Faith is the response to the promises of God. Among the heroes of faith, Abraham has a prominent place. He is known as the "Father of the faithful".Abraham's faith had three stages. First His faith was awakened by God. Secondly Abraham's faith was disciplined. Thirdly his faith was perfected. Abraham's faith was also associated with those of Sarah, Isaac,Jacob and Joseph. Abraham was an idol worshiper before God appeared to him(Joshua 24:2). By faith Abraham obeyed when God called him(11:8). He went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he lived in the promised land as a foreigner(11:9). He looked for the city which has the foundation whose builder and maker is God. He hoped for God's kingdom. God's kingdom is
"God's people, living in God's place, under God's rule, enjoying God's blessings". He lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob as a stranger and pilgrim. Abraham's heart was set upon the heavenly city, the new Jerusalem. Christ said Abraham rejoiced to see My day(John 8:56). So God was not ashamed to be called the God of Abraham(Ex 3:6).
When Abraham and Sarah were united in faith, they receive the promised son Isaac. How Abraham's faith was tested is explained in chapter 22. God promised Abraham that all nations will be blessed through his son Isaac. Later God asked Abraham to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham believed that God is faithful to raise Isaac from the dead. Figuratively, Abraham did receive back his son from the dead(11:19). Abraham loved God more than his son Isaac(Gen 22:12,16-18). His faith was made complete by his obedience(James 2:22). Abraham learned that God loves those who trust Him and that He is a God of providence(Gen 22:14). He recognized, God as the righteous judge of all earth(Gen 18:25). Abraham is called the prophet and the friend of God(Gen 20:7;Is 41:8; James 2:23). Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Salvation is by faith, but faith finds it's channel of expression through works. Some one said "Faith alone will save but the faith that saves will not be alone". Abraham's experience teaches that trials are there to prove the reality of our faith in God.
The writer associates the faith of Isaac, Jacob and Joseph with the faith of Abraham. All these faithful men died without receiving what God had promised them. but saw it afar off. Isaac, old and blind , saw the future of his children. It was by faith that he blessed his two sons, Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob blessed the two sons of Joseph, believing that God would fulfill His promise to them. He worshiped God for His faithfulness,
leaning on his staff. By faith Joseph spoke about Israels departure from Egypt and commanded them to carry his bones with them,when they depart. So faith looks from a distance and rejoices in the future blessings.
Moses' faith is mentioned with the faith of his parents. Great heroes of faith usually come from godly home.
By faith Moses' parents hid the child believing that God's promise would be fulfilled through him (Genesis 15:13,14). By faith Moses rejected the Egyptian way of life and refused to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. By faith Moses saw that the riches of Christ is far grater than the riches of Egypt. By faith he forsook Egypt. By faith Moses kept the Passover, in obedience to the command of God and Israel was delivered from Egyptian captivity. By faith Israel went right through the red sea to safety.By Faith the wall of Jericho fell. By faith Rahab the harlot was saved from destruction.
Now the writer summarizes the faith of many who deserve recognition. By faith Daniel stopped the mouth of the lion and his three friends were delivered from from the flaming fire. David escaped the javelin of Soul and Elijah was delivered from Jezebel. By faith, women received their dead by resurrection(1 King 17:17-24;
2 King 4:32-37).Many of them were treated as though, they don't deserve to live in this world. Some were slain with the sword(Jer 26:23). Many were tempted to forsake their faith in God. They preferred to die than to become apostates. Isaiah was sawed in half. Zechariah was stoned(2 Chron 24:20,21).They were all examples of faith. Though they received not the promises, they have received God's approval(11:39). For God had planned something better for us so that only together with us, would be made perfect. It does not mean that their blessing is dependent upon our blessing. It simply means that without us, the heroes of the Old Testament could not enter into the blessing of the new covenant which Christ has fulfilled. The writer encourages the readers to endure the trials and remain faithful to Christ. May God help us to follow the example of the heroes of Faith!!
"God's people, living in God's place, under God's rule, enjoying God's blessings". He lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob as a stranger and pilgrim. Abraham's heart was set upon the heavenly city, the new Jerusalem. Christ said Abraham rejoiced to see My day(John 8:56). So God was not ashamed to be called the God of Abraham(Ex 3:6).
When Abraham and Sarah were united in faith, they receive the promised son Isaac. How Abraham's faith was tested is explained in chapter 22. God promised Abraham that all nations will be blessed through his son Isaac. Later God asked Abraham to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham believed that God is faithful to raise Isaac from the dead. Figuratively, Abraham did receive back his son from the dead(11:19). Abraham loved God more than his son Isaac(Gen 22:12,16-18). His faith was made complete by his obedience(James 2:22). Abraham learned that God loves those who trust Him and that He is a God of providence(Gen 22:14). He recognized, God as the righteous judge of all earth(Gen 18:25). Abraham is called the prophet and the friend of God(Gen 20:7;Is 41:8; James 2:23). Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Salvation is by faith, but faith finds it's channel of expression through works. Some one said "Faith alone will save but the faith that saves will not be alone". Abraham's experience teaches that trials are there to prove the reality of our faith in God.
The writer associates the faith of Isaac, Jacob and Joseph with the faith of Abraham. All these faithful men died without receiving what God had promised them. but saw it afar off. Isaac, old and blind , saw the future of his children. It was by faith that he blessed his two sons, Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob blessed the two sons of Joseph, believing that God would fulfill His promise to them. He worshiped God for His faithfulness,
leaning on his staff. By faith Joseph spoke about Israels departure from Egypt and commanded them to carry his bones with them,when they depart. So faith looks from a distance and rejoices in the future blessings.
Moses' faith is mentioned with the faith of his parents. Great heroes of faith usually come from godly home.
By faith Moses' parents hid the child believing that God's promise would be fulfilled through him (Genesis 15:13,14). By faith Moses rejected the Egyptian way of life and refused to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. By faith Moses saw that the riches of Christ is far grater than the riches of Egypt. By faith he forsook Egypt. By faith Moses kept the Passover, in obedience to the command of God and Israel was delivered from Egyptian captivity. By faith Israel went right through the red sea to safety.By Faith the wall of Jericho fell. By faith Rahab the harlot was saved from destruction.
Now the writer summarizes the faith of many who deserve recognition. By faith Daniel stopped the mouth of the lion and his three friends were delivered from from the flaming fire. David escaped the javelin of Soul and Elijah was delivered from Jezebel. By faith, women received their dead by resurrection(1 King 17:17-24;
2 King 4:32-37).Many of them were treated as though, they don't deserve to live in this world. Some were slain with the sword(Jer 26:23). Many were tempted to forsake their faith in God. They preferred to die than to become apostates. Isaiah was sawed in half. Zechariah was stoned(2 Chron 24:20,21).They were all examples of faith. Though they received not the promises, they have received God's approval(11:39). For God had planned something better for us so that only together with us, would be made perfect. It does not mean that their blessing is dependent upon our blessing. It simply means that without us, the heroes of the Old Testament could not enter into the blessing of the new covenant which Christ has fulfilled. The writer encourages the readers to endure the trials and remain faithful to Christ. May God help us to follow the example of the heroes of Faith!!
