Review & Intro: In our studies of the book of Numbers, Moses is soon to depart to be with the Lord. Aaron has already gone. Joshua has been commissioned to take the children of Israel into the Promised Land. They are getting ready to possess the land of promise. The new census has been taken. The Lord has Moses repeat the laws of offerings, festivals, and now he will review the law of taking vows. The entire book of Deuteronomy will be a historical review and an encouragement from Moses before they enter the land and he dies without entering the land, although the Lord will allow him to see it with his eyes. Let's look at the review of taking "vows" today .... 
Numbers Chapter 30 - Observation Questions
1. Who did Moses speak to about the Lord's commands? vs. 1
2. What was required of a man who made a vow to the Lord? vs. 2
3. What was required of a woman who still lived at home under her father's rule when she took a vow if her father did not intervene? vs. 3-4
4. How could a woman under her father's household be free of her vow and forgiven by the Lord? vs. 5
5. What was required of a woman who was married when she took a vow or "rash statements of her lips" if her husband did not intervene? vs. 6-7
6. How could a woman under her husband's household be free of her vow or "rash statements" and forgiven by the Lord? vs. 8
7. If a woman was a widow or divorced, not having any man over her household, what was she required to do concerning any financial or other-type obligations she had made a vow concerning? vs. 9
8. What are the exceptions made for this in vs.10-15?
Final Note: "These are the statutes which the LORD commanded Moses, as between a man and his wife, and as between a father and his daughter, while she is in her youth in her father's house." - vs. 16
Application:
9. Making a vow or an oath to the Lord was not to be viewed as a trivial thing. God expects us to keep our word to Him. Comment on these verses:
- Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 -
10. The Lord made provision for the woman under her father's leadership or under her husband's leadership to be "free" of her obligation or rash statements made. This is protection for her. Comment on these verses to show why women might need that extra protection given them:
- 1 Corinthians 11:3 -
- 2 Corinthians 11:3 -
- 1 Timothy 2:14 -
- 1 Peter 3:7 -
11. Whether men or women, what did the Lord Jesus instruct us about making vows? Comment on the verse below:
- Matthew 5:33-37
12. How does James instruct the church on this matter?
- James 5:12 -
13. It is interesting that part of speaking a vow was simply saying some as a "rash statement"; something a person might not have really meant but said in a moment of anger or panic. Don't we all do this sometimes? Comment on the following verses and share your insights.
- Proverbs 15:28 -
- Proverbs 16:32 -
- Proverbs 17:27 -
- James 1:19 -
Note: What kind of things might we be tempted to "promise" the Lord or make a "vow" we might not keep? Sometimes people bargain with God, saying "If you get me out of this, I will......" or "If You heal me, I will.......". We should not make these kind of bargains with the Lord. Rather, we should realize that we are weak and not always true to our good intentions, asking the Lord for His help and strength in being faithful to His Word and to others. We never go wrong with being humble. Amen?
14. What kind of vows do we make today that we should keep? One is the marriage vow and then there are the things we are indebted to financially to pay. Can you think of any others? Do you think these are vows that we should have? It would be good to have discussion on this.
15. Summarize the lesson and post a prayer if you would like.
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