The Engaged Female Vow
30: 6-8
The engaged female vow DIG: What complications would an engaged female make for her fiancé if she made a foolish vow or oath? In the Jewish culture how were the engaged female and her fiancé viewed? How would this concept transfer to today’s world?
REFLECT: How do you feel when someone breaks their word to you? Why? Why is speech so powerful? Why is speaking the truth and keeping your word so essential? Why do you think God places so much importance on vows? What does that say about God and His promises?
The principal for today is that an engaged female is to be obedient to her fiancé,
and consult him before making a vow because God holds him responsible
for what goes on in their relationship preparing for marriage.
When a couple becomes engaged today, they are one vow away from marriage. Their commitment to each other deepens. Their actions toward each other more closely mirror marriage than not, excluding sexual contact. Therefore, in many respects, their roles need to mirror that of a married couple. If the man will not love his wife-to-be as Messiah loved the Church and gave Himself up for her (see the commentary on Ephesians, to see link click Bx – The Role and Priorities of the Husband) during their engagement, then he will undoubtedly not do so when married. And if the woman will not submit to her fiancé during the engagement (see Ephesians Bw – The Role and Priorities of the Wife), then she will undoubtedly refuse to do so when married. Therefore, she would need to discuss any vows made during their engagement. The engaged couple needs to start out on the right foot and begin to practice what will become the norm after their marriage vows to each other.
This principle for our modern behavior in this matter is based upon Scripture. God’s Word has not changed. If, after having made vows or rashly committed herself to an obligation, (see Fi – The Fulfillment of Vows and Oaths) a woman gets engaged; and her fiancé hears but rises no objection with her on the day he learns of it, then her vows and obligations she has bound herself to will stand. But if her fiancé cancels her vow on the day he hears it, he will void the vow which is on her and the obligation to which she has bound herself; and ADONAI will forgive her because God recognized his authority over her. When Joseph and Mary were engaged, the Jewish community treated them just as if they were married (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Ap – Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son).
Dear Heavenly Father, praise You for being so wise and loving in all You do, including Your guidelines for marriage relationships. Though You have placed the married man as head over his wife (Ephesians 5:21-23), Messiah models how the husband is to care for his wife in a loving way. Husbands, love your wives just as Messiah also loved His community and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, having cleansed her by immersion in the Word. Messiah did this so that He might present to Himself His glorious community – not having stain or wrinkle or any such thing, but in order that she might be holy and blameless. In the same way, husband’s ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself (Ephesians 5:25-28). Thank You for being the perfect Husband for Your Bride, the Church (Second Corinthians 11:2). Your Bride waits in eager anticipation for the marriage supper of the lamb (Revelation 19:6-10). In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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