Study of Hebrews
Chapter 11
Chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
| Here is the faith chapter. This is a description of true
faith. True faith will also be accompanied by faithfulness. Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith is powerful in that it sees things that visibly cannot be seen. We know by faith there is a God and that He sent His Son Jesus to save us from sin. It is rare for one living today to have actually seen God or Jesus Christ although some have. If we are blessed with actually seeing Jesus, it would probably be for a reason such has one who is going through severe persecution or someone being called to a special task that would be difficult if they didn't have a vision of the Lord first. The one who hasn't actually seen Jesus is especially blessed for Jesus said at one time, Blessed are they that have not seen and yet believe. When we believe in what we don't see, it is exercising our faith. It is a real substance for it is called, evidence of things not seen. Faith in God can cause the sick to be healed, and if the occasion merits it and it is in the express will of God, even to raise the dead. This kind of faith is gained by prayer and maybe even fasting which if we did, would set us apart from our daily cares and dedicate ourselves wholly to seeking the Lord, not even taking the time to eat. Have you ever had a deep feeling inside that someone you were concerned about, would be okay? That just may be an exercise of faith. Doubt however, is the opposite of faith. Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. God spoke the word and things began to happen. He had to have had faith or else He would not have even spoken the words. Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Here is one interpretation of why Abel had faith. Abel knew that he was part of the fall or a person who needed his sins forgiven. He may have known of the coming Christ who would be the supreme sacrifice for his sins in the future. He knew that without the shedding of blood there was no remission of sins. He gave the best of his flock and offered an offering that was pointing to the salvation to come. He believed this by faith. Faith caused him to offer the right kind of sacrifice. He offered his sacrifice with a heart that was seeking God. Cain lacked faith in the coming promise of the Messiah and was offering a sacrifice of his fruits but lacked faith in what was to come. He was trying to find God by the flesh and not by the spirit. Others say that for some reason Abel had faith and Cain did not. Perhaps Abel gave his best and Cain did not. We don't know for sure but I believe there was more to this that we see from the Genesis account. God saw faith in Abel that He didn't see in Cain. Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Faith seems to be a stronger substance that pleases God more than our doing good works. Good works usually will accompany those of faith though. It was Enoch's faith that caused God to translate him without his naturally death. This may be a hint of the rapture of believers just before or during the future great tribulation. Others believe that Enoch was taken to heaven because he will return to be one of the two witnesses mentioned in the book of Revelation. These two will be killed by the anti-christ. No person having died before would be able to die again (this rules out Moses). But that is speculation. We don't know for sure. Elijah is the only other one to be translated without death. All this was done by faith. God saw their faith and chose them for a special work. Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. God can't reward us if we don't believe in Him. He can't grant us eternal life if we don't believe He is the author of eternal life. We are what we believe. Faith is the thing that pleases God. When He sees us believing in Him, He is pleased. Unbelief grieves Him and if it is present within us, we cannot receive anything from God. Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Just think what would have happened if Noah did not exercise his faith and build that ark. None of us would be here. Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. That really took faith. It is a scary thought to think that God told him to leave his relations behind and go into a land foreign to him. Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. He didn't build houses as we know it trusting in the fact that he would live in the city that God is building. Faith will make us children of Abraham and cause us to inherit that same promise. Even if we are not natural Israel, we become part of Israel by faith when we believe in Jesus Christ. We never replace natural Israel but join with them in this promise. They will be grafted back into the vine and into this promise when the unbelief is removed from their hearts and faith in Christ enters instead. Heb 11:11 Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Heb 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. Abraham and Sarah didn't have any children and they were both old. Sarah tried at one time to "help" God by given her maid to Abraham to conceive a child by the maid but that even shows that she had faith, she was just helping her faith a little. Yet God had greater plans and brought a child by Abraham and Sarah to become heir to the promise. That which was impossible became possible and a great nation emerged from the one child of Isaac. This is why Satan has always desired to destroy this seed. This seed is the one that would bruise the head of Satan. This seed is Jesus Christ. Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. They didn't see the promised Messiah but knew by faith that He was coming. Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. This should still be our desire by faith. We should not be seeking a permanent home here in this life. Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Heb 11:18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Heb 11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. This surely was more faith that I would have had. Heb 11:20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. Heb 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshiped, leaning upon the top of his staff. Heb 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. He knew they would be leaving the bondage of Egypt and he wanted to go with them even after he died. Heb 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. They did this by faith probably God revealed to them that Moses was to be a deliverer. Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; This is what we do when by faith we renounce this present world and sin and serve the living God trusting in Him to bring us eternal life and a better world to come. Moses could have been rich, perhaps a pharaoh of Egypt but he chose to identify with his own people. Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Egypt represents bondage to sin. We now choose to repent of sin and accept Jesus Christ. We can't have both. Moses chose Christ. We must choose Christ also to inherit the promise of eternal life. Its easier to side with the popular opinion and be comfortable. Choosing the way of God often brings reproach and persecution. This takes faith to walk in that way. The godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Moses chose to suffer with his people rather than live in the comforts of the house of Pharaoh. Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. It truly takes faith to choose Christ when one lives among those that reject Him. Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Heb 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. God told Moses how to escape the coming judgment against Egypt and he believed it. Had he not believed, the first born of Israel would have died also. This Passover was symbolic of the shed blood of the Passover lamb, Jesus Christ. Those who had blood on their door posts escaped the death angel's plague of the first born. Those who have the blood of Jesus covering their sins, will escape hell and the future judgment of God. Heb 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting to do were drowned. The Egyptians must have believed the waters would not drown them or they wouldn't have followed them across the sea. So we see a hint that saving faith is a little different than just believing facts. Its not faith in faith or faith in everyday things that saves us but faith in Jesus Christ that saves. True faith in Christ would not be just an outward acknowledging of Him as savior but an inward faith in Him, in His word as truth and accepting Him in our lives. True faith would cause us to repent of sins and believe the gospel fully not holding back anything. If we hold back ourselves that would indicate unbelief. By holding back as an example would be like someone saying he has faith in Christ but ignoring every word Christ ever said. Heb 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. They would have felt silly marching around Jericho for seven days and then nothing happens. It took faith to believe that something would happen. Heb 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. This lady was smart. She had faith to know that Israel was coming and that she and her family would be killed. She took steps by faith to assure her safety. Heb 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Heb 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Heb 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: It takes faith to die for Christ as well as faith to be delivered from death. Heb 11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: Heb 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; Heb 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. There are still beloved brethren and sisters in Christ in many countries who are being tortured, killed and persecuted for preaching the gospel and surely the world is unworthy of just one of them. Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: All this happened to them yet Christ had not yet come in their day. He was yet to come. Yet old testament prophets died believing in the promised one to come. Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. They were given the promises but did not see the fulfillment of the promises. We saw part of the fulfillment in the first coming of Christ. We all will see the final fulfillment at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This makes me feel so humble to think of being included in these promises and the eternal life to come. |
