Rev 5:5-10
Since I was a child I have heard the expression, “If March comes in like a Lion it will leave like a Lamb. ” Well, March 2004 came to Kansas City like a Lion. I suppose we can expect it to leave like a Lamb.
It is quite a paradox that our Lord came to this world as a Lamb. He came peacefully and to bring peace to the hearts of mankind. As the Lamb of God He gave His life freely as a sacrificial offering so that we might have a relationship with God. We are told in His Word, however, that He will come again and this time as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. His roar will be heard throughout the world. He will come as King and Conqueror to vanquish all of His enemies once and for all.
To this we raise the cry, “All hail King Jesus! All hail Emmanuel! ” May the one who came as a Lamb return as a Lion for those who love Him and serve Him. Then around the throne we will be able to join with “… every creature that is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, ” [saying] “…Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever. ”
Dr. Gayle Woods
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7; Psalm 84:1-4, 10
To make a vow (what we often call “a pledge”) – nadar – is a serious thing. It should never be taken lightly. A nadar means the act of verbally devoting something or a person to the service of God. It can be positive or negative in intent. In other words, it may be a vow to do something for God, or give something to God. On the other hand it may be a vow to NOT do something because of the relationship with God. It involves promising God something. It is a freewill offering. Laws concerning vows can be found in Numbers 30.
Biblical vows were both conditional and unconditional. Genesis 28:20-22 is an example of a conditional vow. Usually they are preceded by the condition, “If.” God ALWAYS considers an unconditional vow (a pledge) to be binding. Deut 23:22 says that if someone promises something to God he is obliged to fulfill his promise. The Biblical vow is ALWAYS to God. This word never refers to a promise made between individual human beings.
Almost anything can be vowed to God. A person can vow himself to service. Land, houses and possessions are even Biblical examples of vows that have been made. God will not accept any vow that is an abomination to Him, however, such as the wage of a harlot. Both men and women can make vows. Vows, however, are not a religious obligation. They are voluntary acts of devotion and love. Biblical examples show that they either preceded or followed divine blessing and were accompanied by joy.
In our lesson for today verse 4 states the rash vows should never be made. It fact, it is better not to make a vow (verse 5) than to not pay it. Proverbs 20:25 says, “It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.” A vow is an expression of love, Thanksgiving, zeal and devotion to God. The context indicates that to make a vow in haste (vs. 1), to be rash in declaring what you will do for God (vs. 2), and then not to fulfill the vow (vs. 4,5) is to cause your flesh to sin (vs. 6). It is considered to be obnoxious to God for someone to say, “Oh, I made a mistake,” or “I didnt really mean it.” To make a vow is an act of worship that is not required but once done is binding.
Two special vows should be mentioned. The Nazarite Vow of Num 6:13ff and the herem of Num 21:1.
(Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament) (Keil and Delitzsch)(Vines Complete Dictionary) (Smiths Bible Dictionary)
Dr. Gayle Woods
