24 The God who made the world and everything in it, who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by human hands, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives life and breath and everything to everyone. 26 From one man he made every nation of the human race to inhabit the entire earth, determining their set times and the fixed limits of the places where they would live, 27 so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. Like most of us, Sarah was looking at God's promise from her limited, human perspective. So that on you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar (Matthew 23:35). He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left. And He can control the future. For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. This is what gained Gods approval, and it was the basis on which they drew near to Him. It occurs 36 times in both epistles, more than in any other Old or New Testament book. Faith is a gift from God. And our text also describes how faith works in the difficult times of mens lives. This spiritual vision is demonstrated in an example recounted in 2 Kings 6:14-17. Romans 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. She believed that God would keep his promise. This first example of faith at work comes as a surprise to me. Noah's life -- his singular, unshakable faith in the midst of a faithless society -- has much to teach us today. ", Heritage Images/Getty Images / Getty Images, Culture Club / Contributor / Getty Images, Jacob - Father of the 12 Tribes of Israel, Joshua - Successful Leader, Faithful Follower, Culture Club / Contributor/Hulton Archive / Getty Images. The English word "faith" (or a cognate) is found most often in Romans and Hebrews. 3 At the designated time Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground for an offering to the Lord. Like many of us, Barak's faith wavered, and he struggled with doubt, yet God saw fit to list this otherwise unrecognized hero in the Bible's Hall of Faith. 18 When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. 6 and he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 to demonstrate in the coming ages the surpassing wealth of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 Now let the king issue a written interdict so that it cannot be altered, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be changed. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version ( 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.). He simply declares that God took Enoch up after He bore witness to the fact that he was pleasing to God. To leave the certainties one knows and go out into what is quite unknownrelying on nothing other than the Word of Godis the essence of faith (Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary, note on Hebrews 11:8). When I read how men like Daniel handled the crises of their lives, I realize that these men consistently walked by faith. It is only God's grace through faith that we are redeemed. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death, and he was not to be found because God took him up. Hebrews 11:33-38 summarizes what these named and unnamed heroes of faith did and what they endured. 8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast. Study more about this vital subject in these articles: Mike Bennett is editorial content manager for the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in the Dallas, Texas, area. Faith means were not sure what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God (which is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed 22 namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe. Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is one of only two women named among the heroes of faith (Some translations, however, render the verse so that only Abraham receives credit. Their faith was rewarded as he was found by Pharaohs daughter and raised in the royal court. Very little else is known about Abel, except that he found favor in God's eyes by offering him a pleasing sacrifice. In the first two verses, the author defines faith for us in two ways: The ultimate promise is resurrection to eternal life as a child of God at Christs return (1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 John 3:2; see our article Purpose of Life). The story begins with Moses parents hiding him to protect him from Pharaohs command to kill all Israelite baby boys (verse 23; Exodus 2:1-10). David (see especially 1 Samuel 16 and 17). . While the writer to the Hebrews underscores the fact that Enoch was taken up to heaven because of his faith, he does not identify or call attention to any particular action on Enochs part that resulted in Gods declaration of his righteousness. We have been living a comfortable life. 4 But Abel brought some of the firstborn of his flock even the fattest of them. 23 Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, the redemption of our bodies. (NLT), Like Abraham, Moses takes a place of prominence in the Hall of Faith. Jephthah was a not-so-well-known Old Testament judge who proved that it's possible to overcome rejection. In the end, the Lord touched Jacob's hip, and he was a broken man, but also a new man. Remember that some of the Hebrews to whom this epistle is written are considering turning back to Judaism, to the Old Covenant, and to the Old Testament priesthood and sacrificial system, as though they were superior to the priesthood of Christ and to the New Covenant, which He inaugurated by the shedding of His precious blood. Moses Moses is also mentioned three times as acting by faith. Though we know God can protect and heal us in any circumstance, we do not know if He will in each situation. And so we read. Faith is confident in unseen things, assured that they are, or will become, a reality. Next, read Hebrews 11:17-32. A Profile of Abraham of the Jewish Nation, Battle of Jericho Bible Story Study Guide, Meet Isaac in the Bible: Abraham's Miracle Son, Enoch in the Bible Was a Man Who Did Not Die, Lessons from the Biblical Story of Noah: A Righteous Man, Lineage of Adam Through Ephraim in Historical Context, General Biblical Studies, Interdenominational Christian Training Center. Faith appears over 200 times in the new testament. These are things for which the Christian eagerly awaits. Enoch (Hebrews 11:5; his story is found in Genesis 5:21-24). Hebrews 11:6 gives another foundational summary statement about faith: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.. 24 For in hope we were saved. Like many of us, he was plagued with doubts and acutely aware of his own weaknesses. We enter God's rest only by believing the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we see in Hebrews 11:32-38, some were rescued or experienced Gods earthly blessings because of faith, while others suffered greatly on earth because of their faith. the massive Pentagon building is visible. But all received Gods approval, and all will experience Gods eternal blessings (11:13-16, 39-40). Some of those who have retired are now thinking about employment to make up for their losses in the stock market. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to various passions and desires, spending our lives in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another. Sometimes their flaws are as memorable as their faith. Samson, the most prominently featured Israelite judge, had a call on his life: to begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines. As we shall soon see in verses 13-16, the Old Testament saints died, assured that they would even yet receive the promises God had made to them. And so it is that the author of Hebrews will say in the very next chapter: 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, 2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. He demonstrated that obedience and respect are the best ways to show God we love him. This chapter plays a very important role in the developing argument of the entire epistle. Faith occurs 24 times in Hebrews chapter 11, and the expression by faith, which first occurs in Hebrews 11:3 is found 19 times in this chapter. Many more examples of faith will follow. Asked By: Jack Jenkins Date: created: Dec 03 2021. Fairchild, Mary. In other words, they walked by faith, not by sight (New Bible Dictionary, Faith, 1982, p. 368). What is faith? As our author states in this chapter, these great men and women of faith continue to speak to us today, long after their death.8 We would do well to listen to them. This is the edited manuscript of Lesson 25 in the series, Near to the Heart of God A Study of the Book of Hebrews, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh on February 1, 2009. Faith is our confidence regarding those things which God has promised, for which we hope, but since these things are future and are spiritual, they are things we cannot see with the human eye. Now hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? In the NIV translation, faith is used 270 times; the derivative faithful is used 83 times; faithfully is used 18 times and faithfulness 59 times. It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He is also part of the Personal Correspondence team of ministers who have the privilege of answering questions sent to Life, Hope & Truth. 3 All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created (John 1:1-3). Pharaoh's daughter is mentioned in 11:24 but only as an illustration . While the people of his day were destroyed by their own selfishness, Samuel stood out as a man of honor. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. In addition, anyone who wants to share the Bible with others can print unlimited copies and give them away free to others. Losing hope, she took matters into her own hands. Hope (Ch. Study more about His amazing promises in our free booklet Gods Purpose for You: Discovering Why You Were Born. Hebrews 11 has much to say to us today as well. 23 See Romans 8:18-25; Hebrews 11:13-16, 39-40. We must acknowledge that we are sinners worthy only of Gods eternal wrath. Introduction: the ancients commended for their faith - but they did not see [its fulfilment - implied] B 11:4-12: Examples of men and women of faith - Abel to Abraham C 11:13-16: Interlude: Pilgrim faith sees beyond the grave B' 11:17-38: Examples of men and women of faith - Abraham to Maccabean revolt: A' 11:39-40 With a brief mention of names which would call up before the minds of his readers achievements almost as wonderful as those on which he has been dwelling, he passes from the elders who received witness from God by their faith, and (Hebrews 11:33-38) speaks in general terms, but all the more distinctly, of the triumphs which faith has won. 24 For in hope we were saved. Our text reminds us that our faith in times of crisis is the outcome of a life that has consistently been lived by faith. By Faith Abraham: Hebrews 11 describes the faith of the three men the Jewish people hold to be the cornerstone of Judaism: Abraham, Moses, and David. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were set in order at Gods command, so that the visible has its origin in the invisible.4 4 By faith Abel5 offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. His story began with Gods command to leave his homeland (Hebrews 11:8; Genesis 12:1-4). 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with endurance (Romans 8:24-25). "Heroes of Faith in the Book of Hebrews." . 16 The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are Gods children. Hebrews 11:13-16 demonstrates how these heroes of faith were motivated by their spiritual vision and steadfast belief in Gods promises: These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. It is not something we can produce on our own . That's an easy way to score rhetorical points, but it's also an anti-intellectual way to shut-down a serious discussion. The Lord is coming with thousands and thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all, and to convict every person of all their thoroughly ungodly deeds that they have committed, and of all the harsh words that ungodly sinners have spoken against him (Jude 14-15).
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