Numbers 30

According to verse 9, a divorced or widowed woman was not under the authority of any male relative; she was independent. This is of importance in understanding the divorce laws of Israel (Deuteronomy 24:1–4); the divorced woman was like a widow; her husband was “dead” to her. She was free to make a vow, but she herself had to stand by it.

It is important to realize that women did make vows in Israel; they took a responsible part in the worship of the community. On a spiritual level, God related to women in the same way He related to men: both were His children, and both were created in His image (Genesis 1:27).

Though the modern reader might be troubled by these laws placing authority in the hands of husbands, we should recall that New Testament teaching supports the authority of husbands in the marriage relationship (Ephesians 5:24; 1 Peter 5:1–2,5–6). But the New Testament also places tremendous demands on the husband to love his wife as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25; 1 Peter 3:7). Surely a wife would be happy to submit to such a husband.

In conclusion, it is better not to make special vows or oaths. Jesus taught that we should not swear at all, but simply say “Yes” or “No” and mean it (Matthew 5:33–37). The Lord looks less for our vows than He does for our love; He is less interested in our words than He is in our hearts. The only vow He wants from us is our vow to give Him our lives and to honor and obey Him always (Romans 12:1). Our vow to the Lord is lifelong, and involves everything we think and say and do (Romans 14:8; 1 Corinthians 10:31).