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Hebrews 6:13-18
We are informed in Hebrews 6:12b (NKJV), “but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” It is this promise that God made to Abraham that the author of Hebrews speaks of in Hebrews 6:13-18. In ancient times an oath was the way to settling disputes. In the swearing/sincere adherence to the oath by both parties was the bond of one’s word to another that upheld the oath in sincerity. God made an oath to Abraham and made it in the greatest of sincerity – Himself, because God cannot lie and there is none greater that confidence can be put in making an oath. Abraham received this promise through patient endurance in waiting for his son to be born and then proving his sincere faith to God in obedience and willingness to sacrifice his only son to God (Genesis 22). God prevented Abraham from sacrificing his only son, and in so proved his faith to God through his actions (James 2:21). Genesis 22:15-18 (ESV) states, “And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, ‘By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.’”
The author of Hebrews continues in Hebrews 6:18 to address, as it would seem, those of the dispersion (Acts 8:1, 4; James 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1) who have “fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:18, NKJV) that they too could partake of the promise through their faith in the hope of what is to come through the promise.
This is an example of the promise that God made to Abraham.
This is an example of Abraham’s patience and endurance to receive the promise of God.
This is an encouragement to believe in God, that we too may inherit His promise through our faith in the hope of what is to come – in Christ Jesus.
The promise that God made to Abraham was established through his faith in God that led to his actions proving his faith. God made a promise to Abraham that through his offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed…because he obeyed God’s voice (Genesis 22:18). Jesus is the physical offspring of Abraham (Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38) and through salvation in Jesus are all peoples blessed (Romans 6:1-14; Galatians 3:26-29). This is the fulfilling of the promise that God made to Abraham – that we all would be blessed through our faith in hope of the promise – in Christ!
Dear LORD,
Your promise to Abraham was authenticated through Abraham’s belief in You and that Your word was true and just and unchangeable. Your promise to Abraham was to set an example that all the world would see Your great power and authority as the One and only true God of heaven, and in so, that we would recognize the importance of putting our faith and hope in You through the gift that You gave to the world in Christ Jesus, that we all may be saved from sin and the bondage of Satan through Your gift to all who will believe in Christ Jesus. Please help us to see that our refuge from the struggles and deception of this world is only found in Christ Jesus, that we would open our hearts in sincere submission to You – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.