This document provides a summary and analysis of a passage from the Torah portion of Mattot regarding keeping one's word. It discusses how in ancient times, a person's word was their bond without written contracts. The Torah commands that one must not break their word once given to God or others. It analyzes how Yeshua and other biblical figures taught the importance of integrity and keeping promises to avoid hypocrisy. Breaking one's word soils their reputation. The document encourages being careful about what one says and following through to glorify God and be a trustworthy witness.

1. “My Word Is My Bond”
A d’rash for parshat Mattot
B’midbar (Numbers) 30:2(1)–32:42
By Rabbi Reuel Dillon
Since 1801 the motto of the London Stock Exchange expressed in Latin was, "dictum
meum pactum". Translated to English it means, “My Word Is My Bond”. This motto
expressed the practice where agreements and transactions were made with no exchange
of documents and no written pledges being given. The assurance was the integrity and
word of the individual. People’s livelihood depended on it. Their life was bound up in
their word, and trust was not something to be taken lightly.
Promises or offers to help or to do something should not be made lightly. The
trustworthy person doesn’t rashly issue vain words that sound good at the time, of which
they either don’t intend to follow through with, or of which they are not confident they
can fulfill. If someone makes a promise or says they will do something of importance - it
should be something that an individual fully intends to carry out. The responsible
person will carefully think about their ability, means, and dedication to carry something
out before they give their word to accomplish something. And, the trustworthy person
immediately takes steps to ensure that the word or promise is carried out to the best of
their ability.
In B’midbar (Numbers) 30:1-2 we read, “Moshe spoke to the heads of the tribes of the
children of Yisra'el, saying, This is the thing which HaShem has commanded. When a
man vows a vow to HaShem, or swears an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not
break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”
Here we have two situations described in the above mitzvah (command). The first deals
with keeping our words to Adonai Himself, and I believe the second deals with keeping
one’s oath or word in general. How many times have we prayed to God and told Him
we would do something only to fail Him? If we really think about it, we are all probably
guilty of this. But, we should know that God doesn’t take our promises to Him lightly.
In Devarim (Deuteronomy) 23:21-23 we read, “When you shall vow a vow to HaShem
your God, you shall not be slack to pay it: for HaShem your God will surely require it of
you; and it would be sin in you. But if you shall forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in you.
That which is gone out of your lips you shall observe and do; according as you have
vowed to HaShem your God, a freewill-offering, which you have promised with your
mouth.”.

2. And, especially for those whom claim to be servants of El Elyon (God Most High), and
disciples of His Messsiah Yeshua…part of keeping our Master’s command to let our
light shine before men (as found in Mattityahu/Matthew chapter 5) and thus glorifying
our Father in Heaven is to be keepers of our word. We will not be a people of truth and
integrity if we are not keepers of our word. If we cannot have the integrity to follow
through with our words and our commitments, especially as we seek to become
witnesses for Adonai and for His Son Yeshua The Messiah, than how will this effect our
witness when it comes to teaching God’s truth and Good News to a fallen world?
People have to trust the messengers of God. Sadly, today I can’t help but get the sense
that people that hold such values as expressed in the phrase “My word is my bond” are
few and far between. But, there are people today that still fulfill their vows and
promises, even if it means a personal loss or inconvenience for them. These are the type
of people that our God wishes us to be. But, all too often many people make promises
only to ask for forgiveness later. Again, Adonai takes these things very seriously,
therefore, so should we.
In Mattityahu (Matthew) 5:33-37 our Master and Rabbi Yeshua teaches us the following,
"Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'You shall not make false
vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,' but I tell you, don't swear at all: neither
by heaven, for it is the throne of God; nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet;
nor by Yerushalayim, for it is the city of the great King. Neither shall you swear by your
head, for you can't make one hair white or black. But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your
'No' be 'no.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.”.
The Emissary Ya’akov (James) found this teaching so important that he states it this way
in Ya’akov (James) 5:12; “But above all things, my brothers, don't swear, neither by
heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but let your "yes" be "yes," and your
"no," "no;" so that you don't fall into hypocrisy.”
Not only are we to be concerned with being people of integrity, but we also want to
avoid being hypocrites. Ya’akov (James) connects hypocrisy with not following through
with our words. Normally we understand “hypocrisy” as saying one thing and then
acting in a way that contradicts what we said. In like manner, if we say something, and
yet do nothing, we also contradict ourselves and are found to be hypocrites. And, we
know that scripture tells us that those whom practice hypocrisy will have their part in the
Lake Of Fire. In one version (KJV) of Yeshaiyahu (Isaiah) 33:10-14 we read, “Now will I
arise, says HaShem; now will I lift up myself; now will I be exalted. You shall conceive
chaff, you shall bring forth stubble: your breath is a fire that shall devour you. The
peoples shall be as the burning of lime, as thorns cut down, that are burned in the fire.
Hear, you who are far off, what I have done; and, you who are near, acknowledge my
might. The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness has surprised the hypocrites. Who
among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting
burnings?”

3. The Hebrew word used for “hypocrites” here is from the root “chanef”, which can mean
“hypocrite”, but it also has the meaning “to soil”. When we break our word, we soil our
word and reputation. Yeshaiyahu notes how the hypocrites will be surprised. But our
Master warns us not to be surprised. Yeshua tells us in Luke 12:35-40, "Let your loins
be girded and your lamps burning. Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns
from the marriage feast; that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to
him. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Most
assuredly I tell you, that he will dress himself, and make them recline, and will come and
serve them. They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch, and finds
them so. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief
was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into.
Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that you don't expect
him.".
In Luke 12:1-5 Yeshua The Messiah teaches us about hypocrisy, about the words that we
speak, and the coming day of judgment. It says, “Meanwhile, when a multitude of many
thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began
to tell his talmidim (disciples) first of all, "Beware of the yeast of the Perushim
(Pharisees), which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up, that will not be revealed,
nor hidden, that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness
will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers will be
proclaimed on the housetops. "I tell you, my friends, don't be afraid of those who kill the
body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom you
should fear. Fear him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehinnom. Yes, I
tell you, fear him.”.
We cannot become complacent and assume that these words were not meant for us. He
was speaking to His talmidim (disciples), to those whom claim to know him and walk
with Him. Oh how we need a healthy sense of the fear of God! We probably all have
room for improvement in the area of following through with the words that we speak
and following through with keeping what we say to both God and mankind. But, let us
be alert and be careful how we conduct ourselves and be circumspect in regards to our
daily conversation. God is full of grace and mercy, but He will not turn a blind eye to
those whom practice lawlessness…even if they are His children.
In the book of Yechezk’el (Ezekiel) 18:21-24 we read, “But if the wicked turn from all
his sins that he has committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and
right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his transgressions that he has
committed shall be remembered against him: in his righteousness that he has done he
shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? says Adonai HaShem; and not
rather that he should return from his way, and live? But when the righteous turns away
from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations
that the wicked man does, shall he live? None of his righteous deeds that he has done
shall be remembered: in his trespass that he has trespassed, and in his sin that he has
sinned, in them shall he die.”. And, in Yechezk’el (Ezekiel) 18:31-32 it concludes with
the following statement, “Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have

4. transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of
Yisra'el? For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies, says Adonai HaShem:
therefore turn yourselves, and live.”
In Pirke Avot (a collection of sayings from the Jewish Sages), Rabbi Shammai teaches
that one should, “Say little and do much!”. I think this is excellent wisdom that not only
coincides with the teachings found in our Torah portion (parshat Mattot), but is also
wisdom that will help to keep us all out of trouble. Not only will we give more than
what people expect, but we will not be found guilty of breaking our words. Adonai
commands us to be holy as He is holy. He is faithful and always follows through with
His words and promises. Truly, when it comes to the God whom we serve, His word is
His Bond. He takes His word so seriously that in Tehillim (Psalms) 138:2, a more literal
rendering of the text states, “I will worship toward your holy temple, And give thanks
unto your name for your loving kindness and for your truth: For you have magnified
your word above all thy name.”
Mishlei (Proverbs) 22:1 says, “A [good] name is rather to be chosen than great riches,
[And] loving favor rather than silver and gold.”. Having integrity and keeping our word
is a major aspect of having a “good name”. This is one of the reasons why God Himself
takes it so seriously. If we do promise or give our word to accomplish something, let us
give diligence, as Adonai would, to complete and fulfill the words that come from our
mouths. If we claim to be B’nay El Elyon (children of The Most High), let us also act
like it. Following through with our words is very much a part of living a holy, Torah
pursuant, and scripture centered life. May Adonai empower us through His Spirit to
walk in His ways.
In the good name of Yeshua our Messiah,
Shabbat shalom!
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