Israel was to be a promise-keeping people, reflecting Yahweh’s integrity of Yahweh. Their yes was to be yes and their no to be their no. Their word was to bind them to their promises. This matter of promise keeping was essential for the welfare of their family, community, and nation. But, of course, promise keeping was vital for the integrity of their faith as expressed in their corporate worship. Promise keeping would bring blessing and promise breaking would bring judgement. This remains true for God’s people today. Numbers 30 addresses this theme under two broad headings:

1. Promissory Responsibility (vv. 1–4)

2. Patriarchal Responsibility (vv. 5–16)