Study Desk

The Certainty of God's Promise

When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,^(v)

saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants."^[d](w)

And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.^(x)

People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.^(y)

Because God wanted to make the unchanging^(z) nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,^(aa) he confirmed it with an oath.

God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,^(ab) we who have fled to take hold of the hope^(ac) set before us may be greatly encouraged.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,^(ad)

where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.^(ae) He has become a high priest^(af) forever, in the order of Melchizedek.^(ag)