INTRODUCTION
WHEN WAS THIS EPISTLE WRITTEN?
This Epistle was evidently written as the ancient Hebrew economy was passing away in the growing glory of the Christian Church. Perhaps Jerusalem had already fallen under the arms of Titus.
TO WHOM WAS IT ADDRESSED?
It was addressed to Hebrew Christians, who were settled in a definite locality. See Heb_13:23. The writer is not certainly known. Luther thought that it was written by Apollos, and this view has had several learned advocates. But many ascribe it to the Apostle Paul, which was the opinion of the early Fathers.
WHAT WAS THE WRITER’S PURPOSE?
The object of this noble treatise is to counsel those to whom it was addressed to bear their persecutions with equanimity, and to forego, with contentment, the external attractions of the Temple service, because of the transcendent glories of Christianity surpassing those of the Mosaic ritual. The penalties of apostasy would therefore be the more terrible as the claims of Christianity were the more compelling.
OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS
THE NEW AND BETTER COVENANT
FAITH, THE COMMON FACTOR OF THE TWO COVENANTSThe Achievements of Faith under the Old Covenant
21. What was the supreme trial of Abraham’s faith?
BY FAITH
By faith even Sarah herself received the ability to conceive [a child], even [when she was long] past the normal age for it, because she considered Him who had given her the promise to be reliable and true [to His word]. [Gen_17:19; Gen_18:11-14; Gen_21:2]
So from one man, though he was [physically] as good as dead, were born as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND ON THE SEASHORE. [Gen_15:5-6; Gen_22:17; Gen_32:12]
All these died in faith [guided and sustained by it], without receiving the [tangible fulfillment of God’s] promises, only having seen (anticipated) them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. [Gen_23:4; Psa_39:12]
Now those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own.
And if they had been thinking of that country from which they departed [as their true home], they would have had [a continuing] opportunity to return.
But the truth is that they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. For that reason God is not ashamed [of them or] to be called their God [even to be surnamed their God–the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob]; for He has prepared a city for them. [Exo_3:6, Exo_3:15; Exo_4:5]
By faith Abraham, when he was tested [that is, as the testing of his faith was still in progress], offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises [of God] was ready to sacrifice his only son [of promise]; [Gen_22:1-10]
to whom it was said, “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED.” [Gen_21:12]
For he considered [it reasonable to believe] that God was able to raise Isaac even from among the dead. [Indeed, in the sense that he was prepared to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God] Abraham did receive him back [from the dead] figuratively speaking.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau [believing what God revealed to him], even regarding things to come. [Gen_27:27-29, Gen_27:39-40]
By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and bowed in worship, leaning on the top of his staff. [Genesis 48]
By faith Joseph, when he was dying, referred to [the promise of God for] the exodus of the sons of Israel [from Egypt], and gave instructions concerning [the burial of] his bones [in the land of the promise]. [Gen_50:24-25; Exo_13:19]
Comments by
F.B.Meyer
on
Hebrews 11:11-22
SEEKING THE BETTER COUNTRY
Faith has the twofold power, first, of making the unseen real; and second of receiving the grace and strength of God into the heart. Sarah, through faith, received strength to bear Isaac. By faith may come physical as well as spiritual strength.
The pilgrim life is possible only for those who have seen the city of God beckoning them from afar. Then they strike their tents and follow the gleam. By faith they so comport themselves that God is not ashamed to own them. They will discover, even in this life, that they have not trusted Him in vain, and that the half has not been told. On the mere rumor that a new gold field is found, men sell off everything in their mad rush. How many are disappointed! But none of those that trust God shall be left desolate.
Abraham was absolutely sure that Isaac would return with him, even though the lad might die beneath the knife. When leaving the young men at Moriah’s foot, he said: “We will worship and come again.” Had not God’s voice definitely designated Isaac as his heir?
Choose a Sermon on
Hebrews
by
Pastor Jeff Arthur.
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