Chuck Larsen

Abraham and Sarah, as well as the others mentioned earlier in Hebrews chapter 11, did not see God’s promises fulfilled in their lifetimes. They did see the miraculous birth of their son Isaac but the ultimate promise of descendants as numerous as the grains of sand on the beach or the stars in the sky was something they would not witness in their lifetime. Further, none of the Patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob – would receive the promise of possession of the Promised Land. Yet, they had an understanding of them to some extent and by faith held on to their reality. Hebrews 11:13 says, “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”

God’s promises to believers today in Jesus won’t be realized in this life either. The prosperity theology that pervades US Television flies in the face of Biblical theology. The author of Hebrews as well as the rest of the Bible affirms the fact that we live in a fallen world during which time we do not have a permanent home and the promises from God are yet future in another realm. Don’t expect wealth, happiness, contentment, peace, joy, kindness, goodness or any of the fruits of the spirit to become full grown in our lives or in the lives of those around us as long as we’re in our flesh. All the things in this world are temporary anyway! 2 Corinthians 4:18 confirms this thought, “…we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

This seems to affirm that the saints in the Old Testament held firmly to the reality of an afterlife in which all of God’s promises would be fulfilled. Steadman says, “Such inner fulfillment is the gift of faith to those who today are willing to look beyond death to God’s day of perfect fulfillment. We cannot demand instant answers from God for all our earthly problems, but we can welcome them from a distance. We must not lose faith that God will satisfy every promise.”^[1] Another commentary says, “Christians join the patriarchs in this feeling of anticipation. This world is not our home. We are looking for ‘the city that is to come’ (13:14), ‘the kingdom that cannot be shaken’ (12:28). In their early days of faith the readers had held their possessions of this world very lightly (10:32–34).”^[2] We should too! We find our only recourse today is to keep our eyes on Jesus. The author of Hebrews will conclude with that thought in Hebrews 12:2. It says, “…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

^[1] Ray C. Stedman, Hebrews, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Westmont, IL: IVP Academic, 1992), Heb 11:8.

^[2] James Girdwood and Peter Verkruyse, Hebrews, The College Press NIV Commentary (Joplin, MO: College Press, 1997), Heb 11:13.

Hebrews 11:12 concludes the focus on Abraham and Sarah. It says, “Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.” As many descendants as stars in the sky and as many descendants as grains of sand on the beach were the two promises God gave to Abraham personally in Genesis. These descendants would come through the one and only legitimate son, Isaac! That birth was to be a miraculous one! It had to be that way so no human could claim a part in its fulfillment. It was fully satisfied by what God did alone!

There was nothing that Abraham and Sarah could have done to bring that about. They probably tried everything they could think of to conceive. It seemed that, although they believed God, they still felt they had to do something to help Him fulfill His promise of an heir. In Abraham’s life we see he tried to understand God’s promise of an heir as referring to his servant Eleazar, but God said it wouldn’t be him. Then he tried to assign that role to his nephew Lot and God said “no” again. He then worked with Sarah to bring Ishmael into the world as Abraham’s heir and God corrected that mistake also. It seems as though Abraham and Sarah believed God but still felt they had to help Him. The fulfillment of God’s promise and Isaac’s conception had nothing to do with the obedience or “works” of either of his parents. It had solely to do with the faithfulness of God to keep His promise. It was “by faith” as noted frequently in Hebrews chapter 11 but it wasn’t the quality of their faith that mattered. It was the object of their faith: God, Himself!

It had to be a miraculous birth because the story is about Jesus. You would think that the Jews, as a nation, would have caught that connection since Isaac was the “promised one” and Jesus was the ultimate “promised one.” The KJV Bible Commentators observe, “The whole Jewish nation is the product of a miracle birth. The Messiah, of whom Isaac was a type, would also be the product of a miraculous birth (Isa 7:14; Mt 1:18–25). More than anyone else, a Jew ought to be able to accept the supernatural birth of Jesus; for he himself is the result of Isaac’s miraculous birth.”^[1] Several other commentators have observed, “Countless descendants of Abraham formed the nation Israel. And through Abraham all nations on earth were blessed (Gen. 12:3; Gal. 3:8). But more significantly, Abraham’s descendants ultimately are all believers (Rom. 9:6–8; Gal. 3:7–9, 16, 29; 4:28). All believers in Christ call Abraham their father, for in effect, the promised Son is the Christ, not Isaac.”^[2] It’s not unusual for believers today to do the same thing that Abraham and Sarah did. We often feel we need to contribute something for God to be faithful to His promises given us through faith alone in Christ Jesus alone! But it is miraculous and there is nothing we can do to add to it! But God is not looking for a sacrifice from us. He’s looking for us to trust in Him. Hacking says, “Abraham’s supreme test was on a mountain top not far from where Calvary stood (vv. 17–19). There he offered back his son, a moving story where faith and love battled hard. In the event, Isaac was not sacrificed, but a ram took his place, another of those biblical signposts towards the cross.”^[3]

^[1] Edward E. Hindson and Woodrow Michael Kroll, eds., KJV Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1994), 2572.

^[2] Simon J. Kistemaker and William Hendriksen, Exposition of Hebrews, vol. 15, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 325.

^[3] Philip H Hacking, Opening up Hebrews, Opening Up Commentary (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2006), 74.

Abel, Enoch, Noah and Abraham all put their faith in God’s Word. But there were women who believed God as well. The first of these mentioned is Abraham’s 90 year old wife, Sarah. Hebrews 11:11 says, “By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.” She had a Word from God. She would conceive a son and through him she would be the mother of a great multitude just as Abraham would be the father of a great nation. Abraham left his home and his family to follow God’s specific call. So did Sarah! Abraham looked with faith to the future home that God would provide. So did Sarah! Abraham had a word from God and he acted on it and so did Sarah! As Abraham is known as the father of those who believe, Sarah is the mother of those who believe. Through faith she conceived and after many struggles gave birth to Isaac as God said she would.

The faith of Abraham and Sarah was demonstrated in many ways (11:8–19).  Abraham and Sarah believed God regarding their future even when they didn’t know where they were going, even when they didn’t know how they would get there, even when they didn’t know when the promise would be fulfilled and they weren’t completely filled in on why they were being led into this land and way of life. But it was their faith in the unseen future that propelled them forward. It enabled them to persevere until the promises were fulfilled. The “Teacher’s Commentary” uses the phrase “Faith enabled” with each of these Old Testament characters. Faith enabled Abel.  Faith enabled Enoch. Faith enabled Noah. Faith enabled Abraham and then “Faith enabled Sarah (11:11–12). Here is a most encouraging example. When Sarah first heard the promise, she doubted and laughed (Gen. 18:12–15). But first doubts were overcome. Faith swept in to enable her dead womb to gain the vitality needed for childbearing.”^[1]

John Owens makes some interesting comments on the faith of Abraham and Sarah. He writes, “As Abraham was the father of the faithful, or the church, so Sarah was the mother of it. She was the free woman from which the church sprang (Galatians 4:22–23). And all believing women are her daughters (1 Peter 3:6; see also Genesis 17:16). Her work and obedience are held up to the church as an example, and so her faith may be as well (1 Peter 3:5–6). Sarah was equally involved with Abraham in the divine revelation. The blessing of the promised Seed was confined and appropriated to Sarah no less than to Abraham: ‘I will bless her … I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her’ (Genesis 17:16; see also Genesis 17:19; 18:10).”^[2] In the end, God’s promise to Sarah came to be. It came to be beyond her wildest imagination. It was all “enabled” by her faith. My former professor, Tom Constable, says, “Sarah believed God would fulfill His promise and provide something (a child) totally beyond the realm of natural possibility. God wants us, too, to believe that. God rewarded her faith far beyond what she imagined, and He will reward ours in the same way.”^[3]

^[1] Larry Richards and Lawrence O. Richards, The Teacher’s Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1987), 1012.

^[2] John Owen, Hebrews, Crossway Classic Commentaries (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1998), 225.

^[3] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Heb 11:11.

The author of Hebrews used the lives of three ancient biblical characters as examples of those who were declared righteous by God because they trusted Him; Abel, Enoch, and Noah. But in Hebrews 11:8-19, he focuses more attention on the founders of those who live by faith; Abraham and Sarah. Jews, Muslims and Christians alike look to Abraham as the father of those who believe. Thomas says, “Abraham’s faith shined brightly out of a dark background. Paul spent an entire chapter (Rom. 4) commending the faith of this spiritual leader. Abraham received a call to follow God which he accepted without question. He left Haran by faith (Gen. 11:31–12:4) and let God supply the road map. He did not receive his inheritance at the time of his first call, and he did not even know the location of the Promised Land. His daring faith earned him the title of ‘father of the faithful.’”^[1]

The commentary on Abraham begins with the focus on Abraham’s faith. Hebrews 11:8 says, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Morris observed the point of the writer of Hebrews regarding this chapter when he wrote, “To leave the certainties one knows and go out into what is quite unknown—relying on nothing other than the Word of God—is the essence of faith, as the author sees it.”^[2] This is what faith, even today, is all about. Wuest quoted Davidson and says, “…the life of faith must be entered on in ignorance of the way to the inheritance, or even what the inheritance and rest in each one’s particular case will be, and of the experiences that the way will bring. This is true even of ordinary life.”^[3]

Whereas it might not be as clear regarding the obedience of Abel and Enoch, Noah and Abraham are commended for hearing God’s word and responding to it in obedience. It’s all about “faith” that leads to obedience! I’m afraid many suggest that to us, it’s about obedience to the law. But I’d argue just as Noah had a message from God and acted on it and Abraham had a message from God and acted on it, so too do we have a particular message from God apart from the law and are called to “act” on it by believing in it! It might sound strange to think of believing in the Gospel as an act of “obedience” but as Bob Wilkin says, “It is biblically correct to speak of faith as an act of obedience. After all, God commands us to believe the Gospel (e.g., Acts 16:31). Support for this view is seen in many passages. Acts 6:7 says that ‘many of the priests were obedient to the faith.’ Romans 10:16 and 2 Thess 1:8 speak of obeying or disobeying the Gospel. See also, John 3:36; 6:28-29; 1 Pet 1:2, 22; 2:7-8; and Acts 5:32.” He then concludes, “The obedience of faith spoken of in Rom 1:5 and 16:26 does not refer to obeying all that God has commanded. No one but the Lord Jesus has done that. Rather, it refers specifically to obeying the command to believe the Gospel. If you’ve done that, you’ve exercised the obedience of faith.” See https://faithalone.org/grace-in-focus-articles/the-obedience-which-is-faith-romans-15-and-1626/

^[1] Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 201.

^[2] Leon Morris, “Hebrews,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 12 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 118.

^[3] Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 10 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 201.

Abel pleased God by his faith and through his death he speaks to us of Jesus. But Jesus’ message in the blood is far superior. It is one of forgiveness while Abel’s is a cry for vengeance. Enoch pleased God by his faith and he speaks to us in the fact he didn’t die! He was “taken” into the heavens just as Jesus was at his ascension. The only commendation God gave to Abel and Enoch was on the basis of their faith.  Abel is the hero of his story because he was the righteous one unjustly slain by his brother. Enoch is the hero of his story because he pleased God and God “took him” into heaven. Abel speaks of Jesus in his death. Enoch speaks of Jesus in his being taken into heaven beyond death. Then the writer of Hebrews moves on to share the important principal that will prevail in the lives of all the Old Testament people he mentions in chapter 11. Faith is the essential ingredient for pleasing God.

The writer of Hebrews takes some liberties when he writes about Abel and Enoch. There is no mention in the Old Testament concerning their faith, trust or belief in God. But they both pleased God according to their Old Testament accounts. Our author wants us to understand that there is only one way to please God. Abel offered a sacrifice that God accepted but not on the basis of the sacrifice itself but on the basis of Abel’s heart. Enoch didn’t offer anything to God or do any deed that we can see. Yet both pleased God on the basis of one thing only. Therefore Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Cain offered a sacrifice as well but God did not accept it because Cain did not have “faith” in God. You can do good deeds, offer sacrifices, and not please God. You can also offer no sacrifice and do no good deed and still be pleasing to God. It’s only faith that pleases God.

Faith is trusting that God has good intentions towards you regardless of the circumstances in which you find yourself. This is going to be the case for all the people mentioned in the rest of the chapter. Only faith pleases God. God spoke in the days of old through various ways. Abel and Enoch believed, had faith, in God’s Word and pleased God. But in our day, as we read in the 1^st chapter of Hebrews, God speaks to us in His Son. He is the far superior message than the blood of Abel. We are called to believe in Him. This means we must trust God and rest in his sovereignty over the details of our lives.  Faith involves believing in His existence but also in the fact that he “rewards” those who look for him in the circumstances of their lives. I like the way Long explains these two dimensions of faith. He says, “To believe that God exists is to have a profound ‘conviction of things not seen.’ To believe that God rewards those who seek him is not to look for crowns or Cadillacs—such baubles and trinkets demean the idea of holy reward—but for a Sabbath rest (see comment on 4:1–11). The reward of faith is the fulfillment of all of God’s promises for mercy, peace, and salvation, ‘the assurance of things hoped for’ (see 11:1).”^[1]

^[1] Thomas G. Long, Hebrews, Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Louisville, KY: John Knox Press, 1997), 117.