Hebrews 6:16-18

Summary retelling of Hebrews 6:16-18

People swear by ideas and names of things that are greater than they in order to try and make a point for themselves.  God knows that human beings have this tendency to want to make oaths, so when He desired to demonstrate His purpose, He made an oath.  In this way, we who put our hope in Him for salvation can trust in both His character and His Word and we can reliably rest in the hope that comes from Him.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Human beings like to swear by things greater than themselves.  In courts of law, we are asked to swear upon the Bible.  We have a tendency to swear by “all that is good and holy” or other such ideals as proof.  We swear upon sacred things such as “my dead <insert family relation here> grave.”  We as human beings think that by tying ourselves to things that are better and bigger than we are that we make ourselves more reliable.

Just because a person puts their hand on a Bible or makes some such oath, does that make them more believable?  What does James tell us about making oaths in James 5:12?  Why might James give us that advice in light of human nature?

Second Thought:

God made an oath with Abraham.  In fact, God made several oaths based on His own nature.  God told Abraham that his descendants would be like the stars of the sky.  For the record, given that all Jewish people can trace their heritage back to Abraham, I think it is fair to say that this oath was fulfilled.  God also promised that the nations (Gentiles) would be blessed through Him.  Considering that God sent Jesus Christ – a descendant of Abraham – to save the whole world, it is fair to say that God’s oath in that regard was fulfilled as well.

How does knowing that God has kept His oaths to Abraham make you feel about God in general?  Why is it important to see God as someone who keeps His Word?

Third Thought:

God did send Jesus.  Jesus died on the cross.  God promised to raise Jesus from the dead, and He did just that.  God makes promise after promise and He fulfills all of them.  God also promises that if we confess our sins He will forgive.  God promises that those who are in Him will receive the Holy Spirit.  God promises that those who have the Holy Spirit within them also have the promise of eternal life.  We who are in Him put our hope in Him.

Does knowing God’s ability for keeping His promises help you have hope?  Does knowing God’s character and His track record allow you to trust His Words?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 6:19-20