Oath's Aren't Needed; Truth Is

Scripture: Eli said, "What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you." 1 Samuel 3:17

Observation: Several times in the Old Testament, a threat very similar to this one is pronounced ... "May God do unto you and more so if you ...". Alternatively, as same structure is used as a swearing or promise, very often associated with taking action against someone ... "May God do unto me and more so if I do not do ...".

In this manner, the Jews use Yahweh as a threat. Yes, this statement indicates a trust that the Lord can take decisive action. However, it also assumes that the Lord takes sides in matters based on whomever first invokes his name, and that his actions will involve punishment and retribution. It seems so many of the times this form of swearing is used involve people who are themselves operating in a questionable manner, such as pursuing a righteous person to punish them, or seeking knowledge to advance some plot. Either way, over and over, this is the oath - "May the Lord do unto X and more so if" - and over and over it feels like manipulation, threatening, or both.

Application: I am a person prone to lying. I know this. I wish I wasn't. At the same time, I have never understood the idea of "swearing" on something. Maybe this is why I take notice of this kind of oath in the Bible.

That said, I do perceive a pattern that this oath is commonly attributed to people who are pursuing some personal objective outside of the Lord's plan. By pronouncing it, perhaps they are attempting to make it appear that the Lord is on their "side" and their actions align to the Lord's will.

I do wish I was more in line with James in this matter. I agree with him that we should not need to swear on things. However, I wish I was better at my yes being yes, and my no being no ... that I could better repent of the sin of lying.

Prayer: Lord, this day I do pray for this, that I would be able to repent of my way of telling deceptions, fibs, and lies. I bend truth, sometimes for absolutely no reason, and honestly I don't usually even know why. May this be removed from me, and may I seek your goodness in my live more and more. Amen.