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.  The letter appears to have been written  to Christian Jews during a time of persecution – both social and physical – encouraging them not to abandon their belief in Jesus Christ as Redeemer and Saviour. The Jewish religion was protected by Roman law but this was not true for the Christians and the author is urging those facing persecution not to revert to Judaism.  The Jewish Christians were also in danger from their unbelieving countrymen – excommunication from the institutions of Moses, from the synagogues and from the rest of their race.  The writer of Hebrews insists on trust in God who revealed Himself in the word and person of Jesus Christ.

The verses we study today make much of the Old Testament covenant with the Jews and men such as Abraham, Moses, Joshua and others, using the argument that Jesus is superior to all of these.  The author sees scripture as pointing us to Jesus – only in the person and work of Jesus can we discern the true meaning of the Old Testament.

Chapter 11 treats faith with reference to the future – that trust in God enables the believer to remain steadfast in faith in the face of persecution.  Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see in spite of circumstances and consequences.  God has done mighty things in the past and He can be trusted for the future.  But faith in God’s promises does not mean He will conform to our ideas.  Faith is as good as it’s object and the object of our faith is God.

Knowledge is an essential element in faith; it is an assent, an act of will and understanding; an intellectual certainity.  Faith is a present and continuing reality, not simply a virtue.  It is a living thing.  There are realities for which we have no evidence;  faith enables us to know these realities exist.  Faith excludes all things that are visible phenomena.  Faith goes beyond knowledge gained through our senses.  We must rely on Christ and his saving works as the sole basis for our standing before God – for our justification and future sanctification.  Hope is not yet faith – faith is saying “I have it”.

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