Hebrews

Tuesday, 6 November 2018

Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, Hebrews 6:17

The author has just spoken of the fact that, in making an oath, all dispute over a matter is ended. Nothing more can be added to that oath which would make any substantial change in the minds of the one hearing the oath. They simply need to accept what is said and go on from there. And that is an oath among mere men. Now the author applies this indisputable truth to God – “Thus God.” In other words, “If this is surely the case among men, how much more sure is it with God.” From there, he says, “determining to show more abundantly.”

What God does should be sufficient, in and of itself, to confirm that it is the work or word of God. However, there may be a reason why God acts in a manner beyond his initial word or work. In such a case, He will take further action in order to show – even more abundantly – that what He communicates is certain. In this case, it is “to the heirs of promise.” Actually, the Greek places an article before “promise.” It says, “to the heirs of the promise.”

The promise of Messiah was made in Genesis 3:15. There are to be heirs of this promise, or there would be no need for a promise. As Abraham already had Ishmael before Isaac, and because Isaac was to be the son of the promise (of the intended messianic blessings), God had chosen at a certain time to “show more abundantly” to these heirs “the immutability of His counsel.”

God speaks and He is to be taken at His word. However, just as men may doubt the oath made by another man (even though they have accepted that man’s word as settled because it came from him through an oath), man may also doubt God when He speaks. (Hold on – before you deny this, remember that this is a constant and chronic failing of people in the church today. We incessantly doubt the surety of God’s word. We doubt if we are really saved; we doubt if there will really be a rapture; we doubt that God hears our prayers; etc.) And so, in order to not only speak out a word and expect it to be believed, God adds to His initial promise (of Genesis 3:15) in order to show even more abundantly that His counsel is immutable.

Immutable means “unable to change.” In the case of God, He simply is. There is no learning in God, there is no development of any kind, and in fact, there is not even any potential for it. For example, our prayers don’t change God’s mind. Rather, He knew our prayers before we prayed them. Does this mean we don’t need to pray? On the contrary, if we withhold our prayers, God knew beforehand that no prayer would be offered and thus no response will be forthcoming. From our perspective then, prayers have an effect.

Likewise, the plans and purposes for the redemption of man were known, in their fullness, to God before the creation of the world. Abraham was selected before he ever existed for the covenant particular to him. Nothing could change that. However, from Abraham’s perspective, God’s oath confirmed His words to him. This oath then showed Abraham (and those who follow him who are of the promise) “more abundantly” the immutability of His word. And how did God do this? He “confirmed it by an oath.” That is what the author referred to in verses 6:13, 14 where he said –

“He swore by Himself, saying, ‘Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.’”

When man makes an oath, regardless if it is true or not, all dispute is ended. When God, who cannot lie, makes an oath, the surety of its accomplishment is fully grounded in who He is. The oath merely confirms His word more abundantly. This is not for His benefit, but for the benefit of His doubting creatures.

As a point of theology, the word “confirmed” here is found only this one time in the Bible. It signifies “to mediate.” As Charles Ellicott explains, “thus confirms His word, at once the Promiser and the Mediator: God the Promiser (if we may so speak) makes appeal to God the Hearer and Witness of the oath.”

The author of Hebrews is introducing this fact now in order to look forward to another promise that God will make, and which will be explained in Chapter 7. What we have in this promise to Abraham from Genesis is the first example of such a sworn oath by God in the Bible. But another will be discussed (Hebrews 7:14) which points directly to the work of Messiah, who is God. Though this passage seems to be a diversion from the thought about Melchizedek in relation to the High Priesthood of Jesus, it is an integral part of that thought. The author is using the promise to Abraham now in order to show the immutability of His word concerning Christ’s priesthood.

Life application: The oath to Abraham was an added bonus to what was already decided by God in Genesis 3:15. Take all of this in the context of your own personal situation now. God has spoken. His word is recorded for us in the pages of the Bible and what He has said simply is. There is every assurance that the Bible is the word of God and, therefore, we can completely rest in its promises for us. And so, just as God credited righteousness to Abraham for simply hearing and believing, we can have the exact same blessing from God by simply hearing His word and trusting it.

Yes, Lord God! Thank you for the simplicity of the gospel. Thank You that we don’t need to rely on some dubious and unknowable amount of good deeds in order to be saved, but that we are simply pleasing to You by accepting what You have already done in and through Jesus. What an immense and awesome bargain! Amen.

Monday, 5 November 2018

For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. Hebrews 6:16

The word “oath” has an article before it – “the oath.” Further, the word “confirmation” is tied in with “end,” not “oath.” Thus, it more correctly reads, “the oath is the end for confirmation of all controversy.”

With this understanding, the verse can be evaluated properly. Here, the author is showing that the oath made by God, which is recorded in verse 6:14, is an absolute and unconditional thing. First, he shows how things work among men by saying, “For men indeed swear by the greater.” It is an obvious truth which he brings up. It is something universal to humanity.

Everyone follows this precept. When someone wants to confirm their word, they will make an oath and then swear by something greater than themselves in order to make the oath binding. A citizen of Rome would swear by Caesar. A Hindu may swear by Krishna. A person who was known to have loved his mother may swear by his mother’s grave. Someone may swear by their bank account. Whatever it is that is the guarantee for the vow, it is always something of great value to the one swearing and it is a confirmation of their word. Whatever they perceive is the greatest thing to them, that is what their oath is based on.

The idea is that if the word spoken is untrue, then they are binding themselves under that thing – Caesar, Krishna, their dead mother’s honor and memory, or the loss of their treasured money. From that precept, “the oath is the end.” Once the oath is made, there is nothing more which can be added to it which will make it any more sure in the ears of the hearer. The Greek word “end” is found three other times in the New Testament, always in the plural and always speaking of the “ends of the earth [or world].” It is the extremity or conclusion. Here, it is in the singular and it means that there is nothing beyond it; the matter is settled. As the author says, “for confirmation of all controversy.”

When there is a question concerning a matter, the oath is given, and any controversy in the matter is, from that point forward, upheld as established and without later addition or change. With this understanding, the author will next explain the absolutely sure nature of what God said when He spoke out His promise to Abraham.

Life application: It is not wrong for Christians to make vows. This is actually implied in Hebrews 6:16. However, it is important for us to first realize that we are not to make vows based on any part of creation. Here are Jesus’ words on the matter – “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Matthew 5:33-37). The Christian is to be taken at his word. If people don’t see a person of integrity, they will expect an oath, but Jesus says it is not to be this way. Instead, we are to be wholly trustworthy in our dealings, even without our vows. Having said that, to vow on anything less than the name of the Lord is a form of idolatry. To swear on anything in creation is to then elevate that to one’s supposedly highest value, thus diminishing the name of the Lord. For this reason, the Bible offers this directive – “You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name” (Deuteronomy 6:13). This is not a contradiction of Jesus’ words. Rather, when an oath is required by another then that oath is to be made in the name of the Lord only. Nothing less is acceptable because nothing else is eternal and unchanging.

Oh God, help us to be right and upstanding Christians who are so faithful to You that others will accept our words by a simple “Yes” or “No.” If it is necessary because of a legal matter to make an oath, remind us that we are only to do so in Your name. When we place a hand upon the Bible, remind us of the importance of the matter that we are testifying to. Amen.

Sunday, 4 November 2018

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. Hebrews 6:15

The words here must be looked at in the greater picture of what the Bible is revealing. The reason why is because in Hebrews 11:13 we read –

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

The author had been speaking of Abraham receiving an inheritance, something that did not occur during his lifetime. Instead, he remained a pilgrim and a sojourner. The “promise” being referred to here in 6:15 is, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” Abraham and his wife Sarah went many long years without bearing children.

In Genesis 12, at the age of 75, God promised him that He would bless him and make his name great. At God’s word, Abraham set out for the land of Canaan in order to accept what God had promised. In Genesis 15, which was some time later, God appeared again to Abraham and reminded him of the promise. In fact, God cut a covenant with him in a manner which signified the absolute surety of the promise. This is recorded in Genesis 15:9-21. In Genesis 17, God instituted the covenant of circumcision with Abraham and his entire household. This occurred as he was closing in on the age of 100 and his wife was nearing 90. In Genesis 21, the son of promise – Isaac – was born to Abraham at 100. This child came at an age that childbirth was unthinkable; but God was ever-faithful to Abraham and, as this verse says, “after he had patiently endured,” the son came.

This son, Isaac, was to be the one through whom “many descendants” would come. However, in the next chapter – Chapter 22 – God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his own son as an offering of devotion to God. How could the promise of a multiplication of descendants come through Isaac if he was to be sacrificed? The author of Hebrews explains Abraham’s thought processes later, but one thing was sure – Abraham never failed to accept God at His word and he was ever-patient in waiting on the promise. Because of his faithfulness, Abraham is used to this very day as the model of faith.

For now, it is to be understood that Abraham did, in fact, obtain the promise through Isaac. The promise of a son, from his own body and through that of his wife Sarah, was realized in him. From this, Abraham knew that many descendants would follow because Isaac was the pledge guaranteeing it would be so. Further, the hope of Messiah was realized in Isaac as well. Jesus said as much in John 8:56 –

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”

In the birth of Isaac, Abraham surely saw the coming of Messiah and he rejoiced. The promise made at the fall of man would come about. It would come through him, and it would be through the son of promise, Issac. It is in this that “he obtained the promise,” meaning the surety of a multiplication of descendants. The word translated as “obtained” simply means “obtain by ‘lighting upon’ (falling in line with), happening upon; attain to, because at the right point to ‘suitably obtain.’” In other words, the author is stating that Isaac’s birth was the lighting upon what would eventually be fully realized. Further, whether he understood it or not, this vast number would include both physical descendants and those who are adopted into the faith he possessed through their own act of faith (see Galatians 3:29).

Life application: The author is instructing his audience on what was said in verse 6:12 concerning “those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” He is showing that Abraham had to wait about 25 years for this aspect of his life (the birth of Isaac) to come about, but wait patiently he did. If your life seems to be at a standstill, remember Abraham who waited such a long time for the promise. God is not slow in keeping his promises. Nor is He inattentive in His care for His people. We simply need to accept His timing and His perfect wisdom in all things.

O God, be with us and remind us of Your faithfulness as we wait upon You. We’re bound by time and therefore it’s so hard for us to be patient, but this is what Father Abraham was commended for. Help us to receive that same commendation. We can do it with Your gentle reminders that You are there. Thank You, and to Your glory and in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Saturday, 3 November 2018

…saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” Hebrews 6:14

The words of this verse are quoted from Genesis 22 –

“By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— ¹⁷ blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.” Genesis 22:16, 17

There is one noticeable change in the quote, however, from “your descendants” to “you,” but this is a way of highlighting Abraham’s place in the blessing. By multiplying his descendants, he himself is essentially multiplied as well. The concept of such an idea will be more fully revealed in Chapter 7 when dealing with a tenth of the spoils being given to Melchizedek by Abraham. The author will demonstrate that the tithes given to the Levites in Israel many years later are actually paid “through Abraham” to Melchizedek. In that example, the greatness of Melchizedek is highlighted. Here it is Abraham’s greatness which is highlighted, but because Melchizedek is the one who blesses Abraham, and because “the lesser is blessed by the better” (7:7), we are being shown a logical progression of thought which shows the absolute superiority of the priesthood of Christ over the Aaronic priesthood. Christ’s priesthood is “according to the order of Melchizedek” (5:6 & 7:17). The author has not departed from that thought at all, but is carefully making a case that it must be so.

For His own sovereign reasons, God chose Abraham. He knew he was the exact person in that particular place and time who would best suit His plan to 1) preserve the godly line which led to the Messiah, Jesus, and 2) to establish a people that would not only bring in the Messiah, but also who would fulfill His purposes in history in other ways, including Christ’s return to them in the future to reign among them.

It is Abraham who became the father of the Jewish people, but from him descend others who are now a part of the Islamic countries which are found around Israel as well. It was through Isaac that the blessing was reckoned, but Ishmael was also blessed (Genesis 17:10) and became the father of 12 tribes, just as Isaac – through Jacob – became the father of the 12 sons of Israel. In a greater sense though, Abraham has become the father of all the faithful who have been adopted as sons through Jesus (Galatians 4:5 & Ephesians 1:5). It is, therefore, through Jesus that the promise of “many descendants” is truly fulfilled. All nations on earth are blessed through Abraham because of Him. In essence, like all things, the blessing comes from God and is fulfilled by God through Jesus. As it says elsewhere –

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 11:36

Life application: God initiates all good things, they proceed through Him, and they are for Him. All things are a part of His glorious plan, and in the end, all people will glorify Him for what He has done in human history. In the coming days, great battles and sorrows will come to the sons of Abraham who are sons through the flesh only, and not through the acceptance of Jesus. This time of trouble will result in a world of great distress, but Jesus will return to rule and to weed out all unrighteousness. Until this time of trouble comes though, it is the duty of all Christians to lead the natural sons of Abraham to an understanding of his greatest Son, Jesus. Let us not waiver in our duty.

Lord God, You promised to bless Abraham and give him “many descendants” but no one could have imagined the world full of people – both through the flesh and through adoption – who would become his sons. Just as we have been adopted into the family of faith, help us to teach the natural sons of Abraham about his greatest Son, our Lord Jesus. Amen.

Friday, 2 November 2018

For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, Hebrews 6:13

The author will now spend several verses explaining the surety of God’s promises to His people. The word, “For,” is based first on the thought of verse 6:9 which spoke of the surety of the author concerning the “better things” which “accompany salvation” in his audience. It is then secondly based on the completion of that thought which is found in verse 6:12 concerning those who “inherit the promises.” Thus, what will be presented from this verse until the end of the chapter are words confirming that God is trustworthy in accomplishing those things which have been promised. With this understanding, he says, “For when God made a promise to Abraham.”

The author mentions Abraham, of whom he will mention ten times in the epistle. The final two times (verses 11:8 and 11:17) are those which speak of the faith of Abraham. He was given promises, and he looked forward to the fulfillment of them, despite the difficulty of being able to see how what was said to him could be of benefit to him in any immediate sense. In other words, Abraham had to simply trust what the Lord was saying was best, and to act upon that word in faith. But Abraham understood that God is God, and the author, knowing that Abraham possessed that firm knowledge, next says, “because He could swear by no one greater.”

Because God is God, there is none before Him, and there is none greater than Him. He is the Source of all other things. Therefore, unlike man who swears upon something greater than himself in order to confirm an oath, God cannot do this. Instead, “He swore by Himself.”

As God created time, space, and matter, everything about Him simply is. There is no change in God of any kind – such as growth or progression. He is before all things and all things are held together by Him. He is of infinite worth and His word is. In other words, His word is truth in the ultimate sense. At one point in the stream of human history, God chose to speak to one man a promise of blessing that would be to all peoples through his seed. This became known as the Abrahamic covenant.

Like other covenants God has made, they simply are. When the promise is made, it can never change and never be added to or subtracted from. Some of the other covenants which are noted in redemptive history are the Edenic (Eden) Covenant; the Adamic (to Adam) Covenant; the Noahic (to Noah) Covenant; the Mosaic (to Moses) Covenant; the Land (particular to the land and people Israel) Covenant; the Davidic (to David) Covenant; and the New Covenant (which came through Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary).

These often came with conditions – such as obedience on the part of the recipient – but some came unconditionally. However, no matter whether conditional or unconditional, when God speaks, He will fulfill His part of the bargain. It is man who can, and often does, fail to meet his part of the agreement. In the case of the Abrahamic covenant, no conditions were made for man’s obedience. God swore a promise that was unbreakable –

I swear by myself, declares the LORD… Genesis 22:16

The author uses this promise to establish an understanding of God’s nature and to complete the thought which is coming in the rest of the chapter. Though this passage is citing words from Genesis 22, it is built upon the relationship of promise which began in Genesis 12:3, and which was then expanded on in Genesis 15. The interactions between God and Abraham are given to demonstrate the surety of God’s word to His people.

Life application: People often debate the doctrine of eternal salvation, as if it is either an incorrect doctrine, or that there are various situations which will negate it, even if it is “kind of” true. Such discussions fail to consider the nature of God. In understanding that God’s word stands, and that it cannot be voided, the issue resolves itself. If God says that salvation is by grace through faith, and that it is procured by faith in Jesus (Romans 10:9, 10), and that, when that faith is exercised, the Holy Spirit is given as a guarantee (Ephesians 1:13, 14), it then becomes impossible that the salvation which is granted could be then be lost. Those who teach that one can lose their salvation do so because they do not understand the nature of God. They believe in a vacillating God who changes His mind, and who makes decisions which are arbitrary and conditional. This is not the God of the Bible. If you struggle with this doctrine, you need to consider God, not your own (or others’) failings. In doing so, you need no longer struggle with it. God has spoken the word of salvation. It is based on faith, and it is eternal.

One thing we can do, even in our weakness, O God, is to trust that your promises are true. Your very nature assures us and reassures us that every word spoken by You will come to fruition. For this, we thank You and praise You, O King of the ages. Amen.