible story of faith. This woman displayed such a love for God and feared the Lord to an extent that is very rare and we don't even know her name. All we know her by is: Jephthah's Daughter.

Jephthah found himself facing the Ammonites in war and before going out to fight them he prayed asking for help. He asked that if God would give him the victory in this battle he would vow to give whatever came out to meet him when he got home to the Lord as a burnt sacrifice. I'm sure he was referring to an animal, but after the war was over and the victory was won he arrived home to face the shock and horror of his life. Instead of a pet coming out to meet him...his only child, his precious daughter and baby girl came out to greet her beloved father and rejoice in his victory. He was horrified, rent his clothes, and cried.

"...I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back."

Can you imagine this woman's reaction? But the way she responded to that horrible news floored me. She understood and agreed on the importance of vows and keeping your word. She knew very well what must be done and told her dad that he must keep his vow to God. She asked for only two months to go into the mountains with her loyal and supportive friends before her father fulfilled his vow. He agreed and let her go. Now if I was her I'd have probably booked it out of there and never come back knowing what was waiting for me, however, after two months she kept her word and she bravely came home, still a virgin, and pure before the Lord. Her father then kept his promise to God and she allowed herself to be given for him to the Lord as a burnt sacrifice. Her display of faith, her fear of the Lord, and obedience to her father is incredible. She loved her father so much.

I've never read the story of Jephthah's daughter with such real feeling as I have now. This really happened. This woman really lived and had to go through this. When you read between the lines and really let your imagination try to experience the emotions and real life situations you will find how much you can learn from their lives. This innocent, pure, God fearing young woman made such an impact in my life as to the importance of loving God more than self and family. What a remarkable young woman and we don't even know her name...