The first reading at Mass today (Judges 11:29-39) really
irked me. Jephthah was a fierce warrior and at one point he made a vow to God
that if he were successful at battle, he would sacrifice (=kill) the first
person who comes out of his house to greet him when he gets home. Killing,
killing and then more killing. And why make such a foolhardy vow? Why just not
put everything in God’s hands in the first place and then do your best? I don’t
know about you but that’s the way I pray.
Anyway, Jephthah’s vow comes back to torment him. The first
person out of the house is his beloved (and only) daughter who greets him with
singing and dancing. So what does Jephthah do? HE BLAMES HER for the results of
his own folly. “Alas, daughter, you have struck me down and brought calamity
upon me.” Typical. Blame someone else for the disaster he brought up his own
head. Some might also note that it’s usually the woman that gets blamed for
everything.
Nonetheless, there are three lessons to be learned here:
1) Don’t bargain with God, especially when you pull other
people into the bargain as well.”
2) Violence begets violence.
3) When you make a stupid or arrogant mistake, take responsibility
for it yourself and stop looking for other to blame.
And do you know what? We never even learn the girl’s name.
She is nothing more than a pawn in the story. She also comes out as the one
decent and loving character in the whole miserable tale. Check it out.
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