" It is a snare for a man to devour that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry." - Proverbs 20:25

" If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth." - Num 30:2

---------------------------------

Last week, we were cautioned against being a guarantor for a stranger. It was compared to a hunters noose, and we were urged to get out of that arrangement as quickly as animals flee a trap! Very good advice.... 

Our text this week warns us against another trap.... rashly making a vow/guarantee to the LORD!

This is the polar opposite of standing guarantee for some one else. in this case, WE,  are the ones guaranteeing/pledging some thing and HE is the one that is legally allowed to take our pledge from us if we default!

Watch your mouth, and guard your minds and hearts against this.... because the Word is very clear... no takesies backsies ? .... No giving up something and then peeking over the temple walls to see how its doing, and maybe I should take it back..............?

How many times have we made empty promises to Him?.... Just be thankful that His Grace has been sufficient to save us despite our foolish hearts and unclean lips...

"He shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth" --- that is how our LORD honors HIS pledges, and that is the golden standard! 

Jesus tells us directly...

 "Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time { Referencing Num 30:2, our second text } , Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 

But ---I say unto you, ---Swear -----not at all-----; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 

But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these ------cometh of -----evil (!!!!)." -- Mat 5:33-37

Wow... not only don't swear, but that swearing comes from evil!!

It's common sense.

 If you are a person of your word, vowing is unnecessary! Yes I will, means yes, it will happen... no I won't, means no, it's not going to happen..!!! And that is the core issue - SINCERITY. Bonds, Penalties etc. are a way to protect people from INSINCERITY. 

A guarantee is secured by either (a) a persons word .... = x value (b) tangible property or money = y value. Your guarantee to repay the bank a loan against your house, is secured by the property value of your house. Your word (to the bank) is of little value (x=0!) .... your house, on the other hand,  is something tangible that they can get, if you decide to default on your loan! The bank is protecting itself against your insincerity. 

These are pledges and guarantees.... you have to put up collateral, which can be seized if you go back on your commitment.

Swearing..... is trying to convince someone, that you are sincere. 

If you have a track record of backing out of verbal deals, THIS TIME... you might be saying, THIS TIME is different... I swear by " All that is Holy".... haven't we all said or done that at some point? Carelessly... unthinkingly.... without even pausing to consider the words emerging from our mouth? {ALL... that is holy??? !!!}

Swearing doesn't put up any collateral or guarantees....the items are not even in the control or power of the "swearer" to deliver ....

...... God's throne? The earth? The color of our hair? The lives of our children? ...... please be aware of this, when you encounter someone who "swears" by X,Y, Z that they will do this... you are being conned ! 

" Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon." 23:20-22

Be very careful to not do this, and be extremely wary of people that DO! We will give you just one classic example... Peter, in denying Jesus... swore.. that he did not know Him. That was a lie... he was just trying to convince his hearers of his sincerity! If you walk BOLDLY in Grace and Truth (the apostle John was in there with Jesus at the high priests house) , you will NOT have to swear!

We DO see heavenly beings swear.... but it is in the context of God printing HIS seal on what is being uttered, and He is perfectly capable of delivering on His word.

" And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,  And --sware-- -by- ----him that liveth for ever and ever, ---who created heaven, ---and the things that therein are, and --the earth, and the things that therein are, and the --sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: But in the ----days of the voice of the seventh angel----, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets." - Rev 10:5-7

This is the sound of the 7th trumpet, signaling the third woe, the rise of the anti-christ and his prophet, ending with his annhilation and the rapture of the elect!

God himself has sworn it, will He not perform it?

Hallelujah!