What other biblical examples show the importance of keeping one's word? A Grounding Scene—Shimei’s Conditional Freedom 1 Kings 2:36 sets the tone: “Then the king summoned Shimei and said to him, ‘Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else.’” •Shimei’s life now hinged on strict obedience to that single, spoken boundary. •His later failure (vv. 41-46) cost him his life, underscoring that words—especially sworn words—carry real, irreversible weight. Old-Testament Snapshots of Kept (or Broken) Promises •Joshua and the Gibeonites – Joshua 9:19: “We have given them our oath by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.” Centuries later, Saul’s violation of that oath brought famine (2 Samuel 21:1-2). •Jephthah’s Vow – Judges 11:30-31, 39. Jephthah honored a rash vow at great personal cost, illustrating the seriousness of pledges before God. •David and Mephibosheth – 2 Samuel 9:7. David keeps his covenant with Jonathan, providing lifelong security to Jonathan’s crippled son. •Numbers 30:2 – “When a man makes a vow to the LORD… he must not break his word but must do everything he has promised.” A foundational statute that frames every later example. •Psalm 15:4b – “He who keeps his oath, even when it hurts,” describes the righteous person God approves. Sobering Examples of False or Foolish Oaths •Herod and John the Baptist – Mark 6:26-27. A boastful oath traps Herod, resulting in innocent bloodshed. •Ananias and Sapphira – Acts 5:3-4. They pledge a gift, secretly withhold part, and fall under immediate judgment for lying to God. •Saul’s Rash Army Oath – 1 Samuel 14:24-30. Saul’s command, “Cursed be any man who eats food before evening,” weakens the troops and nearly costs Jonathan his life. New-Testament Reinforcement •Matthew 5:37 – “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” Jesus calls for transparent integrity that makes elaborate vows unnecessary. •James 5:12 echoes the same charge, tying truthful speech to freedom from judgment. God—the Ultimate Promise Keeper •Numbers 23:19 – “God is not a man, that He should lie… Has He said, and will He not do it?” •2 Corinthians 1:20 – “For all the promises of God are ‘Yes’ in Christ.” The Lord’s flawless record supplies both the standard and the enabling grace for His people to mirror His faithfulness. Take-Home Observations •Human vows invoke divine witness; breaking them invites real consequences. •Faithful integrity blesses more than the speaker—it safeguards families, nations, and future generations. •God’s dependable character motivates believers to reflect His truthfulness in every commitment, large or small. |
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