Hebrews 11:17-22 Faith is to obey even when nothing makes sense

Hebrews 11:17-22

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.” 19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

Background

Faith is the virtue of reverence and fear of God; it is the propensity to obey God when nothing makes sense. Abraham did not murmur, but offered up Isaac in reverence expecting God to raise him from death. In today’s passage, we also learn that faith involves preparing the next generation and passing on the baton of God’s work.

Observation

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac…

While Abraham was still struggling in the thick of temptation, he offered up Isaac – that’s faith! While he was still trying to make sense of God’s command, he obeyed. From God’s perspective, Abraham had already sacrificed Isaac although he was spared. God saw Abraham’s faith and that was all that He needed. God said, “…for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” Genesis 22:12.

And he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son…

Isaac was the appointed son through whom descendants may be added to Abraham. It is through Isaac that Christ (the Seed) came as Savior of the world. It seemed impossible that God’s promise would materialize if Isaac was sacrificed. However, Abraham believed that if he obeyed, God would make a way. Although logic cannot reconcile Isaac’s sacrifice and the fulfillment of the promise, Abraham demonstrated faith through obedience. The Angel stopped Abraham from killing Isaac sparing his life. In a sense, Abraham received Isaac back from the dead as a type of resurrection. Perhaps, Isaac being an offspring out of his old age added to Abraham’s struggle towards obedience.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come…

Isaac, in the act of blessing Jacob and Esau, did two things:

1. He imbued them with hope towards a glorious future.
2. He handed over to them the baton that carried the commission to obtain the promise.

“Things to come” refers to the promise of the heavenly city and the innumerable descendants. In receiving the commission, the recipients (of the blessing of Isaac) also received the blessings of the heavenly city. By the act of blessing, the blesser released himself from the responsibilities of the kingdom’s work. By blessing them, the blesser entrusted the next generation to God who would lead them on the path of faith towards the promise. The act of blessing was the consequence of years of preparation that the blesser had invested in the next generation.

Joseph’s instructions concerning his bones showed his continual longing for the city of God. Although Joseph lived most of his life in Egypt, his heart has always been with the land of promise.

Truth

Faith is releasing our most treasured possession without being angry or irreverent. Most of us will feel angry towards God if our most treasured possession is taken from us. Some having lost a job, an ability due to sickness, or a loved one still harbor a sublime anger towards God. Before God entrusted Abraham with the blessing of innumerable descendants and a heavenly city, He must find Abraham fully reverent in submission to Him. Having offered up Isaac, the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Now I know that you fear God…” Genesis 22:12. God did not force Abraham into sacrificing Isaac. In fact, Abraham willingly and reverently offered up Isaac without a murmur. Once God finds us fully and reverently submitted to Him, He entrusts us with great authority and make us a blessing to the world. Isaac also learned an invaluable lesson from his father on that day – the virtues that lead to great blessings are trust and the fear of God.

Faith is to obey even when nothing makes sense. Most people would not obey God when they could not make sense of His commands. They see God’s word and His commands as unnecessary inconveniences and hindrances to their life goals. Some even see Sunday services as a hindrance to their family life and career. Hence, they try to strike a “balance” between God and the cares of life. They do not recognize the Bible as coming from the Most High God. They measure the validity of the Bible by their own standards. Their reception of God’s will is selective while keeping a “safe” distance from Him. As a result, they pass up on the great blessings that God has planned for them. Abraham had reason to ignore God’s directive to offer up Isaac because Isaac was appointed as the seed to the promise: “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.” Killing Isaac was equivalent to killing the promise. Here was where Abraham made the mark of faith; he obeyed God even though it did not make sense. In order for Isaac to be a seed, and a sacrifice at the same time, God must raise Isaac from death; a incredulous assumption at a time when there were no known cases of resurrection. Many in the place of Abraham would have dismissed God as having broken His promise.

Faith is the act of passing the baton in the spirit of hope and assurance. One can pass on the baton while feeling hopeless concerning the future. One can also hold onto the baton because no one is good enough to receive it. It takes faith to pass the baton to the next generation having done all to prepare them for it. Therefore, believers must endeavor to build up the next generation according to the virtues of God so that there will be someone to receive the work when our time is up. Once we pass on the baton, there is no taking it back. We must be confident that what we have invested in them, with the grace of God, will be more than sufficient to meet the challenges of their time.

Application

1. Has your job, hobby or family become a hindrance to you? Have those things robbed you of your commitment and passion for God? If God were to take those things away from you, would you be angry and irreverent towards Him? Perhaps, it is time to set your priorities correct by restoring God as your first love les His discipline comes upon you.
2. Are you preparing the next generation to receive the baton? For some, there is nothing to pass on because they have been busy with the cares of life. Endeavor to be a disciple today, and prepare to have disciples of your own in the future. Approach your pastor and request to be enrolled into the church’s discipleship programme.

Dear Lord, I desire to acquire the faith of Abraham. Fill me with your Spirit and increase my ability to trust and obey your word. Make me a disciple today and fill me with your virtues. Prepare me to be a disciple maker so that I could pass on the baton of your commission to the next generation. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.