The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Deuteronomy 23:21-23,
"If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty. Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the Lord your God with your own mouth."
Vows before God are important to keep. Moses says here that "the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you". Not keeping a vow to him is sinful. It is clear that it is much better to not make a vow before the Lord than to do so and not keep it.
Different kinds of vows come to mind here. Two of the most common, it seems to me, are clearly in view here. The first is when someone finds themself in a pickle and calls out to God, "Lord, just save me from this and I promise I will do so and so." I'm certain many fields of combat have witnessed such vows, but I suspect many people do so in everyday life as well. The Lord expects such vows to be kept! Don't make one if you don't intend to keep it. Otherwise, we find ourselves guilty before God with a damaged conscience.
The second common vow I'm mindful of is the marriage vow. While Moses' words were focused on vows made directly to God, vows we make before him to others hold certain importance. When we celebrate a wedding, the primary purpose of the entire event is the expression of vows the couple make to one another. Those vows are not just expressed to one another, but before the wedding party, the congregation and the Lord himself. That is why most wedding ceremonies begin with something like, "We are gathered here today in the sight of God and all who are present..." Those vows that are made are expected by the Lord to be kept. They have been made in his presence. Indeed, everyone present has the duty of expecting these vows to be kept as well. It is no small thing to break our vows.
"It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one's vows." Proverbs 20:25.
"When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin." Ecclesiastes 5:4-6a.
I guess it should be noted that the justifications for breaking our vows can be quite creative. We lie to ourselves and to the Lord when we attempt to justify the breaking of vows.
Remember: it is better not to make a vow in the first place, than to make a vow and not keep it.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty. Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the Lord your God with your own mouth."
Vows before God are important to keep. Moses says here that "the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you". Not keeping a vow to him is sinful. It is clear that it is much better to not make a vow before the Lord than to do so and not keep it.
Different kinds of vows come to mind here. Two of the most common, it seems to me, are clearly in view here. The first is when someone finds themself in a pickle and calls out to God, "Lord, just save me from this and I promise I will do so and so." I'm certain many fields of combat have witnessed such vows, but I suspect many people do so in everyday life as well. The Lord expects such vows to be kept! Don't make one if you don't intend to keep it. Otherwise, we find ourselves guilty before God with a damaged conscience.
The second common vow I'm mindful of is the marriage vow. While Moses' words were focused on vows made directly to God, vows we make before him to others hold certain importance. When we celebrate a wedding, the primary purpose of the entire event is the expression of vows the couple make to one another. Those vows are not just expressed to one another, but before the wedding party, the congregation and the Lord himself. That is why most wedding ceremonies begin with something like, "We are gathered here today in the sight of God and all who are present..." Those vows that are made are expected by the Lord to be kept. They have been made in his presence. Indeed, everyone present has the duty of expecting these vows to be kept as well. It is no small thing to break our vows.
"It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one's vows." Proverbs 20:25.
"When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin." Ecclesiastes 5:4-6a.
I guess it should be noted that the justifications for breaking our vows can be quite creative. We lie to ourselves and to the Lord when we attempt to justify the breaking of vows.
Remember: it is better not to make a vow in the first place, than to make a vow and not keep it.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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