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Enjoy Life, Enjoy God


Dale Patterson

PROMISE

August 14, 2009

The book of Numbers closes with a series of instructions on daily living, how to live in community. Even something so simple was what does it mean to make a promise, to take a vow.

Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel, "This is what the Lord commands: When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said."
-Numbers 30:1,2 TNIV

A promise made is a promise kept. To be sure, there are provisions made for exceptions and grace, but the principle is, if you promised it, keep it. Promises were not what you made in order to solve a short term fix you were in, then when circumstances change, you wriggle out of the commitment. No, promises are matters of personal integrity, not merely a means to get what you want.

Numbers teaches the people about promises more than three thousand years ago. A promise made is a promise kept.

Joyfully,

Dale Patterson