Questions from Our Readers

Perhaps this question could be better answered by a linguist than a minister. I agree that the terms are used interchangeably. Perhaps we could best approach this interesting question by finding a proper definition of all three terms.

We read in Smith’s Bible Dictionary a definition of the vow as follows: “A vow is a solemn promise made to God to perform or to abstain from performing a certain thing.” The earliest mention of a vow is that of Jacob (Genesis 28: 18-22 and 31:13), but there are many examples in the Bible of people making a vow. Think of Hannah, Jephthah, and Paul. Three sorts of vows are found in the Bible: vows of devotion, vows of abstinence, and vows of destruction. The character of a vow is that it is made entirely voluntarily, but after it is made it is considered to be compulsory.

The oath is more an appeal to the highest majesty of God to ratify an assertion. Or, to say it with Lord’s Day 37 of the Heidelberg Catechism, “a calling upon God as the only One who knows the heart, that He will bear witness to the truth and punish me if I swear falsely.”

The promise is a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen. Though, of course, it is different whether such a promise is made to man or spoken to the Lord; in both cases our word should be yea, yea, and nay, nay. See Matthew 5:37.

As you will notice, all three words, though somewhat different in definition, not only have some overlap but also carry some distinctive elements. I do not see enough reasons to eliminate the use of the one over the other because of an inaccuracy. Neither can I single out one because of a better significance. Perhaps this is the reason why the words are used interchangeably by our ministers. The final reason I can think of why these three words are used is that each term expresses something of the solemnity of what is expressed when a “yes” is given before God’s holy countenance. Perhaps that is the most important matter to consider here. Furthermore, let us never forget that all our words are spoken before the Lord and of every idle word spoken we will have to give an account thereof in the Day of Judgment. In Matthew 12:37 we read: “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

In closing, whether we use the word promise, oath, or vow, we all may ask ourselves the question of the poet: “Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? Do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?” (Psalm 58:1). Abram realized the solemnity of it when he said: “I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth.” It is a solemn thing to speak unto the Lord by means of that three-letter answer “yes…” Let us remember and take to heart what one wrote: “God carries our oath all the way to the judgment day.” And this also includes the oaths God has made to Himself when He could swear by no greater, and speaks by the mouth of Ezekiel “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11).

Send your questions to: Rev. H. Hofman, 2339 Deer Trail Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, or hofman@premieronline.net.

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