Week 7 Day 5: Silent Approval (Numbers 30-32)

By: Jeffrey Wong

But if her husband says nothing to her from day to day, then he establishes all her vows or all her pledges that are upon her. He has established them, because he said nothing to her on the day that he heard of them.
Numbers 30:14

In Numbers 30, it describes what happens when someone makes a vow or takes an oath in the name of the Lord. When a man makes a vow, he is bounded to his word and must complete it. When a widow or a divorced women makes a vow, she is bound to her word and must complete it.

However, when a young woman who lives with her father makes a vow, her father can nullify it. The same is true of a married woman, her husband can nullify the vow.

In both cases, in the father or husband does not say anything to the woman after hearing about the vow, then it means the vow stands. The silence symbolizes that the father or husband has no issue with the vow.

As Christians, we are called to do the right thing (James 4:17). That is to act justly, seek justice, be merciful, encourage the oppressed, and to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8, Isaiah 1:17)

When we see things that we know are not right, we must act. It might involve calling someone out, supporting an organizations that fight against it, or bringing attention to others of the issue. We must also pray against the issue.

If we do nothing about it, then we silently approve the issue. If the issue is a sin against God, then we are sinning against God (James 4:17). My friends, let’s not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9).

Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

Proverbs 3:28