Hebrews Chapter Eleven Verses 17-28

HEBREWS CHAPTER ELEVEN VS 17-28 (USING ASV TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 11:17  By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 

Heb 11:18  even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called: 

Heb 11:19  accounting that God is able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a figure receive him back. 

Heb 11:20  By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. 

Heb 11:21  By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 

Heb 11:22  By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 

Heb 11:23  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 

Heb 11:24  By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 

Heb 11:25  choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 

Heb 11:26  accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward. 

Heb 11:27  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Main Point: Faith, that thing that someone believes, should motivate specific action(s). It is not contingent on something seen….but something promised or hoped for.

5. How was faith visible in the following peoples’ lives:

Abraham: In this text we are reminded that Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, “knowing” that God’s promises had to be realized through his son. There are other references to his faith. Notably, he was compliant when told to leave his home and settle somewhere else.  (See Jesus in this story?)

Isaac: Isaac’s blessings and prophecies concerning his sons were based on the promises given to his father.  One of them would become great…and in this case, it was the “supplanter” Jacob. (Who did Jesus supplant?)

Jacob: Jacob’s blessings in this instance were not his own children….and were half GENTILE! The two son paradigm came into focus in the structure of Mosaical life. Levi inherited priestly duties and cities of refuge. With Levi out of the inheritance line for lands, Manasseh and Ephraim gained inheritances for Jacob. So we see that even though Jacob “worshipped” his son (as prophesied in the dream of Joseph)….the lineage of Jacob found favor in the inheritance distribution. (Where is Jesus in this?)  

Joseph: In the text, Joseph was looking forward to the day when the Israelites would leave Egypt and return to the land God had promised. (Ok, if you don’t see Jesus in this story, we need to talk). Joseph led an exemplary life of faith, evidenced by his trust in God….his dream interpretations….refusing Potiphar’s wife…attributing his rise to power to God etc…..

Moses: Contextually, we find the parents of Moses bravely hiding Moses for promise of something better. Of course eventually he was saved through water (or because of water). As an adult, Moses could have had the comforts of pharaoh’s house…but optioned to live in slave conditions and suffer with his people. The writer draws a direct line to Jesus in this story. Yeah….very powerful.

Additional:

(By) Faith: G4102 - From G3982; persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction

              G3902 – To Convince

21) Worship: G2717 -From G4314 and probably a derivative of G2965 (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand); to fawn or crouch to, that is, (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage

What were the “blessings” for Esau?

26) Reward – G3405 From G3406; requital (good or bad): - recompence of reward.

     I have issues with the idea of “reward” in the sense that we will get something from God as a payment. The base of this word does include payment, but also HIRING. One must also remember the context of what that meant back in the day. This is a covenant that would require diligence and loyalty.
    God calls us in this sense and we associate our lives with Him for our own greater good. Our “payment” is drawing closer to Him, and He draw closer to us….there is nothing else promised….or required.

Hebrews Chapter Eleven Verses 7-16

HEBREWS CHAPTER ELEVEN VS 7-16 (USING ASV TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 

Heb 11:8  By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 

Heb 11:9  By faith he became a sojourner 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: 

Heb 11:10  for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 

Heb 11:11  By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised: 

Heb 11:12  wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable. 

Heb 11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 

Heb 11:14  For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own. 

Heb 11:15  And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 

Heb 11:16  But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city. 

Main Point: Promises by God for much better things than this life is what the Christian walk is established on. These are examples of active faith, evidenced by trust and obedience.

4.    How was faith visible in the following people’s lives:

Noah: Was righteous during a time when every thought of mankind was evil. It also had to take many years of toiling to build the ark. Peter called Noah a “preacher of righteousness IIPet 2:5. It’s difficult to understand the depth of faith it took Noah to do what he did. Building an ark and preaching of the impending judgment to an audience that had no intention of ever listening must have been difficult.
We see the “Jesus” story in Noah’s story of deliverance (through water)….even if for a few.

Abraham: Imagine being told “go live over in this land where you are a stranger”. That is essentially what God directed Abraham to do and he just up and did it! Like Noah, Abraham exhibited his trust in God by just doing whatever he asked. Remember, God asked him to sacrifice his son, and was willing to do it….though God stayed his hand. Abraham was “rich”, but never had a plot of land with a house on it, yet understood that God’s promises to him were sure and steadfast.

Jesus in most definitely in the Abraham story.


Sarah: It’s interesting to read of Sarah’s faith. In Genesis, she laughs when she overhears that she will be bearing a child.

Gen 18:9  And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. 

Gen 18:10  And he said, I will certainly return unto thee when the season cometh round; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind him. 

Gen 18:11  Now Abraham and Sarah were old, and well stricken in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. 

Gen 18:12  And Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? 

Gen 18:13  And Jehovah said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, who am old? 

Gen 18:14  Is anything too hard for Jehovah? At the set time I will return unto thee, when the season cometh round, and Sarah shall have a son. 

Gen 18:15  Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh. 

It’s obvious that Sarah was embarrassed over her reaction, but it seems that she believed in the promise….it just seemed so outlandish for someone her age.

Was it a miracle birth? Maybe not, but is certainly a foreshadow of the birth of Jesus.

Additional:

13) Persuaded- G3982 A primary verb; to convince (by argument, true or false)

     Strangers and Pilgrims – Foreign/Alien

The Hebrew writer is bearing down to expel any argument that might call Jesus’ authority into question because he had not returned yet.

His previous statements of warning against sinning willfully are contrasted here with what they need to carry them through to God. Faith….and an understanding that this physical life is not where it ends.
These were looking forward to something much bigger than what can happen here. They considered themselves foreign/alien to this world within the context of eternity.

Hebrews Chapter Eleven Verses 1-6

HEBREWS CHAPTER ELEVEN VS 1-6 (USING KING JAMES STUDY TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

Heb 11:2  For by it the elders obtained a good report. 

Heb 11:3  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 

Heb 11:4  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 

Heb 11:5  By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

Main Point: Faith….what it is and why we need to grow it.

1.    Explain what faith is: Faith G4182 From G3982; persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction
Assurance: G5287 From a compound of G5259 and G2476; a setting under (support), that is, (figuratively) concretely essence, or abstractly assurance
Evidence: G1650 From G1651; proof, conviction:
The term persuasion evokes the concept of “world view”. As is the case today, there are many world views, some with, some without religious approaches to life. In this text, the writer has been promoting the world view that there is a God who sent His Son as a security for those who are drawn near to Him. The believer is required to trust the source even though there are no (current) overt messages to convince the one being asked to continue believing. But God does not leave the believer without historical records. The acts of Jesus were never refuted. These things add to our PERSUASION that what we have read is true.
Ultimately, faith is trust. We read the word of God and our faith grows. We let the ancient scriptures become the foundation of our world view…it is the evidence of “things not seen”. This was especially important in this writing since many were becoming disenchanted, expecting Jesus to return in their lifetime….perhaps not clearly understanding the true purpose of Jesus.   

2.    How did God’s people receive their commendation? God accepted Abel’s sacrifice (gifts). Enoch pleased God. These are the attributions to their commendations, but both exhibited faith within these conclusions (as is expressed in vs 6).

3.    How was faith visible in these people’s lives:

Abel: Abel’s sacrifice “more excellent” indicates actual “more” in quantity, number and quality. Faith in this instance was simple act of trying to please God. Abel’s sacrifice revealed his heart toward God.

Enoch: “Pleased God” – Which indicates to gratify completely.

Additional:

One must ask why the writer would be addressing “believe that He exists” and “He rewards”.

Hebrews Chapter Ten Verses 32-39

HEBREWS CHAPTER TEN VS 32-39 (USING KING JAMES STUDY TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 10:32  But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 

Heb 10:33  Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 

Heb 10:34  For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 

Heb 10:35  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 

Heb 10:36  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 

Heb 10:37  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 

Heb 10:38  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 

Heb 10:39  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. 

Main Point: The writer extends the concept of not forsaking the assembly and living a willful life of sin. He does so by petitioning their original zeal to do right by the congregation, even to the point of suffering.

15. Describe what was happening to these Christians. The text indicates:

(32) Struggle (KJ-Fight) G119 From G118; a struggle (figuratively): - fight.,

 Sufferings (KJ Afflictions) G3804 From a presumed derivative of G3806; something undergone, that is, hardship or pain;

 (33) Reproach (KJ a Gazingstock) G2301 From G2302; to expose as a spectacle: - make a gazing stock.
Affliction  – G2347 From G2346; pressure (literally or figuratively): - afflicted, (-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.

 (34) Prison (KJ Bonds) G1199 Neuter and masculine respectively from G1210; a band, that is, ligament (of the body) or shackle (of a prisoner);

– Property Plundered – (KJ SPOILING (of your) GOODS) G724 From G726; pillage (properly abstract): - extortion : G5224 as noun; things extant or in hand, that is, property or possessions

The King James version agrees with the Strong definition of who was being visited in jail. IT WAS THE WRITER who was imprisoned!

16. How are Christians to handle this kind of abuse and suffering? Exercise endurance. Live by faith. Do not shrink back. I think faith is foremost in its importance. Endurance carries the meaning of staying cheerful (in the face of adversity). Imagine not “shrinking back” when your livelihood and/or possessions are threatened. Not easy. But remember this is a personal request from one of them that had been imprisoned.

17. What is God’s promise? (37) CEV  As the Scriptures say, "God is coming soon! It won't be very long. Note: Writer recites Hab 2:3 from the Septuagint….it doesn’t read quite the same as the King James.

The message here is one of urgency and not necessarily of a specific duration.

More important to the message is that destruction is flipped to preservation of the soul for the one who practices faith/endurance.

18. What happens to those who “shrink back”? Their souls are not “preserved”. G4047 From G4046; acquisition (the act or the thing); by extension preservation
The term indicates “to acquire”. The inference here is that thing we call salvation, which can be acquired.

“Destroyed” (KJ Perdition) ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal): - damnable (-nation), destruction, die, (root word means complete destruction)

Additional:

36) Endurance – G5281  cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy: - enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).

38) Shrink Back – G5288 to withhold under (out of sight), that is, (reflexively) to cower or shrink