Our Daily Dose
Day 92 of 365 · Week 14 · Faith in the Prophets
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Examples of Faith from the Old Testament
Hebrews 11:7-22
Scripture · Hebrews 11:7-22
7By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. 9By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised. 12And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. 13All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own. 15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. 17By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” 19Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death. 20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future. 21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. 22By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones.
Berean Standard Bible (BSB), public domain.
The writer of Hebrews continues by presenting a series of examples from the Old Testament, demonstrating how faith was lived out by the patriarchs and other significant figures. These examples serve as a “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) that testify to the enduring power of faith in God.
- Noah’s Faith: “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family” (Hebrews 11:7). Noah’s faith is highlighted by his obedience to God’s command to build an ark in preparation for a flood, despite the fact that such an event was unprecedented. Noah’s actions demonstrate that faith often involves obedience to God’s word, even when it goes against human understanding or societal norms.
- Abraham’s Faith: Abraham is perhaps the most prominent figure in this chapter. “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8). Abraham’s faith is characterized by his willingness to leave his homeland and journey into the unknown, trusting in God’s promise. His faith is further exemplified when he is willing to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice, believing that God could raise him from the dead if necessary (Hebrews 11:17-19).
- Sarah’s Faith: “By faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise” (Hebrews 11:11). Sarah’s faith is seen in her belief that God would fulfill His promise to give her a son, despite her old age. Her faith was not without its struggles, but ultimately, she trusted in God’s faithfulness.
- The Patriarchs’ Faith: The writer also highlights the faith of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, who all trusted in God’s promises regarding their descendants and the future inheritance of the land. Despite not seeing the fulfillment of these promises in their lifetimes, they lived and died in faith, confident that God’s word would come to pass (Hebrews 11:20-22).
Exegetical Viewpoints
- Faith as Obedience: The examples of Noah, Abraham, and Sarah illustrate that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but involves active obedience to God’s commands. Faith is demonstrated by actions that reflect trust in God, even when those actions seem irrational by human standards.
- Faith and the Unseen: The faith of the patriarchs was rooted in their confidence in God’s promises, even though they did not see those promises fulfilled during their lifetimes. This highlights the enduring nature of faith, which looks beyond present circumstances to the future reality of God’s kingdom.
Practical Applications
- Act on Your Faith: Like Noah and Abraham, be willing to take bold steps of obedience in response to God’s word. Let your actions be a reflection of your trust in God’s promises, even when those actions defy conventional wisdom or logic.
- Hold Fast to God’s Promises: In moments of doubt or delay, remember the example of the patriarchs who trusted in God’s promises even when they did not see immediate results. Maintain a long-term perspective, trusting that God’s promises will be fulfilled in His perfect timing.
This devotional is one day from Our Daily Dose, a 365-day journey through Scripture by Armstrong & Zanele Ogwuche.
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Scripture is shown in public-domain translations, so you can share it freely. The study text is from Our Daily Dose by Armstrong & Zanele Ogwuche.
A daily devotional from KingdomOS. Share freely; every card links back here.
A daily devotional from KingdomOS. Share freely; every card links back here.