Wandering: A Study In NumbersShembull

What does it say?

Moses relayed the Lord’s commands concerning vows. 

What does it mean?

God always keeps His word. So, it stands to reason that anyone associated with His name should reflect His character and be honest and trustworthy. Men were expected to keep the vows they made. In the culture of the day, husbands and fathers were also responsible for vows made by their wives and unmarried daughters. If a man didn’t voice an objection when he heard about the vow, the vow would stand. As the God-ordained leader in the household, God held him accountable for the decisions that were made. A vow made by a widow or divorced woman would also have to be kept.

How should I respond?

Trust is earned. It’s difficult to re-establish trust once it has been broken, whether at home, school, work, or church. If someone doesn’t keep his word about one thing, it can be hard to believe what he says the next time. As Christians, our character should demonstrate the honesty and trustworthiness of Christ. Are you a person who can be counted on to keep your word? What do you need to do to follow through on a promise or commitment you have made? Being true to your word might be just the thing that attracts someone else to Christ. God always does what He says…and so should we.