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Numbers Chapter 30   (ESV)

1 Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the people of Israel, saying, “This is what the Lord has commanded. 2 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.

 

3 “If a woman vows a vow to the Lord and binds herself by a pledge, while within her father’s house in her youth, 4 and her father hears of her vow and of her pledge by which she has bound herself and says nothing to her, then all her vows shall stand, and every pledge by which she has bound herself shall stand. 5 But if her father opposes her on the day that he hears of it, no vow of hers, no pledge by which she has bound herself shall stand. And the Lord will forgive her, because her father opposed her.

 

6 “If she marries a husband, while under her vows or any thoughtless utterance of her lips by which she has bound herself, 7 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. 8 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.

 

REFLECTION:

  • Read aloud this passage.
  • God values the family. He taught the Israelites to value their family promises.  Spiritually mature persons fulfill the promises they make to God concerning the family and do not enter such promises rashly.
  • The degree of agreement between our words and our behavior creates or destroys our integrity. We are responsible for the words we say, and we should keep our promises even when doing so proves personally disadvantageous.  We must not break our promises.

 

PRAYER：

  • What is the rashest promise I can recall making? What promise have I made lately “with my fingers crossed”?  Was I able to keep either one?
  • Under what, if any, circumstances would I see myself exempt from a marriage vow, promissory note, or donation pledge? How can this chapter help me overcome such “excuses”?
  • Ask God to help me to be faithful and not break my promises, learn to respect others and in turn, respect myself.