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Promises, Promises! How often have you heard that and nothing is fulfilled. I heard a recent Christmas story. It seems a six-year-old boy went to see Santa and had a question for him. While sitting on Santa’s lap, Santa asked the normal question: Sonny, what do you want for Christmas? Instead of answering this question, the little boy had a question for Santa. He asked if Santa was running for Congress. Santa wanted to know why the boy would ask that question. The little said that Santa was like a person in Congress- because Santa always delivered less than what he promised. Even as much as most like the concept of a Santa who brings gifts, we learn to appreciate the person who always helps people and always keeps their promises. Well, that is God. I have heard that God has made 5,450 promises. No, I didn’t count them. However, while maybe half of them has already been fulfilled, there are still the other half of these promises that God will keep. God always keeps His promises. Let’s look at many of those Promises that God made that has fulfilled.

            Genesis 9:8-17 and 12 God’s Early Promises

       God promised to Noah that He would never destroy the earth again with a flood. As a token of His promise, He made the rainbow. Even though the rainbow is a natural phenomenon today, it must be remembered that it had never rained before this event. God watered the earth with water from beneath. There was never a chance before the flood for there to have ever been a rainbow. It is easy to see the comparison with Jesus Christ as the Redeemer. In Noah’s day people were called to turn from their sins and return to God. When they refused to enter the ark (a sign of trusting God’s Word), they were destroyed in the flood. Today, we are called to repent of our sins and accept Christ as our Savior. Those who have not accepted the Lord will be lost to a Christ-less eternity.

      Another question fits here: How would God bring salvation to a lost, scattered humanity? God could have rescued people from sin any way He wanted, but after using Noah where it seems all have been destroyed by the flood, He chose to make a promise and work with one man, Abram and his descendants. God decided to choose a people for Himself who would do His work of evangelism in the world. So. our story of God’s planned promise for that one man begins in Genesis 12.

God’s Story is one of divine provision for human need and people’s response to that provision. Our greatest need is to be restored to a vibrant relationship with God. This should help us decide whether we are fully willing to trust and obey God. Abram, later to be renamed Abraham, had the same choice. When God called him, Abram moved out in faith from UR to Haran and finally to Canaan. God then established a covenant with Abram, telling him that he would found a great nation. Not only would this nation be blessed, God said, but the other nations of the earth would be blessed through Abram’s descendants. Israel, the nation that would come from Abram, was to follow God and influence those with whom it came in contact. Through Abram’s family tree, Jesus Christ was born to save humanity. Through Christ, people can have a personal relationship with God and be blessed beyond measure. God promise to Abraham was completed.

       The concept of covenant was not new, and it continued promises from God. God made a covenant with Noah before the flood, If he would trust God and come into the ark, then God would preserve his family through the flood (6:18). God made another covenant after the flood: He would never again destroy the earth and life upon it by a flood (9:11). In the first instance the covenant was conditional upon the people sharing in it. The second was an unconditional promise. God’s covenant with Abram had a new and distinctive dimension. God was seeking a faithful people through whom He could do a redemptive work in the world. God promised to bless Abram, but God had one condition: Abram had to do what God wanted him to do. This meant leaving his home and friends and traveling to a new land where God promised to build a great nation from Abram’s family. This same condition was repeated by Jesus when He told the disciples and all others to leave their homes and follow Him. How would we respond to these conditions? (We would be very reluctant at best! It would certainly take a lot of faith.) Abram obeyed, walking away from his home for God’s promise of even greater blessings in the future.

       God may be trying to lead us to a place of greater service and usefulness for Him. The challenge for anyone faced with that type of decision is to not let the comfort and security of one’s present position make one miss God’s plan for them. So, God called Abram to enter into covenant with Him and to become the originator and ancestor of a nation of people who would live in covenant with God. That was a major promise.

Exodus 14:5-6, 13-14, 21-26 God Delivers Another Promise

Think about what our life would be like if God delivered only judgment and not mercy. We are offered God’s mercy just as was the Israelites. As God’s Story continues, the Israelites will experience God’s continued mercy firsthand. Because the Pharaoh decided to go to bring Israel back, he experienced God’s judgment. Pharaoh had not only given Israel permission to go but had ordered them to go. As Pharaoh received reports of the lack of progress on the work that the Israelite “slaves” had been doing, he realized that their departure had done away with the major source of cheap labor. The economic consequences began to sink in and both Pharaoh and his people regretted releasing the Hebrews from slavery. Also, upon hearing that the Israelites were wandering aimlessly, the Pharaoh saw his opportunity to pursue them. The Pharaoh’s intent was to capture them and bring them back using a fast moving chariotry that could overtake the Hebrews.

       Upon learning the Egyptians were in hot pursuit, the Hebrews were losing faith. Moses showed strong leadership when the Israelites complained against him about leading them out of Egypt. Some had convinced themselves they were better off serving the Egyptians. However, Moses calmed the people by promising them they would “never see again” the Egyptians and told them they that the “Lord will fight” for them. Moses was introducing the Hebrews to the concept of holy war- the idea that Yahweh, the Lord of all the earth, would intervene on behalf of His people to deliver them from oppression of heathen armies. The “salvation” of which Moses spoke was used in the sense of military victory. The biblical concept of salvation moves forward from this early meaning to the latter one of spiritual deliverance from sin and death. So, Moses confidently predicate that God was going to win a mighty victory over Pharaoh and that after this, Egypt would no longer be a problem to Israel. This would become a forerunner of God’s promise to be delivered at the time of the Second Coming.

       Why do we sometimes miss “the seas God parts for us”? First, what do you think this means? (It points to the help or solutions that God provides for us.) There was apparently no way of escape, but the Lord opened up a dry path through the sea. Sometimes we find ourselves caught in a problem and see no way out. This story tells us not to panic; God can open up a way- because God’s promises to take care of us who are true believers. The God who created the earth and water performed a mighty miracle at exactly the right time to demonstrate His great power and love for His people.  The Egyptian followed the Israelites to the Red Sea, and they started using the dry path to catch Moses and his group. The power of God intervened and told Moses to raise his staff to bring the water back over the Pharaoh and his chariots. All of the Egyptians were destroyed by water burial of the Red Sea. It has been reported a few years ago that many of the Egyptian’s chariots and weapons were found on the bottom of the Red Sea. The God of Israel (our own true God) had defeated the gods of Egypt. God delivered the Israelites and deliverance is an important feature of God’s Story. So, God is showing His care for His people, His judgment on those who oppressed His people, and His deliverance of His people. This vital relationship between God and His people serves as the central core of God’s Story and His promises, which continues as we enter into this vital relationship of faith.

                              Exodus 29:43-46 Encounter God’s Presence

Now God promised to manifest His presence among the people. Thus, the tabernacle would become the place where Israel’s God revealed Himself and lived among His people. Moreover, God desired for His people to encounter His presence. God Told Moses He would meet with the Israelites at the tabernacle (tent of meeting). The term “meet” carried the idea of an appointment, a set time when people would gather to hear God’s words. As a result of God’s presence, the place would be consecrated, literally “made holy” by God’s glory. God promised the full weight of His majesty on behalf of the people as they met to praise and to thank Him for all He had done for them.

       God promised to consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar. By consecrating, or making things holy, God was instructing what was done there would be acceptable to Him. God also promised to consecrate Aaron and his sons. The priesthood belonged to Aaron and his descendants, as part of God’s ordained purposes for them to serve as priests. However, it is imperative for us to note that Moses, the priests, and Israel were just going through the symbols. The actual consecration of both objects and persons was done by God. His grace made them effective. The purpose of this ritual and this consecration was that God would “dwell among the people of Israel” (v. 45). This ritual was to help them know that He was the God who had redeemed them from Egypt. The final phrase “I am the Lord their God” (v. 46) is uniquely a covenant phrase. Because they were His people through the Exodus and the covenant, they had a special ritual of worship. Why is encountering God’s presence regularly with other believers so important? (Sharing His love, care and promise.)

        2 Samuel 7:11b-17 Establishing an Eternal Kingdom

In a reversal to what David wanted to do for the Lord, the Lord, in these verses, promises “will make a house for you (David)” (v. 11b). Of course, the word “house”, in this case, refers to David’s dynasty. This continues God’s covenant He had made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and all His people who had been part of the covenant community in the past. David was not perfect (as we are Not), but he was loyal to God (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22). The ancient promise to the patriarchs was to find their fulfillment in David. But a new element appears here too. Nathan, from the Lord, promised that David would have that which Saul wanted desperately (1 Sam. 20:31) but did not achieve- a succession of descendants on his throne, a dynasty (2 Sam. 7:11). This promise to David is a promise from which all Christians benefit today and until Christ’s return.

       By this time these events were written, this promise had become fact. These verses were recorded to explain how the dynasty came to be- and why it should be viewed as divinely ordained. The prophecy did not specify which son would follow David, but the Historian writer knew that Solomon was that person. Solomon was authorized to build the house for God that was denied David (v. 13), because David had shed so much blood and waged great wars (1 Chon. 22:6-16). So, in these verses God repeated His promise to David to establish his son’s kingdom forever, using the phrase “the throne of his kingdom”. Three of Jesus’ claims about Himself alluded to verse13. First, Jesus said He would build a temple (John 2:19-22).  Second, Jesus told Pilate His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). Finally, Jesus said His kingdom was eternal (Luke 22:29-30). So, this glimpse into God’s greater purpose was a major turning point in God’s Story. In what ways does this affect one’s personal walk with God? (First, when God repeats something (as He did here), He means it and we need to listen. Then this was a clear promise that God would be with us all the way to eternity, especially since we have Jesus’ words.) 

       Here God is promising His Eternal Kingdom.

                 Jeremiah 29:10-14 The Promise of God

God continued to carry out His plan for His people. God is sovereign and faithful –and here the focus is on how God kept His promise to restore a “remnant”. This is the remnant that returns from a 70-year exile in Babylon to rebuild the temple. Scholars differ on the exact dates of this 70-year period in Babylon. However, it seems most likely to refer to the 70 years between the fall of Assyria and the fall of Babylon (609-539 BC). This seems to be what Jeremiah was saying when he connected the 70 years to Babylon (v.10). But some can make a good case for time being 586-516 BC, the overlapping period that Jerusalem was without a temple. Remember, the temple was the visible symbol of God’s presence. Regardless, all agree that God sent His people to Babylon for a long time, not the short captivity predicted by the false prophets. Jeremiah, in verses 5-9, encourages the “remnant” to prepare for the 70-year exile by building houses, plant gardens, marry, raise children, allow the children to marry, seek Babylon’s welfare (while they were in that land), and finally not to heed the false prophets and diviners. Jeremiah knew the long exile would take its toll on the Jews if they did not try to live as normal lives as possible- because many of them would not live to return from exile. Why do you think it was important that God told Jeremiah the length of the exile? (Think about sitting in constant preparation, likely doing nothing, for a return trip to Jerusalem.)

           So why 70 years?  First, the land (Jerusalem) would have a Sabbath rest (2 Chron. 36:21) – after being “destroyed”. Second God would then “attend to” and “confirm” His “promise” to the people (v.10). God would visit His people and also would confirm His promise, literally His good Word. Notice “you” is plural in verse 10, as God spoke through Jeremiah to His people, not to an individual. The promise was to restore them “to this place” – Jerusalem. We are all encouraged by a leader who stirs us to move ahead, someone who believes we can do the task given and who will be with us all the way. God is that kind of leader. He knows the future and His plans for us are good and full of hope. The “remnant” was being prepared for the heart of God’s Story- the earthly presence of Jesus.

          God did not forget His people, even though they were captives in Babylon. He planned to give them a new beginning with a new purpose- to turn them into new people. In times of dire circumstances, it may appear as though God has forgotten us. But God may be preparing us, as He did the people of Judah, for a new beginning with Him at the center. They could call upon Him with confidence. Although the exiles were in a difficult place, they need not despair because they had God’s presence, the privilege of prayer, and God’s grace. If we seek Him wholeheartedly, He will be found. Neither a strange land, sorrow, perception of problems, nor physical difficulties can break our fellowship with God. We know God restored the “remnant” and He will restore us when we search for Him with all our hearts.  

                This is yet another promise filled in God’s Story.

              Isaiah 9:6-7 Jesus Promised to Us 

As we read in the last section, Isaiah predicted the coming of God’s Son. Isaiah’s prophecy in 9:1-7 was a beacon of hope penetrating deep darkness. God promised to send a light “who” would shine on everyone living in the shadow of death. Isaiah told of God’s promise likely around 730 BC- over seven hundred years before it happened. This prophecy came during the pending attack of the Northern Kingdom of Israel by the Assyrians. Isaiah also had prophesied that Judah’s (Southern Kingdom) destruction would NOT be complete, but the nation’s life would be threatened severely. God said it was time to give His people a promise of hope for the ages. Isaiah presents the events as if it were the time of the child’s arrival (a child will be born for us and a son will be given to us) with an exception of what He will achieve (v. 7), when he says “… there shall be no end” and “from now on and forever”.

Do you know where and by whom the words of verse 6 (of chapter 9) were made famous today? (Handel’s Messiah musical.) One of my many blessings in serving the Lord was when I had the great honor to lead the choir in Klamath Falls, Oregon in 1964 in this marvelous music (while serving in the Air Force). I believe that was one of the major reasons that I have such a fondness for the Book of Isaiah and just had to lead in its study recently. The significance of the promised names in verse 6 relates to those names for God we have studied this month. First, we are told a child would be born to us that would fulfill the promise- not adopted, not grown from an earthly king, and not appointed. To be a “Wonderful Counselor”, He is one who is able to make wise plans and whose wisdom is far beyond human capabilities. To be a “Mighty God”, He is a mighty or heroic warrior, capable of unsurpassed strength or power to accomplish His purposes and promises.  As the “Eternal Father”, He possesses constant love, concern, and provision for His people to fulfill His caring and endless rule. Then finally, the “prince of Peace” tells us of the absence of hostilities but much more than that. It means “completeness”, “soundness”, and ‘welfare”, with health and prosperity included. John 10:10 gives us the promise of a full, rich, joyful life that Jesus gives.

Can there be any doubt that Isaiah was predicting and promising the coming of Jesus? Most of the attention by many concerning Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah centers on Isaiah 53, and certainly it is well-deserved. However, Isaiah tells all of the coming of the Messiah all through his book and no more evident than in Chapter 9. God promised that Jesus’ rule would be “vast” and it would increase as He reigns forever. The last part of verse 7- “The zeal of the Lord of Hosts” ensured the messianic reign would become a reality, where “zeal” means a “glowing fire” and conveys deep feelings. The term “Lord of Hosts” refers to God as the Commander of Heaven’s armies, and heavenly bodies (Rev. 19:14 “the armies of Heaven”).

                   Matthew 1:18-21 Jesus Comes

It is easy to turn the pages of our Bible from Isaiah’s prophecy of the “birth of the child” to Matthew’s account of actual birth of Jesus. Most of the time we read Luke 2:1-14, what we have called the true “Christmas Story”. However, Matthew 1:1-17 carefully trances the lineage from Abraham through David to Joseph. This stressed that Jesus was related to all people by including Rahab and Ruth. This Son of David fulfilled God’s promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 that I mentioned last week, and of course it fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy. Matthew also clearly defines Mary and Joseph’s situation that led up to the birth of Jesus. Matthew tells us Mary had been engaged to Joseph before the pregnancy by the Holy Spirit. The Greek term “engaged” means betrothal. Betrothal among the Jews lasted for a year during which time the man and woman were considered married but did not live together and were not intimate. Divorce was necessary to end the betrothal even though the actual marriage ceremony had not taken place prior to Mary being “found with child of the Holy Ghost” (KJV).

What was the important role that Joseph (part of the lineage that Matthew describes) plays in the story of Jesus’ birth? (God’s message to Joseph was not intended just to save Mary from disgrace, but to save all of humanity.) The angel of the Lord that appeared to Joseph gave him the explanation and confidence to go far out of his comfort zone and believe in God’s wonderful plan. Mary’s pregnancy was the work of God’s creative power through the Spirit. God did what humans could not: He provided the Messiah who would redeem us from enslavement to sin. Joseph played very significant role in this process –not often recognized, albeit a subservient role. A message here for all of us might be to ask the Holy Spirit to be involved in our lives more completely. It is appropriate to say that the Holy Spirit that brought Jesus to earth as a human baby is the same Holy Spirit that resurrected Him on the third day after His crucifixion, and who was given to all of us upon Jesus’ ascension (Acts 1:8). This gives two promises in one! First, the Holy Spirit is promised as Jesus ascends to Heaven and Second, it is the promise of Jesus’ Second Coming.

PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT