And Jephthah came to Mizpah unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances; and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.
And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said: 'Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art become my troubler; for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.'
―Jdg 11:34-35
Yes, Lord, I did spell-check the title of this blog. I’ve been reading scripture and testing an epiphany (for me) with fellow studiers, to make sure I’m not on a wild goose chase. Vows and Consonants are exactly what I now want to seek your wise counsel about. So, to the point…
As I develop my devotional concerning your provision of tomorrow’s bread, a difficult subject has peeked its head out of the frozen ground of my comfort zone. The topic has to do with the language I use to commit myself to a person, project, or cause. It also relates to the ways I can mislead myself and others based on that language. All of this boils down to two words: Vow and Oath.
Jesus, you were the one who inspired me to chase the subject, so I won’t insult you by trying to educate in depth; the difference between the two. But in order for my simple brain to grasp the incredible significance of that difference, I’ve got to summarize. It appears that the origins of both words are indeed Biblical and are tied specifically to covenants and contracts (yes, those concepts again!):
To vow as played out in the ancient texts is to state verbally an intended commitment of common-good agreed to by two or more persons; then to act out that statement in good faith.
An oath, on the other hand, is the pledging/stating by one or more people of an irreversible action, regardless of the consequences and irrespective of individual benefit or penalty to the pledgers.
Is one better than the other, a vow vs. an oath? That depends on who you talk to. If I want my way to be the only way, regardless of its effect on others, an oath is the way to go. But that means I am in essence a slave to the commitment. I am inescapably obligated to carry out my commitment.
You, Lord, had some very strong things to say concerning oaths. According to your instructions in Matthew 5, I’m not to make oaths, but rather let the consistent and upright nature of my actions be my promise of future integrity. A more ancient example of an oath-gone-bad was when Jephthah swore to sacrifice whatever was in his doorway in return for a victory in a battle. Though the word “vow” is used in the record, the context and Jephthah's intent were based on an oath and so, poor Jephthah's daughter became an accidental victim of her father’s reckless commitment.
On the other hand, in accurately “vowing a vow”, I should be in concert with anyone else willing to pursue the common good by the same agreed to approach. Regardless of my success in following through, the covenant vow and its intended outcome remain, and the covenant participants are expected to see the commitment through. In a true vow, regardless of my appropriate or inappropriate actions on behalf of my fellow vower(s), the covenant continues. And for each individual, there is grace when along the way an obligation is fumbled. Since the objective of every participant is the same, others are expected to see the purpose through.
And that brings me to the question, Lord: How can I predict the outcome if I fail in fulfilling my vow? Abram had the same concern―his fear of his responsibility to the covenant-vow with you caused a dark spirit to come over him.
But you initiated something else in your vows; you included the prophetic. You and all you prophets spoke in vow language that not only spelled out the best way for each participant to proceed but also very specifically what would happen if the efforts were not made or were redefined by some rogue partner…like me.
I know what must be done, but have in many instances convinced myself that I can “short-cut” my efforts or possibly change the rules on the sly. Yes, Lord, I actually have tried to fake you out…as you know. Forgive me. In the course of my life and commitment with you, I have mistakenly invoked oaths rather than joined you in vow. And because of the prophetic language of your vow with me, I cannot deny that I know what consequences are in store. They are very clearly spelled out. My only hope is in your mercy and grace; neither of which I deserve.
So another question: In my relationship with you now, have I learned not to promise things I shouldn’t dare promise? Have I learned yet to follow you obediently on a common, greater course?
The answer is the same one you gave to Abram, “I will.” You knew then with him and now with me that Abe and I are flawed beings, incapable of perfect covenant. We need perfect help. So your vows include something else; assurances of your faithfulness to circumvent the failing of our faithfulness. You provide with your vows, an opportunity for Consonant (adj. consistently agreeable) relationship.
I have learned that by your graceful actions; and in willingness on my part to vow by your rules: We can do no wrong together. That statement will probably bother many who read it, but if they were to only study in depth the history of how beautifully life plays out when everyone carries out their vows with you correctly, they too would appreciate a new freedom. Odd, that being obedient to you and trusting the covenants you have laid out actually frees me from my personal prison, constructed through the making and carrying-out of selfish oaths.
Selfish oaths? Who says?
You do. You are the original and exclusive rule-maker and ironically then, the only one with the authority to oath/pledge anything. I see now, Lord, that by their very nature, my personal oaths require me to stand on principles of pride―I am selfishly compelled to see them through even if they work against yours and other’s causes. And that is no longer acceptable to me. I desire now to abandon my oath-making behavior and vow to vow with you. But am I a worthy covenant-vow partner? Not at all: That’s why you acted out another vow; committing to and seeing through your own self-sacrifice. In that moment my oaths became unimportant. Your vow has become our vow; if only I will claim it.
And I do, Lord! Thank you for allowing me to join in your plan and your desire. Thank you, Jesus, for being the first to vow for and with me, with any of us on this struggling planet. Now our vows of love for one another have given the possibility of an eternal life beyond the power of any worldly oath.
It is so,
Mark C.
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