OUR FATHER WHO EXPECTS OATHS AND COVENANTS TO BE HONORED

The king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar,  had invaded Israel and overthrown Jerusalem. He took all the captured leaders of the land back to Babylon.  

Nebuchadnezzar then signed a treaty with an Israelite king whom he installed in Jerusalem to oversee the conquered kingdom of Israel on his behalf.

While Nebudchanezzar was away, the vassal king of Israel decided to break the treaty he had made with him. He plotted to rebel against the Babylonians and throw them off with the help of the Egyptians.

Because of this breaking of a formal treaty, the Lord was against the Israelite king for his actions. The Lord regarded the treaty signed between Babylon and Israel as an oath and covenant between Himself and Babylon and so when Israel broke the covenant, He declared in  Ezekiel chapter 17 verse 19;

“‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: As surely as I live, I will repay him for despising my oath and breaking my covenant. 

The Lord expected Israel to keep its treaty with Babylon because His own name was associated with Israel and He judged Israel severely for failing to keep the signed covenant.

Amen.