Matthew 5:33-37
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Loading ...Matthew 5:33-37
The Jews divided oaths into two categories: (1) those that were absolutely binding in which the name of God is mentioned in the oath, and (2) all other oaths which were not binding. The Pharisees easily evaded a promise by swearing by things that were “holy,” but then claiming it was non-binding since God’s name was not invoked. They believed a binding oath must be kept, but equivocated on what was a binding oath. Jesus destroys their reasoning. Since God is the Creator of all things, how can one swear by anything that is not in some way connected to God?When an occasion requires an oath, or when a man begins a conversation with an oath, it is evident that there is the possibility of deceit. An oath taken is to settle the matter. But with the Pharisees, the matter was far from settled. Therefore, Jesus’ answer is to let their statements simply be “yes” or “no.” When a citizen of the kingdom says “yes,” it is the equivalent of swearing by the God of heaven. The Lord’s disciples are governed by honesty and trust. Their reputation for such is so beyond question that a simple yes or no is sufficient. If a person needs to swear it is evident that he has proven by his character to be untrustworthy.
We live in a similar world as did the Jews of the first century. A man’s word can no longer be trusted. If a man makes a promise of his time and something better comes along, he thinks nothing of canceling his promise. God has always held vows in the highest regard with strong condemnation for those who violated them. In Jeremiah 34, God commended the Rechabites because for over 150 years they had kept the oath made by their ancestor to live only and tents and not touch anything from the vine. How many today would regard such an oath made by a person they never knew? The Lord teaches us that a simple yes or no is the equivalent of an oath and therefore we need to be careful what we say and careful to fulfill what we promise.
Berry Kercheville
