Pursuing the Savior

Jesus Christ is the most influential man in history. Over the past two thousand years, billions of people have given their lives to Him, realizing that nothing is more important than committing their time, gifts, and resources to His cause. Millions have died as martyrs, taking death as a privilege rather than a burden.

In tonight's sermon, we will take a deep dive into Jesus' demand for radical discipleship. This is not for the faint of heart. But if you are serious about following Jesus, you can't dare miss tonight's episode.

We go live tonight at 9.

4 “When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow.”

Ecclesiastes 5:4

"NO TIME FOR FOOLS"

One way or another, you've probably made a promise to someone, but somehow you weren’t able to fulfill it, hurting them in the process. That “someone” might have been God Himself. How does the Lord feel about unfulfilled promises?

What is a vow?

A vow (or pledge) is a solemn promise that binds a person to act in a certain manner. The concept appears 30 times in the Bible, with emphasis on the vow being final and binding. When a person gives a vow, it becomes a binding contract. It simply means that when we give our word to do something, we are obligated to do it.

Today’s verse talks about making resolutions (also known as vows) before God. In the ancient Near East, vows were solemn, voluntary pledges made to God, often in times of crisis or abundance. For example, promising to dedicate one's life or to give a certain offering if God provided deliverance.

The writer says that if one makes a promise, he is obligated to carry it through. It is a call to uphold one’s word, as God is all-seeing and all-powerful and holds us accountable. In verses 5-6, he notes that it is better not to make a vow at all than to make one and fail to carry it out, implying that empty promises lead to sin and divine judgment.

This verse mirrors what Moses wrote:

“If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin.”

Deuteronomy 23:21

Consider the Hebrew word “pay” (Hebrew: “shalam”), which means “to make amends” or “to be at peace.” The OT does not say that vows are required; however, when a man decides to make one and keeps his word, he obtains the Lord’s blessing. However, when he fails to fulfill it, he sins.

When we make a promise to God, it becomes a debt we must pay or an obligation we must fulfill. Failure to do so would mean violating a solemn oath to a holy God who demands His people to live holy lives. Practically speaking, unless we fulfill our vow, we won’t be at peace with God (within the context of fulfilling vows), and our conscience serves as a witness to our shortcomings.

Moreover, the text informs us that God isn’t happy dealing with fools (Hebrew “kesiyl”), which means “stupid” or “silly.” In biblical usage, this term does not refer to someone who lacks intellectual capacity or experience, but to someone who is morally dull or stubbornly closed to biblical wisdom. In Proverbs, a fool is described as unteachable, ill-tempered, and irreverent.

With that in mind, it is inappropriate for a Christian to make a promise to God and change his mind later. Vows are binding, even when we speak of them foolishly or privately in our daily conversations. Keep in mind that the God who made our ears also hears our every word.

Our Christian walk doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes we make things complex by saying words we aren’t supposed to. So, to keep life simple, try to avoid making empty promises. Instead, live a life of faith and trust in God, who delights in blessing those who rely on Him for all things.

Pursue the Savior today!




02/10/24