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.