Oaths

Matthew 5:33–37 NIV

33 “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.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Exposition

You have heard it was said...

Matthew 5:33 NIV

33 “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.’

Rather than a quotation of one OT statement, Jesus combines several into one unified idea.

Leviticus 19:12 NIV

12 “ ‘Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.

Numbers 30:2 NIV

2 When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.

Deuteronomy 23:21–23 NIV

21 If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. 22 But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty. 23 Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the Lord your God with your own mouth.

Understanding Oaths

Old Testament

An oath is an affirmation that the party is telling the truth

It includes either explicit or implicit curses for violating the oath

It is a contract with penalties for violation

It’s not saying bad words

This is very common in the OT

Gen 21 Abraham and Abimelek

Gen 22 God and Abraham

Deut 1:34-35 God and rebellious Israel

Jesus Time

Matthew 23:16–22 NIV

16 “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ 19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22 And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.

In the time of Jesus the religious leaders narrowly interpreted the laws about oaths. Rather than dwelling on the heart of the law which called them to truthfulness, they found exceptions which permitted dishonesty.

They would read a verse which says “don’t swear falsely by my name” and place the emphasis on “by my name” instead of “falsely.”

But I say...

Don’t...

Swear by God or the things that pertain to him

Matthew 5:34–35 NIV

34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.

OT vows were very often to the Lord.

The OT law forbid falsely swearing to the Lord

Don’t swear by the things you think don’t pertain to God, because they do

Matthew 5:36 NIV

36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.

The religious leaders attempts to get around telling the truth through deceptive swearing was futile because everything belongs to God and nothing exists outside of his sovereign control.

Do...

Matthew 5:37 NIV

37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Interpretation

Oaths are not always bad

Does this text mean we shouldn’t say vows in marriage or swear to tell the truth in court?

Oaths are sometimes presented as a good thing

God

Hebrews 6:13 “13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,”

Paul

Romans 1:9 “9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you”

2 Corinthians 1:23 “23 I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.”

Commanded of Israel

Deuteronomy 10:20 “20 Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name.”

The emphasis here, as revealed by verse 37 is on telling the truth

Kingdom character is character of integrity and reliability where an oath is unnecessary because a follower of the God of truth tells the truth

Kingdom citizens keep their promises.

Dealing with Foolish Vows

The classic example of a foolish vow is found in Judges 11 with the story of Jepthah

Leviticus 5:4–5 NIV

4 or if anyone thoughtlessly takes an oath to do anything, whether good or evil (in any matter one might carelessly swear about) even though they are unaware of it, but then they learn of it and realize their guilt—5 when anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned.

The proper response to a foolish or sinful vow is confession of sin, not sinning again!

Application

Very rarely are we just straight up liars – it is much more common for us to be subtle manipulators of facts in order to accomplish our own goals

Be honest in relationships

Not a manipulator or people pleaser

Be honest in society

Do not change your convictions when they become inconvenient

Be wary of the lens through which you interpret the world

Gazan baby/doll

Be slow to speak

James 1:19 “19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,”

Proverbs 21:23 “23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”