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.