Journey Home – Hebrews 11: 1-16
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
The Examples of Abel, Enoch, and Noah
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain’s. Through this he received approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he died, but through his faith he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death; and “he was not found, because God had taken him.” For it was attested before he was taken away that “he had pleased God.” 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith.
The Faith of Abraham
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”
13 All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, 14 for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.
What does the passage say?
V. 1-2 Definition of faith is described in this famous verse: ” Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (v. 1 NRSV). Faith is to rely on to God even though it seems hard to rely on God. Therefore, the author of Hebrews uses people of faith to describe what it means to ‘live by faith.’
V. 3-12 The author shares four characters, in the Bible, who lives ‘by faith’: Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham. We do know well about Abraham and his faith. To a certain point, we are aware of Noah. However, I believe, if the author hasn’t mentioned about Abel and Enoch, we might not know about their faith.
The author says that Abel’s worship was accepted, over Cain’s worship, because of his faith. In Genesis, Enoch was described as a person ‘who walked with God’ (Gen 5:21). In his journey with God, he did not even experience death, because God took him to heaven without death.
V. 14-16 The author says, the reason why these four characters could live by faith was that they had their eyes fixed on the ‘true home.’ The Message says, “How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted that fact that they were transients in this world. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country than that – heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a city waiting for them” (v. 13-16 The Message).
What does this mean to me/ us?
My family is currently on the road. Since my parents came in, we wanted to spend some time with them. Because of their schedule, we constantly been on the road. The time we spend with our parents is priceless, but we can’t say we like being on the road. No matter what Hotel we stay in, it can never take place of being ‘at home.’
In the same way, the earthly life or home can never take place of our heavenly home. If we settle our views in this world, we cannot live by faith. For the persons of faith, we see that their perspectives were fixed on the Kingdom and their heavenly home.
Lord, I sometimes imagine what it will be like to be in your heavenly realm. Let me see the true beauty of the kingdom, so I will be able to yearn for your kingdom every day. In Christ Name, Amen.
What are your thoughts?
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