The followers of Christ to whom the inspired book of Hebrews was written, were experiencing difficulties and hardship because of their faith. As a result, they were discouraged and some were even thinking about leaving Christ. Hebrews points out that God will richly reward the faith and perseverance of those who remain true to their commitment to Christ. They could be confident they would receive the promises God made because of the character of the One who made them.
The people to whom the book was written were from a Jewish background. Therefore, the writer uses Abraham as an example of the kind of faith they should have. Chapter 11, verses 8 through 19 say, “By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went. By faith, he lived as an alien 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. For he looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith, even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised. Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his one and only son; even he to whom it was said, “In Isaac will your seed be called”; concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.”
In this passage we see that Abraham’s faith demonstrated itself by what he did. It both caused him to act and it enabled him to act. Abraham did not know where he was going when God told him to leave his home. But because he believed, he obeyed and went.
Like He did for Abraham, God has also promised the followers of Christ an eternal home. The Apostle Peter writes, “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13 NIV) Are we going to insist that God show us exactly how and where this promise will come about before we obey? Will we insist that He show us every step of the way before we begin the journey? Or, will we follow Abraham’s example who obeyed God and went even though he did not know all the details?
Even after Abraham arrived in the land God promised him, he did not act as though it was his permanent home. He and his children continued to live in tents. They realized that the promised land was really just a representation or a metaphor for the actual, heavenly home which God was preparing for them. What about us? Do we act as if this world is our permanent home? Have we set our affections on the things of this world? The Apostle Paul told the followers of Christ at Corinth that those who use the things of this world should act “…as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.” (1 Corinthians 7:31 NIV)
Abraham’s faith also enabled him to become a father. He was as good as dead. He did not have the physical ability to sire a child, yet he trusted God to fulfill the promise He had made. He knew that God was faithful. Because Abraham trusted God, God enabled him to do the impossible. Do we allow impossible situations and hopeless odds to discourage us and turn us away from God’s promises, or do we have confidence in the character of God? Do we really believe that He will do what He said regardless of appearances?
Even though Abraham did see the promise that he would become a father fulfilled; even though Abraham and his descendants did get to see the land God promised them, they did not experience the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises. God’s promises pointed forward to Jesus Christ and all those who would follow Christ. The Bible teaches us that these are Abraham’s true descendants. The true land of promise is a heavenly one. But this did not stop Abraham and Isaac and Jacob from living as if the promises would be fulfilled in their lifetimes. Through the eyes of faith they could see the fulfillment. They could have acted as if this world is all there is. They could have lived just like the other people all around them. They could have given in to the same desires and ambitions as their neighbors. They could have become discouraged and doubted that God would be true to His word. They could have returned to the country Abraham left. But they did not. Instead, they chose to live among other people as aliens and strangers. They could look beyond this life to their true home. As a result, they received God’s approval.
What about us? To which country do we belong? Do we belong here, or are we citizens of another country? Are we at home in the world, or do we long for heaven? Peter writes, “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.” (1 Peter 2:11 NIV)
Faith also allowed Abraham to obey when God told him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Faith also enabled Isaac to let himself become a sacrifice. Think about it! Isaac was the son God promised Abraham. God had told him that he would have descendants through Isaac. How could God’s promise possibly be fulfilled if Isaac was dead? Yet God told Abraham to sacrifice him anyway. Abraham did not hesitate. He did not question God. His faith was so strong that he knew God would fulfill His promises even if, from a human point of view, it looked impossible. Abraham reasoned that the same God who had made it possible for him to father Isaac when it was humanly impossible was powerful enough to raise Isaac from the dead. God did not require Abraham to go through with the action, but from the standpoint of intention, Abraham did sacrifice his son. Do we believe in God’s promises that strongly?