The making of an oath is a regular part of our society, as it has been for many societies from the earliest history. We readily recognize the need to swear an oath in a court of law, with our hand on a Bible, promising to "tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." Or we might recall our wedding day, in front of family, friends, and God as our witness, we pledged "to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part." Yet, in Matt 5:33-37 we find some strong words from Jesus regarding oaths. He forbids the making of any oaths at all!

In this passage of Scripture Jesus prohibits: anger that leads to murder, lust that leads to adultery, divorce for convenience, and revenge. But, why does he forbid oaths? This seems to be at odds with not only human experience, but with the rest of the Bible. There are instructions about oaths in the Old Testament law (Deut 6:13, 10:20). The Old Testament records righteous people making and fulfilling oaths (Gen 14:22, 21:24, 47:31, Josh 2:12). Even God himself makes oaths (Gen 22:16, 26:3, Ps 95:11, 110:4, Isa 45:23, Amos 6:8). In the New Testament we see Paul, and others, making and fulfilling religious vows (Acts 18:18, 21:21-24). What could have led Jesus to prohibit something that seems not simply harmless, but actually helpful?

If you are looking for a new twist on Bible study, I recommend the Community Bible Experience from Biblica (http://biblica.com/cbe/). They have formatted the Bible to make it easier to read in context. And the group meetings are like a book club, not a fill-in-the-blanks study. I have been going through this study in a small men's group, and have really been enjoying it.