“For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is
for them an end of all dispute.”
(Heb 6:16, KJV)
The previous discussion focused on the covenants individuals make with God and the ease with which the agreements of these covenant are often neglected, a matter which God casts in a very serious light. If you do not keep to the agreement of a covenant, you are bringing a debt of sin upon yourself, which prevents you from functioning in your calling, because you are missing your mark. Accordingly Ecc 5:6 states that “your mouth cause[s] your flesh to sin” if you have not fulfilled the promises of a covenant made with God.
The word swear signifies this contract between you and God (Ps 132:2). In Hebrew the word swear means “to be complete”, or “to seven oneself” (Strongs). The number 7 signifies completion (the earth was created in seven days, the seven spirits of God, the seven churches, etc). The act of swearing is founded upon the understanding that you cannot achieve something through your own efforts, and thus need God to intervene. It becomes a means of calling on God as witness and Higher Authority, to stand against any other claims, as the Scripture in Hebrews quoted above, states. God can never lie (Num 23:19, Tit 1:2), and thus you are tied to that which you have sworn to (Matt 23:18). “And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.” (Matt 23:22).
According to Easton the number seven also signifies sacrifice, as is seen in 2 Chron 29:21 and Job 42:8. It is clear that swearing entails a sacrifice on the end of both parties, and God keeps you to the specific promise you made as part of the agreement.
Therefore Satan is bent on helping people forget covenants they have made with God, or watering down the importance of their promise, or deceiving them to such an extent that they spend their entire life bound to the false horns of the altar, which sift their purpose and destiny (Zech 1:19).
In Matt 26:33 we find that Peter swore to never deny Christ, his words enough to figure as covenant with God. Therefore Jesus says to him, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat” (Luke 22:31), and not long after he denied Christ. Christ therefore stipulates (in Matt 5:33-37) that we should never swear. James 5:12 states it accordingly – “But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.”
Thus, please “pay thy vows unto the most High” (Ps 50:14).
- Sela: Profess and terminate any outstanding covenants and oaths made with God. Ask His forgiveness.
- Read: 2 Sam 20; Prov 24; James 5
- Memorise: James 5:12, 14 and 16.
- For a deeper understanding: Read Tim Coody’s book Meaningless Words and Broken Covenants: How Our Words and the Agreements Built on Them Are Becoming Increasingly Meaningless.
