SCRIPTURE: NUMBERS 30
IMPORTANT VERSES:
“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 30:2)
“Her husband may confirm or nullify any vow she makes or any sworn pledge to deny herself.” (Numbers 30:13)
VOWS (vs. 1-16)
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.
‘When a young woman still living in her father’s house makes a vow to the Lord or obligates herself by a pledge and her father hears about her vow or pledge but says nothing to her, then all her vows and every pledge by which she obligated herself will stand. But if her father forbids her when he hears about it on one of her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand; then Lord will release her because her father has forbidden her.
“If she marries after she makes a vow or after her lips utter a rash promise by which she obligates herself and her husband hears about it but says nothing to her, then her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will s and. But if her husband forbids her when he hears about it, he nullifies the vow that obligates her or the rash promise by which she obligates herself, and the Lord will release her./
“Any vow of obligation taken by a widow or divorced woman will be binding on her.
If a woman living with her husband makes a vow or obligates herself by a pledge under oath and her husband hears about it but says nothing to her and does not forbid her, then all her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand. But if her husband nullifies them when he hears about them, then one of the vows or pledges that came from her lips will stand. Her husband has nullified them, and the Lord will release her. Her husband may confirm or nullify any vow she makes or any sworn pledge to deny herself. But if her husband says nothing to her about it from day to day, then he confirms all her vows or the pledges binding on her. He confirms them by saying nothing to her when he hears about them. if, however, he nullifies them some time after he hears about them, then he is responsible for her guilt.”
These are the regulations the Lord gave Moses concerning relationships between a man and his wife, and between a father and his young daughter still living in his house.
THOUGHTS: (From Life Application Study Bible)
Moses reminded the people that their promises to God and others must be kept. In ancient times, people did not sign written contracts. A person’s word was as binding as a signature. To make a vow even more binding, an offering was given along with it. No one was forced by law to make a vow, but once made, vows had to be fulfilled. Breaking a vow meant a broken trust and a broken relationship. Trust is still the basis of our relationships with God and others. A broken promise today is just as harmful as it was in Moses’ day.
Under Israelite law, parents could overrule their children’s vows. This helped young people avoid the consequences of making foolish promises or costly commitments. From the law comes an important principle for both parents and children. Young people still living at home should seek their parents’ help when they make decisions. A parent’s experience could save a child from serious mistakes. Parents, however, should exercise their authority with caution and grace. They should let children learn from their mistakes while protecting them from disaster.