VOWS

1. What is a vow?

a) A vow is a solemn (serious, sincere) promise or pledge especially one made to God, dedicating oneself to an act, service, or way of life.

2. Fulfil our vow  

a) 1Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. 2Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. 3A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool. 4When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. 6Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, "My vow was a mistake." Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? 7Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God. (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 NIV)

3. Confirm or nullify vows

a) What does the Bible say concerning a vow in relationship between a man and his wife and between a father and his daughter who is living at home?

i) 1Then Moses summoned the leaders of the tribes of Israel and told them, “This is what the LORD has commanded: 2A man who makes a vow to the LORD or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do. 

3“If a young woman makes a vow to the LORD or a pledge under oath while she is still living at her father’s home, 4and her father hears of the vow or pledge and does not object to it, then all her vows and pledges will stand. 5But if her father refuses to let her fulfill the vow or pledge on the day he hears of it, then all her vows and pledges will become invalid. The LORD will forgive her because her father would not let her fulfill them. 

6“Now suppose a young woman makes a vow or binds herself with an impulsive pledge and later marries. 7If her husband learns of her vow or pledge and does not object on the day he hears of it, her vows and pledges will stand. 8But if her husband refuses to accept her vow or impulsive pledge on the day he hears of it, he nullifies her commitments, and the LORD will forgive her. 9If, however, a woman is a widow or is divorced, she must fulfill all her vows and pledges. 10“But suppose a woman is married and living in her husband’s home when she makes a vow or binds herself with a pledge. 11If her husband hears of it and does not object to it, her vow or pledge will stand. 12But if her husband refuses to accept it on the day he hears of it, her vow or pledge will be nullified, and the LORD will forgive her. 13So her husband may either confirm or nullify any vows or pledges she makes to deny herself. 14But if he does not object on the day he hears of it, then he is agreeing to all her vows and pledges. 15If he waits more than a day and then tries to nullify a vow or pledge, he will be punished for her guilt.”(Numbers 30:1-15 NLT)

4. Prayer focus

a) Pray that we may fulfil our vow if we make any vow to God. It is better not to vow than to vow and not to fulfill it. (Ecclesiastes 5:5 NKJV)