Num 30:3-4 | KingComments | STEP | These verses are about the vow of a young, unmarried woman who still lives with her father at home. If her father hears it and remains silent, he agrees by his silence and the vow is valid. However, if her father forbids her to comply with the vow, so refuses to agree, then the vow is not valid. She has promised something that she is unable to keep. Then the grace of the LORD shines: The LORD will forgive her words spoken too quickly ( ). She has thought she would please God, but has not been aware of her incompetence and submissive position. She should have consulted her father first. If her vow contains anything disadvantageous for the family, her father will be able to release her from that promise. All that she can promise belongs to her father. She shows her obedience to her father by refraining from keeping her vow. The obedience to her father is so highly appreciated by the LORD that He forgives her. She needs forgiveness because her good intentions were not according to the will of God. She thought she was doing a service to God, while she did not think about the bad consequences of her vow for the family. In general, for a woman who makes a vow, its validity depends on what the man under whom she stands does with it. God gives each person a responsibility that is in accordance with his or her position. God expects the man who is the head of the woman ( ) to know his responsibility. The relation of the woman to the man may be that of a daughter to her father ( ) and that of a wife to her husband ( ). In the woman we see a picture of Israel. The LORD is in relation with Israel as a Father – “for I am a father to Israel” ( ) – and also as a Husband ( ). Israel has also made vows to God. The people have said three times: “We will do everything the LORD has said” ( ). And God has kept silent. He has never overruled the promise, but on the contrary He has confirmed it by giving the people the law. Israel is still responsible for the vows with which it has committed itself to God. God has not overruled the vows in His government, that the people may learn what is in their hearts.

‏ Numbers 30:3-4

Vow of a Woman in Her Youth

These verses are about the vow of a young, unmarried woman who still lives with her father at home. If her father hears it and remains silent, he agrees by his silence and the vow is valid. However, if her father forbids her to comply with the vow, so refuses to agree, then the vow is not valid. She has promised something that she is unable to keep.

Then the grace of the LORD shines: The LORD will forgive her words spoken too quickly (Num 30:5 ; 8 ; 12). She has thought she would please God, but has not been aware of her incompetence and submissive position. She should have consulted her father first. If her vow contains anything disadvantageous for the family, her father will be able to release her from that promise. All that she can promise belongs to her father.

She shows her obedience to her father by refraining from keeping her vow. The obedience to her father is so highly appreciated by the LORD that He forgives her. She needs forgiveness because her good intentions were not according to the will of God. She thought she was doing a service to God, while she did not think about the bad consequences of her vow for the family.

In general, for a woman who makes a vow, its validity depends on what the man under whom she stands does with it. God gives each person a responsibility that is in accordance with his or her position. God expects the man who is the head of the woman (1Cor 11:3) to know his responsibility.

The relation of the woman to the man may be that of a daughter to her father (Num 30:3-5) and that of a wife to her husband (Num 30:6-8 ; 10-15). In the woman we see a picture of Israel. The LORD is in relation with Israel as a Father – “for I am a father to Israel” (Jer 31:9) – and also as a Husband (Jer 31:32b).

Israel has also made vows to God. The people have said three times: “We will do everything the LORD has said” (Exo 19:8 ; Exo 24:3 ; 7). And God has kept silent. He has never overruled the promise, but on the contrary He has confirmed it by giving the people the law. Israel is still responsible for the vows with which it has committed itself to God. God has not overruled the vows in His government, that the people may learn what is in their hearts.