Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5468 promises, human

5468 promises, human

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5466 promises » 5468 promises, human

Believers must be faithful in keeping promises made to others and to God, because they have been called to live in integrity and truth. False or broken promises are considered as sin.

Examples of promises between people

Genesis 14:22-24 Abraham and the king of Sodom; Genesis 21:22-24 Abraham and Abimelech; Genesis 47:29-31 Jacob and Joseph; Numbers 30:1-16 in family life; Joshua 2:12-21 Rahab and the spies

Examples of people making promises to God

Genesis 28:20-21 Jacob; Judges 11:29-40 Jephthah; 1 Samuel 1:11-20 Hannah; 2 Samuel 15:7-12 Absalom; Nehemiah 10:28-29 returning exiles

Accompaniments to human promises

Taking an oath

Deuteronomy 6:13 See also Genesis 14:22; Genesis 21:24; Genesis 47:31; Joshua 2:12-14; Nehemiah 10:29

Declaring a curse

2 Samuel 3:35 See also Ruth 1:17; 1 Samuel 14:24; 2 Samuel 3:9-10; 1 Kings 2:23; Matthew 26:73-75 pp Mark 14:70-72

Instructions regarding human promises

The importance of keeping promises

Numbers 30:1-2 See also Psalm 50:14; Proverbs 5:18-23; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 19:4-9

The sin and peril of false promises

Leviticus 19:12 See also Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 23:21; Jeremiah 8:11-12; Ezekiel 13:1-7,10-12; Zechariah 8:17; 2 Peter 2:17-19

The danger of making promises rashly, lightly or in ignorance

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 See also Proverbs 20:25; Matthew 14:1-11 pp Mark 6:21-28; Matthew 23:16-22

The call of Jesus Christ to integrity and truth in making promises

Matthew 5:33-37 See also Deuteronomy 23:22-23; Ecclesiastes 5:2,5