Monday 25th March
Read Matthew 5:33-37
“‘Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “Do not break your oath, but fulfil to the Lord the oaths you have made.” 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.37 All you need to say is simply “Yes,” or “No”; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (NIVUK)
We have been working through God’s intention that truth and integrity characterise His people and were the goal of the Law. The Pharisees and teachers of the law however have twisted it around and found loopholes to avoid telling the truth. One wonders if that is a forgivable mistake. Perhaps the Law is not entirely clear and loopholes for lies and deception are necessary, and important, in order to maintain peace within God’s community. After all, a white lie never hurt anyone? Can society even function if people have to tell the truth and act with integrity all the time?
Soon we will be working together through Zephaniah’s poetic prophecies. As he calls God’s people to account, and the nations surrounding them, their pride and arrogance and deception comes home to roost in catastrophic judgment. Yet even this horrific judgment is tinged with mercy and a promise is made that God would ‘purify the lips of the peoples’ (all ‘peoples’ by the way). The proud will be cast down…
“But I will leave within you
the meek and humble.
The remnant of Israel
will trust in the name of the Lord.
13 They will do no wrong;
they will tell no lies.
A deceitful tongue
will not be found in their mouths.
They will eat and lie down
and no one will make them afraid.’” (Zephaniah 3:12-13) (NIVUK)
Echoes of the Sermon on the Mount. Peace and truth, goodness and humility. That is what is wrought within us by God.
