Deuteronomy 23.21-23

“‘If you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the LORD your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin. You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God what you have promised with your mouth.’”

Ecclesiastes 5.4-6

A vow is a declaration of intent, made before and unto the Lord, to fulfill certain obligations, based on blessings or the promise of blessing God has provided.

So Jacob, as he went to the land of his forebears, vowed to give a tithe to the Lord of everything he acquired, given that the Lord had promised him in a dream to give him the land of his fathers (Gen. 28.10-22).

So also we, given the promise of a loving spouse to care for us as none other, vow our faithfulness and love to the Lord in return. Given the promise of a caring and nurturing community of fellow believers, and the oversight of loving shepherds, we vow faithfulness and fruitfulness in church membership. Called to the ministry and given thus the promise of caring for the flock of God, church officers vow faithfulness in duty and devotion.

We must be careful to fulfill our vows, or we will be condemned by them. Dealing truthfully with the Lord means being serious about what we vow, and living each day before the Lord in an effort to fulfill all that we have promised.

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