Unfair and Unreasonable Treatment
September 11, 2020
Commentary
The Lord addresses the matter of oath making of which the Pharisees were notorious for (vv. 33-36). Don’t make a promise unless you are going to keep it (v. 33). The basis for Old Testament oath-taking is found in (Lev.19:12), (Deut. 23:21) and (Num. 30:2). Oaths taken in the name of the Lord were binding and it was a very serious matter to break them. By old Testament law oaths were to be made only in God’s name. However the Pharisees would swear by heaven (v. 34), by the earth (v. 35), by the Temple, by the hairs of their head etc (v. 36). Then when they wanted to get out of the agreement they would say it was not binding since God Himself had not been involved. Jesus is saying that all promises are sacred and when truth is profaned, God’s name is profaned. He goes on to say that oaths should not even be necessary but that one’s life should be sufficient to back up his words. Just mean what you say and say what you mean (v. 37). Anything else comes from the devil.
Jesus gives the following five examples of how a believer should react to unfair or unreasonable treatment (v. 38-42):
1. Do not retaliate in personal relationships (v. 39). However this does not mean that we are not to resist evil (James 4:7).
2. In a legal judgment against you be willing to give more than you owe (v. 40)
3. Do more than what is required of you (v. 41).
4. When a person has a genuine need give him what is needed (v. 42).
5. Also implied is that when we lend something to someone we should not expect to receive in return.
Application
I need to be looking for ways to incoporate all of the above ways into my lifesyle.
Matthew 5:33– 42 (NET)
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation, ‘Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not take oaths at all—not by heaven, because it is the throne of God, 35 not by earth, because it is his footstool, and not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 36 Do not take an oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no.’ More than this is from the evil one.
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your coat also. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you.
Illustration: Missionary Couple Comes Homes
Have you ever heard someone say, “That is not fair?” I once heard of a missionary couple who had spent their whole life on the mission field and were returning home on a ship where the majority of the people were drinking and gambling. When the ship landed and the gang plank went down the band began to play. The wife thought it was a group of people there to welcome them for the years of service they had spent among tribal people sacrificing their very lives for the Lord. Instead it was for some in the group who had been drinking and gambling. The wife said, “this isn’t fair” but the husband wisely said, “honey we aren’t home yet.” (Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author).