What God can do through people of faith!

The focus of Hebrews 11:17-31 is on the patriarchs, specifically Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph in verses 17-22. The second focus will be on Exodus to the Fall of Jericho which will include Moses, the Israelites and Rahab. This blog can’t do justice to these passages but the hopefully you will turn to the website and dig into the stories of faithful people serving our faithful God.

The issue of faith as commitment to the unseen is evident throughout chapter 11. Raymond Brown, This section resumes the exposition of faithful exploits . . . They illustrate the power of the promise and the role of faith, both in receiving God’s promises and in anticipating them. Some heroes were delivered through trials and others persevered through intense persecution. But, all kept their eyes on the promises of God.

Abraham was the only one described as being tested by God. The test was severe, possibly beyond what we would consider appropriate. William L. Lane, When Abraham obeyed God’s mandate to leave Ur, he simply gave up his past. But when he was summoned to Mount Moriah to deliver his own son to God, he was asked to surrender his future as well . . . He appears to have understood intuitively that the obedience of faith called for an allegiance to God that extended beyond even the most intimate of family ties . . . Are we prepared for such a trial? I believe we are prepared by our loving Father for whatever He has for us. But, you might think the thought of Warren Wiersbe, Why would God want Abraham to sacrifice his son when it was the Lord who gave him that son? All of a future nation’s promises were wrapped up in Isaac. The older I get, the more I accept the statement by William Barclay, If we take God at his word and stake everything on him, even when there seems to be nothing but a blank wall in front of us, the way of escape will open up.

Isaac, Jacob and Joseph are found in this section. Consider the summary by William Barclay, The point which the writer to the Hebrews wishes to make is that all three men died without having entered into the promise that God had made, the promise of the promised land and of greatness to the nation of Israel. Isaac was still a nomad, Jacob was an exile in Egypt, Joseph had attained to greatness but it was the greatness of a stranger in a strange land; and yet they never doubted that the promise would come true. They died not in despair but in hope. Their faith defeated death. Too often, we believe all of God’s promises are for today. Yet, some are for tomorrow and others are for eternity. The promises enable us to focus on the unseen but our hope is in the God who keeps His promises.

The story of Moses is one of mercy, grace, and hope. Zane Hodges, With this transition to the life of Moses, the writer began to focus on the way faith confronts opposition and hostility, a subject familiar to his readers. . . It was by faith that Moses was hidden by his parents and his life was thus preserved. . . . Delighted by the precious gift of a son which God had given them, they evidently believed God had something better for this lovely baby than death. Moses was a man of privilege who chose promises instilled in him by his parents. Thomas Constable, Moses had a true appreciation for the promises of God. This led him to choose the reward associated with Israel’s promised Messiah over the temporary material wealth he could have enjoyed had he stayed in Egypt. I was convicted as I read a quote by R. Kent Hughes, I personally believe that seeing “him who is invisible” is not extraordinary. Rather, it is ordinary, normal Christianity. Moses, as well as every other person in The Hall of Faith saw clearly by faith what makes an eternal difference.

The Israelites were examples of those who can be transformed by the example of another. There was much lack of faith in the Israelites. But, after 40 years in the wilderness there was a group who saw what Moses had seen, a God faithful in all of His promises. R. Kent Hughes, One man’s faith can be so authentic and effectual that it can elevate a whole people and secure their deliverance! I appreciate the quote by Ray Stedman, God does not send believers out into a sea of trouble to drown; his promise is to see them through to the other side.

Rahab was a Gentile and a prostitute who bought into the promises of God. William L. Lane, Although a foreigner to the covenant people, she manifested a faith that was oriented toward the future and that found specific content in the acts of the God of Israel (Josh 2:11). She was prepared to assume present peril for the sake of future preservation (Joshua 2:12–16). Too often, we can mistakenly assume that we have found favor with God based on our goodness. Rahab should be a reminder that our favor has been received solely from our good God . Ray Stedman emphasizes the depth of God’s love for all those who come to him by faith as seen in Rahab, She went on to marry Salmon and became the mother of Boaz, and thus the great-grandmother of David. Faith overcame a sinful life, delivered her from a pagan religion. Also, Warren Wiersbe, Imagine a pagan harlot becoming a part of the ancestry of Jesus Christ! That is what faith can do!

A person can’t spend too much time in Hebrews 11. I hope you will take time to review the entire 40 verses under the Books of the Bible tab. There are 29 pages of quotes and comments in the outline which look to faith as the basis on which life must be lived. Consider a reason proposed by Thomas Constable, God intended this wonderful chapter to encourage us to continue to trust and obey Him in the midst of temptations to turn away from following Him faithfully.

A Faith Worthy of the Hall of Faith!

Chapter 11 of Hebrews is a tremendous passage. It is easy to read through it and identify people and events selected for the Hall of Faith. It is extremely beneficial to read about the people’s activities with a focus on the principles of their faith which led them to live they way they did. Their principles of faith are identical to the those needed by you and me. Douglas Mangum, In this brief paragraph the author breaks from his survey of biblical history. He steps back to comment on the meaning of the patriarch’s hope in a heavenly home. I hope this brief blog on Hebrews 11:13-16 will encourage us to deepen our faith in our great God and our hope in our heavenly home.

The primary focus of verses 13-16 is on Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Jacob, the patriarchs. These rich verses give us a glimpse of God-pleasing faith. I believe these verses reveal 5 components of patriarchal faith which we should aspire to attain. First, they were confident in their faith (13a), These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar. They died not wavering in their trust in God’s promises. William L. Lane, Their attitude was informed not by reason nor experience but by faith. A vibrant and true faith does not require complete fulfillment of God’s promises in our earthly existence. Consider the wise counsel of John Calvin, God gave to the fathers only a foretaste of his favour, which is poured out generously upon us … yet they were satisfied and never fell from their faith … If we fail we are doubly without excuse … how great will be our idleness if we grow tired of believing when the Lord supports us with so many helps?

Second, they gave testimony to their faith (13b), and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. R. Kent Hughes, They embraced the life of a pilgrim as the only proper way for them to live. Such an existence was extremely difficult as noted by William Barclay, In the ancient world, the fate of strangers was hard. They were regarded with hatred and suspicion and contempt . . . All their lives, the patriarchs were foreigners in a land that was never their own . . . Despite their position in society, they gave testimony to their faith which looked to the future with keen anticipation. Raymond Brown, Faith refuses to be silent. It must share its testimony with others.

Third, they had a faithful purpose (14), For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. William Barclay, It was not that the Christians were foolishly other-worldly, detaching themselves from the life and work of this world; but they always remembered that they were people on the way. We are reminded to have the same attitude in Philippians 3:20, But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. As Christians, our faith is not primarily on what God is doing for us here but what He is preparing for us in the future. It is a John Bunyan type of faith that was headed to the heavenly city.

Fourth, they had a faith that did not waver (15), If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. William Barclay, Their descendants, when they were in the desert, often expressed a wish to go back to the fleshpots of Egypt. But not the patriarchs. They had begun, and it never struck them to turn back. William L. Lane, If they had not regulated their lives in accordance with faith, the experience of alienation in the promised land would have provided an incentive for turning back. A healthy faith is one focused on the big picture - God’s promises of eternal life in a heavenly home in His presence. William Barclay, Above all things, he is the God of the brave adventurer. He loves the person who is ready to venture for his name.

Fifth, they had a faith God honors and rewards (16), But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. Their faith was God-centered, not just in what He can do but in who He is - faithful, true, holy, righteous, just. Raymond Brown, The man or woman of faith has the ability to distinguish between good and evil, eternal and temporal, permanent and perishable . . . A God-honoring faith is not self-centered but God-centered. R. Kent Hughes, No higher tribute could be paid to any mortal. He is speaking of God declaring that He is not ashamed to be called their God. There is no thought more exciting than to stand before the Lord Jesus and He says, Well done, good and faithful servant. Maybe there is one more, when God the Father declares, I am not ashamed to be called your God.

Faith is not based on opinion. It is not based on consensus. It is based on faith in the promises of God. Thomas Constable affirms the faith of the patriarchs, In every case God approved and rewarded the continuing faith of the faithful. Join me in the study of God’s Word under the Books of the Bible tab. My desire for every Christian is that our faith deepens to the type of faith that places us in the Hall of Faith.

Be a Hero!

Raymond Brown expresses well the value of Hebrews 11, We have now come to one of the most familiar chapters of the Bible. Even Christians who find some of the earlier teaching of this letter difficult to understand turn to this chapter for help, especially in times of crisis or when their own faith seems weak. And they do not go away disappointed. Many of us have probably quickly read through Hebrews 11:1-3 on our way to the list of the heroes of the faith in verses 4-38. We do ourselves a disservice by not slowing down and reading those three introductory verses.

The writer introduces this section by describing faith as that which keeps Christians from apostasy. Donald Hagner, This list of heroes is meant to provide the readers with strength and encouragement in their own difficult circumstances. According to our author, if there is a key to unlock the gate to effective Christian existence, it is to be found in the reality and the motivating power of faith.

What is it about faith that can turn mortal humans into heroes of the faith? We must never forget that the value of faith depends on whom or in what our faith is placed? Those Hebrews as well as each of us must never forget that the power of faith is not based on my strength or perseverance but on Jesus Christ in whom one must place faith in Him alone. Zane Hodges, . . . it is faith that underlies the experience of the heroes of Old Testament history. Since these people experienced faith, so could his readers.

Verses 1-3 are not necessarily a definition of faith but a description of faith. Raymond Brown, In this chapter, as elsewhere, faith is man’s response to what God has said. It takes seriously the message of God’s revealed truth in holy Scripture. It does not merely agree with God’s word, but acts upon it.

In these opening verses of chapter 11 we read that faith may be described by two words, assurance and conviction. Faith is demonstrated by the assurance of things hoped for and by the conviction of things not seen. There are differences of opinion concerning the proper understanding of these two words.

Some believe they have a subjective meaning but others emphasize an objective meaning. Subjectively, assurance is viewed as an inner certainty of things hoped for. Objectively, assurance is the basis or foundation of things hoped for. For conviction, the subjective meaning is an inner certainty of things not seen. Objectively, it is usually translated as evidence and means the action produced by faith which proves the reality of things not seen. I believe there is room for both. Faith is founded on fact but must be personally applied.

Those listed in the hall of faith had hope not controlled by sight but by assurance and confidence. William Barclay, It is easy to argue: ‘Why should I refuse the pleasure of the moment for an uncertain future?’ The Christian answer is that the future is not uncertain because it belongs to God; and it is enough that God has commanded and that God has promised. Raymond Brown, The ‘faithful’ characters arrayed in chapter 11 did not simply live for the passing moment; they realized that there was far more to life than the immediate and temporary scene.

Some things for which those Christians hoped for should be the same for us.

• Christ’s return, Titus 2:13, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory

of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ;

• Resurrection, 1 Peter 1:3, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead;

• Glorification, 1 John 3:2, Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be

has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him,

because we shall see him as he is.

B. F. Westcott caught the essence of these 3 verses, . . . the future and the unseen can be made real by faith.

The writer of Hebrews gave an example of faith in things hoped for and of things not seen - creation. Douglas Mangum, At its most basic core, Christian faith is rooted in God as Creator. Everything that is now visible was once invisible. All that exists came into existence by the sovereign word of the Lord. The only way to understand these profound cosmic realities is by faith.

Such faith was and is commended by God. Faith starts with belief, moves to trust which results in obedience. The greatest moment we could ever imagine would be when we stand before God and He says to you and me, Well done, good and faithful servant.

J. Oswald Sanders, Faith enables the believing soul to treat the future as present and the invisible as seen. Join me in the study of God’s Word under the Books of the Bible tab. Let’s be encouraged by the faith of others as we seek to be faithful, as well.