The Lord's Oath

In the biblical narrative, the concept of the Lord's oath is a profound demonstration of His unchanging nature and His commitment to His promises. An oath from the Lord is a solemn declaration that underscores the certainty and reliability of His word. The Lord's oaths are often associated with His covenants, which are binding agreements between God and His people.

One of the most significant instances of the Lord's oath is found in His covenant with Abraham. In Genesis 22:16-18 , after Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, God declares, "By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore." This oath underscores God's promise to make Abraham the father of a great nation and to bless all nations through his offspring.

The Lord's oath is also evident in His covenant with David. In Psalm 89:3-4 , God states, "I have made a covenant with My chosen one; I have sworn to David My servant: I will establish your offspring forever and build up your throne for all generations." This oath assures the perpetuity of David's lineage and the eventual coming of the Messiah, who would reign eternally.

In the New Testament, the Lord's oath is highlighted in the book of Hebrews, where it is linked to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 7:20-21 notes, "And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: 'The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: You are a priest forever.'" This oath emphasizes the eternal and unchangeable nature of Christ's priesthood, which surpasses the Levitical priesthood.

The Lord's Abhorrence

The Lord's abhorrence is a reflection of His holiness and righteousness, which cannot tolerate sin and wickedness. Throughout Scripture, God expresses His abhorrence for actions and attitudes that are contrary to His nature and commands.

In the Old Testament, the Lord's abhorrence is often directed towards idolatry and the practices associated with it. Deuteronomy 12:31 warns the Israelites, "You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the LORD hates." This abhorrence is rooted in God's desire for His people to remain pure and devoted to Him alone.

The prophets frequently convey the Lord's abhorrence for social injustice and moral corruption. In Amos 5:21-24 , God declares, "I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them... But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." Here, the Lord's abhorrence is directed at empty religious rituals that are not accompanied by genuine righteousness and justice.

In the New Testament, the Lord's abhorrence is evident in Jesus' denunciation of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. In Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." This abhorrence highlights the importance of inner purity and sincerity in one's relationship with God.

The Lord's oath and abhorrence together reveal His unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and holiness. His oaths assure His people of His faithfulness, while His abhorrence calls them to live in accordance with His righteous standards.