I. The form of the Divine oath. When men swear, they do it “by the greater” (Heb_6:16). God cannot do this. So He swears by Himself.
II. The use of the Divine oath. God utters His word clearly and plainly, calling on men to believe it. When they will not, He tries a new expedient, backing it up with an oath. Was ever grace more conspicuous, and forbearance more extraordinary?
III. Examples of the Divine oath.
1. The oath used in connection with the Priesthood of Christ (Psa_110:4, as interpreted in Heb_7:1-28).
2. The oath used in connection with the believer’s safety (Heb_7:17-18). Blessed safeguard!
3. The oath used in connection with the sincerity of the Gospel call (Eze_33:11). Must not God be terribly in earnest?
4. The oath used in connection with the ultimate triumph of the Christian cause (Isa_45:23). Can such a purpose be defeated? Encouraged by this, let the Church go forward.
5. The oath used in connection with the doom of the unbelieving (Psa_95:11). Then, “Acquaint now thyself,” etc. (Job_22:21). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,” etc. (Act_16:31). (John Burnett, B. D.)
