The law concerning Vows, oaths and Swearing

The Law concerning

Vows, Oaths and Swearing

 

184.                 That a man should fulfill whatever he has uttered (Deut. 23: ²⁴ You shall observe and carry out what emerges from your lips, just as you vowed a voluntary gift to Hahweh, your El, whatever you spoke with your mouth). (This command teaches that the redeemed community should do what you say and say what you do. Example, in Torah a man is entitled to have more that one wife. However, if when he gets married according to the Christian tradition and he swore to be faithful to her alone, he is obligated to keep his word or his pledge).

 

203.                 Not to swear needlessly (Ex. 20: ⁷ You shall not take the name of YAHWEH, your El, in vain, for YAHWEH will not absolve anyone who takes His Name in vain.). (This command teaches us in the redeemed community it is permitted in Torah to swear by the Name of El YAHWEH. However if we have no intension in keeping that promise, if our only motive is to present ourselves to appear truthful, then we are using His Name needlessly.)

 

204.                 Not to violate an oath or swear falsely (Lev. 19: ¹² You shall not swear falsely by My Name, thereby desecrating the Name of Your El, I am YAHWEH). (This command teaches us that if we truly love our El YAHWEH, we will not desecrate His Holy Name. Anyone who swears falsely demonstrates that he has no respect for El YAHWEH Name.)

 

205.                 To decide in cases of annulment of vows, according to the rules set forth in the Torah (Num. 30: ^2-17) (If a man makes a vow to YAHVEH that he will do something or swears an oath that he won't do something, he must not break his word. He must do everything he said he would do.  "A young girl, who still lives in her father's house, might make a vow to YAHVEH that she will do something or swear an oath that she won't do something. If her father says nothing to her when he hears about it, her vow or oath must be kept. But if her father objects when he hears about it, her vow or oath doesn't have to be kept. YAHVEH will free her from this vow or oath because her father objected. "An unmarried woman might make a vow that she will do something or carelessly promise that she won't do something. When she marries, her husband may hear about it but say nothing to her. Then her vow or oath must be kept. But if her husband objects when he hears about it, he can cancel the vow or promise she made. YAHVEH will free her from this vow or promise.  "But a widow or a divorced woman must keep her vow or her promise.  "A married woman might make a vow that she will do something or swear an oath that she won't do something. Her husband may hear about it but may say nothing and not object. Then her vow or oath must be kept. But if her husband cancels it when he hears about it, nothing she said in her vow or oath has to be kept. Her husband has canceled it, and YAHVEH will free her from this vow or oath. "A husband decides whether or not his wife has to keep any vow to do something or any oath to do without something. If he says nothing to her about it day after day, this means he's decided that she must keep her vow or oath. She must keep it because he said nothing to her when he heard about it. But if he cancels it later, he will suffer the consequences." These are the laws YAHVEH gave Moses for husbands and wives, and for fathers with young daughters still living at home). (This command teaches that the annulment of vows can only be made by the Father of the young woman or the husband. While she is under the care and development of the Father he can annul any vow she might make. Likewise when she takes a husband that Husband (Yahushua) can also make null any decision that might case her harm.)

 

206.                 Not to break a vow (Num. 30: ³ If a Hebrew man takes a vow to YAHWEH or swear an oath to establish a prohibition upon himself, he shall not desecrate his word; according to whatever comes from his mouth shall he do.) (This command teaches us that the redeemed community word is sacred, for him to violate it is a desecration of himself.)

 

207.                 To swear by His name truly (Deut. 10: ²⁰ YAHWEH, your El, shall you fear, Him shall you serve, to him shall you swear.) (This command teaches us that in the redeemed community one who has the attributes to be called by His name, fears and serve YAHWEH, they have the right to swear, for his piety will assure that he will do so truthfully.)

                                             

208.                 Not to delay in fulfilling vows or bringing vowed or free-will offerings (Deut. 23: ²² when you make a vow to YAHWEH, your El, you shall not be late in paying it, for YAHWEH, your El, will demand it of you, and there will be a sin in you.) (This command teaches us that in the redeemed community if one does not pay his vow before the passage of the next three pilgrimage festivals, is in violation of this negative commandment. If one fails to do so, YAHWEH will demand it.)