PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Numbers 29-30
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“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)
Israel’s festivals (ch.29) celebrated God’s faithfulness to his promises.
God’s promises were kept, and the people were expected to keep their too (ch.30).
These were not forced promised, they were freewill promises.
One challenge raised was whether the men had to honour the vows of women.
This was a strongly patriarchal culture; the house was owned and ruled by the husband/father.
We cringe at the unfairness of these patriarchal rules, but they were normal then.
I see God working within (accommodating) the culture to protect the integrity of promises.
Looking past these cultural limits, we can value the importance of faithfulness.
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)
God has promised to love, forgive and restore us – and through Jesus this promise is kept.
As a Jesus follower I have made promises to God to, and to others.
This passage challenges me to think about the promises I’ve made – am I honouring them?
The Lord keeps his promises to me; am I committed to keeping my promises to him?
PRAYER
Lord, you are faithful to your promises to me. Help me to resolve to follow through on my promises, and help me where I struggle to do this.
God expects us not to make promises lightly – what we say we must do. There seems to be protection especially for daughters under their Father’s roof, but I wonder about the sons. If a son makes a rash vow, he must carry it out yet a daughter’s rash vow could be cancelled by her Father. In the context of their time young girls and young women were very much vulnerable and exploited – so these protections to prevent women from making rash vows were probably helpful. Yet Jesus says don’t vow or swear at all. Instead “Simply let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘No’ ‘No” ..” [Matt 5:27]. Better not to vow – rather be careful to speak the truth and do what you say! Help me Lord to stay on track!
Promise keepers.
That is who we are. I am.
God is with His people and keeps His promises and I must do the same – keeping my promise to serve Him all of my days by my words and deeds. Lead by His Spirit makes it a possibility. On my own it is impossible but with His hand leading and guiding me I can be an instrument of His peace, living for Jesus.
When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.