Vows

VOWS, OATHS, AND PROMISES

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.
Numbers 30:2 (KJV)

This is an outline and link to the audio file from a message preached at North 56th Street Gospel Chapel (Tampa, Florida) on 1-4-2015

http://mrsteve.me/2015Vows [28 minute mp3 / 5MB]

Introduction:  The Law concerning vows.

A. Biblical

 Numbers 30:1-2
Deuteronomy 23:21-23
Matthew 5:33-37

B. Rabbinical Law (extra-Biblical)

 Three Times
Vows (things/others)
Oaths (personal)

I. Examples of Vows
A. Wedding

 Intent (I will), Vow (I do), Ring (I wed)

 B. Peter’s oath.

Found in all four gospels
Matthew 26:34
Mark 14:30
John 13:38
Luke 22:34 (see 31-34, 54-62)

II. Foolish Vows
A. Jacob  Genesis 31:30-32

    Rachel steals dad’s idols 31:19
Rachel dies on the journey 35:19

 B. Jephthah Judges 11:1, 30-40

Daughter is “sacrificed” to God

 C. Saul  1 Samuel 14:24-32

    37: God does not answer
39: To curse added death
43ff: Saul fails
1 Samuel 31:2 Jonathan dies

III. Permanent Vows
Vows, Oaths, and Promises cannot be “unsaid”

A. Jacobs irreversible blessing (Genesis 27)

B. Even God is bound by promise

  Numbers 23:19-20

 C. Promise to Jacob (Genesis 28:15)

  Promise to Israel (Deuteronomy 31:6,8)
Promise to Joshua (Joshua 1:5)
Promise to Solomon (1 Chronicles 2:20)

 D. The promise is passed forward to believers.

  John 6:37-40, 47
John 10:28-29
Hebrews 13:5

αὐτος γαρ εἴρηκεν· For He Himself said (perfect,active,indicative)
οὐ μή σε ἀνῶ Double Negative + To loose “I will never let you go”
οὐδ᾿ οὐ μή Triple Negative +
σε ἐγκαταλίπω· “I will never leave you behind” (in a bad sense)

Conclusion:
May your only vow be that of the man who brought his son to the Lord to be healed in Mark 9:24

“Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief”