THE SPECIAL vows we read of 1 in this chapter were not the commands of the Lord, but were the fruit of His grace in the willing hearts of His people. They were spontaneous and voluntary, a mark of their devotedness to Him.
We are reminded of Hannah’s vow (1 Sam. 1). She prayed, asking the Lord for “a man child,” so that she might “give him to the LORD all the days of his life.” God answered her prayer, giving her Samuel at a time when the priesthood was both feeble and corrupted, and what a blessing Samuel was to Israel.
However, Israel made a vow unto the Lord at Sinai which they were unable to fulfill; we know how dismally they failed to carry it out. And this is the history of man, ourselves included. Like Israel we are but bankrupt and ruined sinners.
The fulfillment of this vow was a matter of simple righteousness. Man might change his mind and let himself off easily from fulfilling his responsibility, but as this chapter brings out the estimation of his vow was not up to him but was in the hands of the priest. The Lord Himself had the final word in settling the matter.
We read in verse 8 of special consideration in the case of him who might be “poorer than thy estimation,” and this is a picture of the Lord’s gracious dealings with the poverty of His people. The priesthood, the presence of the priest, told of His merciful provision in the case of Israel’s spiritual poverty. And how thankful we His people now should be for our great and merciful High Priest, Jesus the Son of God. “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4: 15.
Feeble, fallen man is unable to discharge his responsibility, as Israel’s history has only proved. Thus it is that the Lord forbids making vows (Matt. 5: 30-37; the sermon on the mount) saying, “Swear not at all.... But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”
Poor Jephthah made a foolish vow unto the Lord (Judges 11:30-4030And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, 31Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering. 32So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the Lord delivered them into his hands. 33And he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, with a very great slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel. 34And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. 35And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back. 36And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the Lord, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the Lord hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Ammon. 37And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows. 38And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she went with her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains. 39And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man. And it was a custom in Israel, 40That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year. (Judges 11:30‑40)), and though he meant well no doubt, nevertheless the result was the deepest sorrow to his own heart and to the heart of his loved and doted daughter.
This chapter would teach us that if one would set himself apart unto the Lord it can only be in the power of grace. Grace must be the spring and sustaining power all through.
And this leads us in our thoughts to the blessed Substitute, the Lord Jesus, who alone had the strength to take upon Himself and to fulfill Israel’s broken vow, and ours. There might be an escape for man, but not for Him, the willing Victim. Like the ram caught in the thicket by its horns (Gen. 22.) there was no escape for Him; for Him there was no substitute. He stood firm where He alone could stand. He fulfilled completely what we failed to do; He bore the full consequences of all our failure, glorified God in redemption beyond what the law demanded, thus adding the fifth part. Who can estimate His devotedness and worth? God alone can. Surely He is worthy of our hearts’ adoring praise both now and throughout eternity.
ML-01/14/1973