Promises, Promises

“But I say to you, take no oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God, nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you take an oath by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. But make sure your statement is, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil origin.”
Matthew 5:34-37 NASB

Most of us aren’t in the habit of making oaths, but vows are closely related and these can get you into trouble. I’ve learned not to use the terms always or never; this has gotten me into trouble more than once. In younger years while observing someone doing something I considered inadvisable…i.e. stupid. My thoughts would run to how could anyone ever do…? Only to sometime later finding myself in a predicament where I was thinking of doing the same, uh…inadvisable deed.  This was, of course, a lesson in not judging by my own standard of experience.

Here  we are taking a look a few others who should have taken more care with their words.  First,  Herod, who probably thought he was not vulnerable to any, promised the daughter of Herodias that she could have up to half his kingdom. He never expected the request for John the Baptist’s head on a platter.  This demonstrates any persons limited ability to anticipate consequences.

Next, when fleeing his father-in-law in order to return home, Laban caught up with Jacob and confronted him about his idols which Rachel had stolen. Jacob, being in the dark about what had happened, replied in anger saying, “the one with whom you find your gods shall not live.” Gen. 31:32.  Laban never found his gods because Rachel managed to keep them hidden, but the words had already escaped Jacobs lips.  Rachel, the woman for whom he worked 14 years for a man who treated him badly, the love of his life, he spoke a curse against without knowing. She died in childbirth while still on the return trip. I’ve never seen a scripture that directly connects Jacob’s words with the death of Rachel, but I’ve always wondered.  He, as the authority in his house, did his words result in the death of the person he loved most?

Finally, on the night Jesus was betrayed, He was explaining to his disciples what to expect. “Peter said to Him. “Even if I have to die with You. I will not deny You!” All the disciples said the same thing.” Matt. 26:35

We know the very thing that he declared he wouldn’t do—he did. His proclamation was made in good faith, made from a heart wanting to do the right thing.  The issue here, I think, is in trusting in our own ability and not relying on the Holy Spirit for strength.  The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.