THE CERTAINTY OF GOD'S PROMISES God is aggressive in His desire to make His determination known. More than REQUIRING that Abraham believe Him, He earnestly DESIRED for him to do so. Here is an aspect of God that is little known. Our text poignantly states, "since there was no one greater for Him to swear by, He swore by Himself, saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants" (NIV). In his remarkably comprehensive prophecy, Zecharias, father of John the Baptist, also referred to the promise God swore. "Thus He has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered h=His holy covenant, the oath that He swore to our ancestor Abraham . . . " (Luke 12:72-75, NRSV). Genesis also records to God taking the oath. "By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee . . . " (Gen 22:16-17). Moses reminded Israel of this singular event. "Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how You swore to them by Your own Self, saying to them, 'I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven . . . '" (Ex 32:13, NRSV). The Psalmist referred to the "oath" God swore to Isaac (Psa 105:9-10). Even Micah the prophet refers to this oath. "You will show faithfulness to Jacob and unswerving loyalty to Abraham, as You have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old" (Mic 7:10, NRSV). This is, then, a central consideration of Scripture, and is to be viewed with intent by every believer. -- Tomorrow:
"For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise." (Hebrews 6:13-15).
Those who approach Scripture from a mere academic viewpoint cannot grasp the glory of this text. When hearing the word "oath," or "swore," their minds turn immediately our Lord's saying. "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond" (Matt 5:33-37, NIV). Thus, some have concluded it is sinful to ever take an oath, or confirm something with an oath.
A more thorough acquaintance with Scripture reveals that Abraham took oaths (Gen 14:22-23), and required one from his servant Eliezer (Gen 24:2-9). Isaac made an oath (Gen 26:26-31), and also Jacob (Gen 31:53). Joseph required an oath from the Israelites (Gen 50:25), and Rahab required an oath of the Israelite spies (Josh 2:12-24). Moses covenanted with Caleb by an attending oath (Josh 14:9). Others using oaths include Ruth (Ruth 1:17), Boaz (Ruth 3:13), Saul (1 Sam 19:6), Jonathan and David (1 Sam 20:3, 13-18), David to Bethsheba (1 Kgs 1:28-29), Solomon (1 Kgs 2:23), and Elisha (2 Kgs 2:2). Men who required oaths from others include Jehoida (2 Kgs 11:4), Ezra (Ezra 10:5,19), and Nehemiah (Neh 5:12-13). Our text even postulates the advantage of an oath: i.e., "Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument" (Heb 6:16, NIV). Repeatedly, the Lord God Himself is represented as taking an oath (Psa 89:35; 95:11; 132:11; Isa 14:24; 45:23; Jer 11:5; 22:5; 49:13; 51:14; Heb 3:11,18; 4:3; 7:21). The point of our Lord's words in Matthew 5, was that oaths were not to be entered frivolously.
The Divine oath is for our benefit. Here we see the commitment of the Lord to His purpose. He will not be dissuaded from it. Of Christ, who executed the requirements man could not meet, it is also said, "He shall not fail nor be discouraged . . . " (Isa 42:4). The knowledge of this unwavering commitment is intended to undergird the saints in their good fight of faith.
Although some have been presumptuous, using the cursory knowledge of this commitment to excuse their own slothfulness, it is of incalculable aid to those who are pressing "toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14).
Always, as our text states, men swore by someone that is greater; i.e., "As the Lord lives" (Judges 8:19; Ruth 3:13; 1 Sam 14:39,45; Jer 38:16). Because the Lord Himself is, without controversy, beyond all comparison, He swore by Himself. How frequently God says "As I live, saith the Lord" (Num 14:21; Isa 49:18; Jer 22:24; Ezek 5:11; 14:16,18,20; 16:48; 17:16; 18:3; 20:3,31,33; 33:11; 34:8; 35:6,11; Zeph 2:9; Rom 14:11). It is as though He said, "It would be easier for Me to die than to abandon my purpose."
Keep in mind, God speaks in this manner in an appeal to our faith. He does not swear upon the basis of your ability, but upon the foundation of His Person! That is because your confidence must not rest upon your accomplishment, but upon the Person of your God! Ultimately, you will be saved because of who God is, not what you have achieved! When it comes to the matter of your confidence – something indispensable to your salvation (Heb 3:6,14) – God anchors you in Himself. He appeals to you upon the basis of His unswerving and unchangeable nature. If you can take hold of God (Isa 64:7), you shall have taken hold of life everlasting!
That is God's purpose for taking an oath! He desires for us to know His commitment to our salvation. There is no question about what He will do if we will believe Him! Also, there is no question about what WE will do if our faith is in the Lord Jesus! Just as surely as faith constrained the patriarchs to conduct their lives acceptably, so will it motivate you to obey and follow the Lord!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, help me to consider and take hold of what You have sworn You will do.