Forbidden Vows
27: 26-27
Forbidden vows DIG: What do you see as the purpose of these forbidden vows? Why would ADONAI have to remind the Israelites that they were already His? Why did they forget?
REFLECT: What already belongs to God in your life? Have you acknowledged that it is His or are you still holding on to it? What happens when you take for granted His gifts to you?
God’s people could not make vows to give God what already belonged to Him.
The Israelites could not vow to sacrifice an animal that was already designated for sacrifice (Exodus 13:2 and 34:19-20). Because the firstborn males (see the commentary on Deuteronomy, to see link click Da –Dedicate All the Firstborn Animals) were already sacred and set apart for sacrifice, they could not be vowed. They could not give to God what He already owns. Illustrations of items dedicated completely to YHVH may be found in Joshua 6:17 and Micah 4:13. The Torah says: No one can dedicate the firstborn among animals – neither ox nor sheep – since it already belongs to ADONAI (27:26). The firstborn animals were to be sacrificed as peace offerings (see Ak – The Peace Offerings: At Peace with God), the owners had the right to eat the meat of the sacrifice. The sacrifice and offering of the firstborns were brought in conjunction with the tithes brought as a part of the annual celebration of the pilgrimage feast of Sukkot (see Eg – Hag Sukkot). But if it is an unclean animal, he may redeem it at the price at which you value it and add one-fifth; or if he does not redeem it, it is to be sold at the price at which you value it (26:27). If they were not redeemed, they were to be sold with the proceeds from the sale going to the Temple.
Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You for our great and awesome love! Sometimes, having heard for many years of your gracious mercy and grace, people grow callous to the joy of giving back to You. They forget what great shame and incredibly painful cost You paid for the gift of our salvation (John 14:23, Romans 5:17). In no way can anyone ever earn their salvation, no matter how many good deeds are done. It is all about Your grace and the joy of loving You back for Your fantastic gift of life. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves – it is the gift of God. It is not based on deeds, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
In the days of Isra’el during the time of Moses, every tenth animal belonged to You, because of the Passover (Exodus 13:2). In a similar yet different manner, all who love You belong to You and we ought to rejoice in giving You our life, our time, our talents and tithe. Your blood paid the price that rescued all who love You from suffering in hell for their sins. In grateful response, we should all rejoice at the opportunity to sow seeds of love in giving You their lives and possessions. The point is this: whoever sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one give as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion – for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that by always having enough of everything, you may overflow in every good work (Second Corinthians 9:6-8). Thank You for the joy of being able to give back our love to You by offering you our time, money and all we say and do. In Your holy name and power of Messiah’s resurrection. Amen
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