The Nature of Faith
Study note
Faith is defined as 'the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' This is not wishful thinking but confident assurance grounded in God's character and promises. By faith the ancients received divine approval, and by faith we understand that the visible universe was created by God's invisible word. Faith bridges the gap between the unseen reality of God's purposes and our present experience.
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 It was because of their faith that the people who came before us earned God's approval. For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith, we understand that God created the entire universe simply by speaking. The things we can see were made out of things that are invisible. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Faith Before the Flood: Abel, Enoch, and Noah
Study note
Abel's faith produced a better sacrifice than Cain's, and through it he still speaks though dead. Enoch's faith pleased God so completely that he was taken without experiencing death. Noah's faith moved him to build an ark in response to a warning about events not yet seen, condemning the world's unbelief and becoming an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. Each example shows faith responding to God's word with concrete, often costly action.
4 Because Abel trusted God, he brought a better offering than his brother Cain did. God looked at Abel's gift and declared him to be a righteous man. Even though Abel died long ago, his faith is still speaking to us today. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 Because Enoch trusted God, he was taken straight to heaven and never experienced death. People searched for him but could not find him, because God had taken him away. Before that happened, Enoch had earned the reputation of someone who truly pleased God. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7 When God warned Noah about a terrible flood that nobody could see coming yet, Noah took God at his word. Filled with reverent fear, he built an enormous ark to rescue his family. By trusting God, Noah put the rest of the world to shame and received the gift of being made right with God through faith. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
The Faith of Abraham and Sarah
Study note
Abraham's faith is given the most extensive treatment: he obeyed God's call to leave for an unknown destination, lived as a stranger in the promised land, and looked forward to a city built by God. Sarah's faith enabled her to conceive beyond natural possibility because she judged God faithful. From one man 'as good as dead' came descendants as numerous as the stars. These patriarchs died without receiving the full promise but saw it from afar and confessed they were pilgrims seeking a heavenly homeland. Abraham's faith reached its climax when he offered Isaac, believing God could raise the dead.
8 When God told Abraham to pack up and move to a land he had never seen before and would eventually inherit, Abraham trusted God and went. He set out on the journey with no idea where he was headed. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 Even after he arrived in the land God had promised him, Abraham lived there like a stranger. He camped in tents alongside his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob. They all shared the same promise. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 Abraham could live that way because he was looking ahead to a lasting city. It was one with real foundations, designed and built by God himself. For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Even though Sarah was way too old to have a baby, she trusted God and received the ability to become a mother. She was convinced that God would keep the promise he made. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12 So from this one man — a man who was almost at the end of his life — came children and grandchildren as many as the stars in the sky. They were as countless as the grains of sand along the seashore. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 When people talk like that, they are making it clear that they are searching for a real home. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 If they had been missing the country they originally came from, they could have gone back anytime. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But they had their hearts set on something far better -- a home in heaven. Therefore God is proud to be called their God. He has already built a city waiting for them. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17 When God tested Abraham, Abraham trusted him enough to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice. This was the son God had promised him — his only son of the covenant — By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 God had told Abraham, "It is through Isaac that your family line will continue." Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Abraham figured that God was powerful enough to raise Isaac from the dead if he had to. And in a way, that is exactly what happened -- Abraham got Isaac back from the edge of death. Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
The Faith of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph
Study note
Each patriarch demonstrated faith by looking beyond his own death to God's future purposes. Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau regarding things to come. Jacob, on his deathbed, blessed Joseph's sons and worshiped leaning on his staff. Joseph, near the end of his life, spoke prophetically about the Israelites' future departure from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones, trusting that God would fulfill his promise to bring the people to the promised land.
20 Because Isaac trusted God, he gave blessings to Jacob and Esau about what the future would hold. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 Because Jacob trusted God, he blessed both of Joseph's sons as he was dying. Old and frail, he leaned on his walking stick and worshiped God. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22 Because Joseph trusted God, when he was at the very end of his life, he talked about the day when the Israelites would leave Egypt. He even told them what to do with his bones. By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
The Faith of Moses
Study note
Moses' parents defied Pharaoh's command by faith, hiding their child for three months. Moses himself chose suffering with God's people over the privileges of Egyptian royalty, considering the reproach of Christ greater treasure than Egypt's wealth because he was focused on the future reward. By faith he left Egypt, kept the Passover with its protective blood, and led the people through the Red Sea on dry ground while the pursuing Egyptians drowned.
23 Because Moses' parents trusted God, they hid their newborn baby for three months after he was born. They could see he was an extraordinary child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king's order to kill him. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
24 Because Moses trusted God, once he grew up, he refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 He chose to suffer with God's people instead of enjoying sin's short-lived pleasures. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 In his eyes, being looked down on for following the path of Christ was worth more than all the wealth of Egypt. Moses had his sights set on the reward that was coming. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27 Because he trusted God, Moses walked away from Egypt and did not flinch at the king's fury. He kept pushing forward because he could see the invisible God as clearly as if he were standing before him. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28 Because he trusted God, Moses set up the Passover. He had the people mark their doors with blood so the angel of death who was killing the firstborn sons would pass right over them. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 Because the Israelites trusted God, they walked through the Red Sea on ground as dry as a road. But when the Egyptian army tried to follow them in, the water crashed down and swallowed them up. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Faith Through Conquest and Suffering
Study note
The examples accelerate: by faith the walls of Jericho fell, Rahab was preserved, and a host of judges, kings, and prophets conquered kingdoms, shut lions' mouths, quenched fire, escaped the sword, and turned weakness to strength. Yet faith does not always lead to visible triumph: others were tortured, mocked, imprisoned, stoned, and killed. They wandered homeless in deserts and caves. The world was not worthy of them. Both victory and suffering are presented as equally valid expressions of faith.
30 The people of Israel trusted God. So the huge walls of Jericho fell down flat after they marched around them for seven days. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31 Because Rahab the prostitute trusted God, she welcomed the Israelite spies and treated them kindly. So she was spared when everyone else who refused to believe was destroyed. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 What more can I even say? I would run out of time if I tried to tell you about Gedeon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Through faith, these heroes beat kingdoms, ensured justice was done, and received what God promised. They even shut the mouths of lions. Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 They put out raging fires. They escaped the blade of the sword. They found power when they were at their weakest. They became fierce warriors in battle and sent invading armies running. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their loved ones back alive from the dead. Others were brutally tortured and refused to accept a way out, because they were holding out for an even better resurrection. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 Others went through cruel mocking and beatings, and some were even thrown in chains and locked away in dark prisons. And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were crushed by stones. They were cut in half with saws. They were tested in horrible ways. They were slaughtered with swords. Some had nothing to wear but sheepskins and goatskins, living in extreme poverty, mistreated, and constantly harassed. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 This world did not deserve people like them. They roamed through deserts and mountains and took shelter in caves and holes in the ground. (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
God's Better Plan Includes Us
Study note
Despite being approved through their faith, none of these Old Testament heroes received the ultimate promise during their lifetime. God had planned something better that would include both them and us: the perfection that comes through Christ. The old covenant saints and new covenant believers will be made perfect together, united in the fulfillment that only Jesus could bring.
39 Every one of these people received God's approval because of their faith. But none of them got to see the full promise come true in their lifetime. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God had something even better in mind, a plan that included us. His idea was that they would not reach the finish line without us being there with them. God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.