Leviticus 27:1-34
Q.1. How did God safeguard against His people treating lightly the vows that they make to Him? Why was a fifth of the stated value to be added to the redemption price? – (Lev.27:1-25)
Why would an Israelite make a ‘special’ (Hebrew: yapli) or wonderful (Hebrew: neder) vow? The vow could be the dedication of a person (Lev.27:1-8), an animal (Lev.27:9-13), a house (Lev.27:14-15), a piece of property, or a harvest (Lev.27:16-24). These freewill gifts could be promised in order to express gratitude to the Lord or to His servants for benefits received, or for deliverance from evil (Lev.27:28). Moses was empowered by God to prescribe conditions of this voluntary promise. Hannah made such a promise to the Lord, regarding Samuel. (c.f. 1 Sam.1:11). Though people may offer to serve the priest, generally such vows were redeemed and the promise fulfilled, according to its valuation in temple shekels (Lev.27:25). What should be paid to fulfil the vow? God stipulated the value (of service) of men and women, according to their different ages, and the proximity to the release date of the Year of Jubilee (Lev.27:16-24). Moreover, they had to add one fifth of the valuation, to ensure that the requirement of keeping vows was absolutely above board – 4 When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay (Ecc.5:4-5 c.f. Lev.27:13-19).
Q.2. Why could some offerings not be redeemed? How did God provide for the future of the priesthood? – (Lev.27:26-34)
At certain times in the history of Israel the spoils of battle were to be set aside for the Lord and His treasuries (Lev.27:28 c.f. 2 Sam.8:11; 1 Kgs.7:51). God took severe action against Achan and his household, when he violated the ban (c.f. Jos.7:1, 11, 22-26), and also King Saul when he disregarded God’s order to destroy the Amalekites (c.f. 1 Sam.15:1-3, 15-23). The firstborn of Israel had been redeemed through the blood of the Passover lamb, so belonged to the Lord already. God told Moses – 12 Now, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the sons of Israel instead of every firstborn, the first issue of the womb among the sons of Israel. The Levites shall be Mine. 13 For all the firstborns are Mine; on the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, from man to beast. They shall be Mine; I am the LORD … 40 … Number every firstborn male of the sons of Israel from a month old and upward and make a list of their names. 41 You shall take the Levites for Me. I am the LORD. Instead of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites, and instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the sons of Israel (Num.3:12-13, 40-41 c.f. Lev.27:26 & 34). To ensure the Priesthood could continue to function and represent Him, God built the offering of tithes into the fabric of the nation’s economy. A tithe of all the firstlings of their flocks and herds, and the first fruits from their trees and harvests belonged to the Lord. This supported the continuance of the Priesthood – All the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s; It is holy to the Lord (Lev.27:30 c.f. Lev.27:30-33).