Hebrews 11:1-2, 4-13

Hebrews 11 opens with a definition of faith: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” This definition was not produced by the human mind. This definition is from the Holy Spirit of God. It is a definition, authored by God and given to us by Him with the intent that we should reflect upon these words and be moved to act upon His word.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Faith is characterized by substance. Faith is not an illusion. It is not virtual reality. Faith has substance and that substance consists of things hoped for. Understood of the things hoped for is the source. It is God. The faith that has substance in things hoped for is rooted in God’s promises. For the elders, the patriarchs of Israel, a good report was found in believing God’s promises (v. 2). God counted Abraham’s faith for righteousness (Gen. 15:6, Rom. 4:5).

The second part of this definition of faith is that it is evidence of things not seen. Verse 3 explains the role of faith. Things not seen exist. Things not seen are part of human understanding. Human understanding is built upon faith. Through faith, one understands that the things which we see can be explained by things which we cannot see. It is through faith that we know that for every effect that we observe, there is a cause. It is through faith (evidence of things not seen) that we know that all that has happened was shaped by God. God (unseen) is the cause of all things seen. It is through faith that God speaks to us. The things we see are evidence of things unseen.

In the text before us we see both that which was hoped for and evidence of that which is unseen in the lives of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sara.

By faith, Abel made a more excellent offering. Abel gave the firstlings of his flock and the fat thereof (Gen. 4:4). Abel gave of the first of that which he had to give. Abel gave, hoping that the firstlings of his flock would be sufficient. The excellence of Abel’s offering, while not being seen by men (his brother Cain thought his own offering to be more excellent), was seen by God (v. 4). God sees the widow’s mite, the offering of the heart (Lk. 21:1-4).

By faith, Enoch pleased God. Enoch possessed a testimony which pleased God (v. 5). The scripture is silent upon Enoch’s testimony. Enoch pleased God by that which is only seen by Him (I Sam. 16:7, Jer. 17:10). Again, Enoch pleased God by faith.

Faith is key in one’s relationship with God (v. 6). God has given all men faith (evidence of things not seen) for purpose: that we might believe that He has shaped, continues to shape, and will shape (past, present and future) all things. Through faith, men know God and know that He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him. Enoch most certainly possessed a testimony of diligently seeking God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

Noah became the heir of righteousness which is by faith (v. 7). Noah pleased God because he believed God’s warning of that which would come. Because Noah acted upon God’s word (evidence of things never before seen), he became an heir to the righteousness which is of God. Noah believed God’s word and acted upon it.

Abraham demonstrated the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen in two differing manners. First, he acted upon God’s call to go to a place that God would show him. On the second, he waited in, without receiving, the land of promise. Abraham believed God would fulfill His promise of the land to his (Abraham’s) yet to be born seed.

Sara, too, believed God would fulfill His promise. Sara laughed with skepticism when she, being ninety years old, heard that she would bear the promised seed. When reminded that nothing is too hard for the Lord, she was strengthened. She bore Isaac and lived for thirty-seven more years (Gen. 18:12-14, 23:1). Sara believed that nothing is too hard for the Lord. When one believes that nothing is too hard for the Lord, one possesses the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

“Therefore sprang . . .” (v. 12). Because of faith, because of the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, the number of heirs of Abraham who should receive the promise is beyond a number which can be counted.

In verse 13, the writer of Hebrews was moved by the Holy Spirit to state that this number which was too great to count died in faith. They died, not having received the promises that they had seen far off.

When one dies in faith, one dies with substance — the substance of things hoped for, the substance of things seen far off. When one dies in faith, one dies persuaded of that which God has promised. When one dies in faith, one dies embracing that which God has promised. When one dies in faith, one dies confessing that one is a stranger and pilgrim upon the earth. When one dies in faith, one dies believing God is and God is the keeper of the promises which He has spoken.

God desires that all men should die in faith and not perish. He would have all men repent of their ways and seek Him (II Pet. 3:9). God has revealed through Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sara the faith which pleases Him, the faith that He counts for righteousness. God would have all men look upon themselves and see themselves by His measure.

We now see through a glass, darkly; but the day shall come, when face to face, we shall know with certainty beyond all certainty (I Cor. 13:12).