3335.— What Promise Did Abraham Receive?
By Editor
Will you please give me some light on the harmony of two texts that puzzle me somewhat? Heb. 11:39 and 6:15. What promise did Abraham receive contrary to the text in chapter 11, while Abraham is one of those who have not received the promise, as it seems to me to read? See also chapter 6:12, saying the promises are still future. M. D. M. K. Perhaps our querist has placed too strong a meaning upon the word "obtained." It does not mean the fulfilment of the promise, but the bestowment of God's promise itself. God did not make the promise to one who was unworthy, but Abraham through his faithfulness obtained that promise; that is, the promise that through him and his seed should all the nations of the earth be blessed. Heb. 11:39 refers to the receiving of the things promised. All those great examples of faith that endured to the very end, did not receive the thing promised. They were heirs of the promises, but the inheritance had not come; and so also it was with Abraham, the father of those that believed. And that is all that is stated in Heb. 6:12, 15. The promise was made to him, it belonged to him, and he obtained it; but the inheritance of the things promised he will not receive until the resurrection.