Our heavenly Father is so gracious to us that even though He is omnipotent, He still allows us to bargain with Him when the need arises.
Agreements between God and mankind can be broadly classified under three categories: vows, covenants and oaths.
Vows are pledges made to God as part of an appeal for something of great importance. It can also be viewed as a promise to God to do something, with the implication that failure to perform what is promised will result in divine sanctions.
The fulfillment of vows is conditioned on the granting of a request.
Covenants are solemn agreements or promises which are confirmed by sacrifice or the sharing of a meal as a token of the commitment of both parties to uphold the articles of the covenant they have made.
An example of this is the covenant between Jesus Christ and His Church which we invoke through the Lord’s Supper.
An oath is a binding promise with the invocation of repercussions for failing to fulfill the promise made. The curse or negative consequence will be carried out if the oath is broken.
The Bible does not place any requirement or compulsion on any Christian to enter into a covenant, make a vow or pronounce an oath.
They are all voluntary obligations, but once entered into; they are binding and must be kept.
Jacob bargained with God and his request was granted. Covenants, vows and oaths are often used to measure our seriousness and emphasize our commitment to receive something important from God.
Hannah made a vow to God when she needed a child and God granted her request. Jephthah made a vow unto the Lord and he received immediate answer to his request.
Entering into an agreement with God in order to resolve a difficult issue or in order to get God to move in your favor is highly recommended, but you must not fail to fulfill your promise to Him.
Have you fulfilled all your vows to the Lord?