Mattot
Numbers 30:1-32:42

Recently Beth Messiah sponsored its yearly 5 day camp for children called Camp Yeladim .  Our theme was “promises”, the promises of God as well as the promises that we make to God and others.  It is interesting that in the New Covenant, all of the statements about the coming of the Messiah quoted from  the Hebrew Scriptures are  called “promises” rather than “prophecies.”  A “prophecy” is a prognostication of the future. For example, the weatherman never says “I promise” that it will not rain tomorrow.”  He prognosticates - he does not promise.  While it is true that a “prophecy” in the Bible comes from God and therefore is definitely going to happen, the New Covenant usage of the word “promise” (see Acts 13:23, 32, 33; Acts 23:21; 26:6; 27:7; Rom. 4:13; Gal. 3:18) indicates that these were considered personal statement from God and that their fulfillment was based on His integrity - much like the promise one might make to a child. It is based on the integrity of the person.  The Torah portion, Mattot, contains verses that speak to the  importance of “keeping your word”.  Numbers 30:2 states    

If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or takes an oath to bind himself with a binding obligation, he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

Notice that an oath is called “a binding obligation”.  In the ancient world, your “word” was your bond. In fact in the Hebrew Scriptures, the word for “promise” is “davar”  which means “word”.  The chapter continues with rules for vows and oaths made in different situations by men and women. The point is that vows and oaths were taken very seriously. Yeshua taught the Torah command of oaths as well.  He said,   

  "Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.'  ³⁴ "But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,  ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING.  ³⁶ "Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.  ³⁷ "But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes ' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil.(Matt. 5:33-37).

 Yeshua is saying that there should be no difference between making a formal oath and making a promise. In other words, your “davar -word” is a promise.  James 5:12 states the same thing:

    But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.(James 5:12)

Just as we taught the children about “good promises”  and “bad promises”, the Bible contains  illustrations of the kinds of promises that we should make and the ones that we should not make. For example,  Jepthah the Judge vowed to sacrifice the first thing that came out of his house if he was victorious in battle. This was a rash vow because he did not know who would be the first person to come out of his house. As it turned out, it was his daughter! The text tells us that he sacrificed his daughter.  This was a bad vow because it violated the word of God. God forbids human sacrifice.  Sometimes a promise is made that clearly would be a good thing but impossible to keep.  The children of Israel promised that they would do everything that God has commanded. While this is not a violation of the Word of God, it is impossible to keep!!  Again a “bad” promise.  Good promises are ones that you can keep and that are according to the will of God.   

The relationship of David and Jonathan the son of Saul provide us with an illustration of a good promise. Jonathan promised David that he would protect him from the rage of his father.  David trusted Jonathan. The Bible says that their hearts were “knit” together. The word for “knit” is “kesher” meaning to be “connected”. They had a bond that had been established. A good promise should be our bond to whomever we make a promise. The text also says that that they made a covenant. “Covenant” is very similar to a “promise”.  In both cases, one party agrees to fulfill obligations to another party.  In this case, Jonathan could keep his promise and it certainly was in accordance with the will of God.  There are many illustrations of “good” promises that God makes to us!!  For example we read

  Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.  ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.; Psalm 4:3  But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him. Matthew 11:28-30  "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  ²⁹ "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.  ³⁰ "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." John 3:16  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

           During our lives we have many opportunities to make good  promises  .   It is not always easy to keep our vows and oaths but as the Scripture says “let your yes be yes…”.  May we be known  as people whose word is their oath - a people who keep their promises.

 

Shabbat Shalom!