Podcast 131, Hebrews, “Pt 11 B, Ch 11”

Podcast 131, Hebrews, “Pt 11 B, Ch 11”In Part 11 B, we continue with Paul’s examples on faith. Let us repeat Paul’s definition of Faith.Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.In the examples, Paul provides evidence of faith drawing from the great patriarchs of the past. Here we shall begin with Patriarch 5: Abraham.Hebrews 11:8-19By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 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. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.Noah became a second Adam and his wife a second Eve. Another covenant was given to Abraham that also affected the entire earth. Genesis 12:1-3Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.There is another uniqueness about the Abrahamic covenant.Genesis 17:4-7As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.It was through the seed of Abraham that Christ would be born, and it was through the seed of Abraham that we have the Old and New Testaments. It was also through the seed of Abraham that we have the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods. And it was also through the seed of Abraham that through Christ we are able to return back to the presence of God. Before Christ, the chosen people referred only to the literal seed of Abraham. After Christ the chosen people referred only to those, whether Jew or Gentile, who accepted Christ as their Savior. When Christ returns, the world will be divided between the just and the unjust. The wicked shall be destroyed and only the righteous shall survive into the Millennium.  The first destruction of the earth was by water. The second destruction of the earth will be by fire. Only the righteous seed of Abraham will survive, whether Jew or Gentile.Galatians 3:29:And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.Galatians 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.Patriarch 6: IsaacHebrews 11:20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.The Abrahamic covenant continued through his son Isaac.Genesis 17:19Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.”And as we see, Isaac blessed Jacob and thus through the seed of Abraham the everlasting covenant continued. The unifying principle, however, is faith in Christ. Patriarchs 7 & 8: Jacob and JosephHebrews 11:21-22By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.The sons of Joseph were Ephraim and Manassah. Both received equal portions of the patriarchal inheritance. Consequently, the twelve tribes are traditionally listed as: Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Ephraim, and Manasseh. Joseph’s name is not listed, but obviously he is represented by his two sons. The tribe of Levi did not inherit land, but after the split many remained in the area of Jerusalem where the temple was. They were the priestly cast.Patriarch 9: MosesHebrews 11:23-31By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. 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; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.Moses was of humble origin but was raised among Egyptian royalty. Paul emphasizes both the faith of Moses’s parents in defying the king and the faith Moses had in turning his back on his Egyptian privileges and identifying with slaves. He put service to God above the riches of Egypt. In addition, he had the faith to enter Pharaoh’s court and challenge his authority, demanding that he let the Children of Israel leave. In the story of Moses, we learn the power of faith when confronted even with a man as powerful as the Pharaoh of Egypt, whose very command could mean death. In addition, the faith of Moses gave him power over the elements.Other Patriarchs of the House of Israel.Hebrews 11:32-40And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 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; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, and David were all famous warriors who won battles against impossible odds. Samuel was a great prophet whose life was dedicated to the Lord from his youth. Paul lists examples of faith of those above and other prophets who among other things subdued kingdoms, stopped the mouths of lions, waxed valiant in fight, accepted being tortured rather than deliverance, endured mockings, scourgings, stoning, death, imprisonment, deprivation, torment, isolation, yet remained true. Paul mentioned one prophet being “sawn asunder.” Perhaps that is an allusion to Isaiah, who by tradition, was cut in half by the orders of the wicked king Manassah. Paul’s examples illustrate the power of faith to overcome any obstacle no matter how large. We must also consider that many showed their faith through suffering. In other words, they were not delivered from their trials but through their suffering were made perfect in faith. True faith is to accept the will of the Lord rather than demand our own desires, even if the will of the Lord is to claim our lives or the lives of a loved one.