THE FAITH
Hebrews 11.1-40
In this part of Paul's Epistle, he made perfect explanation and sense out of meaning of true Faith. First, Paul describing Faith as assurance of things we Hope for (1). What things? The things that GOD promised to us if we obey Him, things like Blessing, Forgiveness, Salvation, and Eternal Life, all of which GOD promises to those who follow Him. The things that are not seen but worth to wait for (Hebrews 8.5, 10.1, 11.1).
The Faith of the patriarchs gained approval by GOD (2). This means that GOD accepted the Faith of those who believe in Him and obeyed Him, even if in their lifetime they do not receive what were promised to them, but they firmly believe that their future generations will receive the promises of GOD given to them.
13. "All these (patriarchs of Faith in GOD and of Israel) died in faith without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the Earth."
In verses 3 Paul concluded that by our Faith we understand the creation of all things that exist. The worlds that exist are made by the Word (Command) of GOD, visible worlds and invisible. The faith in science tells us absolutely opposite story to Intelligent Creation and underlining the point that there is no GOD.
Beside all other verses that reveal the result and outcome of true Faith in GOD an example of Abraham really stands out verses 8-9. Knowing that he would not possess the land that GOD promised him but only his descendants will inherited, Abraham was not looking for a permanent place to stay but was looking for the City (Heavenly Spiritual City in the Kingdom of GOD) which has foundations in Heaven, whose Architect and Builder is GOD (10).
Moreover, those who have Faith in GOD seek a different Country like Abraham did. Not the earthly country but the Heavenly Spiritual Country, the Kingdom of GOD, in which they will live forever with their Creator, Master, Teacher, together with their Savior Whom they obey and follow (14-16).
~ 13-16. (Exodus 19.5) (Leviticus 25.23) (1Chronicles 29.15) (Psalm 39.12, 119.19) (Hebrews 11.13-16).
1Chronicles 29.15
15. "We are sojourners before You and tenants (Exodus 19.5) (Leviticus 25.23) (1Chronicles 29.15) (Psalm 39.12, 119.19) (Hebrews 11.13-16), as all our fathers were, our days on Earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope."
Leviticus 25.23
23. "The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, *the land is Mine (Exodus 19.5) (Leviticus 25.23) (1Chronicles 29.15) (Psalm 24.1-2, 119.19) (Hebrews 11.13-16), with Me you are but aliens and tenants." (See also: "The Earth is My footstool.")
~ 23. *The land is Mine. This verse enunciates the basic principal upon which all these enactments rest. "The Earth is the Lord's" (Psalm 24.1), and His people hold their lands in fee from Him. The ground itself, then, was not a proper object of sale, but only the result of man's labor on the ground.
The Pentateuch and Haftorahs. Edited by Dr. J. H. Hertz, C.H.
Verse 19 is also very interesting verse, in the sense that long ago, long before the Son of GOD Jesus Christ become known to humanity as One Who was raised from the dead by His Father GOD, Abraham already believed in ability of GOD to raise the dead to life even before he prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac.
Taken to account that human sacrifices were very common in ancient world, and ordinary people sacrifices their sons and daughters to many different gods, none of them expected their gods to return their children back alive.
Willingness to sacrifice Isaac to GOD, symbolically show of how GOD Sacrificed His only Son for the sake of humanity, Whom GOD Father resurrected Him from the dead to show His power and authority even over Death, in order to prove that Faith in Him will not only save from Death but also will give and Eternal Life, forever.
Also, very interesting thing is said about Moses (24). "Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter..." This means that Moses did not accepted his mother who adapted him, nor Moses accepted Egyptians as his people but, "choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of GOD..." Moses shown that he does not belong to Egyptians but still belong to his people Hebrews in the midst of which he was born.
Moses knew about GOD and His Spiritual World much more that we know and even imagine about it. Moses already knew at a certain point in his life the great Promises of GOD to His people Hebrews and knew even more about Heavenly Spiritual Kingdom of GOD than anyone else on Earth at that time.
26. "considering the reproach of Christ greater riches (Spiritual Riches) than the treasuries of Egypt, he (Moses) was looking to the Reward."
Moses "seen Him Who is unseen." (27) (Exodus 2.11-15, 10.29) (Matthew 11.27). Not only by his eyes Moses saw GOD, but also by his wonderful spirit. Moses proves his Faith in GOD by his deeds, as Abraham proved his Faith in GOD by his deeds "acts of Righteousness..." (33).
Paul added Righteousness to Faith, because just like Good Deeds in the Name of GOD prove true Faith in GOD, and so the Good Deeds in the Name of GOD also prove the Righteousness of one who believe in GOD The Faith in GOD can be only proven by doing His Statutes and live by His Commandments.
Who are actually such people of Faith in GOD, of Righteousness, and of Good Deeds, who reject the world, suffer, and wait for the better Kingdom to come (40)?
They are: "Men of whom the world was not worthy, wandering in desert and mountains and caves and holes in the ground." (38).