Hebrews 11b Commentary
Abraham is called to a piece of land. It is a trip back to Eden. It is based on faith.
Hebrews 11 broadens our understanding of faith. Abraham is called the father of faith probably because of his special encounter with God. But the journey of faith starts in Eden, immediately after the fall. The first family defines its relationship with God based on faith. You would guess it’s because they no longer interact with God physically.
God is not present physically, but somehow God leaves behind a message. “You can find me. You know my standards; you know what I want.”
A study of the origin of the practice or the ritual of sacrifices can be very interesting. Look at Abraham. He has a special visitor. He prepares a meal for his visitor. The visitor happens to be the LORD God, manifest in the flesh – Jesus Christ, LORD God Almighty. God enjoys a meal with Abraham.
Jesus Christ enjoyed meals with His disciples. You would guess the first family sought to perpetuate this meal fellowship through sacrifices. Perhaps God would love a meal, for old time’s sake! But it’s all faith. The energy behind faith is an honest desire for God – a desire to honor God and also a desire to enjoy His warmth. It is a longing for the benefits of a loving relationship with the Creator God.
Faith moves from a claims form to a relationship machinery.
You understand why Cain’s carefree sacrifice of vegetables is rejected and Abel’s careful and hearty sacrifice is accepted. Abel puts in the thought while Cain remains distant and removed from his meal sacrifice.
The term “relationship’ would define this chapter. To the worshipper, God is the hero who creates everything – his hero. It is a boast! Enoch pleases God. It is a great relationship! God shows love to Noah and his family. Abraham is called to a strict relationship with the LORD.
A belief in an invisible but powerful, faithful, and loving God means Sarah can conceive. Interestingly, Sarah is nothing but all doubt and pessimism, but the energy is in the relationship between God and Abraham.
Faith is part of a human’s makeup – DNA. It is a longing for God – a relationship, a once-existing relationship but now long lost. A gap exists in this relationship. Don’t fill it with drugs, beer, or immorality. Fill it with the Holy Spirit and you have life again – full life!
Abel has a successful relationship with God by faith. Satanic Cain kills him. Satan moves in to destroy the relationship. Of course, Abel’s friend can easily protect him but not today. This first death in creation has importance beyond mere facts. The first death is mourned, not by Adam and Eve (parents), but by Abel’s friend, God. The symbolism presented by the blood of Abel means we can think about the Son’s blood at Calvary.
Faith is a car driven by an invisible driver. You don’t know which direction He turns and how fast He wants to go. However, you know He is mighty (almighty), ultimate authority, ultimate power, incredibly loving, unimaginably careful, just…, and altogether perfect. You don’t mind a nap during the trip!
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