Hebrews 6:13-20 “God’s Promise and Oath”

Hebrews 6:13-20 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Promises – Maverick City Music
• Chris Tomlin – Yes And Amen
• The Solid Rock (My Hope is Built) | Reawaken Hymns
• Standing on the Promises | (Korean Hymn Ramake w/ ENG SUB)

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• God’s Promise for Abraham | Stories of the Bible – Lesson for Kids
• Father Abraham (song with motions) by Listener Kids
• Trust in You Lord – Song for Kids (Fast)
• I Will Trust in You – Song for Kids (Slow)
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

Earlier, the author stated, “We want you to imitate those who, through faith and patience, inherit what has been promised” (verse 12). Following this, the author presents Abraham as an example of such a person. God called Abraham and gave him a promise, and when Abraham obeyed God’s command to sacrifice his one and only son, God swore that He would surely fulfill that promise (Genesis 22:17). An oath is made by invoking someone greater than oneself. Since God is the highest being, He swore by Himself (verses 13-14).

Abraham believed in God’s promise and waited patiently for it to be fulfilled. In the end, “after waiting patiently” (verse 15), he witnessed the fulfillment of that promise. Earlier, the author spoke of “faith and patience” (verse 12), and Abraham exemplified this by completing his journey of faith with perseverance. God kept His oath (verse 16). Through this, God confirmed that He will surely fulfill the promises He has given to believers (verse 17). The “two unchangeable things” (verse 18) — that God is the one who makes promises with a plan for salvation and that He faithfully fulfills those promises — provide great comfort to believers.

Here, the author describes believers as “those who have fled to take hold of the hope set before them.” The phrase “fled from the world” does not mean escaping from reality. In chapter 11, the author refers to believers as “people who are looking for a country of their own” (verse 14). To believe means to place one’s ultimate hope in God’s kingdom. Thus, while believers “live in the world,” they do not “belong to the world” (John 17:16).

What believers hope for are the “things hoped for” and the “things unseen” (Hebrews 11:1). Because of this, believers need firm assurance regarding that hope. Therefore, God made a promise and a covenant with Abraham. This serves as an “anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (verse 19) for believers. The “curtain” refers to the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place in the temple. Here, it symbolizes the barrier between God’s kingdom and humanity. By dying on the cross, Jesus tore down that curtain and entered God’s sanctuary, becoming the “high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek” (verse 20). Through him, we, too, have been granted access beyond the curtain into God’s presence.

Meditation:

While walking the path of faith, when facing hardships, we are encouraged to rely on God’s faithfulness and to pay attention to those who have already completed the journey of faith. In Hebrews 11, the author lists the names of such individuals to inspire and encourage readers. In this passage, Abraham is presented as an example of faith.

God gave Abraham a promise that seemed entirely unrealistic. Both Abraham and his wife Sarah found it difficult to believe that promise. Yet, God remained faithful and ultimately fulfilled it. When Abraham obeyed God’s command to offer Isaac as a burnt offering, God reaffirmed His promise to make Abraham’s descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. The author interprets this promise as an oath — a declaration that just as God has kept His promises in the past, He will undoubtedly continue to fulfill them in the future.

A “promise” refers to a declared intention — a plan about what will be done in the future. An “oath” is a solemn promise that the declared plan will be fulfilled. When we say, “God is the One who makes promises,” it means He has a grand design for the entire universe and the course of human history. This reflects God’s providence. When we say, “God has sworn an oath,” it means He will undoubtedly fulfill what He has promised. This reflects God’s faithfulness. Through Abraham, God demonstrated that He has a specific plan for each individual and that He is committed to bringing that plan to completion.

For Abraham’s descendants — those who live by faith — these are the “two unchangeable things.” When believers understand this truth, they can endure hardship on their journey of faith with patience (verse 15) and ultimately enter “beyond the curtain,” standing in the Most Holy Place (Hebrews 10:19).

Prayer:

Lord, who was crucified and died to remove the temple veil, We thank you for allowing us to stand in the Most Holy Place — that sacred and holy ground. As we carry the presence of the Most Holy Place in our hearts while living in this sin-filled world, help us fix our eyes on your promises and oaths. May the holy place we hold in our hearts become our reality when we finally see you face to face. Guide us faithfully on our journey of faith until that day comes. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God Always Keeps His Promises. Even when things seem impossible or hard to understand, we can trust that God has a plan for our lives — and He will always keep His promises. Just as Abraham trusted God, we can have faith that God is faithful, regardless of what happens.

• For Preschool-Lower Elementary
  • What is a promise? Have you ever made a promise to someone?
  • Abraham trusted God even when things seemed impossible. How can you trust God when you’re scared or unsure?
• For Upper Elementary-Middle School
  • Abraham waited a long time for God’s promise to come true. What is something you’ve had to wait for that tested your patience?
  • When you face challenges, what helps you keep trusting God’s promises?
• For High School
  • The Bible says Jesus tore down the curtain that separated people from God. What do you think that means for your relationship with God today?
  • Abraham trusted God even when he didn’t fully understand the plan. How can you practice trusting God in situations that feel uncertain or confusing?

Activity Idea (For All Ages) – Promise Anchor Craft:

• Provide each person with a paper cut-out of an anchor.
• On the anchor, have them write or draw one of God’s promises (e.g., “I will always be with you,” “I have a good plan for you,” etc.).
• Encourage them to decorate the anchor and hang it in their room as a reminder that God’s promises are strong and secure — like an anchor that holds a ship steady in a storm.