What other scriptures emphasize the importance of keeping promises to God? Jeremiah 34:18—God’s Own Words About Broken Promises “And those who violated My covenant and did not keep the terms of the covenant they had made before Me, I will treat like the calf they cut in two and passed between its pieces.” Foundational Commands in the Law • Numbers 30:2 — “If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to put himself under an obligation, he must not break his word; he must do whatever he has promised.” • Deuteronomy 23:21-23 — “When you make a vow to the LORD your God, you are not to delay fulfilling it, because the LORD your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. … Whatever your lips have spoken you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the LORD your God with your own mouth.” Wisdom Literature: Straight Talk on Integrity • Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 — “When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no delight in fools. Fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.” • Proverbs 20:25 — “It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to reconsider his vows.” • Psalm 15:4 — “[The one] who keeps his oath even when it hurts, and does not change;” • Psalm 50:14 — “Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High.” • Psalm 116:14, 18 — “I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people.” Prophetic Echoes • Malachi 1:14 — “But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord.” • Zechariah 5:3-4 — “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land… every thief will be expelled, according to it, and everyone who swears falsely will be expelled… it will consume it, with its timber and stones.” Jesus and the Apostles on Truthful Speech • Matthew 5:33-37 — “Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all… Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.” • James 5:12 — “Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or earth or anything else. Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No,’ so that you will not fall under judgment.” • Acts 5:1-11 — Ananias and Sapphira promised the proceeds of land to God, lied about it, and fell dead; the early church learned instantly that God still defends His honor. • Hebrews 6:16-18 — “Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said… it is impossible for God to lie.” The Lord’s own truthfulness sets the standard for ours. Why This Still Matters • God’s nature: He cannot lie; His people are called to mirror His character. • Broken vows cheapen worship, damage testimony, invite discipline. • Common modern promises—marriage covenants, church commitments, financial pledges—are still sacred before God. • Scripture consistently ties spiritual health to truthful, dependable speech; keeping our word is a daily act of worship. |
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