Numbers 30:4-16 – Be true to God

God takes vows and oaths seriously. He expects any promise made to be honored. Keeping one’s words reflects one’s faithfulness. One must thoughtfully weigh a situation carefully before making a vow or an oath. This will prevent any rash or ill-considered decision. In these verses, God seems to say that a vow or oath made emotionally or hastily could affect a daughter’s relationship with her father, or that of a wife with her husband. Similarly, our rash and unwarranted vow or oath can also affect our relationship with God.   

In Numbers 30:3-16 we see that firstly, a vow or an oath made by a young unmarried daughter was not binding unless her father had ratified it. Secondly, a vow or an oath made by a young lady before she was married could be checked by her husband.  Thirdly, a married woman’s vow or oath needed the husband's approval. It would only be valid if he did not object when it was first made. If he objected to the vow when it was first made, it would not be valid. When a husband did not object to a wife’s vow or an oath, and then later forbade her from fulfilling it, he would have to bear the consequence of that broken vow or oath.  Fourthly, a vow or an oath made by a widow or divorcee must be honored.  

Why did God give such instructions for women? To be sure God did not give these instructions because women were weaker and more emotional than men. But He had made a father or a husband the head of his family and He did not want that covenant headship of the family to be violated. It is alright to pursue God, but not at the expense of sabotaging God’s order for the family.  

To be sure sons are equally possible to subvert a father’s headship. Why didn’t God address the males then? It is because God was providing a bigger picture of His own relationship with unfaithful Israel. God on His part would always be faithful to the promises that He had made. He had never reneged on any of them. On the other hand, Israel had been like an unfaithful wife who had continuously vowed herself to other gods and engaged in harlotry. She had shown infidelity to the marriage. So long as God remained Israel’s covenant head, He would never allow her to make a vow with other gods and run riot with her harlotry.  

Whether men or women, we are all capable of being unfaithful to our faithful God. Hence, this chapter is not about the incapability of a woman to make rational vows but is a call for all, male or female, to remain faithful to God, our covenant head. Paul in Philippians 1:6 said, “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” As He is true and faithful to us, let us be true and faithful to Him!