Proverbs 20:25
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It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
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Let us see both sins. Follow closely. First, a man eats something holy, something that is the LORD's by precept or by dedication. For example, the firstfruits of harvest were the Lord's by precept (Ex 23:19), but he devoured them in greed. Or, he dedicated a lamb to the Lord by a freewill offering (Lev 22:23), but in covetousness chose to eat it himself. This is the first sin - taking something that belongs to the Lord and devouring it our self.
Then we have the phrase "and after vows to make enquiry." Does "after" mean this profane man follows his devouring with vows of enquiry? Or does "after" mean he follows his vows with enquiries? We choose the latter, for the former makes no sense.
What would a profane man vow to enquire about after devouring the Lord's portion? Why would he vow? What would he vow? What would he enquire about? We conclude we have here the sin of foolish vows, when a man only afterwards thinks about his vow.
We have a profane man who first makes a vow to the Lord, and then thinks about whether he should have made the vow, whether he can pay the vow, and tries to find a way to get out of the vow (Eccl 5:6). Vows should be thought out completely before they are made: for we do not have to vow, but we must certainly pay what we vow.
Let us make it simpler. We have an ellipsis here, as in many proverbs. An ellipsis is missing words that are supplied by the reader. The words are not used to avoid repetition and/or to add force to the sentence. The ellipsis here is "it is a snare." If we supply them where they are missing, you will see both sins clearly. The verse fully reads:
It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and it is a snare after vows to make enquiry.
Both of the actions above are snares to a man's life, in that they bring God's judgment, as do other temptations and sins (18:7; 22:25; 29:6,8,25). We must be cautious in all religious duties to deliver ourselves from the wrath of a holy God, for even in the New Testament He accepts only worship with reverence and godly fear (Heb 12:28-29).
When a thing belongs to the Lord, it is holy (Lev 27:9,30): it cannot be used in haste or greed ourselves. And when we make vows, we had better pay them: for it is better not to vow, then to vow and not pay (Num 30:2; Deut 23:21-23; Eccl 5:1-7). We better be able to pay, and we better not enquire about trying to find a way out of the vow later (Ps 15:4). For even thinking afterward about how to get out of a vow shows a very wicked heart.
The spoil of Jericho was the LORD's (Josh 6:17-19), but Achan took of the cursed stuff; so Israel stoned and burned him and his entire family (Josh 7:16-26). This covetous man could not resist devouring things that were holy to the LORD. Read his sorry testimony.
Moses stoned a man for profaning the LORD's Sabbath by picking up sticks on the holy day of rest (Num 15:30-36). To remind Israel always of the caution they should use in His worship, God told Moses to require blue fringes on their garments (Num 15:37-41).
God rejected Saul as king of Israel for profanely offering a sacrifice when Samuel was five minutes late to an appointment (I Sam 13:8-14). This man continued to prove for the rest of his life that the snare described in our proverb had altogether swallowed him up.
Ananias and Sapphira thought they could devour some of their offering to the Lord, but He struck them down dead before witnesses in Jerusalem (Acts 5:1-11). While they owned the land it was theirs; but once their mouths had dedicated it, it was the Lord's.
Our proverb warns us to pay the full cost of worship. If we do not, we will ensnare our souls in sinful guilt and bring upon ourselves the just vengeance of a jealous God.
Our Lord Jesus warned His hearers in the gospel to count the cost before committing, because not paying would be a snare to them and bring them to shame (Luke 14:25-35). Unless you are willing to pay the full price He demands, you cannot be His disciple.
Consider your church. You owe the Lord His holy house (Rom 14:17-19). When Israel built their houses first, He ruined them financially (Hag 1:1-11). Are you helping build?
What about giving? We owe the Lord the firstfruits of all increase (3:9). When Israel did not pay, He charged them with robbery and cursed them (Mal 3:8-9). Are you giving?
What about your body? It is the temple of the Holy Ghost (I Cor 6:15-20). God bought it for a price, and you owe Him your body as a holy sacrifice (Rom 12:1-2). Is yours holy?
What about baptism? You vowed loyalty and a new life in the name of Jesus Christ when you were baptized (Gal 3:27; I Pet 3:21). Are you living up to your baptism?
What about attendance? You owe your attendance and participation to the LORD every assembly (Heb 10:25). Are you fulfilling your obligation to the holy God?
We could go further. How have you snared your soul, dear reader? What are you using yourself that belongs to the Lord? What have you promised that you are not keeping?
Dear reader, are you careful in keeping your duties to the LORD? Haste, covetousness, and selfishness can trap you by profaning the things of God. For you may use yourself what belongs to the LORD, or you may make a vow you cannot or will not pay. There are two sins here, both showing the profanity of carnal and careless Christians.
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