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Hebrews 11: 8 - 13 Abraham, by faith . . .

Abraham, by faith . . .

Hebrews 11: 8 - 13 ( King James Version )

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeys; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Verse 9: 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.

Verse 10: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Verse 11: 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.

Verse 12: Therefore sprang there even one, as 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.

Verse 13: There 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 werestrangers and pilgrams on the earth.

Hebrews 11: 9 - 13 ( New International Version )

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, evem though he did not know where he was going.

v. 9 > By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country: he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise

v. 10 > For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder was God.

v. 11 > By faith Abraham, even though he was past age -- and Sarah herself was barren -- was able to become a father because he considered him faithful who made the promise.

v. 12 > And from this one man, and he is good as dead, came descendents as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

v. 13 > All these people were still hiving by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that ehry were aliens and strangers on earth.

Text Quoted in Spirit of Prophecy

Many are unable to make definite plans for the future. Their life is unsettled. They cannot discern the outcome of affairs, and this often fills them with anxiety and unrest. Let us remember that the life of God's children in this world is a pilgrim life. We have not wisdom to plan our own lives. It is not for us to shape our future. "By faith Abraham, when he was called to goout into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went" Hebrews 11:8 {2MCP 733.5}

"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." Hebrews 11:8. Abraham's unquestioning obedience is one of the most striking evidences of faith to be found in all the Bible. To him, faith was "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Verse 1. Relying upon the divine promise, without the least outward assurance of its fulfillment, he abandoned home and kindred and native land, and went forth, he knew not whither, to follow where God should lead. "By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise." Hebrews 11:9, R.V. Patriarchs and Prophets, page 126.2

God gave to Abraham a view of this immortal inheritance, and with this hope he was content. "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: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." Hebrews 11: 9, 10. Patriarchs and Prophets, page 170.1

As by faith Abraham went forth at the call of God, "not knowing whither he went" (Hebrews 11:8); as by faith Israel followed the pillar of cloud to the Promised Land, so did these Gentiles go forth to find the promised Saviour. The Eastern country abounded in precious things, and the magi did not set out empty-handed. It was the custom to offer presents as an act of homage to princes or other personages of rank, and the richest gifts the land afforded were borne as an offering to Him in whom all the families of the earth were to be blessed. It was necessary to journey by night in order to keep the star in view; but the travelers beguiled the hours by repeating traditional sayings and prophetic utterances concerning the One they sought. At every pause for rest they searched the prophecies; and the conviction deepened that they were divinely guided. While they had the star before them as an outward sign, they had also the inward evidence of the Holy Spirit, which was impressing their hearts, and inspiring them with hope. The journey, though long, was a happy one to them. {DA 60.2}

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: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11:9, 10. {UL 46.1}
Jesus ascended to the Father as a representative of the human race, and God will bring those who reflect His image to behold and share with Him His glory. There are homes for the pilgrims of earth. There are robes for the righteous, with crowns of glory and palms of victory. All that perplexed us in the providences of God will then be made plain. The things hard to be understood will then find an explanation. The mysteries of grace will unfold before us. Where our finite minds discovered only confusion and broken purposes, we shall see the most perfect and beautiful harmony. We shall know that infinite love ordered the experiences that seemed most trying and hard to bear. As we realize the tender care of Him who makes all things work together for our good, we shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. {UL 46.2}

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