Promises, divine

God’s promises are irrevocable

He is absolutely trustworthy

Numbers 23:19 ESV

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

See also Tt 1:2; Heb 6:13–18

He is unchanging

Ps 110:4; Mal 3:6–7; Jas 1:17–18

He has the power and will to fulfil his promises

Isaiah 55:11 ESV

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

See also Ro 4:21

He is faithful in keeping all his promises

Jos 21:45; Jos 23:14–15; 1 Ki 8:56; Ps 145:13; Heb 10:23

His promises stem from his goodness and glory

2 Peter 1:3–4 ESV

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

God may confirm his promises with an oath

Genesis 22:15–18 ESV

And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

See also Ge 26:3; Is 45:23; Am 6:8; Am 8:7

Examples of God’s promises through covenant relationship

Ge 9:8–17 with Noah

With Abraham:

Ge 15:9–21; Ge 17:1–22; Heb 11:8–9; Heb 11:17–19

Ge 26:3–4 with Isaac

With Jacob:

Ge 28:13–15; Ge 46:2–4

With Moses and the Israelites:

Ex 19:1–6; Ex 24:1–8

Nu 25:10–12 with Phinehas

With David:

2 Sa 7:5–16; 1 Ki 8:15; 1 Ki 8:24

Je 31:31–34 with Jeremiah

The grounding of God’s promises in Christ

God’s promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ

2 Corinthians 1:18–20 ESV

As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

See also Mt 5:17; Lk 4:16–21; Ac 2:29–31; Ac 3:21–26; Ac 7:37; Dt 18:15–18; Ac 13:23; Ac 13:32–34; Ac 26:6–7; Ro 1:2–3; Ro 15:8; Heb 9:15

Jesus Christ brings superior promises through the new covenant

Heb 8:6–8 Jesus Christ mediates a covenant of inner transformation, willing obedience, intimate relationship with God and forgiveness of sins forever.

See also Eph 1:13–14; Heb 7:22; Heb 11:13; Heb 11:39–40; 2 Pe 1:1–4

Jesus Christ has the right to make promises on God’s behalf

John 3:34–35 ESV

For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.

See also Jn 1:1–2; Jn 1:14; Jn 8:25–29; Heb 1:1–3

God’s promises must be received by believers

They are received by faith

Galatians 3:22 ESV

But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

See also Jn 1:12; Ro 4:13–16

They are received by perseverance and obedience

Hebrews 10:36 ESV

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

See also Ro 4:19–24; 2 Co 7:1; Heb 6:12

God’s promises unite believing Jews and Gentiles

Ephesians 3:6 ESV

This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

See also Ac 2:38–39; Ro 9:8; Ga 3:29; Ga 4:28; Eph 2:11–18; Heb 11:39–40

Disaster awaits those who reject God’s promises

Jos 23:12–16; Jn 3:18–20; Jn 3:36; 2 Ti 2:11–13; Heb 6:4–12; 2 Pe 3:3–10

Particular promises of God in Christ

The gift of the Holy Spirit

Lk 24:49; Ac 1:4; Ac 2:33; Eph 1:13

The fulness of life and eternal life

2 Ti 1:1; Heb 12:26–28; Jas 1:12; Jas 2:5; 1 Jn 2:25

Resurrection

Jn 5:29; Jn 11:25–26; 1 Co 15:48–57; 2 Co 4:14; 1 Th 4:16

The forgiveness of sins

1 John 1:9 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The presence of God

Ex 3:12; Ex 33:14; Jos 1:9; Is 58:9; Mt 28:20; Heb 13:5

The peace of God

1 Ch 22:9; Ps 85:8; Is 9:6–7; Ro 5:1; Php 4:4–9

Joy in God

Ps 16:11; Ps 132:16; Jn 16:20–24

The knowledge of God

Je 31:33–34; Jn 17:25–26; 1 Jn 5:20