Bible Discussion Thread

In this chapter, instructions are given about keeping of vows, the obligation of a father or husband if a woman under their headship makes a vow, of widows and divorced woman who have no man to be subject to.

Each of these situations has different instructions, but it is consistently emphasized that a woman is under the authority of her father or husband when it comes to making and keeping vows. It is not explained why the vows of women differs that those of men, but it does mention that women are to be subject to the man who has headship over her. Men do not have such limits as the woman. Whereas a woman's vows can be either affirmed and binding should the man agree or simply not give any response over time; or the woman's vow can be voided if the man speaks up to do so, then the woman is not bound t fulfill her oath.

Men, widows, and divorced women are commanded to keep the vows and oaths they swear to and not go back on them.

God take such oaths/vows seriously. The text do not speak about what the vows/oaths pertain to, but perhaps it relates to:

-vows made to God to set aside oneself, one's property, member of one's household for the Lord's work

-vows made to God concerning an offering or tithe

-vows made in a marriage

-vows made in business''

-vows made between brethren

While we expect to make good on all He has sworn to do and fulfill what He has promised. we often may make an oath or vow halfheartedly, disingenuously, deceitfully, or without any intention of fulfilling it. These sins are serious to the Lord as they have to do with being trustworthy and/or faithful; honest and/or sincere; fair and/or just.

The Israelites vowed to YHWH at Sinai to live by the covenant God had offered to them. They soon broke their vow over and over again up to this point in Numbers. In this chapter, YHWH continues to reiterate what was involved in the covenant at Sinai to this generation's parents and grandparents. Now it is their turn to hear the covenant from GOD