Dear Student of the Word,
It's time once again to look at our New Testament study as we continue our work in Hebrews. In this particular installment, the writer continued his appeal for believing Jews not to return to Judaism, clearly explaining that would not be progress, but a step back spiritually. The author was clear that Jesus was and is the only way to God, and that the work He does in heaven is important as He intercedes on our behalf. This week I wrote in day three of this seven-day study that you can download below:
Study Four, Day Three
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants." 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. 16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.
6:13 – In the previous verse, you were urged to learn from those who had obtained God’s promises through faith and patience. In this verse, you are specifically directed to consider Abraham. While church history can provide many examples of faith and endurance, the Bible still provides the best examples. Did you know that it is possible to be mentored and coached by a biblical character?
If you are attracted to a certain person in the Bible, there is a reason you are. Read everything that the Bible says about them, then read what the commentaries say. During your times of meditation, visualize those characters and let them “speak” to your particular situation, ministry or crisis. You will begin to think and act like them because the Spirit, who is present in your life, was present in their lives to make them the people you are studying.
Who are your heroes in the Bible? Why not consider a comprehensive study of those characeters, no matter how long it takes? When you do this, in some sense they will actually mentor you, for God will use them to help shape you into the person He wants you to be.
6:14 – God swore an oath by Himself since there was no one greater by which He could swear. It is of note that Abraham did not seek the promise; God approached Him to besow on him the promise. Everything begins and ends with God. The same is true for Joseph, Moses, Samuel, and David. Once the promise from God came, however, their lives were changed and they were tested beyond what they ever imagined possible.
Do you have promises God has made to you? Then be prepared to be tested as well. Are you being tested now? Then be encouraged and study the examples of others in the Bible who were tested and endured.
6:15 – Abraham couldn’t do anything but wait. The writer does not mention the time when Abraham did not wait, that being when he took his wife’s maid Hagar and got her pregnant. That decision has had a great impact on history, for the son of that liaison, Ishmael, is the father of the Arabs, enemies of the Jews. I have a friend who wrote a song with a line that states, “There’s only one thing worse than waiting on God and that’s wishing that you did, wishing that you did.” So true!
Are you waiting on the Lord? What are you doing while you wait? I trust you are getting ready for when the promise becomes reality so you can handle and enjoy it.
6:16 – I don’t utter oaths, so this verse is a bit hard for me to understand. I have seen people vow (“I swear to God”) and be lying through their teeth. I have almost always seen their lies exposed, come to think of it. So if you do swear in the name of God, be careful. God is listening.
As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. For additional Bible studies, check out my website archive, which contains a complete collection of all my verse-by-verse New Testament studies, along with the unpublished daily devotional entitled A Daily Taste of Proverbs. Thank you and I hope you continue to enjoy this study of Hebrews from God's word.
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