The Bible says the believer will not hurry (Isa. 28: 16 literal translation). Those who trust God stay in step with His Spirit. Rushing ahead of God is just as much folly as lagging behind Him. Far too often we strike out on our own with little regard for God’s timing. Sometimes it is an ill considered action on our part which puts us ahead of the divine agenda. Perhaps more often, our rash words betray an impatient heart which cannot pause to hear God speak first.
Judge Jephthah committed this crime. Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If You will hand over the Ammonites to me, whatever comes out of the doors of my house to greet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it as a burnt offering” (11: 30 – 31). Jephthah obviously never anticipated that his virgin daughter would be the first across his threshold. In the fire of the moment Jephthah made a rash vow which even the power of the Spirit of God did not prevent (11: 29). He spoke foolishly and acted even more foolishly when he carried out the sacrifice of his daughter (11: 39).
God strictly forbade His people to sacrifice their children like pagan cultures around them (Lev. 18: 21; 20: 1– 5; Deut. 12: 29 – 32; 18: 9 – 12). Invoking the name of his God did not legitimize Jephthah’s impetuous words. Furthermore, God had anticipated that His people would say rash things and provided a means to absolve them. Or if someone swears rashly to do what is good or evil – concerning anything a person may speak rashly in an oath – without being aware of it, but later recognizes it, he incurs guilt in such an instance. If someone incurs guilt…he is to confess he has committed that sin. He must bring his restitution for the sin he has committed to the LORD: a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement on his behalf for his sin (Lev. 5: 4 – 6).
If God made a specific provision for such sin it must occur with some frequency in the lives of His people. The tongue is a tricky thing often slipping from its wet place and uttering not so well thought through speech. We must guard it at all times. We are powerless to recall ill thought deeds or words. It is better to wait for the Lord’s instructions before speaking or acting than to beg God to correct the mess we have made by our rashness. We will never need to apologize for a word we did not utter.