If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's house in her youth; And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand. But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her. (Num. 30:2-5)
God takes oaths seriously. A vow or oath was to be kept if it was not made null by a higher authority. God having installed men as the head of the house held them to a higher standard of keeping their vows. Women at home were subject to the father either as daughters or as husbands and the head of the house would affirm or null the vow as the higher authority who stood for the family. It did not mean women were less of a person than men, since widowed and divorced women stood on their own, but that the father had the last word as he represented the family and could null those vows which did not portray the families position or intent.
God still cares about our oaths and vows and tells us that we should let our yea be yea and our nay be nay. But when we take a vow or state an oath we should understand its importance and keep it. Our word does not have any power but our character will be reflected by our being true to our word. Though not part of the Law, since we are not subject to such laws as this anymore in Christ, the principle of keeping our word and affirming or nullifying the vows and oaths of our daughters and wives can still prevent some problems. For the Christian family, the father is still head of the household and can overturn a promise his wife or daughter makes which interferes with the family. The father should never do so lightly or capriciously but always prayerfully consider the vow and the intent of the family as a whole as well as the wife or daughter.
Because of our faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary we have the freedom to live as He would have us live, freedom from sin (not to sin more but to live victoriously over sin), and freedom to do His will. Because Christ kept all His vows and did the will of the Father we can be born again and be made new and reconciled with the Father. That is a promise from God which He will keep for those who repent of their sin and put their trust in Him.
God has sent those of us that know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet