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Daily Devotions

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 
Day 
Day 65

"The LORD lives"

Text: Jeremiah 4:2

TAKING OATHS

The use of oaths was allowed by God. All oaths were to be taken seriously for God’s name was involved (Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 6:13)! Oaths were taken in courts of law. They were also used to affirm affidavits.

“And you shall swear, ‘The LORD lives,’
In truth, in judgment, and in righteousness;
The nations shall bless themselves in Him,
And in Him they shall glory.”
Jeremiah 4:2

1. “And you shall swear, ‘The LORD lives'”

a) The phrase “The LORD lives” is an oath.
b) The person making this oath affirms:
i) God is Living.
ii) His holy name is invoked.
iii) Truth must be spoken and upheld.
c) What must not be done:
i) To swear by Baal.
ii) To swear by Asherah.
iii) Or the name of any foreign deity.

2. “In truth, in judgment, and in righteousness”

a) Three features must be noted:
i) In truth
ii) In judgment
iii) In righteousness
b) These are closely associated:
i) With God’s Being
ii) With His actions
iii) These are borne out in Biblical history

3. “The nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him they shall glory”

a) All nations
i) Not just Israel.
ii) All nations (peoples) may relate to God and call upon Him as Saviour and Lord.
b) “Bless themselves in Him”
i) They may use God’s name too.
ii) They may receive His blessings as well.
c) “And in Him they shall glory”
i) They may also glory in God.
ii) The God of Israel is the God of all nations.
d) Taking of oaths apply to both Israel and all nations that fear the Lord and call upon His name.