Wednesday, January 5, 2011

KEEPING OATHS

"This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that wrath
will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them". - Joshua 9:20

Joshua and the people of Israel were in the Promised Land. They were
winning battles and were feeling good about their progress. One day a
band of Gibeonites came by dressed as travelers in order to fool Joshua.
They wanted to make Joshua believe they were merely travelers instead of
enemies. The Gibeonites asked Joshua to make a peace treaty with them.
Since Joshua chose to believe their story, he did just that. That was a
mistake on Joshua's part. The Bible says Joshua did not inquire of the
Lord about the Gibeonites. This forced Joshua to uphold the peace treaty
with the Gibeonites, even though it was made under false pretences.
Keeping our oaths before the Lord is a serious matter. One might think
that Joshua had every right to consider the agreement with the
Gibeonites null and void since it was done on false pretense. However,
Joshua knew how God viewed oaths. He knew that a man's word, once it was
given, should be good as done. There was no reversing it. He also knew
that if he did not keep his oath, he was subject to God's disfavor,
which meant his ways would not be blessed.
Whenever we become a child of God, we represent Him. When His children
follow unrighteousness, He takes this personally. Unrighteousness opens
us up to satan's attack. God's protection shield is removed. So Joshua
knew that if he did not honor his oath, he would be subject to God's
judgement.
Is there any unfulfilled oath you have made to anyone? Ask God this
morning if you have not fulfilled a commitment to anyone. Then, if there
is, go and fulfill. Otherwise, you will be subject to God's judgment for
your unrighteousness.

No comments: