Read the series.
I’ve mentioned analogies in this series, so let me give one of my own.
Suppose someone made you a promise concerning something of great importance to you. This person then went a step further and, to show his intent to make good his promise, entered in to some solemn ritual involving a self-maledictory oath. You could surely trust the promise right?
But wait. Suppose you knew that this same individual had made many promises before, and had also sworn oaths to perform…