Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. (8) 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. (9) 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; (10) for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (11) 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. (12) 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.
The author of the letter to the Hebrews is unknown but he/she is writing to Jews who had been converted to Christianity, but now, in the face of persecution, were thinking of reverting to the Jewish religion. Chapter 11 which we study today clearly assumes the audience to have a thorough knowledge of the Old Testament and the author of Hebrews is teaching fundamental saving faith by going back to Abraham. Abraham lived before the Law was given to Moses and Scripture makes it clear that Abraham was saved by faith not by man’s works. The apostle Paul wrote that all who have faith are children of Abraham, not just his genetic descendants. Rather than focusing on what or what not man can do, faith focuses on God’s power and faithfulness.
The purpose of Hebrews was to establish the foundation for our faith – faith based salvation is based on Christ, not on man. There were plenty of failures of biblical saints recorded in Scripture – and the reason that Hebrews only mentions faith and not failures is because the gospel tells us that by Christ Jesus God has forgotten our sins. In the Old Testament there was the law and annual reparation led by the High Priest. Now we have the perfect, once and for all sacrifice of our new high priest, Christ Jesus – God will remember the sins of the faithful no more.
The author of Hebrews has just answered the wavering Jews of that ancient time. Why would anyone prefer the old system with the inferior priesthood to essentially abandon salvation. The author is showing his/her audience that we don’t have to be perfect to be saved. Abraham was faithful but he wasn’t perfect. The gospel does not rely on our performance but on the perfection of Jesus.
This overwhelming message of Hebrews is for all the faithful – perserverance in faith is the answer to life. We don’t deserve it; we could never deserve it. Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Amen