Week 55, Day 5: Vows

Today’s Reading:  Numbers 30:1-16

Some thoughts from today’s reading…

Moses spoke to the heads of each tribe regarding the keeping of vows.  If a man makes a vow or oath he is to keep it and do all that proceeds out of his mouth.  Regarding a daughter still living in his household, a father was given the right to annul the vow the day he heard of it.  If he didn’t say anything that day then she was bound to keep her vow.  In a similar way, when married  her husband was able to confirm or annul her vow the day he hears of it.  The Lord required for Israel to take very seriously the taking of a vow and to make sure to keep it.  But he also reemphasizes the role of women as submissive to their husbands/ fathers and that the man is in a leading role in the family.  This pattern has not been changed in the NT.  This is not popular today and thus part of the reason why people want to ignore parts of God’s commands.

Question:  Why is it important for people to keep the vows they have taken?  Why should this be warning for people to be careful what vows they make?