Hebrews 11:8-10; 17-19
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
Abraham’s calling and life clearly demonstrate the walk of faith. When God first called him out from the Ur of the Chaldeans to go to a land yet unknown, he obeyed. He trusted the invisible God for an inheritance promised yet unseen. Later, when God promised to give him a son through Sarah, again Abraham believed against all odds. As a result, this was credited to him as righteousness. When God still asked him to do the impossible – sacrifice the son he loved – by faith, he obeyed. The author of Hebrews adds an interesting explanation that is not in the original narrative. That Abraham believed that God was able to raise from the dead. In other words, even without a point of reference, Abraham believed in the resurrection.
What then can we learn from the faith and life of Abraham? First, it is to realise that we must respond to God’s calling by faith – salvation is by faith alone. Secondly, we must continue our Christian journey by faith, obediently responding to God’s leading. Thirdly, we must believe and look forward to the coming resurrection of the dead. On account of these, Abraham was commended as a man of faith. We, too, will be commended and eventually received into the eternal dwellings if we follow in his steps.
Reflections
1. Is there something ‘impossible’ that God has asked of you? Respond like Abraham – by faith, obey.
