Read or listen The Epistle to the Hebrews chapter 11 online (ESV, Bible Gateway)

As strangers in this world – Hebrews 11:1-16

In verse 1 there is a definition of faith, which the author clarifies with the examples of the Old Testament saints in the latter part of the chapter.

Faith becomes visible as concrete actions that bear witness to God. Faith becomes visible as concrete actions that bear witness to God. All the heroes of faith presented in this chapter trusted in God's promises. Faith is believing God's promises. In total, chapter 11 contains 18 times the words "by faith," "through faith," etc.

The first example of faith is Abel and his sacrifice. Abel's sacrifice (Genesis 4:2-16) was made in faith (Matthew 23:35), therefore it was acceptable to God. Cain's sacrifice was only a formality, because his heart was evil (1 John 3:12), therefore the sacrifice was not acceptable to God. Abel's blood cried out for vengeance (verse 4, Hebrews 12:24, see also Genesis 3:10), the blood of Jesus proclaims mercy. The chosen example fits well with the Epistle to the Hebrews, which speaks a lot about sacrifices.

Enoch is mentioned in Genesis 5:18-24. He is the only person, along with Elijah (2 Kings 2:11-14), who did not see death.

Noah is mentioned in Genesis 5:28-9:29. Noah learned that the world was about to be destroyed. He began to build an ark on dry land and was certainly met with much ridicule (cf. Heb. 10:33). Noah prepared for the coming destruction and was saved. Those who were not prepared perished (1 Pet. 3:20). Noah’s faith was future-oriented (compare with verse 1: "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen").

Abraham was the father of the Jews (Romans 4:1), but for the writer of Hebrews he was above all the father of all believers (Hebrews 2:16, see also Hebrews 6:13-15). In the Old Testament, Abraham is mentioned in Genesis 12:1-25:11.

Abraham's faith was shown in the fact that he was ready to give up everything (v. 8, compare Hebrews 10:34) and left for the land that God promised. Abraham left for the land that God promised. There he was to live as a stranger, a wandering nomad (verse 9). Jacob even called himself a “wanderer” (Genesis 47:9). This explains the “shame” in verse 16: Abraham suffered the shame of not having a land of his own.

God does not give Christians their own state in this time either, but only in the world to come will we receive our own city (verses 10 and 16).

The "all" in verse 13 refers to Abraham and his descendants, for Enoch did not die (verse 5).

Faith in troubled times – Hebrews 11:17-40

This passage is full of references to the Old Testament, but there are also a few references to Second Maccabees.

Verses 17-18 present the most difficult situation in Abraham’s life (Genesis 22). On the one hand, it was very difficult to believe that God would want him to sacrifice Isaac, since the promise of descendants could only be fulfilled through Isaac. On the other hand, Abraham had learned that God would stand behind His promises even when man sees nothing but impossibilities.

Can we relate to God's promises this way? Not by asking whether this is reasonable or in line with our own ideas, but simply by acting according to God's will. God can lead in his own very strange ways (compare Isaiah 55:8-9).

Verse 20 refers to the events of Genesis 27:27-40.
Verse 21 refers to Genesis 47:29-31 and 48:8-20.
Verse 22 refers to Genesis 50:24-25.

Note the "king's edict" in verse 23 (Exodus 1:16,22). The readers of Hebrews faced the same dilemma: whom to obey: God or a human ruler. The beauty of the child Moses was a sign of God's favor to his parents (compare Exodus 2:2, 6:20 and Numbers 26:58-59).

Moses refused to be the son of Pharaoh's daughter, but wanted to return to his own people, even though the Jews were a hated and despised minority. Moses was able to correctly assess the magnitude of his present and future rewards. One English translation (Cotton Patch) aptly translates: "He had an eye for true values."

The first Passover celebration, described in verse 28, is recounted in Exodus 12, and the passage through the Red Sea, described in verse 29, is recounted in Exodus 14-15. The capture of Jericho, described in verse 30, is recounted in Joshua 6.

The harlot Rahab mentioned in verse 31 (Joshua 2:8-11, 6:22-25, James 2:25) was, according to Matthew 1:5, the ancestor of David - and thus also of Jesus.

We often think that this list of saints only includes the names of especially successful and sinless people. But it is worth remembering that David (verse 32) was not only an adulterer but also a murderer (2 Sam. 11-12). God did and does His work through imperfect people.

Verse 32 mentions four judges of Israel, one king and one prophet (although Samuel could also be considered a judge). Corresponding Old Testament passages are: Judges 4:6-5:15 (Barak), Judges 6:11-8.35 (Gideon), Judges 11:1-12:7 (Jephthah), Judges 13:24-16:31 (Samson), see also 1 Sam 12:11. Samuel and David are mentioned in the books of Samuel and First Chronicles.

Verses 33-34 refer to the events of chapters 3 and 6 of the book of Daniel. Verse 35 refers to the widow of Zarephath whose son was raised from the dead by Elijah (1 Kings 17:17-24) and the Shunammite woman whose son was raised from the dead by Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-36). The background for verses 35-37 is 2 Maccabees chapter 7, which describes the suffering of the Jews during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes (160s BC). The "mock" in verse 36 could refer to the prophet Jeremiah, who suffered greatly because of his preaching (Jer 20:7-8). The prophet Isaiah is said to have died by being placed in a hollow tree that was sawn in two (verse 37). The stoning may refer to Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:20-22, cf. Luke 11:51).

Overall, it can be said that throughout chapter 11, the author wants to prove the Jewish teachers' claim correct: "Knowledge without actions is worthless!" A Christian's faith is not just knowledge, but it also compels one to act accordingly, even when one has to pay a high price for it.