In 2019, entrepreneur Sara Blakely made headlines when she pledged half her fortune to charity through the Giving Pledge. What struck many wasn’t just her generous impulse, but her follow-through. Blakely understood that a public commitment carries weight and creates accountability. Acting with integrity means we do what we say.

In Numbers 29:12–30:16, God transitions from detailing festival offerings to establishing laws about vows and commitments. The passage reveals how seriously God takes our promises and the binding nature of our words. The section begins with the Feast of Tabernacles, requiring elaborate sacrifices over seven days. This festival celebrated God’s provision during Israel’s wilderness journey and required their most generous offering of the year—a total of 70 bulls over the week. But immediately following these corporate celebrations, God addresses individual commitments through Moses: “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” (30:2). The transition isn’t accidental—both community worship and personal integrity matter to God.

Here God establishes several important principles. A man’s word was considered absolutely binding—no exceptions, no escape clauses. For women, the passage acknowledges the social structures of ancient Israel while still holding vows sacred, with provisions for fathers or husbands to nullify unrealistic commitments made in haste (30:3–15). The underlying principle transcends cultural context: Our words matter to God. God expects us to honor what we say. Jesus affirms this in the New Testament: “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’” (Matt. 5:37).

In 2019, entrepreneur Sara Blakely made headlines when she pledged half her fortune to charity through the Giving Pledge. What struck many wasn&rsquo;t just her generous impulse, but her follow-through. Blakely understood that a public commitment carries weight and creates accountability. Acting with integrity means we do what we say.
In Numbers 29:12&ndash;30:16, God transitions from detailing festival offerings to establishing laws about vows and commitments. The passage reveals how seriously God takes our promises and the binding nature of our words. The section begins with the Feast of Tabernacles, requiring elaborate sacrifices over seven days. This festival celebrated God&rsquo;s provision during Israel&rsquo;s wilderness journey and required their most generous offering of the year&mdash;a total of 70 bulls over the week. But immediately following these corporate celebrations, God addresses individual commitments through Moses: &ldquo;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&rdquo; (30:2). The transition isn&rsquo;t accidental&mdash;both community worship and personal integrity matter to God.
Here God establishes several important principles. A man&rsquo;s word was considered absolutely binding&mdash;no exceptions, no escape clauses. For women, the passage acknowledges the social structures of ancient Israel while still holding vows sacred, with provisions for fathers or husbands to nullify unrealistic commitments made in haste (30:3&ndash;15). The underlying principle transcends cultural context: Our words matter to God. God expects us to honor what we say. Jesus affirms this in the New Testament: &ldquo;All you need to say is simply &lsquo;Yes&rsquo; or &lsquo;No&rsquo;&rdquo; (Matt. 5:37).

Today in the Word is a daily audio devotional available via podcast. Today in the Word features solid biblical content and study that models the mission and values of Moody Bible Institute.

Today in the Word Devotional

Keeping Our Word

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/0f5e12f3-e895-4548-9018-b43c01392407/transcript