Oath Taking
195
Man is so corrupt that laws are made to throw the responsibility
upon his own head. Some men do not fear to lie to their fellow man; but
they have been taught, and the restraining Spirit of God has impressed
them, that it is a fearful thing to lie to God. The case of Ananias and
Sapphira his wife is given for an example. The matter is carried from
man to God, so that if one bears false witness, it is not to man, but to
the great God, who reads the heart, and knows the exact truth in every
case. Our laws make it a high crime to take a false oath. God has often
visited judgment upon the false swearer, and even while the oath was
on his lips, the destroying angel has cut him down. This was to prove
a terror to evildoers.
I saw that if there is anyone on earth who can consistently tes-
tify under oath, it is the Christian. He lives in the light of God’s
countenance. He grows strong in His strength. And when matters of
importance must be decided by law, there is no one who can so well
appeal to God as the Christian. I was bidden by the angel to notice
that God swears by Himself.
Genesis 22:16
;
Hebrews 6:13, 17
. He
[203]
swore to Abraham (
Genesis 26:3
), to Isaac (
Psalm 105:9
;
Jeremiah
11:5
), and to David (
Psalm 132:11
;
Acts 2:30
). God required of the
children of Israel an oath between man and man.
Exodus 22:10, 11
.
Jesus submitted to the oath in the hour of His trial. The high priest
said unto Him: “I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us
whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said unto him:
“Thou hast said.” If Jesus in His teachings to His disciples referred to
the judicial oath, He would have reproved the high priest, and there
enforced His teachings, for the good of His followers present. Satan
has been pleased that some have viewed oath taking in a wrong light;
for it has given him opportunity to oppress them and take from them
their Lord’s money. The stewards of God must be more wise, lay their
plans, and prepare themselves to withstand Satan’s devices; for he is
to make greater efforts than ever before.
Some, I saw, have a prejudice against our rulers and laws; but if
it were not for law, this world would be in an awful condition. God
restrains our rulers; for the hearts of all are in His hands. Bounds are
set, beyond which they cannot go. Many of the rulers are those whom
Satan controls; but I saw that God has His agents, even among the
rulers. And some of them will yet be converted to the truth. They are
now acting the part that God would have them. When Satan works