A Rash Oath

SCRIPTURE
1 Samuel 14:24
Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, "Cursed be any man who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!" So none of the troops tasted food.


OBSERVATION
Saul made a stupid oath that resulted in his own soldiers running out of energy in the midst of the battle. And later because of their hunger, they then committed sin when they began to slay animals and eat them without properly preparing them.

APPLICATION
Leaders must be careful because their decisions impact others. Father and mothers must be careful because their decisions impact their children. We can make promises too quickly. We can make blanket statements without thinking about their consequences.

We learn in 1 Samuel that this is not a wise thing to do!

PRAYER
Lord, help me to consider before acting. Help me to keep in mind that my actions impact the lives of my family in ways that I don't even anticipate and I thus must be more careful and intentional about what I say and do. Amen.