252. Do not swear an oath at all: All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

16 February 2022

The men of Israel had taken an oath.

Judges 21

1 The men of Israel had taken an oath at Mizpah: “Not one of us will give his daughter in marriage to a Benjamite.”

Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5

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.

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

Simply Yes or No.

"Jesus is countering the shallow interpretation of Old Testament law, coming from Israel's religious leaders. In this passage, He has criticized the use of oaths: in this context, meaning the type of casual, "I swear I will do this" promises made in conversation. 

In Christ's era, people might have sworn oaths on "heaven and earth," or their own life, rather than swearing to the Lord, to avoid the consequences of breaking such a promise (Numbers 30:2). 

Jesus has already dismissed that practice (Matthew 5:33–36). Since all things belong to the Lord, nobody should take an oath on any of them.

Jesus explicitly explains why using oaths to "enhance" a promise is not only unwise, it's sinful. When someone declares a promise with an oath, they're undermining their own personal integrity and honesty.

And, the believer should live a life of integrity such that others trust them without seeking such oaths.

What Jesus does not refer to here are "oaths" such as contracts, marriage vows, or swearing in a witness in a courtroom. He is not forbidding believers to make promises, but to use oaths as an artificial form of honesty." From bibleref website/Matthew/5/Matthew-5-37.html

Integrity.

I know a man who about 5 years ago, as head of an office said ‘No’ to a job applicant who submitted incomplete documents which had been accepted earlier by the recruitment office.

There was a deadline and the applicant attended training after the deadline then submitted the certificate to the recruitment office which transmitted the same stating the applicant has been deemed to satisfy requirements.

The said head of office returned to the recruitment office the application documents which included, among others, copy of earlier email sent by the recruitment office to the applicant stating his application will not be included among those qualified; this man retained copy of said email.

The man was later removed from the job and rendered contractual, the applicant later filed administrative complaint with the government service office and subsequently criminal and administrative complaints with the ombudsman's office.

The complaint with the government service office was referred to the government agency concerned which after investigation dismissed the complaint, this was about 3 years ago.

The complaint with the ombudsman's office was dismissed more than a year ago.

This man has made an appeal about a year ago with the government agency concerned for the restoration of his social security benefits which have been cut off when he was rendered contractual.

This man stood to his integrity. This is a case wherein it may be said honesty does not pay.

Please join me in praying for this man, recently there has been some positive development regarding his appeal.

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 1 Peter 3:14

""May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;

    establish the work of our hands for us—

    yes, establish the work of our hands" (A prayer of Moses the man of God. Psalm 90:17), in Jesus' name. Amen.

23 March 2018"

May you be blessed with God's Word.

Maraming salamat.