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  TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

  Pay Your Vows

Israelite vows were voluntary but binding (Nu 30:2; it-2 1162)

Vows may include abstaining from things not prohibited (Nu 30:3, 4; it-2 1162)

A solemn promise made to God to perform some act, make some offering or gift, enter some service or condition, or abstain from certain things not unlawful in themselves. A vow was a voluntary expression made of one’s own free will. Being a solemn promise, a vow carried the force of an oath or a swearing, and at times the two expressions accompany each other in the Bible. (Nu 30:2; Mt 5:33) “Vow” is more the declaration of intent, while “oath” denotes the appeal made to a higher authority attesting to the truthfulness or binding nature of the declaration. Oaths often accompanied attestation to a covenant.​—Ge 26:28; 31:44, 53.

Jehovah now deals with his worshippers individually (Nu 30:6-9; w04 8/1 27 ¶3)

30:6-8​—Can a Christian man set aside his wife’s vows? With regard to vows, Jehovah now deals with his worshipers individually. For example, dedication to Jehovah is a personal vow. (Galatians 6:5) A husband does not have the authority to set aside or cancel such a vow. A wife, though, should avoid making a vow that conflicts with God’s Word or her duties toward her husband.

The two most important vows a Christian can make today are the dedication vow and the marriage vow.

ASK YOURSELF, ‘Am I living up to the vows that I have made?’ (w01 2/1 pp. 14-19 10)