THE POWER OF A PROMISE

Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

“Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel: "This is what the Lord commands: 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.
"When a young woman still living in her father's house makes a vow to the Lord or obligates herself by a pledge and her father hears about her vow or pledge but says nothing to her, then all her vows and every pledge by which she obligated herself will stand. But if her father forbids her when he hears about it, none of her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand; the Lord will release her because her father has forbidden her.
“If she marries after she makes a vow or after her lips utter a rash promise by which she obligates herself and her husband hears about it but says nothing to her, then her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand. But if her husband forbids her when he hears about it, he nullifies the vow that obligates her or the rash promise by which she obligates herself, and the Lord will release her.
"Any vow or obligation taken by a widow or divorced woman will be binding on her.
"If a woman living with her husband makes a vow or obligates herself by a pledge under oath and her husband hears about it but says nothing to her and does not forbid her, then all her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand. But if her husband nullifies them when he hears about them, then none of the vows or pledges that came from her lips will stand. Her husband has nullified them, and the Lord will release her. Her husband may confirm or nullify any vow she makes or any sworn pledge to deny herself. But if her husband says nothing to her about it from day to day, then he confirms all her vows or the pledges binding on her. He confirms them by saying nothing to her when he hears about them. If, however, he nullifies them some time after he hears about them, then he is responsible for her guilt."
These are the regulations the Lord gave Moses concerning relationships between a man and his wife, and between a father and his young daughter still living in his house. Numbers 30

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Promises or commitments. Both typically result from one person making a pact with another. Sometimes this pact can be in the form of a signed agreement like a contract. Most of the time it’s done less formal and usually verbally between two parties in the way of an oath or vow…a promise or a pledge.

It was this matter that God gives guidance on in Numbers 30 as He gives Moses regulations “concerning relationships between a man and his wife, and between a father and his young daughter still living in his house”. At the heart of the matter of making vows, pledges, oaths or any form of obligation, was the matter of relationship.

The father had full responsibility and accountability for raising his daughter as long as she was living in his household and she wasn’t to make any promise without first consulting her father about it. This was rooted firmly in the 5th commandment given by God to Moses, “Honor your father and mother”. (Exodus 20:12) Consulting your father was expected as a matter of respect.

We see in the scriptures that if the vow is known by the father and he “says nothing to her” then she is expected to fulfill “all her vows and every pledge by which she obligated herself”. By the father not saying anything, he is showing approval for the decision his daughter has made. However, if the “father forbids her when he hears about it”, then “none of her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand” because “the Lord will release her because her father has forbidden her”. The Father honors the decision of the father.

The second matter addressed by God is the matter of vows and paths taken by a wife within the confines of a marital relationship. Notice here that there is once again a matter of approval required with any promise made by the wife…this approval required of her husband…and once again, it’s a matter of respect.

Too many marital relationships in the times of Numbers and too many marital relationships today are suffering from poor communications. It’s simply paramount that couples talk to one another in order for a marriage to survive. Unfortunately, too often decisions are made separate from consulting with the spouse and this is where problems usually arise. It was this matter that God addresses in the second part of this passage.

Once again, note that validation of the vow made by the wife is contingent on the husband approving of it…just as in the case of the father and his daughter. If the wife utters a “rash promise by which she obligates herself” and “her husband hears about it but says nothing to her”, then “her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand”. “But if her husband forbids her when he hears about her “rash promise”, then he will nullify “the vow that obligates her or the rash promise by which she obligates herself and the Lord will release her”. Thus no promises are made outside the marriage without the husband knowing about them. It’s a matter of respect in the marriage between husband and wife.

Verses like these in the bible tend to peak people’s interest and even drive them to a point of frenzy because they will be read as controlling with one unable to make a decision on their own free from either their father or husband. But too often, dispute arises more out of a worldly perspective on relationship where anything goes. Spouses can pretty much free wheel and do what they like. Unfortunately, this is ditto for young girls as they are growing up. And given the numbers on divorce and teen pregnancies, it doesn’t appear that the world’s free wheeling approach is working out too well.

What we need to keep in mind is that the verses in the bible are the words of the Lord. They were spoken with authority and validity because God doesn’t error. Scripture tells us that His foolishness is wiser than our wisdom. (1 Corinthians 1:25) So in honoring His authority and wisdom…by honoring our Father…we are called to be obedient to His word. And there is nothing in this word today that is harmful to us. We are to ensure we honor the people we are in relationship with by communicating with them before we make a vow or promise. Maybe if we kept everything more up front, we would have much less deception going on. And one last point on that: God sees everything. So there is nothing we do that is hidden. We never get away with anything.

We need to also keep in mind that the Lord has shown us how to properly make promises through the promises He has given us. For He makes them and always keeps them. Consider these:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“…be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:5-6

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

“…but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:8-12

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

Friends, these are just a few of His assurances. Maybe you have some to share that mean a lot to you. If so, please comment and give any testimony as to how that particular promise has meant the most to you. I hope to hear from you.

One closing thought on promises. We know the Lord makes them to us and is faithful to His word to us. How faithful are we to our word to Him? How well do we keep our promises to the Lord in our lives? Let us vow and promise to stay as true to the Lord as He is to us. Through committing ourselves fully to Christ…in other words, truly becoming a Christian…we can reach that goal. Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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