Day 229, Hebrews 11 
Only after reading the first 10 chapters of Hebrews are we properly
prepared to read Hebrews 11. Now we understand its important context. The
author's intent was to encourage persecuted Jewish believers, who were being
tempted to waver, to imitate the example of familiar Old Testament characters
who held fast in their faith and were ultimately rewarded.
We learn today something that the Old Testament does not reveal: God
accepted Abel's animal sacrifice because of his faith (11:4). Abel had a basis
for his faith, namely, God's clothing of Adam and Eve with animal skins after
their sin. Cain, on the other hand, had no basis to believe that God would
accept his offering of "the fruit of the ground," and he represents the one who
comes to God on the basis of dead works that do not stem from faith.
Noah acted in faith, trusting that God would keep His promise to
flood the earth, and he was saved from God's wrath (11:7), serving as an
example to the readers of Hebrews. Like Noah, believers are now safely in God's
ark, Jesus, as judgment is about to fall on the earth again.
Abraham and Sarah trusted God to give them an inheritance in a land
where they lived as aliens. The Hebrew believers could relate, living as aliens
on the earth, believing that they would one day inherit it from God.
Many of the "faith heroes" mentioned all "died in faith,
without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them
from a distance" (11:13). That is, they had some foresight of the promised
blessings of the gospel, insight that was tragically being missed by
unbelieving Jews. It seems those ancient saints must have had more knowledge of
the future plan of God than we might suppose from reading the Old Testament.
Abraham, for example, "was looking for the city which has foundations, whose
architect and builder is God" (11:10). He knew about the New Jerusalem which is
described to us in the book of Revelation (see also Heb. 13:14). We're looking
forward to that same city.
Abraham's faith was tested, as was the faith of the Hebrew believers.
He believed that God was able to resurrect his son from the dead, just as the
author's readers were required to believe that God resurrected His Son from the
dead (11:17-19).
The life of Moses was also exemplary to Jewish believers. He decided
to follow God, even though it meant denying himself worldly stature and
pleasures. He paid a high price, but his faith was rewarded (11:24-28).
It took faith for all the children of Israel to keep the first
Passover, sacrificing lambs and sprinkling the blood over their doors (11:28).
What seemed completely foolish to the Egyptians paid off for the Israelites
when the destroying angel killed all the firstborn who weren't "under the
blood." Their faith in the blood saved them, just as our faith in the blood of
the Lamb of God saves us.
It took faith to circle Jericho silently for seven days within
earshot of the mocking Jerichoites, but those walls came tumblin' down (11:30).
Rahab, the harlot, found that salvation comes by faith, as she and
her family were the only inhabitants of Jericho to survive the Israelite
onslaught. She trusted the spies' "gospel" and acted accordingly, tying a
scarlet thread in her window, which some say is a symbol of Jesus' blood
flowing down His cross (11:31).
And there are many more excellent Old Testament examples of those
who persevered in faith and whom God rewarded. It was Daniel, of
course, who "shut the mouths of lions" by his faith (11:33). His three
friends "quenched the power of fire" (11:34). The widow of Zarephath (1 Kings
17:17-24) and the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:17-35) "received back their dead
by resurrection" (11:35).
Tradition says that it was Isaiah who was sawn in half for his faith
(11:37). Jeremiah was imprisoned for his, and Zechariah was stoned. This is good
to remember in an age when faith is often being promoted as a means to wealth,
success and victory. The truth is, faith generally precipitates suffering, but
it always ends in blessing. God is a rewarder of those who seek Him (11:6).
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