15. Keep Your Word

As with most stories in Judges, Jephthah is a cautionary tale (Judges 11-12), and his story features a foolish and disastrous vow. Another featured oath in the Bible appears in Mark 6 when “an opportunity came,” and King Herod’s mistress took advantage of her boyfriend’s impulsive and murderous vow. Why does Jesus warn so strongly against making an oath? Read Matthew 21 for more context on what it looked like in Jesus’ ministry, when some people said they were following God but others (much more sinful on the surface) actually were following God and His ways. Also read Leviticus 19 for what God taught the Jews through Moses about making and keeping promises. The very simple point this week is to let your “yes” actually mean “yes,” and your “no,” be “no.” We shouldn’t need fancy oaths and vows to convince people to believe what we say. Our integrity should be patterned on the consistency of God Himself, who does not change. Our word should follow God’s pattern of making and keeping promises. Be encouraged by the gospel in Romans 4 and how it was entirely based on His promise to Abraham, wonderfully fulfilled in Christ!

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