Exploring the Scripture
Hebrews 11 explores the meaning of “faith” against the constant persecution of Christians. Faith has many meanings and uses. It’s a firm belief in a set of religious ideas; a human response to God’s gift of grace; an understanding that transcends learning; and an anchor in life’s difficulties.
A well-known definition is Hebrews 11:1: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Faith is the solid ground on which to build hope. And it is the basis for trusting God in the present, regardless of how difficult life becomes. With faith, we can interpret reality through spiritual truths that surpass what the physical eye can see or the rational mind can imagine. Even in the world’s creation, faith affirms that physical matter (things seen) was created from Spirit (things not seen) through the power of God.
The connection between hope and faith was critical for persecuted Christians. The faith in Christ that gave them hope was the same one that caused others to reject and persecute them. Persistent radical hope in the face of such persecution was the source of increased faith for themselves and others. Their experience of faith was the foundation of their future hope. The faith-filled experiences of ancestors such as Abel, Enoch, and Noah (v. 4–7) provided examples of trust and hope in God’s saving power.
Today’s lesson focuses on Abraham, the father of the Israelites, and his wife, Sarah. God called Abraham to leave his home, culture, friends, and everything familiar. Because of his faith, he responded by leaving Ur of the Chaldees to go to an unknown land but never became wealthy. He lived as a temporary foreigner on a small piece of land he bought from a Hittite. Aged Abraham and barren Sarah had Isaac, a miracle baby that testified of God’s faithfulness to his promise of descendants. The results were generations of Israelites, too many to count.
Those who trusted God and believed in his promises lived and died without seeing the results of their faith. They lived in hope, not fulfillment, believing in the vision of a permanent home and many descendants. The text says, “from a distance, they saw and greeted them” (v. 13). “Them” could refer to the multitude of Israelites born through the ages, fulfilling God’s promise. Or “them” could refer directly to the promises which they “saw” in their hearts and “greeted” by expecting and welcoming them as potential blessings for the future.
They continued to live like strangers because they believed God would give them “a better country, that is, a heavenly one” (v. 16). In response to that faith, God was pleased to be their God and prepare a special city for them (v. 16)—not just a pleasant afterlife, but the earthly foreshadowing of God’s supreme vision for all creation, the community of faith perfected and made whole.
Life is always changing. God calls us to leave the past behind and fix our eyes “beyond the horizon to which we are sent” (Doctrine and Covenants 161:1a). We are travelers, moving in faith, motivated by promises of what can be. We face the present reality with the assurance that God is faithful and with us.
Project Zion Podcast
Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.
Central Ideas
- Faith is the foundation for a future hope and the basis for trusting God in the present, regardless of how difficult life becomes.
- Abraham and Sarah showed faith in leaving their old lives behind and venturing into an unknown future (Genesis 12).
- In turn, God was faithful in fulfilling the promises made.
- As life changes, we must leave the past behind and move in faith toward an unknown future with hope and trust.
Questions to Consider
- When have you left your past behind and traveled into the future in faith?
- How is faith a journey rather than a destination?
- What challenges are you or your congregation facing that call you into a future by faith?
- How do you see God working faithfully to bring a new reality into the church and your congregation?