The writer of Hebrews quotes a phrase that is oft repeated in the Old Testament. God promises that he will never leave nor forsake his people. Just this phrase is enough to still the raging sea of anxiety from within us. However, there is more here. In English if we use double negatives it has a negating effect, but in the Greek language that this was written in it had an emphatic effect. This writer stacks up the negative like a child building a lego tower. He says, “I will never, never leave you and never, never, never forsake you!” What do you suppose his point is here?
The phrase is used at key points in biblical history:
- When Jacob is fearing reprisal from his brother for his wickedness, he has a dream. God reminds him of his promises and that he “will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Gen. 28:15). Jacob’s worry is consoled by God’s Word.
- As Joshua is taking over the command of God’s people and he is going to lead them on a conquest into the promised land, God reminds the new leader, “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you” (Josh. 1:5).
- When David is on his deathbed, he wants to leave his son Solomon with something that will encourage him. So he says this: “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished” (1 Chron. 28:20).
- The prophet Isaiah promises that God will have mercy on his people. He will care for them, and so he promises, “When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them” (Is 41:17).
Promises Are Costly
How can this be? What is the basis for all of this? How can God truly be for us in this way? God always with and for his people? And, we are not very good people either.
Do you remember the words of Jesus Christ on the cross? As he hung there, fixed upon that wooden pole, suspended in air between earth and heaven, writhing with physical pain and being torment by the unleashing of divine wrath. There on Calvary, Jesus Christ was drinking the fully fermented, undiluted cup of God’s wrath against sin. He was looking down the barrel of judgment that was due sin and sinners. He was there, for us. And he said,
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”” (Matthew 27:46)
Jesus was forsaken, abandoned by God, so that his people would never be forsaken or abandoned. God’s promises have blessings and curses attached to them. He bore the curses so that we would get the blessings. God visited him in judgment so that he could visit us in grace.
All of these promises to Jacob, Joshua, David and Israel were tethered to Christ. If he is not abandoned then we cannot be comforted. If the Father does not forsake the Son then he cannot abide with us. God has proven his faithfulness, love, care and promises to us. Picking up on the grammatical force of this verse, the hymn writer said,
