SCRIPTURE: NUMBERS 30
BIBLE VERSES:
“Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel: “This is what the Lord commands: When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.” (Numbers 30:1-2)
“Any vow or obligation taken by a widow or divorced woman will be binding on her.” ( Numbers 30:9)
VOWS (vs. 1-16)
REGULATIONS OF VOW COCERNING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A FATHER AND HIS YOUNG DAUGHTER STILL LIVING IN HIS HOUSE:
If a young daughter makes a vow to the Lord or obligates herself by a pledge and her father hears it but says nothing, her vows and pledge will stand. But if her father forbids her when he hears about it, none of her vows or pledge will stand.
REGULATIONS OF VOW CONCERNING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A MAN AND HIS WIFE:
If a woman marries after she makes a vow or a rash promise and her husband hears it and says nothing, hew vows will stand. But if her husband forbids her when he hears about it, he nullifies the vow and rash promises and the Lord will release her.
If a woman living with her husband makes a vow or pledge under oath and her husband hears about it but says nothing and does not forbid her, then all her vows or pledge will stand. But if her husband nullifies them, none of the vows in pledge will stand. The Lord will release her. Her husband may confirm or deny any vor or pledge she makes. But if her husband says nothing to her about it, then he confirms all her vows or pledges binding on her. If he nullifies them sometime after he hears about them, then he is responsible for her guilt.
THOUGHTS:
God acknowledges the power of authority. A wife’s vow may be cancelled by her husband and a daughter’s vow by her father. The family has to be considered before making any promises to God. We must keep seriously any promises and pledge given to God.
There was no contract in ancient times. So, a person’s word was as binding as a signature. Once a vow was made, it had to be fulfilled. Breaking a vow means a broken trust and broken relationship. Trust is very important in our relationship with God and man.