God's Oath

Hebrews 6:16-18 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.
 
ONE of the ways judicial courts confirm a witness’ testimony is to require them to swear an oath to a higher authority. The oath is to confirm what is said and puts an end to all argument. The witness is to be believed.
   When God called Abraham (see previous lesson), God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs. He needed to demonstrate to Abraham that he would fulfill his promises. This was for Abraham’s faith, Israel’s faith and for our faith today. We must know God does what he says.
   But as Abraham waited for the promise of a son, many descendants and possession of the land, his response was, “O Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?” (Genesis 15:9) We might say it this way, “Dear Lord, can I really trust you?” God’s answer was a ceremony of a blood oath: Genesis 15:9 So the Lord said to him, “Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.” 10 Abraham brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. 11 Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abraham drove them away… v. 17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abraham and said, “To your descendants I give this land.” And God concludes this in Genesis 15:19-21 with a very specific description of the land.
   God promised. God confirmed the promise with an oath. There is none greater than God. He spoke his Word, and he demonstrated the power of his Word. Hebrews wanted the Christian Jews to look back on this to know God confirms his promises with a blood oath. Why?
   The cross is God’s blood oath to confirm Jesus is our Lord and Savior. God has spoken many promises. And he has done much to convince us his promises are true. There is no greater authority for his promises than the cross, resurrection and ascension. Our Lord has fulfilled his promises with an unchangeable oath. Confident of our salvation, we have fled from sin to take hold of the hope offered to us. Knowing God’s unchangeable Word, we may be greatly encouraged to know our future is in his hands.