When he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “Oh, no, my daughter! You’re breaking my heart! Why must you be the cause of such pain to me? I made a vow to Adonai , and I can’t go back on my word.”
This is such a difficult account. The LORD does not need to be bought off like some capricious pagan god. This account reminds me of Jacob telling Laban that whoever had stolen his idols was as good as dead. He had no idea his beloved Rachel had taken them. She died giving birth to their second son: Benjamin. Both men seemingly spoke rashly and it brought great suffering to women they love and themselves. We must guard against taking our words lightly, our Heavenly Father certainly does not.
