Hebrews 11:1See Topic Notes on "Sermons_Gann" for a Sermon on
WHAT KIND OF FAITH DO YOU HAVE? Heb. 11:1-10
III. ch. 11-13 Living By Faith
ch. 11 Examples of Faith
ch. 12 Endurance of Faith
ch. 13 Evidence of Faith (what ought to show salt in our life)
(For sermon on Heb. 11:1-10 see "A God-Pleasing Faith" see "Sermons_Gann" Topic Notes.
Definition of Faith:
Faith is being certain of the things we hope for, a conviction of things we do not see.
Faith is absolutely certain that what it believes is true and will come to pass.
Faith is the eye of the soul, and obedience is the hand.
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THE FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD
Hebrews 11:1-10
Introduction: Hebrews 11:1-3
1. Faith is confident assurance for that which we hope.
a. A conviction of the things (reality) we do not see.
(Our title deed to heaven.)
b. Faith is the eye of the soul
(A conviction of things not seen)
c. Obedience is the hand of the soul.
2. Hebrews 11:2 B Examples from the ancient fathers.
a. For their faith - men of old gained approval from God.
b. [For introduction also see Focus on Faith, Hebrews, by Tom Holland, p. 69. ]
3. Two relationships of faith - Hebrews 11:1
a. The future - a hopeful outlook - forward look
b. The unseen - the evidence of their reality - backward look
1. A WORSHIPING FAITH - v. 4
Hebrews 11:4 - Abel - (Genesis 4:4)
1. Offers sacrifice. (Genesis 1:1)
a. Faith prompted him to worship in accordance to God’s Word C Romans 10:17
1) Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.
2) We concluded therefore that God had directed him how to worship.
b. See Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25; Hebrews 11:4, for the importance of being faithful in truth.
2. His faithful worship (sacrifice) showed his righteousness (being right with God.)
a. Genesis 4:4"also" He did what Cain did, and more!
b. Three kinds of sacrifice is expected from the Christian.
1) Hebrews 13:15 - sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips. (praying and singing)
2) Romans 12:1-2 - a living sacrifice, our bodies.
3) Philippians 4:18 - our gifts or offerings to God are termed as sacrifice
3. Influence continues - Still speaking to us. Genesis 4:10 Able’s blood cries from the ground@
a. What does his blood cry out? Justice! Vengeance! - (Romans 12:19)
b. The blood of Christ also speaks out - Hebrews 12:24
What does the Lord’s blood cry?
Ephesians 1:7 Redemption!
Hebrews 9:141 John 1:7 Cleansing
Revelation 1:5 Washing away sins
Romans 5:11 Atonement
He made the right sacrifice - man needs to sacrifice self today - Romans 12:1
4. Abel’s faith was a faith that prompted worship according to God’s word.
II. A WALKING FAITH - v. 5
Hebrews 11:5 B Enoch - Genesis 5:22, Genesis 5:24
1. Enoch walked with God in a day when others were walking away from God. Genesis 5:22-24; Genesis 6:5
a. A Walking Faith has to do with the way one lives. Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 4:17Ephesians 5:2; Ephesians 5:8;
b. This kind of faith lives the way God wants you to live.
2. This kind of faith has the power to form character, and does not fear death.
Revelation 1:18 - Because today Jesus has the keys of death and hades.
a. Was not found. Illustration: I like the way a girl retold this Bible story. Enoch went walking with God one day and they walked so far God said, Enoch, you just come on home with me.
b. God made him His man.
c. "Translated" - Colossians 1:13 into kingdom.
STAR TREK ’ transporter
3. A play on words "Was not found" - Many places a Christian today should not be found
4. He pleased God - His life was pleasing to God (in a very wicked world). Without this kind of faith we can’t be pleasing.
a. What about your life? How are you living? walking? Doing? Saying? Church? Family?
5. Enoch’s was a faith that lived the way God wanted him to live.
III. A WORKING FAITH - v. 7
Hebrews 11:7 - Noah - Genesis 6:13 -22
1. What did Noah Do? He heeded the warning from God.
a. Noah took God at His word. The only assurance Noah had of an impending flood was what God told Noah. (Genesis 6:17).
b. Again we see that his faith was founded on God’s word.
2. Noah "Prepared" an ark for the saving of his family from the flood.
a. This kind of faith ’prepares" for a great day of God’s judgment.
2 Corinthians 5:10;Acts 17:312 Peter 3:9-10
b. Noah’s preparation involved:
1) A work of a great magnitude - it was a great ark!
2) A work of a great duration - worked apparently 120 yrs building the ark. (Genesis 6:3) Faithful in persevering.
c) Are you working? What are you doing? Are you continuing, enduring faithfully?
2. The faith that pleases God is a faith that prepares for the great day of judgment.!
a. Christians heeded Christ’s warning regarding the fall of Jerusalem, .AD 67. Matthew 24:16 - let those in Judea flee to the mts. Luke 21:20, Mark 13
b. Do we heed the warning not to get entangled with the world today? 2 Timothy 2:4.
c. Noah "prepared" for the great Day of God? Men need to prepare now! [Amos’ message to his generation, Amos 4:12]
4. Noah worked as God directed - Genesis 6:22
a. Did what God said, the way God said. God made the revelation, Noah followed.
b. Started with His own house. Salvation of own house is of first importance.
c. Noah’s faith was an example to that world. His obedience stood as condemnation to those who would not obey God.
5. His obedience to faith shows his righteousness. Hebrews 11:7
a. Make righteous by his obedience to faith.
b. Noah was the first man in the Bible to be called "righteous" or "just".
6. The faith that pleases God is a faith that prepares for the great day of judgment.!
IV. A WILLING FAITH - vs. 8 - 10
Hebrews 11:8-10 - Abraham - (Genesis 12:1-3)
1. Left his home country. By faith Abraham obeyed. Called
"Friend of God" (James 2:23, Isaiah 41:8)
a) God called him and he responded. Abraham had faith in God’s word - Genesis 12:1-3.
b) He made the right choice. Accepted God’s invitation.
c) Genesis 22:1-2 ff - he was willing to offer his son. Abraham obeyed when a considerable sacrifice was involved. Hebrews 11:17 -f
Obedience is the acid test of Faith!
2. Abraham made his dwellings temporary (lived in tents, not "houses" - he lived in a strange country (foreign) - v. 9 .
a) Let us realize this earth is NOT our home.
We are THE aliens here - Philippians 3:20
3. He looked for a heavenly city. v. 10.
a) Abraham’s faith looked beyond this world. He was willing to make life an adventure. And willing to have patience.
b) This kinds of faith believes the future is directed by our relationship with God in the present.
4. The faith that pleases God is the faith that obeys - J 14:15; Hebrews 5:8-9
a. We say, "I want to wait until I know just where I’m going"
b. Don’t say, "I want to wait until I am sure I can live as a Christian?"
c. WHAT KIND OF A FAITH DO YOU HAVE?
Conclusion: - Hebrews 11:6
1. The writer had defined faith, vs. 1-3, and then gives examples of men of great faith, and what their faith did to please God.
a. Without this kind of faith cannot be pleasing to God.
b. This is the kind of faith the writer is talking about in verse 6, which stands as our conclusion.
2. Just assenting to the intellectual truths of the Bible is not enough B
a. The kind of faith that is pleasing to God - is the kind illustrated here in Hebrews 11:6.
b. A "nodding" ("yes, yes, I believe that!") faith will not do! Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:8-9.
3. Our faith to please God must be:
1) a WORSHIPING faith - that worships according to God’s directions
2) a WALKING faith - that transforms character and lives the way God wants us to.
3) a WORKING faith - that will prepare oneself for God’s great day of judgment.
4) a WILLING faith - that will obey God’s every command - and look beyond this world.
A God-Pleasing faith (v.6) worships as God has directed.
Faith -- comes by hearing, Romans 10:17, therefore Able must have "heard" from the Lord what He wanted in the way of sacrifice. Able’s faith worshipped God according to His Word.
Dead yet speaketh -- crying vengeance, justice! But Christ’s blood cries out a different message, Hebrews 12:24. the Lord’s blood cries, "forgiveness" and "redemption" Ephesians 1:7; and "atonement" Romans 5:11; and "cleansing" 1 John 1:7.
"Walk with God" is a metaphor for living right. cf. the appearance of the word "walk" in the book of Ephesians (Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 4:1; Ephesians 4:17 (8 times altogether). Enoch’s faith caused him to live pleasingly to God.
A God-Pleasing faith v.6) is a Faith that will live the way God wants one to live.
Translated -- transported (cf Star Trek’s transporter.)
The writer’s conclusion about faith, and he means the kind of faith he is describing in these verses.
1) A faith like Able’s that worships as God directs
2) A faith like Enoch’s that lives the way that pleases God
3) A faith like Noah’s that prepares for a great day of judgment
4) A faith like Abraham’s that obey’s God and follows where He wants.
See James 2:24 note "Being Saved" Justified by Grace.
What Does God Want From Us?
1. FAITH - Hebrews 11:6; John 8:24; Romans 10:14
2. OBEDIENCE - Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:9; 1 John 2:3-4
A) Repentance - a turning away from evil, and a turning to God.
L 13:3; Acts 3:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:9
B) Confession of our faith and committing to Him.
Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9-10; Philippians 2:11
C) Baptism - a symbolic enactment of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Romans 6:3-5; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 10:48
Faith and Obedience puts one into a new relationship with God.
Galatians 3:26-27; 2 Corinthians 6:18;
What Does God Expect From Christians?
A) Worship - J 4:23; Judges 1:20-21; Hebrews 12:28
B) A daily life that exemplifies that of Christ. Philippians 2:5;
A life of service and benevolence.
Romans 12:1; James 1:26-27;
Why Should We Listen To God and the Bible?
1. Death and judgment - Hebrews 9:27; John 5:28-29; 2 Corinthians 5:10
2. We will live eternally somewhere - Matthew 25:46; John 14:3; Romans 6:22
3. God wants us with Him - 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4;
4. The Christian life is the most positive, happy, and satisfying life! Philippians 4:6-9;John 10:10; Matthew 11:28-30
John 13:17; Proverbs 8:32; John 15:11; Romans 14:17; Romans 15:13; 1 Peter 1:8;
Note: Even when we come in faith and full obedience to the commandments of God, we have not "earned" salvation, for we don’t deserve it, but salvation is God’s gift to us out of His mercy and kindness. Ephesians 2:8; Luke 17:10;
Abraham realized life here is temporary and looked for a permanent abode with God cf. vs. 10.
We are pilgrims in this world, Christians are the real "aliens" on this planet, we’re here sojourning on our way home (to heaven). cf. Philippians 3:20
City -- Abraham lived in tents, temporary abodes. He was content with his lot here, because his real ambition was to live with God in a permanent abode (heaven.)
These all died in faith -- Can’t die in faith, unless you have lived in faith. This indicates that 1) they were people of faith; and 2) that they continually in that faith as long as they lived.
C. H. Mackintosh summarizes in his usual lovely style:
The close of Jacob’s career stands in most pleasing contrast with all the previous scenes of his eventful history. It reminds one of a serene evening after a tempestuous day: the sun, which during the day had been hidden from view by clouds, mists, and fogs, sets in majesty and brightness, gilding with his beams the western sky, and holding out the cheering prospect of a bright tomorrow. Thus it is with our aged patriarch. The supplanting, the bargain-making, the cunning, the management, the shifting, the shuffling, the unbelieving selfish fears,—all those dark clouds of nature and of earth seem to have passed away, and he comes forth, in all the calm elevation of faith, to bestow blessings, and impart dignities, in that holy skillfulness which communion with God can alone impart. BBC
For the benedictions of Isaac and Jacob, when a-dying, expressed faith in revelations made to them about the several races of their future seed; the deathbed charges of Jacob and Joseph expressed faith in the chosen seed’s inheritance of the Promised Land.
Though in the verse before us Jacob’s charge to Joseph, with a view to this inheritance, is not mentioned, yet the quotation from the account of it in Genesis, "and worshipped," etc., would be sufficient, in this concise summary of instances, to recall it to the mind of readers, and so intimate the writer’s meaning. The variation of the LXX., which is here followed as usual, from the Massoretic text, in reading "staff" instead of "bed," is due to the ambiguity of the Hebrew word, which has one meaning or the other according to its pointing. "Bed" seems more likely to have been intended,
inasmuch as the bed on which the patriarch lay is twice again mentioned ( <014802> Genesis 48:2; 49:33) in the account of the closing scene; and we find also a similar expression used of David in his old age ( <110147> 1 Kings 1:47).
Bat the variation is unimportant, the essence of the passage being in the word translated "bowed himself," which in the Hebrew as well as the Greek certainly expresses an act of worship. The only difference is that, according to one rendering, this worship was expressed by his bowing over the staff on which he leant as he sat upon the bed ( <014802> Genesis 48:2); according to the other, by his turning round to prostrate himself with his head upon the pillow. The view of some of the Fathers, who, adopting the LXX. rendering and supposing the staff to be Joseph’s, regard the act as expressing reverence to Joseph himself, in fulfillment of Gem 38:5-11, has
little probability in its favor, and is controverted by St. Augustine. But so Chrysostom, and apparently Theodoret. And suitably to this idea, the Vulgate has in Hebrews, "et adoravit fastigium virgae ejus," though in Genesis, "adoravit Israel Deum, conversus ad lectuli caput." Quite untenable, and only worthy of mention because of the use that has been made of it in support of image-worship, is the idea that Joseph’s staff was surmounted by some sacred image which Jacob adored.
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Heb 11:21
Blessed both the sons of Joseph - That is, Ephraim and Manasseh. See the account and the notes. Genesis 48:5, etc.
Worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff - This subject is particularly considered in the note, See Genesis 47:31 (note).
It appears, that at the time Joseph visited his father he was very weak, and generally confined to his couch, having at hand his staff; either that with which he usually supported his feeble body, or that which was the ensign of his office, as patriarch or chief of a very numerous family. The ancient chiefs, in all countries, had this staff or scepter continually at hand. See Homer throughout. It is said, Genesis 48:2, that when Joseph came to see his father Jacob, who was then in his last sickness, Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed. Still I conceive he had his staff or scepter at hand; and while sitting upon the bed, with his feet on the floor, he supported himself with his staff. When Joseph sware to him that he should be carried up from Egypt, he bowed himself on his bed’s head, still supporting himself with his staff, which probably with this last act he laid aside, gathered up his feet, and reclined wholly on his couch. It was therefore indifferent to say that he worshipped or bowed himself on his staff or on his bed’s head. But as ùçä shachah signifies, not only to bow, but also to worship, because acts of adoration were performed by bowing and prostration; and asîèä mittah, a bed, by the change of the vowel points becomes matteh, a staff, hence the Septuagint have translated the passageΚαι προσεκυνησεν Ισραηλ επι το ακρον της ῥαβδου αυτου· And Israel bowed or worshipped on the head of his staff. This reading the apostle follows here literatim.
Wretched must that cause be which is obliged to have recourse to what, at best, is an equivocal expression, to prove and support a favourite opinion. The Romanists allege this in favor of image worship. This is too contemptible to require confutation. To make it speak this language the Rheims version renders the verse thus: By faith Jacob dying, blessed every one of the sons of Joseph, and adored the top of his rod. A pretty object of adoration, indeed, for a dying patriarch! Here the preposition επι upon, answering to the Hebrew òì al, is wholly suppressed, to make it favor the corrupt reading of the Vulgate. This preposition is found in the Hebrew text, in the Greek version of the Seventy, the printed Greek text of the New Testament, and in every MS. yet discovered of this epistle. It is also found in the Syriac, Ethiopic, Arabic, and Coptic: in which languages the connection necessarily shows that it is not an idle particle: and by no mode of construction can the text be brought to support image worship, any more than it can to support transubstantiation. Clarke
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Heb 11:21both the sons--Greek, "each of the sons" (Genesis 47:29; Genesis 48:8-20). He knew not Joseph’s sons, and could not distinguish them by sight, yet he did distinguish them by faith, transposing his hands intentionally, so as to lay his right hand on the younger, Ephraim, whose posterity was to be greater than that of Manasseh: he also adopted these grandchildren as his own sons, after having transferred the right of primogeniture to Joseph (Genesis 48:22).
and worshipped--This did not take place in immediate connection with the foregoing, but before it, when Jacob made Joseph swear that he would bury him with his fathers in Canaan, not in Egypt. The assurance that Joseph would do so filled him with pious gratitude to God, which he expressed by raising himself on his bed to an attitude of worship. His faith, as Joseph’s (Hebrews 11:22), consisted in his so confidentially anticipating the fulfilment of God’s promise of Canaan to his descendants, as to desire to be buried there as his proper possession.
leaning upon the top of his staff-- Genesis 47:31, Hebrew and English Version, "upon the bed’s head." The Septuagint translates as Paul here. JEROME justly reprobates the notion of modern Rome, that Jacob worshipped the top of Joseph’s staff, having on it an image of Joseph’s power, to which Jacob bowed in recognition of the future sovereignty of his son’s tribe, the father bowing to the son! The Hebrew, as translated in English Version, sets it aside: the bed is alluded to afterwards (Genesis 48:2; Genesis 49:33), and it is likely that Jacob turned himself in his bed so as to have his face toward the pillow, Isaiah 38:2 (there were no bedsteads in the East). Paul by adopting the Septuagint version, brings out, under the Spirit, an additional fact, namely, that the aged patriarch used his own (not Joseph’s) staff to lean on in worshipping on his bed. The staff, too, was the emblem of his pilgrim state here on his way to his heavenly city (Hebrews 11:13-14), wherein God had so wonderfully supported him. Genesis 32:10, "With my staff I passed over Jordan, and now I am become," &c. (compare Exodus 12:11; Mark 6:8). In 1 Kings 1:47, the same thing is said of David’s "bowing on his bed," an act of adoring thanksgiving to God for God’s favor to his son before death. He omits the more leading blessing of the twelve sons of Jacob; because "he plucks only the flowers which stand by his way, and leaves the whole meadow full to his readers" [DELITZSCH in ALFORD]. JFB
The patriarchs mentioned here likewise looked to the future in faith. Isaac, trusting God to fulfill His promises to Abraham and his descendants, pronounced blessings on his own two sons Jacob and Esau regarding their future. So did Jacob in regard to Joseph’s sons, which was for him an act of faith in his old age. The readers too were to maintain their worship right to the end of life, persevering in faith in the future that God had foretold. Joseph too, nearing death, expressed confidence that God would in the future deliver the Israelites from Egypt. In similar fashion all believers should, in genuine faith, have confidence in the future of God’s people.
BKC
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11:22 Joseph’s faith was also strong when he was dying. He believed God’s promise that He would deliver the people of Israel out of Egypt. Faith enabled him to picture the exodus already. It was so sure to him that he instructed his sons to carry his bones with them for burial in Canaan. “Thus,” writes William Lincoln, “while surrounded by Egypt’s pomp and splendor, his heart was not there at all, but with his people in their future glory and blessing.” BBC
Heb 11:22
By faith Joseph, when he died - When about to die; see Genesis 50:24-25.
Made mention of the departing of the children of Israel - Margin, “remembered.” The meaning is, that he called this to their mind; he spake of it. “And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die; and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” This prediction of Joseph could have rested only on faith in the promise of God. There were no events then occurring which would be likely to lead to this, and nothing which could be a basis of calculation that it would be so, except what God had spoken. The faith of Joseph, then, was simple confidence in God; and its strength was seen in his firm conviction that what had been promised would be fulfilled, even when there were no appearances that to human view justified it.
And gave commandment concerning his bones -Genesis 50:25. “And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.” He had such a firm belief that they would possess the land of promise, that he exacted an oath of them that they would remove his remains with them, that he might be buried in the land of his fathers. He could not have exacted this oaths, nor could they have taken it, unless both he and they had a sure confidence that what God had spoken would be performed. Barnes
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Heb 11:22when he died--"when dying."
the departing--"the exodus" (Genesis 50:24-25). Joseph’s eminent position in Egypt did not make him regard it as his home: in faith he looked to God’s promise of Canaan being fulfilled and desired that his bones should rest there: testifying thus: (1) that he had no doubt of his posterity obtaining the promised land: and (2) that he believed in the resurrection of the body, and the enjoyment in it of the heavenly Canaan. His wish was fulfilled (Joshua 24:32; Acts 4:16). JFB
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Heb 11:22
When he died (τελευτῶν)
Comp. Genesis 1:26, lxx. The verb means tofinish or close, with life understood. Always in this sense in N.T. See Matthew 2:19; Matthew 9:18; Luke 7:2, etc. Never used by Paul. Rend. “when near his end.”
Made mention of (περὶ-ἐμνημόνευσεν)
See on Hebrews 11:15. A.V. has remembered in marg. Remembered is appropriate here. Joseph on his death-bed remembered the promise of God to give the land of Canaan to the seed of Abraham (Genesis 12:7; Genesis 13:15; Genesis 15:7), and also the prediction to Abraham that his descendants should pass four hundred years in bondage in a strange land, and should afterward be brought out thence, Genesis 15:13, Genesis 15:14.
The departing of the children of Israel (τῆς ἐξόδου τῶν υἱῶν Ισραὴλ)
Ἔξοδος only here, Luke 9:31 (note) and 2 Peter 1:15 (note). Ὁι υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ is one of several phrases in N.T. denoting the chosen people. There are also house (οἶκος) and people (λαὸς) ofIsrael, and IsraelofGod, and Israelaccordingtotheflesh.
And gave commandment (καὶ ἐνετείλατο)
Καὶandso; in consequence of his remembering the prophecy of the exodus. The verb indicates a specific injunction (ἐντολή). See on 1 Timothy 6:14.
Bibliographical Information Gann, Windell. "Commentary on Hebrews 11". Gann's Commentary on the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/gbc/hebrews-11.html. 2021.
Verse 1
Hebrews 11:1 See Topic Notes on "Sermons_Gann" for a Sermon on
WHAT KIND OF FAITH DO YOU HAVE? Heb. 11:1-10
III. ch. 11-13 Living By Faith
ch. 11 Examples of Faith
ch. 12 Endurance of Faith
ch. 13 Evidence of Faith (what ought to show salt in our life)
(For sermon on Heb. 11:1-10 see "A God-Pleasing Faith" see "Sermons_Gann" Topic Notes.
Definition of Faith:
Faith is being certain of the things we hope for, a conviction of things we do not see.
Faith is absolutely certain that what it believes is true and will come to pass.
Faith is the eye of the soul, and obedience is the hand.
- - - - - - -
THE FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD
Hebrews 11:1-10
Introduction: Hebrews 11:1-3
1. Faith is confident assurance for that which we hope.
a. A conviction of the things (reality) we do not see.
(Our title deed to heaven.)
b. Faith is the eye of the soul
(A conviction of things not seen)
c. Obedience is the hand of the soul.
2. Hebrews 11:2 B Examples from the ancient fathers.
a. For their faith - men of old gained approval from God.
b. [For introduction also see Focus on Faith, Hebrews, by Tom Holland, p. 69. ]
3. Two relationships of faith - Hebrews 11:1
a. The future - a hopeful outlook - forward look
b. The unseen - the evidence of their reality - backward look
1. A WORSHIPING FAITH - v. 4
Hebrews 11:4 - Abel - (Genesis 4:4)
1. Offers sacrifice. (Genesis 1:1)
a. Faith prompted him to worship in accordance to God’s Word C Romans 10:17
1) Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.
2) We concluded therefore that God had directed him how to worship.
b. See Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25; Hebrews 11:4, for the importance of being faithful in truth.
2. His faithful worship (sacrifice) showed his righteousness (being right with God.)
a. Genesis 4:4 "also" He did what Cain did, and more!
b. Three kinds of sacrifice is expected from the Christian.
1) Hebrews 13:15 - sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips. (praying and singing)
2) Romans 12:1-2 - a living sacrifice, our bodies.
3) Philippians 4:18 - our gifts or offerings to God are termed as sacrifice
3. Influence continues - Still speaking to us. Genesis 4:10 Able’s blood cries from the ground@
a. What does his blood cry out? Justice! Vengeance! - (Romans 12:19)
b. The blood of Christ also speaks out - Hebrews 12:24
What does the Lord’s blood cry?
Ephesians 1:7 Redemption!
Hebrews 9:14 1 John 1:7 Cleansing
Revelation 1:5 Washing away sins
Romans 5:11 Atonement
He made the right sacrifice - man needs to sacrifice self today - Romans 12:1
4. Abel’s faith was a faith that prompted worship according to God’s word.
II. A WALKING FAITH - v. 5
Hebrews 11:5 B Enoch - Genesis 5:22, Genesis 5:24
1. Enoch walked with God in a day when others were walking away from God. Genesis 5:22-24; Genesis 6:5
a. A Walking Faith has to do with the way one lives. Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 4:17 Ephesians 5:2; Ephesians 5:8;
b. This kind of faith lives the way God wants you to live.
2. This kind of faith has the power to form character, and does not fear death.
Revelation 1:18 - Because today Jesus has the keys of death and hades.
a. Was not found. Illustration: I like the way a girl retold this Bible story. Enoch went walking with God one day and they walked so far God said, Enoch, you just come on home with me.
b. God made him His man.
c. "Translated" - Colossians 1:13 into kingdom.
STAR TREK ’ transporter
3. A play on words "Was not found" - Many places a Christian today should not be found
4. He pleased God - His life was pleasing to God (in a very wicked world). Without this kind of faith we can’t be pleasing.
a. What about your life? How are you living? walking? Doing? Saying? Church? Family?
5. Enoch’s was a faith that lived the way God wanted him to live.
III. A WORKING FAITH - v. 7
Hebrews 11:7 - Noah - Genesis 6:13 -22
1. What did Noah Do? He heeded the warning from God.
a. Noah took God at His word. The only assurance Noah had of an impending flood was what God told Noah. (Genesis 6:17).
b. Again we see that his faith was founded on God’s word.
2. Noah "Prepared" an ark for the saving of his family from the flood.
a. This kind of faith ’prepares" for a great day of God’s judgment.
2 Corinthians 5:10; Acts 17:31 2 Peter 3:9-10
b. Noah’s preparation involved:
1) A work of a great magnitude - it was a great ark!
2) A work of a great duration - worked apparently 120 yrs building the ark. (Genesis 6:3) Faithful in persevering.
c) Are you working? What are you doing? Are you continuing, enduring faithfully?
2. The faith that pleases God is a faith that prepares for the great day of judgment.!
a. Christians heeded Christ’s warning regarding the fall of Jerusalem, .AD 67. Matthew 24:16 - let those in Judea flee to the mts. Luke 21:20, Mark 13
b. Do we heed the warning not to get entangled with the world today? 2 Timothy 2:4.
c. Noah "prepared" for the great Day of God? Men need to prepare now! [Amos’ message to his generation, Amos 4:12]
4. Noah worked as God directed - Genesis 6:22
a. Did what God said, the way God said. God made the revelation, Noah followed.
b. Started with His own house. Salvation of own house is of first importance.
c. Noah’s faith was an example to that world. His obedience stood as condemnation to those who would not obey God.
5. His obedience to faith shows his righteousness. Hebrews 11:7
a. Make righteous by his obedience to faith.
b. Noah was the first man in the Bible to be called "righteous" or "just".
6. The faith that pleases God is a faith that prepares for the great day of judgment.!
Hebrews 11:8-10 - Abraham - (Genesis 12:1-3)
1. Left his home country. By faith Abraham obeyed. Called
"Friend of God" (James 2:23, Isaiah 41:8)
a) God called him and he responded. Abraham had faith in God’s word - Genesis 12:1-3.
b) He made the right choice. Accepted God’s invitation.
c) Genesis 22:1-2 ff - he was willing to offer his son. Abraham obeyed when a considerable sacrifice was involved. Hebrews 11:17 -f
Obedience is the acid test of Faith!
2. Abraham made his dwellings temporary (lived in tents, not "houses" - he lived in a strange country (foreign) - v. 9 .
a) Let us realize this earth is NOT our home.
We are THE aliens here - Philippians 3:20
3. He looked for a heavenly city. v. 10.
a) Abraham’s faith looked beyond this world. He was willing to make life an adventure. And willing to have patience.
b) This kinds of faith believes the future is directed by our relationship with God in the present.
4. The faith that pleases God is the faith that obeys - J 14:15; Hebrews 5:8-9
a. We say, "I want to wait until I know just where I’m going"
b. Don’t say, "I want to wait until I am sure I can live as a Christian?"
c. WHAT KIND OF A FAITH DO YOU HAVE?
1. The writer had defined faith, vs. 1-3, and then gives examples of men of great faith, and what their faith did to please God.
a. Without this kind of faith cannot be pleasing to God.
b. This is the kind of faith the writer is talking about in verse 6, which stands as our conclusion.
2. Just assenting to the intellectual truths of the Bible is not enough B
a. The kind of faith that is pleasing to God - is the kind illustrated here in Hebrews 11:6.
b. A "nodding" ("yes, yes, I believe that!") faith will not do! Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:8-9.
3. Our faith to please God must be:
1) aWORSHIPING faith - that worships according to God’s directions
2) aWALKING faith - that transforms character and lives the way God wants us to.
3) aWORKING faith - that will prepare oneself for God’s great day of judgment.
4) aWILLING faith - that will obey God’s every command - and look beyond this world.
Verse 2
Hebrews 11:2
Elders -- the O.T. patriarchs
Good report -- as evident to us from the OT scriptures.
Verse 3
Hebrews 11:3
Faith understands God’s visible creation was made "out of nothing," ex nilio.
Faith -- looks forward with hope (v.1)
Faith -- looks back with understanding (v.3)
Verse 4
Hebrews 11:4
1. A Worshipping Faith
cf. Genesis 4:10,
A God-Pleasing faith (v.6) worships as God has directed.
Faith -- comes by hearing, Romans 10:17, therefore Able must have "heard" from the Lord what He wanted in the way of sacrifice. Able’s faith worshipped God according to His Word.
Dead yet speaketh -- crying vengeance, justice! But Christ’s blood cries out a different message, Hebrews 12:24. the Lord’s blood cries, "forgiveness" and "redemption" Ephesians 1:7; and "atonement" Romans 5:11; and "cleansing" 1 John 1:7.
Verse 5
Hebrews 11:5
2. Enoch had a "Walking" Faith
cf. Genesis 5:22-24 He walked with God.
"Walk with God" is a metaphor for living right. cf. the appearance of the word "walk" in the book of Ephesians (Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 4:1; Ephesians 4:17 (8 times altogether). Enoch’s faith caused him to live pleasingly to God.
A God-Pleasing faith v.6) is a Faith that will live the way God wants one to live.
Translated -- transported (cf Star Trek’s transporter.)
Verse 6
Hebrews 11:6
The writer’s conclusion about faith, and he means the kind of faith he is describing in these verses.
1) A faith like Able’s that worships as God directs
2) A faith like Enoch’s that lives the way that pleases God
3) A faith like Noah’s that prepares for a great day of judgment
4) A faith like Abraham’s that obey’s God and follows where He wants.
See James 2:24 note "Being Saved" Justified by Grace.
What Does God Want From Us?
1. FAITH - Hebrews 11:6; John 8:24; Romans 10:14
2. OBEDIENCE - Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:9; 1 John 2:3-4
A) Repentance - a turning away from evil, and a turning to God.
L 13:3; Acts 3:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:9
B) Confession of our faith and committing to Him.
Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9-10; Philippians 2:11
C) Baptism - a symbolic enactment of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Romans 6:3-5; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 10:48
Faith and Obedience puts one into a new relationship with God.
Galatians 3:26-27; 2 Corinthians 6:18;
What Does God Expect From Christians?
A) Worship - J 4:23; Judges 1:20-21; Hebrews 12:28
B) A daily life that exemplifies that of Christ. Philippians 2:5;
A life of service and benevolence.
Romans 12:1; James 1:26-27;
Why Should We Listen To God and the Bible?
1. Death and judgment - Hebrews 9:27; John 5:28-29; 2 Corinthians 5:10
2. We will live eternally somewhere - Matthew 25:46; John 14:3; Romans 6:22
3. God wants us with Him - 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4;
4. The Christian life is the most positive, happy, and satisfying life! Philippians 4:6-9; John 10:10; Matthew 11:28-30
John 13:17; Proverbs 8:32; John 15:11; Romans 14:17; Romans 15:13; 1 Peter 1:8;
Note: Even when we come in faith and full obedience to the commandments of God, we have not "earned" salvation, for we don’t deserve it, but salvation is God’s gift to us out of His mercy and kindness. Ephesians 2:8; Luke 17:10;
Verse 7
Hebrews 11:7
3. Noah had a Working Faith --
cf. Genesis 6:13-14; Genesis 6:22
Noah heeded God’s word when he knew nothing about "flood" or apparently even rain, (cf. Genesis 2:6).
Noah not only believed in God’s existence, but he believed God would do what He said, and obeyed. It was an obedient faith that saved him.
Noah’s faith prepared for the great day of God’s judgment (cf. Amos 4:12).
Verse 8
Hebrews 11:8
3. Abraham had a "Willing" Faith -- vs. 8-10.
Abraham obeyed God’s every command, even when he did not understand it. cf. John 14:15; Hebrews 5:8-9; Matthew 7:21.
A God-Pleasing faith (v.6 in context) is a faith like Abraham’s that obeys.
cf. Genesis 12:1-3;
Verse 9
Hebrews 11:9
Abraham realized life here is temporary and looked for a permanent abode with God cf. vs. 10.
We are pilgrims in this world, Christians are the real "aliens" on this planet, we’re here sojourning on our way home (to heaven). cf. Philippians 3:20
Verse 10
Hebrews 11:10
City -- Abraham lived in tents, temporary abodes. He was content with his lot here, because his real ambition was to live with God in a permanent abode (heaven.)
Verse 11
Hebrews 11:11
Verse 12
Hebrews 11:12
Verse 13
Hebrews 11:13
These all died in faith -- Can’t die in faith, unless you have lived in faith. This indicates that 1) they were people of faith; and 2) that they continually in that faith as long as they lived.
Verse 14
Hebrews 11:14
Verse 15
Hebrews 11:15
Verse 16
Hebrews 11:16
A Better Country -- # 10 (previous Hebrews 10:34; next Hebrews 11:35)
(Hebrews, the "Better Book")
Verse 17
Hebrews 11:17
Verse 18
Hebrews 11:18
Verse 19
Hebrews 11:19
Verse 20
Hebrews 11:20
Verse 21
Hebrews 11:21
TSK Heb 11:21
faith: Gen. 48:5-22
and worshipped: Genesis 47:31
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C. H. Mackintosh summarizes in his usual lovely style:
The close of Jacob’s career stands in most pleasing contrast with all the previous scenes of his eventful history. It reminds one of a serene evening after a tempestuous day: the sun, which during the day had been hidden from view by clouds, mists, and fogs, sets in majesty and brightness, gilding with his beams the western sky, and holding out the cheering prospect of a bright tomorrow. Thus it is with our aged patriarch. The supplanting, the bargain-making, the cunning, the management, the shifting, the shuffling, the unbelieving selfish fears,—all those dark clouds of nature and of earth seem to have passed away, and he comes forth, in all the calm elevation of faith, to bestow blessings, and impart dignities, in that holy skillfulness which communion with God can alone impart. BBC
For the benedictions of Isaac and Jacob, when a-dying, expressed faith in revelations made to them about the several races of their future seed; the deathbed charges of Jacob and Joseph expressed faith in the chosen seed’s inheritance of the Promised Land.
Though in the verse before us Jacob’s charge to Joseph, with a view to this inheritance, is not mentioned, yet the quotation from the account of it in Genesis, "and worshipped," etc., would be sufficient, in this concise summary of instances, to recall it to the mind of readers, and so intimate the writer’s meaning. The variation of the LXX., which is here followed as usual, from the Massoretic text, in reading "staff" instead of "bed," is due to the ambiguity of the Hebrew word, which has one meaning or the other according to its pointing. "Bed" seems more likely to have been intended,
inasmuch as the bed on which the patriarch lay is twice again mentioned ( <014802> Genesis 48:2; 49:33) in the account of the closing scene; and we find also a similar expression used of David in his old age ( <110147> 1 Kings 1:47).
Bat the variation is unimportant, the essence of the passage being in the word translated "bowed himself," which in the Hebrew as well as the Greek certainly expresses an act of worship. The only difference is that, according to one rendering, this worship was expressed by his bowing over the staff on which he leant as he sat upon the bed ( <014802> Genesis 48:2); according to the other, by his turning round to prostrate himself with his head upon the pillow. The view of some of the Fathers, who, adopting the LXX. rendering and supposing the staff to be Joseph’s, regard the act as expressing reverence to Joseph himself, in fulfillment of Gem 38:5-11, has
little probability in its favor, and is controverted by St. Augustine. But so Chrysostom, and apparently Theodoret. And suitably to this idea, the Vulgate has in Hebrews, "et adoravit fastigium virgae ejus," though in Genesis, "adoravit Israel Deum, conversus ad lectuli caput." Quite untenable, and only worthy of mention because of the use that has been made of it in support of image-worship, is the idea that Joseph’s staff was surmounted by some sacred image which Jacob adored.
- - -
Heb 11:21
Blessed both the sons of Joseph - That is, Ephraim and Manasseh. See the account and the notes. Genesis 48:5, etc.
Worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff - This subject is particularly considered in the note, See Genesis 47:31 (note).
It appears, that at the time Joseph visited his father he was very weak, and generally confined to his couch, having at hand his staff; either that with which he usually supported his feeble body, or that which was the ensign of his office, as patriarch or chief of a very numerous family. The ancient chiefs, in all countries, had this staff or scepter continually at hand. See Homer throughout. It is said, Genesis 48:2, that when Joseph came to see his father Jacob, who was then in his last sickness, Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed. Still I conceive he had his staff or scepter at hand; and while sitting upon the bed, with his feet on the floor, he supported himself with his staff. When Joseph sware to him that he should be carried up from Egypt, he bowed himself on his bed’s head, still supporting himself with his staff, which probably with this last act he laid aside, gathered up his feet, and reclined wholly on his couch. It was therefore indifferent to say that he worshipped or bowed himself on his staff or on his bed’s head. But as ùçä shachah signifies, not only to bow, but also to worship, because acts of adoration were performed by bowing and prostration; and as îèä mittah, a bed, by the change of the vowel points becomes matteh, a staff, hence the Septuagint have translated the passage Και προσεκυνησεν Ισραηλ επι το ακρον της ῥαβδου αυτου·
Wretched must that cause be which is obliged to have recourse to what, at best, is an equivocal expression, to prove and support a favourite opinion. The Romanists allege this in favor of image worship. This is too contemptible to require confutation. To make it speak this language the Rheims version renders the verse thus: By faith Jacob dying, blessed every one of the sons of Joseph, and adored the top of his rod. A pretty object of adoration, indeed, for a dying patriarch! Here the prepositionεπι al, is wholly suppressed, to make it favor the corrupt reading of the Vulgate. This preposition is found in the Hebrew text, in the Greek version of the Seventy, the printed Greek text of the New Testament, and in every MS. yet discovered of this epistle. It is also found in the Syriac, Ethiopic, Arabic, and Coptic: in which languages the connection necessarily shows that it is not an idle particle: and by no mode of construction can the text be brought to support image worship, any more than it can to support transubstantiation. Clarke
- - - - -
and worshipped--This did not take place in immediate connection with the foregoing, but before it, when Jacob made Joseph swear that he would bury him with his fathers in Canaan, not in Egypt. The assurance that Joseph would do so filled him with pious gratitude to God, which he expressed by raising himself on his bed to an attitude of worship. His faith, as Joseph’s (Hebrews 11:22), consisted in his so confidentially anticipating the fulfilment of God’s promise of Canaan to his descendants, as to desire to be buried there as his proper possession.
leaning upon the top of his staff-- Genesis 47:31, Hebrew and English Version, "upon the bed’s head." The Septuagint translates as Paul here. JEROME justly reprobates the notion of modern Rome, that Jacob worshipped the top of Joseph’s staff, having on it an image of Joseph’s power, to which Jacob bowed in recognition of the future sovereignty of his son’s tribe, the father bowing to the son! The Hebrew, as translated in English Version, sets it aside: the bed is alluded to afterwards (Genesis 48:2; Genesis 49:33), and it is likely that Jacob turned himself in his bed so as to have his face toward the pillow, Isaiah 38:2 (there were no bedsteads in the East). Paul by adopting the Septuagint version, brings out, under the Spirit, an additional fact, namely, that the aged patriarch used his own (not Joseph’s) staff to lean on in worshipping on his bed. The staff, too, was the emblem of his pilgrim state here on his way to his heavenly city (Hebrews 11:13-14), wherein God had so wonderfully supported him. Genesis 32:10, "With my staff I passed over Jordan, and now I am become," &c. (compare Exodus 12:11; Mark 6:8). In 1 Kings 1:47, the same thing is said of David’s "bowing on his bed," an act of adoring thanksgiving to God for God’s favor to his son before death. He omits the more leading blessing of the twelve sons of Jacob; because "he plucks only the flowers which stand by his way, and leaves the whole meadow full to his readers" [DELITZSCH in ALFORD]. JFB
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Verse 22
Hebrews 11:22
1. Like Father Like Son -- both spoke of being buried in Canaan.
2. Though surrounded by the pomp of Egypt, Joseph’s heart still in Canaan.
3. Confidence in the Promises of God.
4. A common thread ..of faith, confidence in the future, in things to come.
- - -
TSK Heb 11:22
faith: Genesis 50:24, Genesis 50:25; Exodus 13:19; Joshua 24:32; Acts 7:16
made mention of: or, remembered
- - - -
Heb 11:20-22
The patriarchs mentioned here likewise looked to the future in faith. Isaac, trusting God to fulfill His promises to Abraham and his descendants, pronounced blessings on his own two sons Jacob and Esau regarding their future. So did Jacob in regard to Joseph’s sons, which was for him an act of faith in his old age. The readers too were to maintain their worship right to the end of life, persevering in faith in the future that God had foretold. Joseph too, nearing death, expressed confidence that God would in the future deliver the Israelites from Egypt. In similar fashion all believers should, in genuine faith, have confidence in the future of God’s people.
BKC
- - - -
- - - -
11:22 Joseph’s faith was also strong when he was dying. He believed God’s promise that He would deliver the people of Israel out of Egypt. Faith enabled him to picture the exodus already. It was so sure to him that he instructed his sons to carry his bones with them for burial in Canaan. “Thus,” writes William Lincoln, “while surrounded by Egypt’s pomp and splendor, his heart was not there at all, but with his people in their future glory and blessing.” BBC
Heb 11:22
By faith Joseph, when he died - When about to die; see Genesis 50:24-25.
Made mention of the departing of the children of Israel - Margin, “remembered.” The meaning is, that he called this to their mind; he spake of it. “And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die; and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” This prediction of Joseph could have rested only on faith in the promise of God. There were no events then occurring which would be likely to lead to this, and nothing which could be a basis of calculation that it would be so, except what God had spoken. The faith of Joseph, then, was simple confidence in God; and its strength was seen in his firm conviction that what had been promised would be fulfilled, even when there were no appearances that to human view justified it.
And gave commandment concerning his bones - Genesis 50:25. “And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.” He had such a firm belief that they would possess the land of promise, that he exacted an oath of them that they would remove his remains with them, that he might be buried in the land of his fathers. He could not have exacted this oaths, nor could they have taken it, unless both he and they had a sure confidence that what God had spoken would be performed. Barnes
- - -
Heb 11:22 when he died--"when dying."
the departing--"the exodus" (Genesis 50:24-25). Joseph’s eminent position in Egypt did not make him regard it as his home: in faith he looked to God’s promise of Canaan being fulfilled and desired that his bones should rest there: testifying thus: (1) that he had no doubt of his posterity obtaining the promised land: and (2) that he believed in the resurrection of the body, and the enjoyment in it of the heavenly Canaan. His wish was fulfilled (Joshua 24:32; Acts 4:16). JFB
- - - - -
Heb 11:22
When he died (τελευτῶν
Comp. Genesis 1:26, lxx. The verb means to finish or close, with life understood. Always in this sense in N.T. See Matthew 2:19; Matthew 9:18; Luke 7:2, etc. Never used by Paul. Rend. “when near his end.”
Made mention of (περὶ ἐμνημόνευσεν
See on Hebrews 11:15. A.V. has remembered in marg. Remembered is appropriate here. Joseph on his death-bed remembered the promise of God to give the land of Canaan to the seed of Abraham (Genesis 12:7; Genesis 13:15; Genesis 15:7), and also the prediction to Abraham that his descendants should pass four hundred years in bondage in a strange land, and should afterward be brought out thence, Genesis 15:13, Genesis 15:14.
The departing of the children of Israel (τῆς ἐξόδου τῶν υἱῶν Ισραὴλ
And gave commandment (καὶ ἐνετείλατο
Vincent’s Word Studies
- - - - - -
Verse 23
Hebrews 11:23
Verse 24
Hebrews 11:24
Verse 25
Hebrews 11:25
Verse 26
Hebrews 11:26
Verse 27
Hebrews 11:27
Verse 28
Hebrews 11:28
Verse 29
Hebrews 11:29
Verse 30
Hebrews 11:30
Verse 31
Hebrews 11:31
Verse 32
Hebrews 11:32
Verse 33
Hebrews 11:33
Verse 34
Hebrews 11:34
Verse 35
Hebrews 11:35
Verse 36
Hebrews 11:36
Verse 37
Hebrews 11:37
Verse 38
Hebrews 11:38
Verse 40
Hebrews 11:40