Job wants to prove his innocence, arguing that he has not committed any of the offences that would warrant punishment. Through this entire chapter, Job calls down great harm upon himself _ even death _if he has sinned. Should we follow his example? In Job’s time, only way they could prove their innocence was to swear an oath. This oath taking was permitted and even God waa said to swear oaths Deu 7:8.

But O.T strictly warns against abusing oaths.God warned that people should not swear falsely by My name Lev 19:12. Bible warns people to fulfill any vows they make or otherwise don’t vow Ecc. 5:4-6.

In New Testament, Matt 5:33-37. You shall not swear falsely but shall perform to the lord what you have sworn. But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all,either by heaven for it is the throne of God, or… Do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply Yes or No anything more than this comes from evil

Today there is no reason we need to call down harm upon ourselves in order to prove we are telling the truth.

Cynthia Sathiaraj
Chennai