p. 404 | Sacredness of Vows by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Sep 6, 1883

Sacredness of Vows

By S. N. Haskell

Sacredness of Vows.

THE subject of vows as presented in the Scriptures is one of great interest and importance. During the Jewish economy much was said upon this subject. But by no means did it originate with that people. One of the most remarkable vows on record is that of Jacob when on his way to Padan-aram, fleeing from the face of his brother Esau because he had deceived his father in securing Esau's birthright for himself. "And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, if God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: and this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house; and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee. Gen. 28:20–22.

A vow to God is a solemn promise or pledge, and none but God can release men from these vows. Ps. 65:1. Vowing is obligatory not only upon the people of God but upon all those who have any of his fear before them. David says: "Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God; let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared." Ps. 76:11. Every sinner who sincerely repents solemnly vows or promises God that he will sin no more; repentance implies this. If we make promises to our fellowmen because of favors received, or to be received, why should we not much more make promises to our Creator from whom we derive every blessing, as a token of our gratitude for his love and care manifested to us. David's experience was like many at the present day. When he was in trouble he made vows to God, but, unlike some, when God delivered him he kept them. "I will go into thy house with burnt-offerings; I will pay thee my vows, which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble." "I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people." Ps. 66:13, 14; 116:13, 14, 17, 19.

Particular instruction is given in the sixth chapter of Numbers concerning the Nazarite vow, and the closing words of that chapter are very striking when we consider that the mind of the inspired penman was at the time directed toward those who took this vow. It shows how God regards those who manifest an interest by making vows to him. "The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them." In the thirtieth chapter of Numbers we find the only circumstances mentioned in the Scriptures of releasing individuals from their vows. It explains the relation that vows to God sustain "Between a man and his wife, between the father and his daughter, being yet in her youth in her father's house," and shows under what circumstances the vow may become void.

When anything is given to God by a promise it becomes sacred, for Christ becomes surety for us to the father that we will make good that which we have vowed. And it can never afterwards be appropriated to other uses without robbing God and committing sacrilege. If it were a piece of land or a house, and the individual wished to retain it, giving its value, the priest valued it, and a fifth of the value was to be added to his estimation to be paid by him who retained the property. This would make their vow amply good and it would ever cause them to feel that there was a sacredness in that which was consecrated to God by a vow. See Lev. 27th chapter.

Moses, in Deut. 23:21–23, speaks upon this subject as follows: "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. But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth." When under the influence of God's Holy Spirit, or when in trouble, or under any circumstances we make God promises, and then afterwards appropriate

them for other purposes and question the propriety of thus promising, we displease him and will bring upon ourselves a curse instead of a blessing. "It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry." Prov. 20:25. The angels of God have made a record of it and of its acceptance on the part of God for Christ's sake. Solomon's words are very forcible upon this point. "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. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. 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!" Eccl. 5:4–6.

The case of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts fifth chapter shows that it is no less sinful for vows to be broken in the present dispensation. We have the same God, and unfaithfulness is as sinful now as ever before. These persons had consecrated a certain piece of property to God, but after it was sold they agreed together to keep back a part of the price, probably thinking they had given too much, and brought only a portion and laid at the apostle's feet, saying they sold the land for so much. There was deception in this although in one sense it might be said they told the truth. But Peter said to Ananias, "Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land." "Thou hast not lied unto men but unto God." Both these individuals fell dead for so doing. God by this judgment showed how exceedingly sinful it was for men to do thus. It cannot be said that because we do not see such manifestations of God's displeasure at the present day it is not as sinful now as then. "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." Eccl. 8:11. There is a time when "God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil." Then will every man be rewarded as his work shall be. It will then appear that it has been no small matter to neglect to pay our vows, and to thus sin against God. S. N. HASKELL.