Leviticus 27:1-8, “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, (3) then the valuation of a male from twenty
years old up to sixty years old shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to
the shekel of the sanctuary. (4) If the person is a female, the valuation
shall be thirty shekels. (5) If the person is from five years old up to
twenty years old, the valuation shall be for a male twenty shekels, and for a
female ten shekels. (6) If the person is from a month old up to five
years old, the valuation shall be for a male five shekels of silver, and for a
female the valuation shall be three shekels of silver. (7)
And if the person is sixty years old or over, then the valuation for a
male shall be fifteen shekels, and for a female ten shekels. (8)
And if someone is too poor to pay the valuation, then he shall be made
to stand before the priest, and the priest shall value him; the priest shall
value him according to what the vower can afford.”
The book of Leviticus ends in a rather obscure manner, in this final
chapter we see commands given that deal with the redemption of vows, and those
things that were promised to God in the taking of that vow.
The most alarming of the verses are the first eight, as it speaks of
how people are to be redeemed. What then are we to make of these eight verses
and then the chapter as a whole?
When it comes to passages in the Bible that we struggle to understand
and interpret, we must allow the Bible to interpret the Bible. In other words
we seek to find another portion of Scripture that either speaks to the same
issue, or can help us to understand it. In regards to the first eight verses of
this chapter, it is helpful for us to read 1 Samuel 1, giving particular
attention to verse 11, “And she vowed a
vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction
of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to
your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life,
and no razor shall touch his head.”
Hannah is making the type of vow that is being spoken of in Leviticus
27. She is praying for a son, asking God to heal her barren womb and give to
her the blessing of a son. In return for God’s favour and blessing, Hannah vows
to then give that son to God, to serve God for the entirety of his life.
However, if after the birth of Samuel, Hannah wished to be set free from
this vow, then she would follow the rules and commandments detailed in this
chapter. She would have to bring Samuel to the priest, and depending on the age
of Samuel, a calculation would be made and that amount would have to be paid
into the temple treasury. Once the payment was made, Hannah would be set free
from her vow, and Samuel would be able to remain with Hannah.
But there is more to this chapter than just providing commands on how
vows can be redeemed. The question we need to ask is why are these commands
given, and why are the amounts stated so high (50 shekels was equivalent to
nearly five month’s pay in the days of Jesus)?
There are several reasons as to why these commands are given and the
redemption amounts so high. Firstly, God does not want the people of Israel to
enter into vows rashly and without thought. How often have we promised God that
we would give or do something if He undertook in a certain way, yet after God
has undertaken we fail to keep our promise? How many people in a state of
panic, shock or fear, have pledged their lives to God if He should save and
spare their lives, yet later forget this promise?
Secondly, God wants the Israelites to understand that the taking of
vows, the making of promises to God is a very serious matter. It should not be
entered into rashly or foolishly, nor should they be forsaken hastily. If we
expect God to be faithful towards us in regards to all His promises, is it not
then hypocritical of us to be unfaithful to God, breaking our vows or promises?
The giving of these commands and the high valuation for redemption are
there to prevent foolish and rash vows, to ensure that the people of Israel
think about what they are promising to God and why they are making this vow.
They are given so that the Israelites might understand that when it comes to
making promises and vows to God, it is something which God takes seriously and
desires them to be faithful to them. Therefore they should also take it
seriously, and enter into it with the express desire to be faithful to that
promise and make every effort to remain faithful. God is a God of truth and
faithfulness, every word He speaks is wise, true and good, and every promise He
makes, He keeps faultlessly. The people of Israel are being called to be like
God in this regard.
As believers in Jesus Christ, we can also be guilty of making rash and
foolish statements, promises and vows. We fail to consider what we are saying
to God, or the promise we are making. At certain times we may also fail to adequately
discern our hearts, our attitude and motivation for making such promises. Are
we making it in the hope of what we might receive, what we might stand to gain?
Are we trying to manipulate God in the same manner that we manipulate each
other, by making grand promises in order to get our way? It should always be
our desire to be faithful towards God, we should want to serve Him with all of
our lives and all that we have, not because of what we might gain in return,
but simply as an expression of love, trust and worship.
Lord God, You are a God of truth and faithfulness.
All Your words have proved to be trustworthy and true, You are faithful to all
Your promises. We thank You today that You are so faithful to such unfaithful
people. We pray and ask You to forgive us for the times that we have made rash
or foolish promises, promises and vows motivated more by pride, envy, jealousy
and greed, than by godliness. Help us to be people who are eager to be faithful
to You in all that we do, and to trust You in all things, for all things, at
all times. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment