¹⁶ For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute.

Analogy is a primary communication technique of Scripture writers in talking about God. He is so completely “other,” so transcendent, that the best description of Him involves using humanly recognizable images and concepts. Here in our verse today, God’s promises are likened to a swearing a human oath. Another word for “swear” is to make a covenant or enter into a binding contract. We are familiar with the concept when in a court of law someone takes an oath to tell the truth or when someone places their signature on a written contract. The assurance that a man’s word is good will be enforced by the higher authority, in these two cases the government, which will hold them accountable. All societies hold this in common, though the expression and means of an oath may differ.

God uses this universal human concept to covey the certainty of what He promised to Abraham. But who is the higher authority that holds God responsible? Remember a few verses earlier, we read, “For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself” (Heb 6:13). We must simply take Him at His Word. There is no higher authority to which He must obey or be held accountable. This is where the analogy breaks down (as all human analogies do when speaking of God).

Some people have difficulty at this juncture. God must be held accountable, they think, or what is to keep Him from becoming capricious or self-centered, like the ancient Greek gods who existed to satisfy their own whims, careless of mere human creatures? But, when you look up the ladder of authority and accountability, you finally reach the top—and there is God. He is the self-existing, self-sustaining, ultimate authority. If there was something beyond God to which He must bow, then that thing would be God, and therefore the ultimate authority.

As the ultimate authority, He holds Himself accountable, as it were. And that accountability is to His justice and goodness, His grace and mercy. His ways are perfect and pure. So when God swears by Himself, we can be assured He means what He says, for He is always consistent with Himself. It is a matter of divine integrity. Theologians call this the unity of God; He is one unified whole and it is logically and actually impossible for God to act contrary to what He says. If that were not so, the whole universe would cease to exist.

Lord, since You have kept Your promises to Abraham over 4000 years, I know I can trust You to keep Your promises to me, even when my patience wears thin.