Keeping Vows or Oaths

O. T. #356  "Keeping Vows or Oaths"
Sept. 3, 2014
Numbers 30
If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.  Numbers 30:2

LET IT GLOW

My sister and brother in law will celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary tomorrow. My parents were married forty-six years before Dad passed away. My brother and sister in law have been married forty-one years. My husband and I will celebrate our forty-second wedding anniversary in two months. Our children have been married seventeen and sixteen years. Do you see a pattern in our family? We are blessed with a family who keeps their wedding vows. I am so proud of them. It is important that our younger generation sees love and commitment in our lives.

It is becoming a serious and common matter in our society to say a vow, sign an agreement or oath, then later break it whenever a person decides it is unimportant or does not want to do it any longer. Broken vows are found in marriages, business, employment, and everyday life. What happened to the days when "I do" is forever? When our word of "Yes, I agree to do this" is as good as a signature? Where are our commitments? Why are we hurting our witness in the world? Israel received instructions about vows and oaths which they would make in the future. They could apply to us today, also.

Here we have Moses speaking to the heads, the leaders, of the tribes of Israel. These were to communicate to all of Israel these instructions concerning vows/oaths.
The keeping of vows involving three types of people are given direction:

1. the vow of a man,
2. the young woman still living in her father's house,
3. the vow of a married woman,
4. the vow of a widow or divorced woman.

First, the man who makes a vow unto the Lord or takes an oath or pledge has obligated himself and must not break it his word, but do everything he said he would do. A vow to God is no small thing and is to be taken seriously. Also, if a man breaks an oath, he has simply committed sin.

Second, the vow of a young woman still living in her father's house, which is made unto the Lord or as an oath of obligation, wasn't taken as binding unless her father approved of it. (verses 3-5)

Third, the vow of a married woman could be made void by her husband on the day he hears it, or else she is obligated to keep the vow or oath, with her husband confirming it. If he waits until later, then the husband is responsible for her vow or oath. (verses 6-8 and 10-15)

Fourth, the widow or divorced is bound by her vows or obligations. (verse 9) She has no "head" of her household (her "head" is God directly), so she is bound by her vows. (Guzik)

When God declares someone to be in a position of rightful authority and others are expected to submit to that authority, the head is accountable before God for the result. God never grants authority without accountability. When this is understood, it makes submission much easier.  (Guzik)

Do we keep our words, our vows to God, our oaths to others?
As a wife, are we submissive to our husband's directions and final word of authority?

LET IT GROW


David Guzik explains this matter:

• In Matthew 5:34-37, Jesus wasn't forbidding oaths, as much as telling us that we should be so filled with integrity in our words that an oath is unnecessary.
• Jesus answered under oath in a court (Matt. 26:63-64), and God Himself swears oaths (Luke 1:73; Acts 2:30; Heb. 3:18, 6:13,17)
• Because God takes our vows seriously, sometimes it is better not to make a vow. (Ecc.5:4-5)
• Many vows are just plain foolish; "I'll never do that again" is a foolish vow. It is foolish and unwise to demand such a vow from someone else.
• There is a vow we all can and should make-a vow to praise God (Ps. 56:12).

Are our words that of integrity? Are we known by others that we keep our word? Are we careful with  what we say "yes" to do? Do we discuss things with our husband before agreeing to something? Do we praise our God throughout the day?


LET IT GROW

Discuss matters of importance with my husband, then submit to his leadership.

Remember that "no" is an acceptable answer.

Decide which "yes" is the best answer for me.

Keep my words of commitment.

Take my vows seriously that are made unto the Lord.

Fulfill my obligations.