(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
Numbers 30:1–2, “And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded. If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.”
In the book of Psalms we read about the Lord’s holy hill (Psalm 15:1–5, “LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.”) This place is also called Paradise (2 Corinthians 12:3,4, “How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”) and the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2, “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.”) This is the place where the Lord lives and there is no sin (compare Habakkuk 1:13, “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?”) There are some important things about this place: One of the significant aspects of this place is that a person will swear to their own hurt and keep it. This means that someone from the Lord’s holy hill is willing to keep their promises even though it will cost them in some way. The Lord made this requirement of Israel, if someone promised that he would do something then he was bound to do it. This should also be true of the church. There are many people today who talk about good stewardship but are willing to break a promise because it may cost them money. They suggest that the Lord has given them the money in trust so it must be treasured. However, there won’t be any money in paradise but people can be put off by the behaviour of people who claim to be Christians.
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