Walk Of Life – Day 24 March 2022 – March With The Words Of Jesus Christ
March Speaking To The Point
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5 :33-37
An oath is a solemn pledge or promise to God, king or another person taken to witness the truth about what one has to say or what one intends to do. When an oath is sworn in the name of God it is a serious matter and must be fulfilled. Failing to do so has consequences. One of the ten commandments in Exodus20: 7 states “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Fulfilling vows is a serious matter in the sight of God.
- Oaths were commonly taken to seal a treaty of alliance between two leaders of the nation. In Genesis 21, the treaty at Beersheba was the first oath taken in the Bible between Abraham, Abimelech and Phicol to keep peace between their people.
- Some Oaths were made by an individual with God to receive a blessing. In I Samuel 1:11 we see Hannah made a vow to God. “And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” She kept her oath by sending Samuel back to the temple of God under the care of priest Eli.
- Oaths were also taken in judicial matters and in a variety of everyday affairs. We can say that Oaths were taken to certify the truth of one’s word or to ascertain the guilt of a person suspected of a crime or to make an alliance or a friendship. Being a sign of loyalty to God, a false oath would be misusing God’s name.
Lord Jesus wanted his disciples to always live a sincere and truthful life. He said there should not be any need of taking a oath to prove your truthfulness. Heaven is God’s home where he is glorified, Earth is his footstool created by God, Jerusalem is a sacred place set apart for God on earth. Every event in a man’s life is ordained by God and is not in his control. Therefore, one should not swear by Heaven, Earth, Jerusalem or one’s head as all belongs to the Lord.
Lord Jesus made things very simple by saying just mean what you always talk. When you accept to do something just say ‘YES’ and if you don’t agree with something just say ‘NO’. If one says yes and not do it, then there will be no value to his/her word. It is better you say no if you think you might not finish the work on time or not able to help etc. There is no need to agree to do something to impress someone or out of any pressure. By making our intentions clear we will be free from being guilty. Anything other than yes or a no makes us untrustful and a liar which comes from the devil.
Therefore “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. A dream comes when there are many cares and many words mark the speech of a fool. When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore, fear God.” Ecclesiastes 5:2-7
