Note Those Who So Walk

Abraham and Sara — Faith is Trusting God
Hebrews 11:8-12

Hebrews 11 begins with a description of faith: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (verse 1). Then, in verse 2 and following, the writer gives many examples of men and women who had great faith. These were men and women who applied the principle set forth in verse one. Among those people, Abraham and Sarah are mentioned. Hebrews 11:8-12 describes their faith: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude--innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.”

Among other things, this portion of scripture teaches faith is about obedience. There are many misconceptions about obedience in the religious world today; many of which can be cleared up in this section of scripture. The child of God is to obey God regardless of the consequences. Abraham did such and the writer of Hebrews records it as an example of great faith to those who believe today.

First, obedience to God should be done even when the child of God does not know everything about it. Often times, people today want to know why. Some of the common statements ring loudly: “Why does God require baptism?” “Why did God only establish one church?” “Why does God allow the innocent to suffer?” There was a lot that Abraham did not know when God called him to leave Ur (Genesis 12:1-3). The passage under consideration says that Abraham “obey…not knowing where he was going.”

Another example of his great obedience was that Abraham and Sarah continued to obey even in less-than-accommodating circumstances. The text says that “he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents….” This is further emphasized by the fact that he did such with his children and grandchildren. So many today want to live in the area in which they grew up. Even if they move away, they like to own land and ‘put down roots.’ This was not the case for Abraham. He moved to a land that was foreign to him and raised a family in that land. More than that, he dwelt in temporary living quarters. The text describes them as tents.

How did Abraham and Sarah do it? How did they live as ‘strangers in a strange land?’How did they rear a family in tents? They did it by faith. They never lost sight of the goal. When God called Abraham to leave his home land, He also made a promise: Genesis 12:2-3 records the promise God made to Abraham: “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Abraham and Sarah were able to trust God who always keeps His promises.

In fact, they dwelt in this land in this circumstance for 100 years. Genesis 12:3 says he was 75 years old when God called him to leave Ur. Genesis 25:7 explains that he was 175 year old when he died in Canaan. Thus the faith of Abraham is seen in the longevity of the time he spent in the foreign land. Today, it seems so many want God to answer prayer immediately. Or, it may be they want the promises of God fulfilled sooner than God has decided to do so. The faith of Abraham and Sarah is seen in the fact that they never gave up on God. They dwelled even 100 years in the foreign land.

The writer of Hebrews shows another example of the great faith of Abraham and Sarah. They were able to have a child in their old age. Both of them were past the age of being able to procreate (see Romans 4:19). In fact, Abraham wanted the promise to be fulfilled in Ishmael (Genesis 17:18). The book of Genesis also says that both Abraham and Sarah initially laughed at God when He informed them that Sarah would have a child past the age of childbearing (Genesis 17:17, 18:12). Of course, God kept His promise and Isaac was born to them in their old age (Genesis 21:1-3). The writer of Hebrews says Isaac came to them by faith. How many do not believe God will keep His promises. Some have given up on the Second Coming. Yet, this and all other promises that He has made will come to pass.

Today, Christians can learn from this godly couple about having genuine faith. Christians need to show their faith by obeying God even when they do not know what is going to happen or why things happen the way they do. Further, they need to obey even in the most dire circumstances and throughout their lives. Finally, Christians need to trust in God by living for Him every day.

-J

Note Those Who So Walk

Noah — Righteous Faith in an Unrighteous World
Hebrews 11:7

Hebrews 11:7 says, “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” Among other things, this passage teaches faith is about obedience, righteousness, and will lead on to a good reward.

Genesis 6:13-22 outlines the specifications by which God expected Noah to prepare for the impending flood. God gave some very specific designs and instructions to Noah. The dimensions of the ark are outlined (interestingly, the dimensions were ideal for keeping a boat afloat). Commands regarding the animals that were to be brought aboard the ark. God’s plans to flood the earth were revealed. Noah, a man noted to have great faith, obeyed God. Genesis 6:22 says, “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” Further, Genesis 7:5 emphasizes this fact as it says, “And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him.” Faith is about obedience. No wonder the Bible says “...Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8).

Another lesson learned from Noah and his family concerns righteous living. Moses recorded of the situation before the flood in Genesis 6:5-6: “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” Peter explains the ancient world and their sinful condition when he wrote that God, “... did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly” (2Peter 2:5). In the ancient sinful world, Noah was one who lived righteously. As Peter described in this passage, he was a “preacher of righteousness.” The writer of Hebrews said that Noah “moved with fear” (Hebrews 11:7). This presents a great lesson for the Christian today — it is indeed possible to be righteous even when everyone else is unrighteous. Further, it is possible to raise a godly family in an ungodly world. Paul said it eloquently when he wrote: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1Corinthians 10:13).

One final lesson that is taught by the life of Noah is the rewards God gives those who know and love Him. The latter part of Hebrews 11:7 says Noah “...became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” The latter part of Genesis 6:9 points to the righteousness of Noah by saying, “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.” Noah’s faith, based on evidence (see Hebrews 11:1), caused him to live (walk) righteously and thus became an heir of righteousness. That is, he inherited the blessing God has reserved for those who live righteously.

These three lessons learned from the life of Noah — faith is about obedience, righteousness is about moral living, and this righteous life is about a great reward — all have great application to the child of God in present time. The life of Noah shows us faith is not some abstract idea which will cause one to have good feelings about life. It is based on evidence and reality (Hebrews 11:1). The person who has genuine faith in God will genuinely obey God. The faithful will obey God meticulously and willingly. Noah built the ark to the exact designs which God had provided. Today, people will obey God by being baptized, taking the Lord’s supper on the first day of the week, meeting with the saints, and a host of other things which could be mentioned. Genuine faith will produce obedience.

Genuine faith will also produce righteousness. 1Johh 3:7 says, “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.” Today when a Christian is “perfect in his generations,” and walks (lives) with God even as Noah was just and walked with God (see 1John 1:7) the Christian can be righteous. This righteousness comes by godly living.

Genuine faith will bring about the inheritance of righteousness which God has promised. Jesus spoke of good deeds, prayers, and fasting all done in secret. For each of them He said that God would reward openly (Matthew 6:4, 6, 18). Assuredly, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17). While there are certainly blessings in this life for righteous living, the ultimate blessing is in the life to come. One day, the righteous will hear the words of Christ as he sweetly says, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:21, 23). Just as in the days of Noah, Christians today can experience the rewards of faithful living.

-J

Note Those Who So Walk

Enoch — Faith that Pleases God
Hebrews 11:5

The writer of Hebrews begins chapter 11 with a description of faith. In Hebrews 11:1, the Bible says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” He continues this line of reasoning with the elders being an example of faith in Hebrews 11:2 and then gives some illustrations of men and women of faith in verses 3 and following. Among those examples if the man named Enoch. Hebrews 11:5-6 says, “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

There are two different men in the Old Testament named Enoch. One was the son of Cain mentioned in Genesis 4:17. The other is mentioned Genesis 5:18 and is the son of Jared. Twice in Genesis 5:21-24, the Bible says that Enoch walked with God. This is the one that is spoken of in Hebrews 11:5 because the Bible says that God took him in Genesis 5:24. Interestingly, it is noted in Hebrews 11:5 that Enoch pleased God. Thus, God rewarded Enoch’s great faith. What things did Enoch do which made him receive the reputation that he walked with God?

Jude 14-15 reveals something about the actions of Enoch: “Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’”

Faith is an action word. It is not something that man has in his mind but it is his beliefs put into action (James 1:22). A brief scan of Hebrews 11 shows people who had faith. They had faith because of the actions they put forth in their lives. Enoch was one that had faith because he preached and prophesied God’s message. He walked with God because he preached God’s message. His word were consistent with his actions.

Finally, some great results came about because of Enoch’s faith. The Bible says that he “did not see death” (Hebrews 11:5). Why? Because he had a good testimony. He was a man that preached the word of God. He was a man that lived the word of God. Thus, he was a man that was taken directly from Earth to Heaven. Elijah was a man that was taken directly and thus did not see death (2Kings 2:11). In fact, men search and searched for Elijah’s body but never found it (2Kings 2:16-17). Hebrews 11:5 gives indication that something similar happened to Enoch when it says that he “was not found.” Those who are alive at the second coming of Christ will not see death (1Thessalonians 4:17). Those alive when Christ comes again will be brought up together with the dead. Other than that, all will tastes death (Hebrews 9:27). Because Enoch lived by faith, he received the reward that he would not taste death. While people today will not receive this reward, there are some great lessons to be learned from this man of faith.

While very little is actually revealed about Enoch, what is revealed teaches a lot. Faith is something that is not only believed but it involves action. What is revealed about Enoch is that he was a man of words. He preached and prophesied God’s message. Today, if men are going to live by faith, then their faith will have to be seen in their actions. This is the thrust of Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

These actions exhibited by the faithful person are actions with purpose. Enoch lived in view of eternity. This is the purpose behind his faith and thereby behind his actions. Many people wonder why they are on the earth and what their purpose is in life. The Christian or the person of God does not have to wonder. A life of faith provides a life of purpose and a life with a future. The writer of Ecclesiastes put it well: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Enoch was a man that was taken by God (Genesis 5:24). Christians today can hear similar words at the end of a life of faith. The master in the parable of the talents exclaimed to the men who made good use of the talents entrusted to them: “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord’” (Matthew 25:21, 23). Obedient faith is rewarded. Enoch was rewarded by not tasting death. Christians today can be rewarded by hearing similar words from the Savior on the day of judgment.

One final point that can be learned from Enoch is the fact that faith is not blind. Enoch did not preach what he felt or what he wanted to preach. He preached God’s message. He did not live like he felt was the right way to live. He lived the way God instructed him to live. Today, faith is no different. Christians today live a faith that is described in Hebrews 11:1. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

-J

Note Those Who So Walk

Abel — Faith and Sacrifice
Hebrews 11:4

The writer of Hebrews mentions several heroes and heroines of faith in Hebrews 11. The first among these to be mentioned is Abel. Often times, when one considers the story of Cain and Abel, the emphasis is placed upon Cain. He is noted to be the first murderer and the focus is on the way he treats Abel and responds to God regarding Abel. While this negative aspect of this story is noteworthy and needs to be examined, the focus of the writer of Hebrews is on Abel. The application that can be made by Christians today is the way in which Abel exercised his great faith.

Hebrews 11:1 gives a description of faith: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” He provides an illustration of faith in mentioning the creation of the world in verse three. Hebrews 11:4 begins the list of men and women who are recorded to have had great faith and the actions which they did by faith. The first of this list is Abel: "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks" (Hebrews 11:4).

Paul had some interesting conclusions about faith. In Romans 10:17, he declared, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The implications of this passage are clear. Faith is not something that is done out of feelings, what others might say, or any host of other sources. Faith comes by the word or will of God. What Christians today do in faith, they do by that which has been revealed. Acceptable worship, for example, is done by faith which means that it is as Jesus declared in John 4:24, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

This means that if Abel’s sacrifice was by faith (and the writer of Hebrews declares that it was), then it had to be according to the will of God. How did Abel know the will of God? It must have been revealed to him some time prior to the offering of his “more excellent sacrifice.” Otherwise, the sacrifice could not have been made by faith. Some declare that Cain’s sacrifice was not acceptable because of its content. This concept can be neither proven nor disproven. Grain sacrifices were certainly outlined in the Old Testament (see Leviticus 2:1-3). The real difference was that Abel’s sacrifice was out of faith while Cain’s sacrifice was evil. John stated that Cain’s actions were an indication that he hated his brother: "For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous."

There are some great things that we learn about Abel from Hebrews 11:4. First, we learn that he was a righteous man. He offered a sacrifice by faith and the text says this indicates to us that he was a righteous man. In fact, it says that God testified of his gifts. This tells Christians today something very, very valuable. When people today do actions out of faith, then their actions show them to be righteous people. It takes a righteous man to offer acceptable sacrifices. David said, “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight” (Proverbs 15:8).

Another thing we learn from the righteous deeds of Abel is that while he is dead, his faith still communicates to man today. This is true because the Holy Spirit has saw fit to preserve the account of Cain and Abel for people to read today (see 2Timothy 3:16). His blood also cries out in communication to man today. His blood cried out to God as He said “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10). Jesus also spoke of this in Matthew 23:35 when He said, “...that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.” Hebrews 11:4 attests that Abel’s faith continues to speak. His faith is seen in his sacrifice to God, by God’s testimony, and by his righteous life.

Abel had a faith worth imitating. He followed after God’s will, not his own. He did things in God’s fashion, not as he wanted to do them. Today, Christians everywhere need to follow after this godly example. They need faith that is genuine faith, not according to men. They need faith that will be seen in action. They need faith that will have the value of communicating to others the righteous life that needs to be lived in this life.

-J