Hall of Faith – Part 3

In this study in Hebrews chapter 11, we continue to see the author continuing to discuss those from the Old Testament who walked by faith.

1 The Heavenly Hope

The author revisited the last two individuals he’d been discussing, Abraham and Sarah:

Hebrews 11:13-16

However, he provided more than a summary, as he then developed an important doctrinal point, that these individuals who’d died in faith, in essence were still living by faith.

The Lord had promised the Messiah to Abraham, and although he would die long before that promise would be fulfilled, they were “assured of them, embraced them…” (verse 13).

Abraham and Sarah lived as pilgrims, not seeking a home in this life on earth, but an eternal home.

In verse 16, we’re shown the result of the faith of Abraham and Sarah, is that God is not ashamed to be called their God, and that He’s prepared a heavenly home for them:

Hebrews 13:16b

2 Faith of the Patriarchs

The author then returned to discussing the faith of patriarchs, some of whom he’d mentioned previously. However, in each instance, he provided different examples of their faith, which itself shows just how great the faith of each had been:

Hebrews 11:17-22

He began by examining the faith of Abraham:

Hebrews 11:17

He then spoke of the great faith Abraham would need, to be willing to make a sacrificial offering of Isaac, the son he’d longingly awaited for so many years:

Genesis 22:1-19

In the later part of verse 17, Isaac is referred to as Abraham’s “only begotten son” which pointed to the fact that although he had another son, Ishmael, Isaac was the son of promise, and therefore the only one accepted by the Lord. Ishmael had been born of the flesh, while Isaac was a gift from the Lord.

This shows how the Lord will never accept anything which is a product of our flesh.

Though he was undoubtedly emotionally torn, Abraham faith was great, that he believed God would raise his son Isaac from the dead after the sacrificial offering:

Hebrews 11:19

The word we see translated as “concluding” comes from a Greek term which they often used in finance, which spoke of a deliberate, decisive calculation.

Even though the Lord prevented Abraham from harming his son, to both the Lord and Abraham, he had indeed offered Isaac.

This has caused some Bible commentators to point out various parallels between Isaac and Jesus:

• Isaac bore the wood required for the burnt offering
• Jesus was compelled to carry His cross
• Isaac was tied down as he was about to be offered for sacrifice
• Jesus was nailed to the cross
• The Father prevented Abraham from killing Isaac, and he received his son back.
• God the Father gave Jesus as the perfect sin offering, but He raised Him from the dead, and Jesus ascended back to the Father.

The author then addressed the faith of Isaac, showing how at the end of his life he gave the patriarchal blessing to the younger of his twin sons (Jacob).

That would be the fulfillment of the Scripture, that the older would serve the younger:

Genesis 25:23

He then addressed Jacob’s faith, who at the end of his life he blessed the two sons of his son Joseph.

Jacob had claimed them as his own, after being reunited with Joseph after so many years of believing he was dead.

However, once again it was an unusual blessing, as Jacob blessed the younger over the older, much to the concern of Joseph who tried to correct his father.

Then in verse 22, he addressed Joseph’s faith, who at the end of his life, addressed his brethren, and reminded of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to bring them into His Promised land:

Genesis 50:24-25

In that passage, Joseph also requested that the people bring his bones with them out of Egypt, showing that he understood, that he wouldn’t realize God’s promise during his lifetime, but that he would in eternity.