Hebrews 11 opens with a powerful definition of faith that sets the tone for the remarkable stories that follow. It's a chapter that takes us on a journey through the lives of legendary figures who embodied unwavering trust in God.
The Reading: Hebrews 11
World English Bible1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.
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2 For by this, the elders obtained testimony.
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3 By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible.
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4 By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks.
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5 By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God.
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6 Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.
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7 By faith, Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
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8 By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went.
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9 By faith, he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.
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10 For he looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
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11 By faith, even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised.
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12 Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.
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13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
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14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
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15 If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return.
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16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
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17 By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his one and only son,
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18 to whom it was said, “your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac”;
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19 concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.
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20 By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.
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21 By faith, Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
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22 By faith, Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave instructions concerning his bones.
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23 By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
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24 By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
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25 choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time;
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26 accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
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27 By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
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28 By faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.
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29 By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.
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30 By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been encircled for seven days.
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31 By faith, Rahab the prostitute, didn’t perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.
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32 What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets;
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33 who, through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
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34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, and caused foreign armies to flee.
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35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
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36 Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment.
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37 They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated
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38 (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth.
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39 These all, having had testimony given to them through their faith, didn’t receive the promise,
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40 God having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
What is Faith?
Hebrews 11 begins by telling us that faith is about assurance and evidence of things we can't see. It's not just about believing - it's a deep-rooted trust in what God has promised.
The Heroes of Faith
The chapter recounts the stories of many people who lived by this faith:
- Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain, gaining God's approval even after his death.
- Enoch was taken away by God because he pleased Him, illustrating the power of living faithfully.
- Noah built an ark based on a warning about a flood that no one else believed in. His faith saved his family and condemned a disbelieving world.
- Abraham, called by God, left everything behind to seek a new homeland, trusting in God's promise of a great nation, even when it seemed impossible.
Generational Faith
Abraham's wife, Sarah, also displayed incredible faith by having a child well past her childbearing years because she believed in God's promise.
- The narrative continues through generations, highlighting the faith of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, each making choices that reflected a deeper understanding of God's plans.
Moses and the Exodus
Moses's life stands out as he chose to forsake a life of luxury in Egypt to align himself with his people. His faith led to miraculous events like the Passover and the crossing of the Red Sea.
Triumphs and Trials
The chapter also mentions lesser-known heroes like Rahab, who, despite her background, acted on faith and saved her family. Some faced great trials, including torture and death, yet remained steadfast, showing the diversity of faith's expression.
Conclusion
Ultimately, these individuals exemplify the strength found in faith. Though they didn't see the full realizations of God's promises in their lifetimes, they embraced them from afar, showing us that faith is a continual journey.
Why It Matters
The Importance of Faith Today
Hebrews 11 teaches us that faith is not a blind leap but a confident assurance grounded in experiences and promises.
- Trusting the Unseen: Just like the heroes of faith, we often face challenges where we must trust in something beyond what we can see or understand. This calls us to ponder: what are we hoping for?
- A Community of Believers: We are not alone in our journeys. This chapter encourages us to share our stories and support each other as we seek to understand and live out our faith.
Seeking a Church Community
If you're looking to deepen your faith and connect with others on a similar journey, consider checking out local congregations. You can find a church near you through the Sancta app, where you can explore various communities and services.
Living as Pilgrims
Finally, remember that like the figures in this chapter, we are all on a journey. Embrace your role as a pilgrim in this world, seeking a better home and encouraging others along the way.
Coming Up Next: Hebrews 12
In the next part of our journey through Hebrews, we'll dive into chapter 12, where we discover how to run the race of faith with endurance. Prepare to be inspired as we learn to look to Jesus as our ultimate example!