Vows are both positive and negative. In the positive there is a pledge to do and in the negative there is a pledge to abstain from doing. Vows rest on human views of religious obligations. They often see the good God has done and consider an offering to demonstrate the joy felt for that which has been received. Gaining favor with God often leads to the conviction that offering a gift to God is the highest way to demonstrate love and appreciation.

Such vows made are sacred and should religiously and scrupulously be observed. Before a vow is made there should be a strong reason why it is to be made. When one assumes an obligation new elements are introduced into the volume of matters to be done. One is obligated to perform to the best of one’s ability to accomplish a vow. There is a moral and religious bond, which is established when taking a vow. Breaking a pledge until the obligation is fulfilled becomes a moral issue. One cannot break a moral pledge without suffering some deterioration to the moral fiber. Hence great consideration should be given before one makes a vow.

Vows are voluntary obligations. Jacob made a vow after his vision at Beth-el. He vowed that upon his safe return he would dedicate to Jehovah the tenth part of his goods, set up a memorial stone and a place to worship Jehovah (Gen. 28:18-22). With great prosperity such a voluntary offering became a religious duty. The summation is, better is it that thou shouldest not vow than that thou shouldest vow and not pay (Psa. 61:5; Psa. 65:1; Psa. 116:18).

The law did not introduce vows but regulated them. The wise Law Giver sought to limit any folly and tried to root out sin. “If thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee” (Deut. 23:22). The Bible speaks of three types of vows. They are vows of devotion, abstinence and destruction. A person might devote the use of a possession to demonstrate a surrender of its use for religious purposes only. In the Old Testament it could be land and thus redeemed at a rate of redemption, which was given to the Lord. The payment might be abated under the direct order of a priest in the time of the year of Jubilee. If it was abated the price was included in the next year’s vow. The valuation set forth was obligatory until all was paid. If unable to pay a person’s near kinsmen could step in to discharge the vow by paying it. In the case of an animal being fit for sacrifice the vow was to be discharged. But if the animal was not fit for sacrifice the matter was resolved by a redemptive offering.

Vows made to God are sacred.

Vows were entirely voluntary but once made they were regarded as compulsory and evasion of performance was held as contemptible and contrary to true religion. Vows were of great importance to the families’ good name.  Marriage is the oldest relationship in the world. It was ordained by God in the Garden of Eden and is a time when two shall become one flesh. “And the man said, this is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 2:23, 24). Jesus quoted this passage to prove the sacredness of marriage (Matt. 19:1-6). Paul sites the same passage to prove the enduring quality of marriage (Eph. 5:22-33). The vows and covenants made are voluntary and enduring. They are meant to last until “death do we part” (Rom. 7:1-7). This vow is an imposing and sacred statement made by both parties. The pledge made, while forsaking all others, is to remain faithful in sickness, health, prosperity or adversity. Vows are very serious and must be kept.

Don Hatch