The Sermon on the Mount, Section 42 D, Oaths

Section 42 
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
 (A Mountain Plateau not far from Capernaum) 
Subdivision D. 
RELATION OF MESSIANIC TEACHING TO OLD TESTAMENT AND TRADITIONAL TEACHING

OathsMATT. 5:33-37

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. " -Matthew 5:33-37

Some passages come easier than others--this one goes down smooth for me.  I dislike pretense and double meanings.  As a child, I hated puns and funny tricks---just the facts please, as they really stand.  I like the thought that a person's word should alone be enough.  If we are careful with our words, this will inherently be the case.  Simplicity is good.  It gives you a solid place in a relationship from which to work and live at peace.

Deuteronomy connects the reasoning back to the authenticity of our relationship with God.  Our promises to others are also promises to the Lord:

"You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God what you have promised with your mouth." Deuteronomy 23:23

This concept is foreign to our culture, and Matthew Henry's Commentary expands upon it:

"Of those promises made to our brethren, to which God was a Witness, he being appealed to concerning our sincerity; these must be performed to the Lord, with an eye to him, and for his sake: for to him, by ratifying the promises with an oath, we have made ourselves debtors; and if we break a promise so ratified, we have not lied unto men only, but unto God." -Matthew Henry

In other words, God as our witness has been dragged into our mess and promises.  Nothing escapes His notice--not great injustices or casual promises.