Making Promises - Leviticus 27

 

Leviticus 27- Making Promises

 

“Making a singular vow,” means to single out something of value to the individual.  When a person was dedicated by a vow to God, A redemption price could be paid for the person which would relieve him of service. Hannah brought little Samuel to the temple as a thanksgiving offering to God in payment of her vow.  She kept her promise.

Vows of the Israelites were based on the ability to labor.  God provided for the poor so they could participate in voluntary service.  A fair and equitable price was set by the priest according to the man’s ability to pay. Ordinarily in human affairs, a man pays for the service of another.  In the law of the vows this is reversed, and a man pays to serve God.

Remember the sin of Ananias and Sapphira.  They said they were giving to the Lord the entire price of a piece of land, but they didn’t go through with it.  They only gave a portion of it.  They didn’t have to give it all to God. Peter told them that while it was theirs they can do whatever they want with it.  It was a voluntary offering, but then they tried to withhold some of it from God.  They broke their promise.

 God already owns everything we have but if we make a promise, especially under great joy or trial, we need to keep that promise.  If we give our children, grandchildren, possessions in His hands to watch over, then we need to leave them in His hands.

A man could not dedicate a borrowed thing to God. The firstborn of both man and beast were already claimed by the Lord and could not be devoted to the Lord in a vow.  God insisted that His rights be observed. The tithe was the third thing which already belonged to God and could not be pledged in a vow.

 

 

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.