God’s law concerning taking Vows and Oaths
February 18
Bible Reading: Numbers Chapters 28-30
God’s law concerning taking Vows and Oaths
In Num 30:1-2,
we read the following: “Then Moses spoke
to the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, "This is the thing which the Lord has
commanded: If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself
by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all
that proceeds out of his mouth”. It is evident that God takes vows and
oaths very seriously. A vow (“neder”)
is a pledge to do something. On the other hand, by means of an oath (“shavua”) one may either prohibit or
require oneself to perform a particular act.
Vows and
oaths were solemn promises made to God in reference to devoting oneself to God
(Num 6:2), dedicating children to God (1 Sam 1:11), devoting property to God
(Gen 28:22), offering sacrifices (Lev 7:16; Num 15:3) and afflicting our soul
(Num 30:13). Vows and oaths were meant to be voluntary (Deut 23:21-22), and
were required to be performed faithfully (Num 30:2) and without any delay (Deut
23:23). There were many instances of vows and oaths recorded in scripture:
Jacob (Gen 28:20-22; 31:13), Israelites (Num 21:2), Jephthah (Judges 11:30-31),
Hannah (1 Sam 1:11), David (Psalms 132:2-5), Jonah (Jonah 2:9) and Paul (Acts
18:18).
There are predominantly two aspects
of God’s law concerning vows and oaths:
- If you make a vow or oath, DO NOT
break it under any circumstances. "When you make a
vow to the Lord your God, you shall not
delay to pay it; for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and
it would be sin to you. But if you abstain from vowing, it shall not be sin to
you. That which has gone from your lips you
shall keep and perform, for you voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what
you have promised with your mouth” (Deut 23:21-23). “Make vows to the Lord your God, and pay them..." (Psalms 76:11)
- It is however BETTER NOT to take a vow or oath at all. “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed. Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands?" (Eccl 5:4-6). “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Matt 5:33-37). “But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your "Yes," be "Yes," and your "No," "No," lest you fall into judgment” (James 5:12).
