| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| March 2, 2026 | ESV (2016) | ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026 |
Numbers 30-31
Observation & Interpretation
Chapters 30 and 31 speak about the details pertaining vows taken by both men and women as well as an account of the vengeance commanded by the LORD to Moses to destroy the Midianites. On the taking of vows, the portion dealing with vows taken by women is significantly larger than that of vows taken by men. The binding nature of the vows taken by women was dependent on their particular context, whether still under her father’s care, married, divorced or widowed. When a woman was under her father’s or husband’s care, the vow would stand or be dismissed based on the man’s disposition toward the vow. For women who were older and single (a widow or divorced woman), she would be bound to the vow as there was no man in her life to act in opposition or allowance. This may seem like patriarchal hegemony to our modern, western ears, but it conveys the understanding that men have been given the crucial role of leadership. As followers of Christ, we are to collectively embrace this calling on men to lead our families and churches, acknowledging the beauty of complimentarity, encourage men to proceed in faithfulness to take on this God-given responsibility of earthly shepherds under the ultimate headship of our Great High Shepherd.
Resources
- J. I. Packer et. al, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016)
- Colin Hansen (Editor in Chief), TGC Bible Commentary (Columbia, MO: The Gospel Coalition, 2022)
- Iain M. Duguid (Series Editor), ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018-2025)
- Faithlife Study Bible (Lexham Press, 2016)
- Believer’s Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 2016)
- CSB Study Bible Notes (Holman Bible Publishers, 2017)
- The New American Commentary (Brentwood, TN: Holman Reference)
- Lane T. Dennis and Wayne Grudem (Editors), ESV Study Bible, Crossway, 2008.