the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 1 of 5
Numbers 30:1-16
After the obligatory sacrifices of ch. 28 and 29, we find here the vows by which a man bound himself spontaneously toward the LORD. When a man made a vow, he was absolutely committed to fulfil it. This was called paying one’s vows (Psalms 22:25 and Psalms 116:14; Psalms 116:18). A woman was not in the same way responsible if she lived with her father or with her husband. These had the right to disallow the vow of which they disapproved.
This chapter reminds us of the presumption with which Israel placed themselves under the law, undertaking to do all that God had said. "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay" (Ecclesiastes 5:5). In a general way, how important it is that all we decide can be ratified in heaven, approved by the Lord. James teaches us to attach this condition to all our projects: "If the Lord will, we shall live and this do, or that" (James 4:15). And as for the vows mentioned in our v. 3, the same writer enjoins; "swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay" (James 5:12; see also Matthew 5:33-37).
