Vow


VOW, v.t. 

1. To give, consecrate or dedicate to God by a solemn promise. When Jacob went 

to Mesopotamia, he vowed to God a tenth of this substance, and his own future 

devotion to his service. Gen 28. 


When thou vowest a vow, defer not to pay it. Eccl 5.


2. To devote.


VOW, v.i. To make vows or solemn promises. He that vows, must be careful to 

perform. 

(Webster)


Lev 27:28  "But nothing that a man irrevocably devotes to GOD from what belongs 

to him, whether human or animal or family land, may be either sold or bought 

back. Everything devoted is holy to the highest degree; it's GOD's inalienable 

property. 



	Ok, it had seemed very natural and what was wanted at the time. Giving him 

what had been so valuable and meant so much was just a way of expressing to him 

what a special friend he was. For some reason there was that moment when it was 

more important to commit to friendship than retain possession of anything that 

he might enjoy having. So, there had been no problem with freely giving what had 

been earned with much work and taken care of so carefully. 


	Now, though, that same feeling of devotion and the perceived value of his 

friendship has waned a bit, and the loss of the valued possession is being felt. 

Now, after a few disagreements and getting to see a side of him that wasn't as 

favorable, the choice of giving anything at all to him seems a little flawed. 

Where once there had been strong feelings of commitment, there is now this 

willingness to give friendship up altogether in order to regain possession of 

what was given. He didn't even seem to be that impressed with the gift anyway, 

not really appreciating it or taking care of it. The decision is made then- at 

the risk of losing any opportunity for continued relationship, every means will 

be used to regain possession of what is now so obviously greater in value. 


	Whether the simple giving of a toy, the promise of time spent, or the 

commitment of a portion of one's livelihood, there is a strong tendency in the 

human nature to go through this process. Wanting back what was given, losing 

appreciation for what had once seemed so important, and failing to fulfill 

commitments of anything that might alter one's lifestyle or position is a way 

that is probably more readily and naturally taken than any other. There will 

always be rising circumstances that will challenge the choice that was made and 

make it appear "right" to just take back what was given, fail to show up, or 

just not continue in what was committed. There may be validity to all of the 

reasons given for going back or waiting on a promised thing, but to do so in any 

instance is still a failure of word and a loss of integrity. 


	In relationship with our Father God, this natural tendency to default can 

also develop into our way of choice, with very little diligence given to keeping 

the vows made to Him. Where there is a provision in His grace for our failures 

and human ways, there is a loss to our own integrity and perception of Him when 

other things or relationships are given precedence over what had been given or 

promised to Him. He will forgive and allow the return of what means so much to 

us, but in doing so, there is a choice made from our side to compromise the true 

potential of our intimacy with Him. Any time there is a legitimate commitment 

made to Him, there will be an obvious change of lifestyle, appearance, financial 

position, and associations. While there will be certain rewards in living what 

was promised to Him, there is a part of deeper knowledge of Him that comes with 

a vow that is given with no thought of return or reward. This is not part of a 

harvest mentality, but this is a gift given or change promised that knows only 

the surety of relationship with and nearness to the One promised. For this vow 

there can be no attachment of future return, and yet this vow has the greatest 

reward in the strengthening of relationship and the bonding of heart. 



Act 18:18  Paul stayed a while longer in Corinth, but then it was time to take 

leave of his friends. Saying his good-byes, he sailed for Syria, Priscilla and 

Aquila with him. Before boarding the ship in the harbor town of Cenchrea, he had 

his head shaved as part of a vow he had taken. 



	There isn't any detail given as to why Paul made this vow and there is no 

subsequent reference to it or how long he continued with a shaved head. However, 

with this simple mention of what he fulfilled in His relationship with His 

Father, there is a glimpse into the life of worship that Paul lived before God. 

It's hard to imagine that there could have been any selfish motives in altering 

his appearance so dramatically. I don't believe he was struggling with trying to 

get to a higher level of faith or "get something from God". In shaving his head 

there was an irrevocable commitment to a change that must have been a purely 

personal expression of devotion to His Father. While this vow was briefly 

mentioned, there is a notion given place in its entry that there may have been 

many elements of Paul's lifestyle that were reflections of his love for his 

Father. These were things given and changes made that were not done so with any 

hope of return, reward, or recognition. There was an understanding of God's 

provision of more than he could ask or think, but there was also the awareness 

that everything that Paul could ever possess was ultimately His Father's. 


	There is a portion of our life that every day can be a fulfillment of a 

vow taken before our Father. This is something that is personally given with no 

strings attached and no ulterior motives of promotion or personal success. In it 

there is a taste of the holy and there is a participation in the glory that 

cannot be found in the ways of self-gratification. Only as these things are 

given irrevocably before God will there be an understanding of the nature of 

God's love that looks for nothing given back, but is totally consumed with 

unselfish commitment. As this portion of our life becomes our every moment and 

our every choice, there will be His presence known and lived in, and the beauty 

of holiness seen. 


....Everything devoted is holy to the highest degree;....


8/25/04