THOSE WHO DID NOT
DRAW BACK
-- HEBREWS 11
The major purpose of the epistle to the Hebrews was to keep
those Hebrew Christians from going into apostasy by relapsing into Judaism. In
the previous chapter the writer said, "the just shall live by faith."
(Hebrews 10:38-39) Now he proceeds to introduce us to a "Hall of
fame" of Old Testament characters who lived by faith.
The thing that kept these Old Testament worthies on the
mark was their "faith." They remained faithful to God even in the
midst of trials, sever persecution and much suffering. It is here that the
Bible writer describes "faith" and shows that it will really work in
life. There is power in faith that keeps our heart focused on God, even in the
midst of trials, hardships or even persecution.
Upon completion of a study of Hebrews 11 we should have a
much greater understanding of the doctrine of "salvation by faith."
An explanation of saving faith -- Hebrews 11:1-3:
The writer described that faith whereby the just man lives in these words,
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) Faith and hope go hand in hand. The things that
are the object of our hope are the result of our faith.
Our eternal salvation depends on the existence of saving
faith and the exercise or practice of that faith. "Faith gives reality or
substance to things hoped for." Faith is that which makes it possible to
see God and His word as reality. Through faith we can live our life in the full
expectation that God will give the good things which He has promised to those
who obey Him.
Concerning God, His word and His way, there is evidence. It
is the evidence of things not seen. This evidence causes the invisible things
concerning God to be just as real to us as those things which we have seen with
our physical eyes. Our faith causes us to feel and act just as if it was before
our very eyes.
The renown of the Old Testament saints was not in that they
lived as long as Methuselah (Genesis 5:27), were as rich as Abraham (Genesis
14:14), or were as strong as Samson (Judges 15). They obtain a good report upon
the account of their faith. We remember Enoch because he walked with God. Abraham’s
name has been on the tongue of every Christian because of his loving obedience
to God. Moses' meekness in serving Jehovah cause us to fondly remember him
Faith begins at the creation. "In the
beginning God created the heaven and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) This is the
very foundation article of our faith -- God is Creator. God framed the world
out of nothing, by His infinite wisdom. The Bible gives us true and exact
account of the origin of all things and that origin is "GOD!"
Some who lived by faith -- Hebrews 11:4-31: The
writer of Hebrews has now set forth what faith is and how faith works. He proceeds
to list a "Hall of fame" of Old Testament characters who lived 'by
faith." These faithful ones are divided into two groups. There are the
names of those who lived by faith and some of the specific things they did.
Then there are those who names are barely mentioned, for a lack of time. Their
faith accomplishments were grouped together. In both groups we observe that
saving faith is always active, obedient faith.
Able worshipped by faith. By his faith Enoch lived in such
a way as to please God. Noah's faith caused him to build an ark on God's terms
and according to God's instructions. Abraham's faith led him to obey God in
leaving his homeland. His faith caused him to, "looked for a city which
hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11:10)
Sara was also cited as one of those who died in faith. God
said, "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." (Hebrews
11:13)
The list of those who lived by faith goes on with those like
Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses. "By faith Moses, when he was come to
years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to
suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin
for a season. (Hebrews 11:24-25)
The nation of
Many suffered for the faith -- Hebrews
11:32-38: Many names were only
mentioned. There was Gedeon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David,
Samuel, and the prophet. These are great servants of God "Who through
faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the
mouths of lions, 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. Women received their dead raised to life again: and
others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a
better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings,
yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 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." (Hebrews
11:33-37)
The writer of the book of Hebrews does not commend all that
these people did. He does not deny that they were very imperfect men, or that
they did many things that were a disappointment to God. He does commend all
their actions which were "by faith." Their focus was on
"a better resurrection." God said the world was not worthy of such
men.
Blessings
of the faith system -- Hebrews 11:39-40: These worthy and godly people obtained a good report with God, but
they did not live long enough to receive the promise of the coming Messiah.
"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made
of a woman, made under the law." (Galatians 4:4) Now, we can be perfected
together by the power of His blood.
We have been given "better things," things that
those Old Testament worthies could only imagine. The "better things,"
are the privilege of seeing those promises fulfilled in the Messiah. We can
enjoy the blessings resulting from His atonement and have the hope of heaven
itself. The teachings of this chapter should encourage us to bear every trial,
and to be ready to lay down our lives for the cause of God.
Many needs exist in our world. No greater need could ever exist than for
people to walk "BY FAITH." Are you a Christian? (Acts 2:36-41.) What
about your daily walk? Is it "by faith?"