“And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.” (Hebrews 6:15, NIV). The discussion in the Book of Hebrews is an important one. It is a call to press on; to endure; to not go back. It is, as others have said, "A letter by a Hebrew, written to Hebrews; telling them not to be Hebrews." There are told not to be Hebrews in the sense of the Old Covenant. But Abraham stands here, as he does elsewhere in the New Testament as one who is different.
People of faith are to believe the promise. Don't go back under the Law, but believe the Promise. Why is the Promise so significant. The author's answer is: “When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”” (Hebrews 6:13–14, NIV). "That God, whose “word is truth” (John 17:17; cf. Titus 1:2), should reinforce the surety of that infallible promise through an oath underscores the permanence and seriousness of the divine promise (Gen. 15:8–21; 22:17). While sinful and fallible human beings “swear by the greater” than themselves (v. 16), God, the highest authority, “swore by Himself” (v. 13)." [1]
Within the notion of the promises of God we see in Hebrews 6 that there are two things that must be kept in mind: One, is that it is impossible for God to lie (v18a); and Two, that it was confirmed by an oath -- an oath established with the highest and Ultimate Authority -- Himself. With all that as a backdrop then, "Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise." [2]
Abraham is represented to us then as someone who through patience and trusting faith received what was promised. The unique difference between the Old Covenant ("Do or die.") and the New Covenant (God says, "I will do and you will live.") is this special feature. In the New Covenant God is the guarantor and He swears to accomplish it by Himself. This is also the Gospel. So the writer to the Hebrews can say to us, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure . . ..” (Hebrews 6:19, NIV).
How do we know that our hope is secure? "It is steadfast as to its object; it is an anchor that has taken good hold, it enters that which is within the veil; it is an anchor that is cast upon the rock, the Rock of ages. It does not seek to fasten in the sands, but enters within the veil, and fixes there upon Christ; he is the object, he is the anchor—hold of the believer’s hope." [3]
Our salvation is only as secure as Christ is trustworthy.
Father, You have given us several magnanimous examples of faith and patience, trust and perseverance, in Your Word. Undoubtedly most people think of Job and the patient suffering he endured. But there is also Abraham -- quietly trusting and believing Your Promise. He did not believe in vain for You laid Yourself on the line when You promised Him. Your Word is backup up with Your character. But there is no question, the greatest example of trust and hope in You is seen through Your Son and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. “Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.’ ”” (Hebrews 10:5–7, NIV). Grant today this world changing, all-encompassing passion to trust You and obey You, no matter what happens for in the end we will say with Joshua, "You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.” (Joshua 23:14, NIV). Amen.
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1. Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (Heb 6:13). Nashville: T. Nelson.
2. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Heb 6:15). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
3. Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: Complete and unabridged in one volume (2390). Peabody: Hendrickson
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