Text: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools:  for they consider not that they do evil.   2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God:  for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth:  therefore let thy words be few.   3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business;  and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. 4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it;  for he hath no pleasure in fools:  pay that which thou hast vowed.   5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.   6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin;  neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error:  wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?  7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities:  but fear thou God.  

Wednesday, 14^th February 2024

THE SNARE OF BROKEN VOWS

Text: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Memory verse: Deuteronomy 23:21 When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.

All vows are sacred; some are also foolish. Breaking any vow is sin. God will forgive vow-breakers, though He warns there may be dire consequences for failing to keep a vow. My best understanding of the Scripture is that God does not continue to hold a person responsible to fulfil a vow that has been broken, repented of, and forgiven.

A vow is a voluntary promise to God to do or not do something. Vows are not limited to “If-you-do-this-for-me, I’ll-do-that-for-You” bargains with God. You don’t have to use the words “vow” or “promise” to make a vow. Anytime you voluntarily tell God you are going to do or not do something for Him, it is a vow. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon warns us that vows should not be made lightly: “Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore, let your words be few.” In verse 4, he cautions us not to be late in paying our vows, for God takes no delight in fools who fail to pay their vows. It is better, the wise man counsels, not to vow at all, than to vow and fail to pay. This echoes Deuteronomy 23:22, where Moses said to the Israelites, it is not a sin to abstain from vows, “But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin.”

On the other hand, if you vow and fail to pay, it is sin Deuteronomy 23:21. Not only is it a sin, but Solomon warns, “Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?”. In other words, God punishes those who break their vows. Claiming that you made a mistake and shouldn’t have vowed or didn’t really mean what you vowed arouses God’s anger against you. Thus, Solomon concludes: Fear God.

The seriousness of vows is further underscored in Numbers 30 where God identifies which vows are automatically binding and which may be nullified. God distinguishes the vows made by adult males, widows, and divorced women from those made by female children and wives. In the case of adult males, widows, and divorced women, they must fulfil any vow they make. In the case of female children and wives, if their father or husband nullifies their vow on the day that he hears it, then they are absolved from their vow. However, if the father or husband does not nullify their vow, then their vow stands. They are responsible for fulfilling it. If the father or husband does not say anything the first time, he hears it but chooses to nullify it later, then he will “bear the iniquity” of the broken vow.

CGDS HYMN 58: SS&S 118: 

CHRIST HATH REDEEMED US"

1. Christ hath redeemed us": sing

the glad word!

Mercy's sweet message be telling,

How, through the ransom made by

His blood,

Christ now within us is dwelling.

Refrain:

"Christ hath redeemed us": Praise to His

Praise Him, ye angels in glory! [name!

"Christ hath redeemed us," bearing our shame;

Tell out the wonderful story!

2. "Christ hath redeemed us," making us free,

Free from the sins that enslaved us;

Never in bondage more Can we be,

Trusting in Him who hath saved us.

3. "Christ hath redeemed us": we are His own,

Purchased by blood—He will hold us;

Nor will He ever leave us alone,

Safely His arms shall enfold us,

4. "Christ hath redeemed us": soon with the throng

Gathered in glory we'll meet Him;

Oh, with what rapture join in the song,

When face to face we shall greet Him!

   Prayers:  

1.  Lord Jesus, deliver me from all unfulfilled vows putting me in bondage.

2.  LORD God Almighty, by Your infinite mercy release me from every unpaid vow and help me to always keep my vows with You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.