Have you ever made a promise, but was then faced with an event that made the vow difficult to achieve? Maybe it involved money. Perhaps it involved property. Maybe, it included labor or an assignment. Yet, for whatever reason, you are just unable to keep it.
We seem to hate it when politicians break promises. However, do we cringe just a little when we break a promise? Typically, we grovel out some apology when breaking a promise while experiencing aspects of personal guilt. When reading Leviticus 27 during the study week of Bechukotal, I got the picture that an apology doesn’t always cut it.
Again, the YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them,
‘When someone makes a difficult vow, he shall be valued according to your valuation of persons belonging to the Lord. Leviticus 27:1-2
The phrase, “a difficult vow” is termed as pala (paw-law), a verb meaning to separate, remove, distinguish, or difficult (H6381). In this particular text, it is being used more descriptively, coming under the connective verb of niphal, meaning to be “beyond one’s power” or “difficult to do.” To me, this is a profound explanation for the rest of the chapter, especially when we try to wrap our heads around giving value to people around the concept of monetary worth. Nevertheless, seeing Yah provide a solution for His people caused me to shout out, “Yah thinks of everything!”
This chapter gives us compassionate solutions to our “promise to pay” problem within a Kingdom perspective: personal worth based on the temple’s shekel. Our intention to pay back is scrutinized by the priest. Our ability to pay back gives consideration to size, age, and strength. And our spirit, soul, and body can move forward knowing that we don’t have to grovel in self-pity due to an inability to back up a difficult vow. In short, YHWH provided an outline for us!
Yes, I am aware our present-day culture struggles with this type of compassion. However, I believe followers of Yeshua can hold true to the principles given. “How would we do this,” you might ask. Here are just a couple of examples. I am sure you can list many others.
- Maybe you made a promise to pay something back to someone. But, due to a job loss, you can’t pay with money. Could you seek a solution by providing “value” through your person, your labor, and your skill set?
- Maybe you want to give a tithe to your local congregation, but due to an event, you are barely able to make ends meet. Could you offer services through your person, your labor, and your skill set to assist the body of believers?
When we first started the MVF fellowship, I remember counting hands and pledges from people who said they would help or give. How are those difficult vows going today? Vows are important to keep and are at times even made in our spirit. You might have thought,
“If I had some money, I would do _____ .” Believe it or not, this is still a vow in the presence of Yah’s kingdom. Therefore, I would suggest that we make good on even these thoughts. Stop dreaming about what you would or could do and move forward instead, bringing value to Yeshua’s body!
Let us move forward in understanding the depth of our vows while also realizing YHWH’s merciful and compassionate solutions.
Be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn