Faith is the subject of this chapter. Faith realizes (gives substance to) that which we hope for, and is a demonstration to the soul of that which we do not see. The elders (the ancients) by faith obtained a good report.
We simply believe by faith "that the worlds were framed by the word of God." To reason is to bring the mind into confusion. God made all things out of nothing; He created them by His word.
Abel, knowing from his father that there was no approach to God except by a sacrifice, brought the firstlings of his flock for an offering to God. In this he obtained witness that he was righteous.
Enoch walked in this world with God and was translated to walk with God in heaven. He had pleased God in his difficult path in this world. We, too, shall soon be caught away to be with our Savior in heaven.
There must be faith in order to please God. It is good to have faith in His Word which tells us that Christ died for us and that by believing we have eternal life. It is good to have faith in all of our circumstances as well. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him."
Noah was moved with fear because of the judgment which was coming and "prepared an ark to the saving of his house." In doing this he condemned all of the world around him "and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."
Abraham was called to leave the land of ease and pleasure to go as a pilgrim to the land which was to be his inheritance, not knowing where he was going. Little did Abraham know that the land to which he was going would be the home of Israel in the millennial day. What blessing simple faith brings. It is said that "he obeyed." Obedience is the test of whether or not there is real faith.
Not having received title to the land, which to him was a strange country, he dwelt there by faith with Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same land of promise by faith. He looked for and will soon get a city, which hath foundations, of which God is the builder and maker.
Sarah by faith conceived seed in old age and was delivered of a child, Isaac. From this seed there sprang over a period of time so many as the sand by the seashore and the stars of heaven innumerable.
"These all died in faith" is a term not intended to convey all Israel, because it says that with some "God was not well pleased."
These pilgrims having seen the promises at a distance as in another day, embraced them, confessing themselves strangers and pilgrims in the earth.
Have the heavenly things so gripped our souls that we walk through this world as pilgrims and strangers, or have we settled down in the place from which we have been called? What worldly habits have taken over in many of our lives so that no one can detect that we have a heavenly calling!
Their desire, like ours, is a better country, a heavenly, so God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city.
Abraham, having received the promise of which Isaac was the depository, offered up his own son by faith, believing God and that his God was a God of resurrection.
Isaac in faith blessed Jacob and Esau in things yet to come. In dying, Jacob blessed Joseph's sons and worshipped, leaning upon his staff. Joseph, by faith, mentioned the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt and gave instruction concerning his bones (resurrection).
In Abraham and those following him we have examples of the patience of faith. But there is more to faith than patience; there is energy and endurance, to which the following illustrations give testimony.
Moses for a time was in the place of a son to Pharaoh's daughter in the palace. The time came when in faith he refused that position of honor, in that it was false. He was the son of a true Israelite. He could have enjoyed the pleasures of Egypt, of which there were many, but only for a season. The pleasures of sin bring death.
Israel had not been called to present pleasures, but to a path to walk as pilgrims and strangers. To this we are also called. To this path, the reproach of Christ, Moses resorted. He forsook Egypt, kept the passover-the sprinkling of blood-in fear of judgment from God.
In the victorious passage through the Red Sea, Pharaoh and his hosts were drowned while trying to pursue God's people.
The walls of Jericho fell, delivering the harlot Rahab and those with her after she received Israel's spies in peace. Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel were through the energy of faith victorious over kingdoms, a den of lions, violence of fire, and were objects of cruelty beyond description. These all obtained not the promise, although they had a good report through faith.
A better thing than earthly blessing has been provided for us, and those faithful saints will wait until they will join us in resurrection life in the heavens-their own country.