Why Gods promises are a double guarantee for you: Hebrews 6
- Thad DeBuhr
- Aug 9
- 13 min read
Hebrews 6:13-20
The Main Message: Your hope is a rock-solid anchor for your life, locked into two things that can't change: God's promise and His oath. God basically gave us a double guarantee by swearing on His own name. He's proven He's faithful by keeping His word to Abraham, and now that same promise is fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus is our High Priest, who went straight into God's presence for us, making our future hope secure. This is a good thing and the foundation for our spiritual growth.
Are you a trusting person? When a buddy says, "I promise," do you believe them? Most of us trust the people we know. But what about the folks in charge—CEOs, politicians, or the president? It's pretty rare to find someone who trusts the promises of god from people in high places. So is it any wonder we might have a hard time trusting God, the ultimate authority?
If you've ever doubted God or wondered if He's really going to come through, you're not alone. This struggle is exactly what the author of Hebrews was talking about. Let's dig into this passage and see why God's great promises are a rock-solid foundation for our faith.
Before moving on, pause and read through Hebrews 6:13-20 in a couple of different translations. Choose two from this selection: NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB, NKJV
Setting the Scene: Grounding Your Faith in God's Promises
Today's passage, Hebrews 6:13-20, is a boost of encouragement after some tough talk. In the verses just before this, the author gives a stern warning about getting lazy in your faith. He's like a foreman on a job site, pointing out safety issues but then turning to remind the crew of the company's solid guarantee.
He's telling them to stay on track and follow the example of those who get God's promises because of their faith and endurance. This sets the stage for him to bring up God's promise to Abraham, the father of many nations. By doing this, he's showing his Jewish audience that being a Christian isn't a new religion; it's the fulfillment of the lord’s good promises God made to their own forefathers.
BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO PODCAST THAT GOES DEEPER INTO THIS SECTION OF HEBREWS
See viewer comments and questions on screen at the end of the podcast.
God's Promises: Why Abraham's Story Matters
The author could have used any promise, but he chose Abraham's. This was a powerful move because Abraham was the "founding father" of the Jewish people. The author wanted his readers to know that their faith in Jesus was connected to their own history and heritage. It seems like he hoped this would do three things:
Provide Assurance: The promise to Abraham was Israel's hope. By showing that God’s promise wasn’t just a simple word, but an unbreakable oath, the author gave his readers a double guarantee for their hope in Christ. He wanted to anchor their faith to something that can’t be moved. This assurance is a testament to god’s faithfulness.
Encourage Perseverance: Abraham’s story is about waiting. He got the promise, but it took generations to be fully fulfilled. The author uses Abraham as an example of someone who "patiently waited" and got what was promised, encouraging his audience to stick it out through their own times of trouble. He was telling them that their current struggles were part of the waiting, and God was just as faithful to them as He was to Abraham.
Reinforce Jesus’s Role: The main point is that Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise. The blessing promised to Abraham was for all nations through his "offspring," and the New Testament says Jesus is that offspring. The author was showing that to abandon faith in Jesus would be to abandon the very promise that defined them. The love of god is made manifest through His own son.
The author emphasizes that God's promise to Abraham wasn't just a promise, but was reinforced by an oath. The author explains that an oath was the ultimate guarantee. Since God had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself, making His word of god absolutely unbreakable.
If you're not familiar with Abraham's story, you can explore it in these bible verses:
Genesis 12:1-3: God's initial promise to Abraham.
Genesis 15:1-5: God promises Abraham a son and countless descendants.
Genesis 15:7-21: The covenant ceremony where God alone walks through the divided animals.
Genesis 22:15-18: The final oath God swore by Himself after Abraham's act of faith.
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Rabbit Trail: The Suzerain-Vassal Covenant
To truly grasp the significance of God's oath to Abraham, you need to understand the ancient practice of the suzerain-vassal covenant. This type of treaty was common in the ancient Near East, with origins dating back to the Hittite Empire around the second millennium BC. It was a formal, political contract between a powerful king or empire (the suzerain) and a weaker, dependent nation or city-state (the vassal).
These agreements were not between equals. The suzerain would dictate the terms, which typically included obligations for the vassal, such as paying tribute, providing military support, and swearing loyalty. In return for the vassal's obedience, the suzerain promised protection. The oath-making ceremony for these covenants was powerful and symbolic. A key component involved "cutting a covenant" by having both the suzerain and the vassal walk through the pieces of a sacrificed, split animal. This was a visual, solemn oath that essentially said, "May what happened to this animal happen to me if I break this covenant." We see a biblical example of this type of ceremony in Jeremiah 34:18-20, where the people of Judah made a similar covenant and were later threatened with the curse for breaking it.
God's Incredible Act
Now, let's look at God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15. God tells Abraham to prepare a heifer, a goat, a ram, a turtledove, and a pigeon. Abraham cuts the animals in half and lays the pieces opposite one another. In a normal suzerain-vassal covenant, both parties would walk between the pieces. But here's where God's covenant is radically different: God puts Abraham into a deep sleep. Instead of Abraham walking through the pieces, God alone, represented by a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch, passes between the divided animals. This is the central point the author of Hebrews is making. God is essentially swearing an oath to Himself. He is saying, "I am taking on all the responsibility. My promise doesn’t depend on you; it depends on Me alone."
This is an act of unparalleled grace. God's promise is not conditional on Abraham's performance (or yours).
It is a one-sided, unconditional guarantee sealed by God's character. God takes on the curse for both parties, ensuring that His promise is absolutely unchangeable and unbreakable. This is why the author of Hebrews can say with such confidence that God's oath provides an ultimate, double-guarantee for our hope. Our faith is not based on a contract where we must perfectly obey to get a blessing. Our hope is anchored in a promise that God Himself has sworn to fulfill, regardless of our failures. This is the power of god on full display.
As I've been working on this study guide and reflecting on the "Double-Guaranty" from God, I can't help but think of the rainbow. While the rainbow is not directly related to Hebrews 6:13-20, it is a powerful symbol of God's promise to never again destroy the earth by flood. If one rainbow serves as a reminder of that single promise, a double rainbow could be a beautiful and fitting reminder of the double guarantee of God's promise and His oath to us.
Maybe this will help you begin a new tradition of remembering God's promises and His oath to keep them any time you're blessed to see a double rainbow.
Questions for you to chew on and discuss:
The passage talks about God's unbreakable promise and oath. Think about a time when things in your life felt shaky. How could remembering this have made a difference?
The anchor metaphor is super powerful. What does it mean for your soul to have an anchor that goes all the way into heaven and is secured in Jesus? How can you hold onto that hope every day?
Abraham had to "patiently wait" for God's promise. What are you waiting on God for right now, and what can you learn from Abraham's example of patience?
Journey Group Discussion Starter:
Think about a time you felt like you were in a spiritual storm. Then, talk about how the image of the anchor from Hebrews can help you and your small group weather future storms together.
How to Apply This Today: Putting Your Anchor to Work
The world is full of uncertainty, and it's easy to feel like you're lost at sea. This passage reminds us that our hope isn't in things that change, but in God’s promises, which never will. Here are some tangible ways to apply these truths to your lives today.
1. Rely on God's Promises
God's promises are the anchor line for your soul. When you're feeling anxious, stressed, or worried, you can actively grab hold of them. This isn't just a passive thought; it's a deliberate act of faith.
Real-life Scenario: You've just been laid off from your job. The bills are piling up, and fear is creeping in.
Application: Instead of spiraling into worry, you can actively declare a promise of God. For example, you can remember Matthew 6:26, which says, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Or you can pray, reminding yourself and God of His promise in Philippians 4:19, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." This is about retraining your mind to trust God's word of god more than your fears and your own understanding.
2. Embrace Jesus as Your High Priest
This truth frees you from the burden of feeling like you have to be "good enough" for God. Jesus has already done the work for you. He is our forerunner, our anchor, who has secured our place in heaven. This means you can approach God with confidence, not fear.
Real-life Scenario: You've messed up and feel deep shame and guilt. You think, "God must be so disappointed in me. I can't talk to Him right now."
Application: This is the perfect time to remember Jesus, your High Priest. The veil has been torn (Matthew 27:51). You have direct access to God's throne of grace. Instead of hiding, you can pray and confess your sin, thanking God that Jesus has already paid the price for it. You can approach God with confidence, knowing that He sees you through the righteousness of His Son. This is the ultimate example of god’s grace.
3. Practice Patient Endurance
Abraham's story is a powerful lesson in waiting. He didn't see the full fulfillment of God's promise in his lifetime, but he held onto the promise. Our call is to do the same, trusting that God's timing is perfect. This isn't passive waiting; it's an active, hopeful trust in His character.
Real-life Scenario: You've been praying for a family member to come to faith for years, but nothing seems to be changing. You're starting to feel discouraged and wonder if God is even listening.
Application: This is where you practice patient endurance. You can join others in prayer, knowing that Abraham's story shows us that God works in His own time. You can hold onto the fact that your current struggle is not a sign of God's absence but a test of your faith. Just as Abraham "patiently waited," you can continue to pray, serve, and love your family member, trusting that God is working behind the scenes and will fulfill His promise in His own way.
Feeling like your boat's a bit wobbly? Don't just sit there getting seasick! The best way to secure your anchor is to link up with some fellow sailors. We promise we won't make you walk the plank. If you want to learn more about our journey groups, get connected in one, or learn how to start one, come on over and let's get you anchored in a community that's rowing in the same direction! Head on over to https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups to get started.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW AS A CHRISTIAN
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FAQ Section: A few more questions that come up around Gods promises
Q: What is the greatest promise we have from God?
A: While there are many great promises in the Bible, the greatest promise is the promise of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ. This promise, which is a free gift of God, is the foundation of our faith and offers us great hope for a future with God in the new heaven and new earth.
Q: What is the role of the Holy Spirit in relation to these promises?
A: The Holy Spirit is the one who helps us understand and live out God's promises. He is the spirit of truth who guides us into all truth, convicts us of sin, and empowers us to live a life that produces the fruit of the spirit, such as love, joy, and perfect peace. He is also the guarantee or down payment of our inheritance until we acquire it (Ephesians 1:13-14), sealing our status as a child of God.
Q: Where can I find more examples of God's unfailing love and promises?
A: You can find countless examples of god’s unfailing love and god’s goodness throughout the entire Bible. The Old Testament, in particular, is filled with stories of god’s faithfulness to the Israelites, like His covenant with Noah and His deliverance of the Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians. The new covenants established through Jesus are the ultimate fulfillment of these promises, and you can read all about them in the New Testament, especially in the letters of the apostle Paul.
Q: What is the connection between a "new heart" and God's promises?
A: The promise of a new heart and a new spirit is a significant part of the new covenant (Ezekiel 36:26). God promises to replace our heart of stone with a heart of flesh, enabling us to obey His commands and have a deep relationship with Him. This transformation is a testament to God's steadfast love and the promise of new creation He offers us in Christ.
Q: How do these promises help me in the midst of trouble?
A: In the midst of trouble, God's promises provide a way of escape and a great peace. We can call upon the lord god and be assured that He is the God of all comfort, who will see us through our difficulties. By holding fast to the word of the lord, we can find strength and hope, knowing that our ultimate anchor is secure. We are also reminded that our troubles are but for a little while compared to the glory that awaits us.
EXCITING DREAMS TAKING SHAPE
From road life to dream home base! 🚚➡️🏡 After years of traveling, God led us to an incredible spot in Arizona to build a ministry hub & bless others. You won't believe how it happened! ✨ Watch our new video to see the first glimpse! 👇
For the past three years, Kaila and I have been living life on the road, exploring and serving wherever God leads us. It's been an incredible journey, but carrying everything we own and constantly navigating started us dreaming of something more: a home base. A place to lighten our load, simplify, and most importantly, create a space where we can truly bless others. This video is the first glimpse of that dream!
As full-time traveling missionaries and founders of YourJesusJourney.com, we live on a modest income, relying on the generosity of others to support our three-fold ministry vision: helping people understand the Bible in context, finding Christian friends, and equipping disciple makers. So, you might be wondering, how are we able to pursue something this ambitious? About a year and a half ago, Kaila’s beloved dad passed away. With his passing, Kaila inherited their expansive family home and horse property on the breathtaking North Shore of Lake Superior, in beautiful Ontario—the place she grew up, where she rode her first bike and horse, and learned to drive. After much prayer and seeking God’s guidance, we decided to sell the property. What you see here came as a result of that incredible blessing, and all the work unfolding in the next year or two will also be funded by it.
Ultimately, it’s all God’s money, God’s land, and God’s resources—we simply want to be faithful stewards, investing what He’s entrusted us with to serve our family, friends, and help countless others experience God and the lessons of the Bible in a whole new way. We prayed and searched high and low, from Texas to Idaho, and God consistently drew us back to this breathtaking location in Northwest Arizona. Imagine: a spot overlooking the world's densest Joshua Tree forest, just minutes from the Grand Canyon, with epic mountains in our backyard! Our deepest desire for this place is to be a haven for renewal. A spot where our kids can visit, Kaila's mom can stay, and friends can gather. But even bigger than that, it's a launchpad for new ministry—a place to invite people to rest, recharge, share meals, grow friendships, and truly be renewed in the desert sun. We're already dreaming of leading hikes, teaching Bible lessons, and hosting retreats.
There’s a lot of exciting work ahead, but we're stepping out in faith, trusting God every step of the way. We’re so excited to share this new chapter with our family, friends, and all of you! If you want to learn more about our ministry, please visit YourJesusJourney.com. And if you have any questions, or just want to send your prayers or encouragement, please fill up that comment section or reach out directly at YourJesusJourney@gmail.com.
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