Hebrews 6:13-20
Q.1. Why did God add an oath to the Covenant promise made to Abraham? Under what circumstances did God strengthen His promise? (Heb.6:13-18)
It is impossible for God to lie or break a promise (see Num.23:19). Therefore, what was the point of God adding an oath to His promise? This is the reason – 17 In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the changelessness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, 18 so that by two changeless things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us (Heb.6:17-18). God did that as an act of grace towards promise-breaking people – This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one that enters within the veil. where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever … (Heb.6:19-20). He had first made the offer before Abram left Haran (see Gen.12:1-3), then again even before the childless couple had an heir (see Gen.15:1-6). God further strengthened His promise after Abraham was prepared to offer His heir on Mount Moriah … an offering that God Himself would give at that very place on the same Mount (see Gen.22:15-18; 2 Chr.3:1; Mt.27:33; Lk.23:33).