Tu’apuleulu Sune 3, 2021
If anyone makes a special vow to the Lord…
Ka fakaai ‘e ha taha ha tukumo‘ui…te ke tu‘utu‘uni mahu‘inga ki ai.
(v. 1-2) 1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, If anyone makes a special vow to the Lord involving the valuation of persons,
(v. 1-2) 1 PEA folofola ‘a Sihova kia
Mōsese, ‘o pehē, 2 Lea ki ha‘a ‘Isileli, pea ke tala kiate kinautolu, Ka fakaai
‘e ha taha ha tukumo‘ui, ko e me‘a ki ha kakai kuo tuku kia Sihova, te ke
tu‘utu‘uni mahu‘inga ki ai.
* G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible*
In this final page of the Book of Leviticus we have something superadded to actual laws and yet of very vital importance. It is concerned with vows. A vow is a promise made to God voluntarily and not in obedience to any divine requirement. That is not to suggest that a vow is wrong. It expresses a devotion of the person or of property to the service of God beyond that which is demanded in the strict economy of relationship. It is not necessary therefore that any such vows should be made, but it is laid down clearly that if they are made, they must be religiously observed.
Vows dealing with the devotion of the
person, of beasts, of houses, and of fields are dealt with and the great
principle is emphasized throughout that though such offerings are voluntarily, yet they must be paid
to the full. If for any reason whatever one making such a vow desires to be set
free from it or to redeem that which he has devoted, he must pay its full
value, and something more, according to the appraisements of the priests.
*Commentary: David Guzik – Study Guide on Leviticus*
When a man consecrates by a vow certain persons to the LORD: What did it mean to consecrate a person to the LORD? It could be done either for one's self, or on behalf of another (such as consecrating a child unto the LORD). This was a completely voluntary act, meant to demonstrate that this person was totally given to God.
For example, a man from the tribe of Judah, in a time of distress, or out of gratitude, or out of a sense of calling, wants to consecrate his son to the LORD. He could not give his son to the service of the tabernacle, because he was not a priestly family. So to consecrate his son, he would follow the procedures in the following verses.
The beauty of these commands is that it
gave the one making a vow of consecration something definite to do; the vow of
consecration was therefore far more than mere words, it had a definite action
associated with it - and prevented people from making empty vows to God.
How important is your vow to God?
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