Topical Bible: Vows were Made in Reference to Dedicating Children to God

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, vows made to dedicate children to God are significant acts of faith and commitment, reflecting a deep desire to consecrate one's offspring to the service and purposes of the Lord. Such vows are seen throughout Scripture, where parents or individuals make solemn promises to God concerning their children, often in response to divine intervention or as an expression of gratitude and devotion.

Hannah and Samuel

One of the most notable examples of dedicating a child to God through a vow is found in the account of Hannah and her son Samuel. In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah, who was barren, prayed earnestly to the Lord for a child. In her distress, she made a vow, saying, "O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever come over his head" (1 Samuel 1:11). God answered her prayer, and she fulfilled her vow by bringing Samuel to the house of the Lord at Shiloh, where he was raised in the service of God under the priest Eli.

Nazirite Vow

The Nazirite vow, as outlined in Numbers 6, is another form of dedication that could be applied to children. While typically a personal vow, parents could dedicate their children as Nazirites, setting them apart for God. This vow included abstaining from wine, avoiding contact with the dead, and not cutting one's hair. Samson is a prominent example of a child dedicated as a Nazirite from birth, as instructed by the angel of the Lord to his mother (Judges 13:5).

Jephthah’s Vow

In Judges 11, Jephthah made a rash vow to the Lord, promising to offer as a burnt offering whatever came out of the doors of his house to meet him if he returned victorious from battle. Tragically, his daughter was the first to greet him. While the text does not explicitly state the outcome, it highlights the seriousness and potential consequences of vows made to God, especially concerning one's children.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the dedication of children to God is seen in the presentation of Jesus at the temple. According to Luke 2:22-24, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, in accordance with the Law of Moses. This act of dedication was a fulfillment of the Jewish custom of consecrating the firstborn to God, as stated in Exodus 13:2.

Spiritual Implications

Dedicating children to God through vows is a profound spiritual act that underscores the belief in God's sovereignty and the desire for His guidance and blessing upon the child's life. It reflects a commitment to raise the child in the knowledge and fear of the Lord, entrusting their future to His divine will. Such vows are not to be taken lightly, as they represent a binding promise to God, requiring faithfulness and obedience from those who make them.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 1:11
And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid, and remember me, and not forget your handmaid, but will give to your handmaid a man child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come on his head.
Torrey's Topical Textbook