While vows in the Bible are not required, they are certainly allowed. As an “extra token of dedication,” one might say.
For example, Hannah “gave” her son Samuel to the Lord, fulfilling a vow she had preciously made. Look here at 1st Samuel 1:11 … “And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a MAN CHILD, then I will give HIM unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.”
A person could also give an animal to the Lord, or a piece of property. But in every case, caution was advised. Sort of a “count the cost” before you make any such promise to the Lord. Proverbs 20:25 warns: “It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.”
Therefore the bulk of Leviticus chapter 27 instructs the Nation of Israel on how to redeem someone or something vowed to God, should that vow prove to be “too heavy” a load to bear.
Say a man “dedicates” his son to the Lord, to spend the years of his life in service down at the Tabernacle. But wait, the Levites now serve God at the Tabernacle! The man’s son is not needed! Therefore (in lieu of his son serving a lifetime at the Tabernacle or Temple) he could make a payment of “silver” (how much such money per case is the subject of Leviticus 27) unto the Lord … thus “buying back” that lad, and thereby releasing all involved from the vow.
And as I said, land could be redeemed that way as well.
And livestock!
All of which to me show God’s understanding/tolerance/grace regarding our human frailty.
Plus this … we have here another Bible illustration of God’s amazing Concept of REDEMPTION! Jesus redeemed us from a life of sin, Himself paying the affixed Price (His Own Blood) … designed to put us in right standing with His Father!
But … what happened in ancient Israel to all that “money/silver?” It was used to support the Tabernacle, its Priests and Levites and ministrations. In other words, God was not cheated a bit! The vow was still honored, just in a different sway. (He is a God of reason! “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 1:18)
Nowadays, vows are seldom mentioned. But should you make one (a stern promise “to tithe your income,” for example) … you had best “keep” it! Not to do so is a lot like “turning back!” And do remember Luke 9:62 … “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
More next Lesson, the Lord willing … from the Book of Leviticus and its aftermath. Just as we looked at Genesis and Exodus prior to studying Leviticus … we now need to glance at Numbers and Deuteronomy which follow it. And see the beautiful symmetry the Holy Spirit has built into the Pentateuch.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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