Keep Your Vows - Numbers 29-32

Numbers 30:6-8 (ESV)

“If she marries a husband, while under her vows or any thoughtless utterance of her lips by which she has bound herself, and her husband hears of it and says nothing to her on the day that he hears, then her vows shall stand, and her pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand. But if, on the day that her husband comes to hear of it, he opposes her, then he makes void her vow that was on her, and the thoughtless utterance of her lips by which she bound herself. And the LORD will forgive her.

God takes vows seriously. He also take relationships with a spouse seriously.  In this section of Numbers, Moses gives three scenarios about vows.  One is in the case of a woman still living with her father (vss 3-5); and one is in the case of a woman betrothed or married to her husband (above).

If the daughter or wife makes a vow they are obligated to keep the vow.  If, however, the father or husband hears of the vow and disallows it, the daughter or wife is no longer under the vow.  

Notice what God says about our vows:

Numbers 30:2 (ESV)

If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

Psalms 50:14 (ESV)

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,

and perform your vows to the Most High,

Psalms 56:12 (ESV)

I must perform my vows to you, O God;

I will render thank offerings to you.

Psalms 61:8 (ESV)

So will I ever sing praises to your name,

as I perform my vows day after day.

Psalms 65:1 (ESV)

O God of Our Salvation

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID. A SONG.

Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion,

and to you shall vows be performed.

Psalms 116:14 (ESV)

I will pay my vows to the LORD

in the presence of all his people.

Psalms 116:18 (ESV)

I will pay my vows to the LORD

in the presence of all his people,

Proverbs 20:25 (ESV)

It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”

and to reflect only after making vows.

Ecclesiastes 5:4 (ESV)

When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow.

Deuteronomy 23:21-22 (ESV)

“If you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the LORD your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin.

Keep your vows!!