Numbers 30:1-2 – Keeping Faith with God

Undergirding the message of Numbers chapter 30, is God’s call for us to be faithful people. We are challenged to be true to the promises we make, especially those we make to and before Him. Being a truthful person will affirm not just our own faithfulness but God’s faithfulness as well. The testimony of our relationship with Him will either witness to His faithfulness or bring dishonor to His name. God keeps the covenant He has made with His people and will never go back on His words. And if we say we are His people and go back on our words, we will discredit Him. Hence God is concerned with what we promise to Him and others.  

Numbers 30:1-2 underscore the importance of keeping the promises we make to God. When we promise God to do something, we must be sure to keep all the promises we have made to Him. Why? It is because He takes us at our words and will hold us to what we have said. Here, we should take the advice from Solomon in Ecclesiastes 5:4-8. He said, ^“When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For in many dreams and in many words, there is emptiness. Rather, fear God.”  

Our words are our bonds. We are only as good as our words. What we say often reveals or betrays our integrity. For words will make known the intention of one’s heart. Thus, the Bible urges us not to be careless with our words. For by our words we will be justified or condemned.  It is wise for us to take our Lord’s word in Matthew 5:34-37 seriously and live by it. He said, “…make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you make an oath by your head, … let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.” Following these instructions will make life straightforward and uncomplicated. In essence, Jesus is saying to us not to make needless vows and oaths. Be a person of integrity. Just have a straightforward yes or no would suffice.  So we must speak truthfully and be a person known for keeping our words, especially those we make to God!