Text: Ezekiel 17:1-24
“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: As I live, surely it is my oath that he despised, and my covenant that he broke. I will return it upon his head” (verse 19, ESV). When any Christian takes an oath and promises to do something, God is always a witness. Jesus said, ‘let your yes be yes, and your no be no, anything else is from the Devil’ (Mat. 5:37). In this context, Israel has promised to be under the authority of Babylon; but with that legally binding relationship, they secretly sought military help from Egypt.
This was a total loss of integrity for God’s people. If someone claims the one true God as His witness in oath-taking, then surely his word is his bond; he must do what he has promised to do. He is required to be straightforward in his contracts and agreements. His language is simple and direct; there are no hidden agendas and secrets to be found anywhere. How sad it is whenever Christians cannot be trusted in public life or in business! The name of God is blasphemed and there is no honor or trust among His people. Please pray for a revival of integrity for those who are ambassadors for Christ!
Meditate on verse 19. What is God teaching you in this verse? How are you going to respond to it?
Our Almighty Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we pray against the many
hearts in this land that are full of guile, callous and disregard for integrity.
Father, make us people of integrity who honour our pledges and stand for the truth. Amen.