Unfair and Unreasonable Treatment

Matthew 5:33–42
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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 … More

Fairness

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 (English Standard Version)

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