Numbers 30:1-16
Q.1. Why was the vow of a man treated differently from the vow of a woman? Can a vow ever be broken? – (Num.30:1-8)
Consistent with the teaching of the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 11:2-3; 8-12, people were to operate under the God-given authority structures for the family (1 Cor.11:2-3, 8-12 c.f. Mt.5:33-37). A man was therefore responsible to God for any vow he made – if a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to bind himself … he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth (Num.30:2). The woman was under the authority of her father or her own husband, so was under obligation to submit to her father or husband. A father or husband therefore, had the power to annul the completion of a vow – if the father forbids her … none of her vows … by which she was bound shall stand; and the Lord will forgive her because her father had forbidden her … OR if on the day her husband hears of it and forbids her, then he shall annul her vow … and the Lord shall forgive her (Num.30:5 & 8). However, if they failed to annul the vow when it was communicated to them, then the vow would stand, and the woman would be obliged to follow through on whatever she had promised (Num.30:3-4, 6-7).
Q.2. What made the vow of a widow or divorced woman different? Under what circumstances was a divorcee’s or widow’s vow be ratified? – (Num.30:9-16)
A widow or divorced woman would no longer be in submission to her family or husband, since the marriage vows were no longer binding. Therefore, she was considered responsible for any vows or promises she made – just like a man (Num.30:9 c.f. 1 Cor.7:39). The rest of this section addressed the matter of vows made while she was still in a relationship with her husband. A vow made while married would still apply unless the husband had previously annulled her vows when he heard them (Num.30:10-16). An Israelite’s word was binding. Words were to be uttered with integrity, in order to reflect the truthful nature of God (Num.23:19). This principle still applies to Christian believers (c.f. Mt.5:33-37; 2 Cor.1:20).