Rash vows

[dl_17]

Considering all the "fulfill your vows" and "swear to your own hurt" verses, how would one interpret Leviticus 5:4-6? What does "good or evil" mean here? Does it encompass every type of vow made in ignorance/haste? Does confessing the making of the rash vow as sin annull the vow?

 

[Mark Quayle]

Considering all the "fulfill your vows" and "swear to your own hurt" verses, how would one interpret Leviticus 5:4-6? What does "good or evil" mean here? Does it encompass every type of vow made in ignorance/haste? Does confessing the making of the rash vow as sin annull the vow?

More than once I have had to admit the vows I have made were the expression of emotion, somewhat analogous to a child taking himself seriously. God knows. But yes, we will have to give account. Thank God for his grace and mercy --and patience.

 

[Jeshu]

It is best never to vow, for rarely can we do it. Luckily Jesus forgives us our sins when we confess them to Him and He cleanses us of all guilt.

Thank Jesus for salvation and ask Him to teach you not to make rash vows.

 

[Pavel Mosko]

Does confessing the making of the rash vow as sin annull the vow?

I don't know all that, but those passages do explain Judges 11:30-39.

 

[Tolworth John]

Considering all the "fulfill your vows" and "swear to your own hurt" verses, how would one interpret Leviticus 5:4-6? What does "good or evil" mean here? Does it encompass every type of vow made in ignorance/haste? Does confessing the making of the rash vow as sin annull the vow?

Jesus dealt with it very clearly and simply in Matt 5:33-37.
He said Do Not swear an oath/vow, but say Yes or No.

 

[disciple Clint]

Considering all the "fulfill your vows" and "swear to your own hurt" verses, how would one interpret Leviticus 5:4-6? What does "good or evil" mean here? Does it encompass every type of vow made in ignorance/haste? Does confessing the making of the rash vow as sin annull the vow?

The evil or good is pointing out that even if you make a vow to do something sinful and then fail to do it you have still committed a sin by making that vow.
Scripture seems indicate that the only vows that can be resinded are vows of a woman, those can be overruled by her father or husband as indicated in Numbers 30:3-8. Jephthah's Tragic Vow in Judges 11:30 would seem to indicate that his daughter had to die but scholars point out that she was actually required to remain a virgin and suffer the loss of future children because she was dedicated to the Lord, while Jephthah suffered the loss of his future generations. It would seem therefore that a vow may be fulfilled in ways that do not result in sin.

 

[Sabertooth]

Does confessing the making of the rash vow as sin annull the vow?

Yes, especially if driven by OCD.

If the vow is still worthwhile [not OCD], you can resume honoring it,
but if it goes against the Bible or more clear direction from the Holy Spirit,*
God does not expect us to abide by it.

"Come now, you who say,

'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city,
spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit';​

whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.
For what is your life?
It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
Instead you ought to say,

'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.' ” James 4:13-15 NKJV​

~~~~~​

*"I vow to go North for You, Lord..."

"But I want you to go South...!"​

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice, Keith Green (1979)

 

[dl_17]

Yes, especially if driven by OCD.

If the vow is still worthwhile [not OCD], you can resume honoring it,
but if it goes against the Bible or more clear direction from the Holy Spirit,*
God does not expect us to abide by it.

"Come now, you who say,

'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city,
spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit';​

whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.
For what is your life?
It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
Instead you ought to say,

'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.' ” James 4:13-15 NKJV​

~~~~~​

*"I vow to go North for You, Lord..."

"But I want you to go South...!"​

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice, Keith Green (1979)

Yeah, this was my intention of asking it (sorry, I know it's a compulsion, but I really am troubled by it). Long story short, I don't know if I made a vow or not, and I can't live my life assuming I did. Here's the thread about it OCD Vows

 

[dl_17]

It is best never to vow, for rarely can we do it. Luckily Jesus forgives us our sins when we confess them to Him and He cleanses us of all guilt.

Thank Jesus for salvation and ask Him to teach you not to make rash vows.

Sorry, I'm trying to understand this. I know Jesus cleanses us of all sin, but what is the sin here? Does one sin only when he break the vow (which doesn't seem like what Lev 5 says but every other vow verses) or he sinned when he made the vow? Does forgiving him mean he can live freely, away from the vow?

 

[Sabertooth]

Long story short, I don't know if I made a vow or not, and I can't live my life assuming I did.

All of your vows (before God) are void if they are driven by OCD. (Just repent for them when you realize that you have done so.)

You still have an obligation to any paper contracts that you sign as a legal adult, however.