Joshua 9:19-20
New International Version
19 but all the leaders answered, “We have given them our oath by the Lord, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now. 20 This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that God’s wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them.”
Joshua and his advisors made a mistake. But, they had given an oath to protect the Gibeonites. Israel would keep the oath they made even though they had been tricked. God commands us to keep our oaths and promises. Breaking and oath or promise is serious. Do not take promises or oaths lightly. When you make a promise or an oath, make sure you can keep that promise or oath. If there is doubt you can do that, then do not make the promise or oath.
