V. 13-14 – Last week, we finished by mentioning that he is going to talk about Abraham. That
man lived before the codified Law and no one loomed larger in the history of Israel. His grave is
still considered one of the most holy sites to Jews. Abraham’s life was all about obedience to
God and faith that he would keep his promise (and arguably the consequences of what happens
when we fail to do so). He experienced the goodness and faithfulness of God apart from the Mosaic Law.
It is important to remember that while it was not part of the codified law, he was not
lawless. He wasn’t off consistently living a life or rebellion. He was obedient to whatever God called him to do - despite not having the written law.

The word "greater" here not only has the idea of better, but the concept of time is actually built in
here. There is no one older – he is the originator of life. He is the beginning source.
Swore by himself – this “himself” is such a cool word. It can be singular or plural – he swore by
himself (the Father – but also the notion of the Trinity is built in here as well).

I will bless – He made a promise to Abraham and swore by himself. We swear on sacred books,
on our honor, and some people will say things like, I swear on my mother’s grave – which I have
always thought was kinda strange. However, there is no greater standard than God himself. There is no greater truth. He is the ultimate standard of right and wrong.

We can read these covenant promises to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 (1st covenant), 15:5-21
(renewal of promise), 17:3-8 (renewal before Isaac’s birth) – Isaac is born in Gen. 21, and then
there is another promise in Gen. 22:15-18 (sacrifice on the mountain). So which promise is he
referring to or is it broader? It definitely could be taken in a general sense that God made
promise to multiply Abraham’s descendants (increase them in number), but also the idea that
God will accomplish his goals and plans. However, there is also something more specific here.
Anyone want to guess in which of these instances God specifically told Abraham that he swore

by himself?

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Genesis 22 – this is so important because this account with Isaac is the moment of
complete surrender, trust, and faith on Abraham’s part. This is obedience, rest, believing even
that God could raise Isaac from the dead if needed. This is also intertwined with the sacrifice of
the ram and God’s provision. Abraham believed that God would provide what was needed. God
will provide for himself (22:8). Abraham couldn’t meet God’s demands. Only God could
provide and what a wonderful truth for these believers and us today. God made many promises
to Abraham that he kept. However, this particular promise was a specific reminder not just of
God’s faithfulness, but also his provision when obey and let go, even of the things we love the
most.

This notion of bless is actually part of where we get the word eulogize and has notions such as
benediction associated with it. He will experience the blessing of God, but he will also be
remembered by God. Abraham had to wait for the promise, but God did not forget him.

V. 15 – Now, this statement is interesting because we can point to several moments in
Abraham’s life when he did not exhibit patience. He ran ahead of God more than once and lived
in fear instead of faith as he lied about his relationship with Sara. However, he did persevere. He
did not go back to Haran when things became difficult. However, in the context of the specific
instance when he was called to sacrifice Isaac, he literally received the promise back into his
hands and a foreshadowing of the coming Messiah that would descend from Isaac’s line – in you
all nations shall be blessed. I think we sometimes see
Isaac’s birth as the fulfilment of the promise (and I wouldn’t argue about that interpretation).
However, I think this moment of surrender, as Abraham watched the foreshadowing of Christ die
on that altar with the son of promise standing beside him was the defining moment in Abraham’s
life.

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And this word "obtained" or "attained" is so great. It is the idea that he not only received it but also
has the idea of enjoying the promise. Think about this, in you all nations will be blessed. Can
you imagine when Abraham died and went to Sheol (or Paradise or Abraham's Bosom as it was eventually called) and people from other nations already there and then more
and more proselytes began to arrive over the years. Abraham got to see the promises of God
literally being fulfilled in front of his eyes and continues to see that in heaven today. All nations
have been blessed because of one man’s faithfulness.

V. 16 – Swear by – they swear according to the authority, purity, or a standard that is greater
than themselves – greater than is the same word as greater in v. 13
Oath is final for confirmation – oaths were supposed to be completely unbreakable. They were
the most sacred and the most serious. It basically called on whatever you swore by to bear
witness and follow through if you didn’t keep your word. Confirmation here has the idea of to
make stable and to establish

Depending on the translation you’re reading, this may say to the end of strife or in their
disputes. Strife here has the idea of disobedience, contradictions,
So basically, the author’s argument is that an oath serves the purpose of giving binding terms of
conduct between two parties. If there is a disagreement, they can go back to what was promised
and determine the right thing to do. On a spiritual level, when we obey God, follow through on
our promises, and trust him to fulfill his covenants, he has made, that will end our strife. It puts our
fretting to rest as we trust that God will do what he said. I didn’t say it would end our stress or
change our circumstances. Rather, it will end the anxiety of believing that we must be the ones to
solve the problem. God will provide for himself…

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V. 17 – Wherein – because he made a promise, and because the purpose of an oath is to end
strife, he wants to reveal himself to us. He wants us to know him, his message, and his plan. He
wants us to grasp the unchanging (immutable) nature of his purpose or eternal plan.
Guaranteed - This is a different word for confirmed than what was used in v. 16. This one has the
idea of ratified. However, if you dig into the root word of this term, it actually caries the idea of
arbitration or mediation. It is talking about being in the midst of or among a group. What an
amazing word choice! In one word, the author is getting to the core of his eternal plan. Jesus was
the mediator who came and dwelt among us. He ratified or certified the new covenant by his
death on the cross. He paid the price with his blood and his death. Between God and man –
between our present circumstances and his eternal purpose, he made a mediated oath – and that
mediator, the one who walked on earth is still interceding for us.

I want to mention one more thing here about this word oath. It has the idea of a sacred promise
or even sacred restraint. Is that not an apt picture of mercy? All through the Old Testament, God practiced sacred restraint as he did not pour out his wrath every time someone deserved it. He did pour out all of his wrath on his Son. However, he deals with us according to his mercy and gives us grace.
We are recipients of his grace because of Christ’s death on the cross. The mediator ratified the
covenant or oath when we were helpless to save ourselves.

V. 18 – Two things – there is some debate about what these two things are. However, in context
this seems to be the oath itself and his counsel. Counsel here would contain the idea of his plans,
his will, and even his Word. His promises, his Word, and his nature will never change.
Fled for refuge – escaped or fled away. He is getting ready to talk about an anchor, so this is an
apt precursor. This person is fleeing an attack and battering waves. They are looking for a safe
harbor of escape.

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Strong encouragement – I actually like the King James version here – strong consolation. Strong
here has the idea of mighty, valiant, and powerful. Comfort or consolation is the word Paraklesis.
In John 14:16, Jesus promised that he would send another Comforter – another of the same
essence – that is the root word of this one - parakletos. When Paul talked about the God of all
comfort in 2 Cor. 1:3-7, that is this word - paraklesis. This isn’t just a warm fuzzy feeling. We
are talking about the very indwelling life and sustaining power of the Holy Spirit that is given to
us. We can have strong and mighty consolation because the one providing it is valiant and
omnipotent. The Holy Spirit lacks nothing so he cannot be deficient in his provision of our
needs.

He is our consolation so we can lay hold or hold fast to the hope before us. This is the idea of
seizing, but also retaining. We have the consolation, we have the hope. We are abiding in his
promise and believing him for what he has said. And just so you know this word hope does not
have the idea of wishful thinking. We retain and trust in his promises with eager expectation
and confidence that he will do what he has said.

Set before – this is as an example, the primary/1st , it also carries the idea of a reward. Paul called
this the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14). The high calling is eternal life,
but also knowing him – standing firm – maturing in Christ. The goal is not just to get to
heaven. If you go back a couple of verses, you see this when Paul says, his goal was to know him.

Yes, we endure hardship and trials on our way to heaven. However, he has offered us
abundant life and strong and valiant consolation. Don’t settle for less than what you have been
given – he has given us himself and his resurrection, sustaining life.

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V. 19 – So we have this sure hope – because it is wrapped up in the unshakable person (we’ll
read more about this in Hebrews 12). There is nothing transient or changeable about God. So we
have this anchor, but this also has the idea of that we need him. We cannot survive without his steadfast anchor.
And he is our Anchor for our soul – this word is so full of meaning. It literally can include the idea of soul, life, mind, heart, and spirit. It steadies every facet of our life. Just as the sailors relied on their anchor
to keep them stable when the storms were raging, so we must remember that the hope (both his
promises and his very life in us) set before us is our anchor. However, this is also a vital
reminder that if we try to anchor our heart in Christ while letting our mind wander or we try to
anchor our spirit in Christ but spend our life pursuing the passions of this world, we will not find
the stability and rest we are looking for. It is not a mistake that he chose such a multifaceted
word for soul. We have to let this promise and assurance – this confident expectation rule in
every aspect of our lives or it won’t be effective.

Enters in – goes into the inner place – the picture of the Holy of Holies. This is very specifically
talking about the veil leading to the holy of holies. Apparently, there is a specific Greek word for
that 2nd veil. Almost as if the author is saying, "In case you were wondering how many layers of division he removed or how far he entered, he broke down every wall of division." He passed through the heavens as we read in chapter four. The veil was torn and the separation between us and God was done
away with.

V. 20 – He is our forerunner – This is the only time this word is found in Scripture. And that is
important because sometimes the word forerunner actually carried the idea that they were less
important than the one coming (i.e., there were forerunners that prepared the way for a coming
king). However, this word has the idea of a scout. This is one who prepares the way for those
who come next, but also if you dig further, it is literally where we get the word pro – the first,

being before or above. There is no one greater coming. However, in an incredibly unique way, he is the first of many to come – he is bringing many sons with him to glory.

High Priest forever – this never happened, especially in the day and age of these believers. Rome rarely
allowed one HP to continue indefinitely because they feared they would accrue too much power.
Beyond that, even in Old Testament times the office only lasted until the man died, and they always died.
Order of Melchizedek – we are getting ready to read about this mysterious figure and why God
placed in in exactly the right place and time for this example.