August 31, 2009

Text: Numbers 21:1-3; Ecclesiastes 5; Matthew 5:33-37

MAKING VOWS

1. Context

a) The attack of the Canaanite king Arad    Numbers 21:1a

b) The defeat of Israel    Numbers 21:1b

2. The Vow of Israel

a) To destroy the enemies

b) If God were to enable them to defeat the Canaanite army led by king Arad

3. God's Response

a) Enablement- in response to a vow where God's name has been invoked

b) Conquest of the Canaanites under king Arad

CAUTION CONCERNING VOW-MAKING

1. What is a vow?

a) It involves invoking the name of God

b) It involves a solemn oath

2. What is the significance of making a vow?

a) The person who vows must keep the oath made

b) There is hidden danger in invoking God's name in a vow

    i) God's name may be taken in vain

    ii) The vow may be broken

    iii) The person who breaks his vow is adjudged guilty

    iv) Punitive action may be taken

3. Wisdom concerning vow making    Ecclesiastes 5

a) Prudence strongly recommended    Ecclesiastes 5:1a

    i) Better to hear    Ecclesiastes 5:1b

    ii) Than to speak out of turn

b) Forewarning about "The sacrifice of fools"    Ecclesiastes 5:1c
This kind of sacrifice is "evil"    Ecclesiastes 5:1d

c) Words

    i) Rashness    Ecclesiastes 5:2a

    ii) Hastiness    Ecclesiastes 5:2b

    iii) Many words    Ecclesiastes 5:3

d) Words (Vows) can lead to sin    Ecclesiastes 5:6a

e) Words in a vow cannot be easily retracted and declared "erroneous"    Ecclesiastes 5:6b

f) Broken words (vows) can make God angry    Ecclesiastes 5:6c

g) The works of our hands can be destroyed    Ecclesiastes 5:6d

h) Many words can be nothing more than "vanity" (empty words)    Ecclesiastes 5:7

THE ADMONITION OF JESUS

1. Do not swear at all    Matthew 5:33

2. Be people who honour words spoken    Matthew 5:37

3. Beware the danger of making spurious vows    Matthew 5:34-36