Numbers 30

Num 30:1-2 And Moses spoke unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, this is the thing which the LORD hath commanded. (2) If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

The Lord wants us to be men and women of our word. If we say we are going to do something, then we need to do it. In our culture today, people often make promises that they never intend to keep. They make them to close a deal, or to get someone else off of their back. Other people make promises to do something, only to change their minds when a better offer comes along. The Lord says that these practices should not exist in the lives of His people.

Listen to what David says in Psalm 15:

Jehovah, who shall dwell in Your tabernacle? Who shall dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; he does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; in whose eyes the reprobate is despised, but he honors those who fear Jehovah; he has sworn to his hurt, and does not change it; he has not put out his money at interest, nor has he taken a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall not be moved forever.

(Psa 15:1-5)

There are 11 things listed here that characterize the man that DWELLS in the presence of God. The 9^th thing on the list is: “He has sworn to his own hurt, and does not change it.” This godly man described here keeps his word. Even when he makes a foolish promise that will cause him hurt and loss, he follows through.

I have put my foot in my mouth on a number of occasions. Promising to do this or that before I looked at what I had already committed to do, before I found out what was going on. These situations can be really sticky and difficult, but this Biblical principle helps us walk through them. We know that regardless of the circumstances the Lord wants us to keep our word, even if it will cost us dearly.

As a footnote, the one time when we SHOULD break our word is when we have promised to do something sinful… so if you promised to go shop lifting with your buddies, it is NOT RIGHTEOUS to go ahead and keep your word!