The Oath.
Our text is found in Matthew 5:33-37, where Jesus instructs us on the integrity of our word. The introduction rightly states that a Christian's character should be such that their simple affirmation carries the weight of truth, rendering unnecessary the need for oaths to validate their statements.
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INTRODUCTION:
A. A Christian must be known by his word, which always speaks the truth, and does not need oaths to prove that he is telling the truth. This sets the tone for Jesus' teaching. Our commitment to truthfulness should be so unwavering that our "yes" is indeed yes, and our "no" is no, requiring no further validation.
I. THE OATH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:
To understand Jesus' teaching, it's helpful to consider the practice of oath-taking in the Old Testament.
A. Oaths have been used since ancient times:
1. Example: Abraham (Genesis 14:22). Abraham had sworn to God that he would not take anything from the spoils of war (verse 23). We also see Abraham using oaths in agreements with others (Genesis 21:23-24, 31).
2. God himself (Genesis 22:16). God, in His sovereignty, swore by Himself to Abraham, emphasizing the certainty of His promise. He cannot swear by another, since there is no one greater than He.
3. Moses swears that Caleb would inherit the promised land (Joshua 14:9). Moses, as God's appointed leader, affirmed God's promise with an oath.
4. Saul swore that he would not kill David (1 Samuel 19:6). Even a flawed king like Saul used oaths to make solemn promises, though he later broke this one.
B. The purpose of an oath is explained in Hebrews 6:16. This verse highlights the function of oaths in establishing certainty and resolving disputes.
1. It is to confirm a covenant (Genesis 26:28; 31:44, 53). Oaths were used to solidify agreements and treaties between individuals and groups.
2. To resolve disputes before a court of law (Exodus 22:10-11; Numbers 5:16-22). Oaths were administered to establish truthfulness in legal proceedings, such as in cases of suspected adultery based on the husband's jealousy for his wife.
3. To ensure the fulfillment of promised deeds (Genesis 24:3-4; 50:25). Oaths were taken to guarantee that commitments would be honored.
4. On sacred duties (Numbers 30:2; 2 Chronicles 15:14-15). Oaths were used to bind individuals to specific religious obligations and commitments.
C. We must not swear falsely (Leviticus 19:12). The Old Testament law explicitly forbids perjury, swearing by God's name to a lie. The Israelites were warned against this (Nehemiah 10:29), and they were condemned when they made vows and failed to perform them (Malachi 1:14).
II. CHRISTIANS:
Now we turn to Jesus' direct instruction on this matter.
A. Matthew 5:34-37. Jesus says, "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. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."
B. We must not swear falsely like Peter, who swore he did not know Jesus (Matthew 26:74). Peter's denial of Christ, accompanied by oaths, serves as a stark warning against the ease with which we can betray the truth, especially under pressure.
C. Paul swore he was not lying (Galatians 1:20). The Apostle Paul, on occasion, invoked God as his witness to the truthfulness of his statements. He also leaves the Thessalonians under oath (1 Thessalonians 5:27), imploring them by the Lord to have his letter read to all the brothers. These instances might seem to contradict Jesus' direct command. However, it's crucial to understand the context. Paul's oaths were not casual but solemn appeals to God in matters of great importance, often to counter false accusations or to emphasize the divine origin of his message. His intent was not to validate his everyday speech but to underscore the gravity of specific truths he was conveying.
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CONCLUSION:
A. Swearing is not prohibited in all contexts, as seen in the Old Testament and even in Paul's writings. However, swearing lightly, making a distinction between a sworn statement and a regular one, and therefore not keeping one's word unless an oath is involved, is what Jesus condemns. We must not swear lightly, implying that our regular word is less reliable. Jesus' emphasis is on the integrity of our everyday speech. Our "yes" should be as binding as an oath, and our "no" equally firm. The need to resort to oaths reveals a potential deficiency in our commitment to truthfulness in our daily interactions.
Like Herod (Matthew 14:7-9), who rashly swore an oath and felt compelled to fulfill a foolish promise, we can get ourselves into trouble by making thoughtless oaths. Jesus' teaching encourages a higher standard where our word itself is our bond.
May we so live that our integrity is beyond question, our commitment to truth unwavering, and our simple "yes" and "no" carry the weight of absolute certainty, reflecting the character of the One who is Truth itself. Amen.
