Saturday, July 4, 2015

Hebrews 11:13-27

Seeing Him Who is Invisible

What it says:

Heb 11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Heb 11:17  By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Heb 11:18  Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Heb 11:19  Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Heb 11:20  By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Heb 11:21  By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
Heb 11:22  By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Heb 11:23  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
Heb 11:24  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Heb 11:25  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Heb 11:26  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Heb 11:27  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 


What it means:

We’ve been looking at faith in Hebrews chapter 11. In the very first verse of the chapter, which we covered in the previous blog post, we saw that Faith is certain of God’s promises and is confident of God’s power. In verse 13, just like in verse 3 we are seeing that those of faith “perceive the divine design” – meaning they see God’s promises afar off.

Define: Perceive – recognize, see, identify, observe, understand, comprehend, realize

Through knowing and believing God’s promises they “perceive” the “divine design” – divine meaning God’s ultimate design and desire for us. Their perception of God gave them faith, understanding, and hope.

Heb 11:3  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Heb 11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off,


What did they die in? Faith.

What did they not receive? The promises.

Where did they see them? Afar off.

Define: Promise – vow, pledge, expectation, guarantee, give your word, assurance

Who made the promises? God.

Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah… all these died before the promises were made manifest in the flesh. God had made promises to them and they held on to them, seeing them afar off, in visions of hope for themselves and for their children. God had promised them, and they trusted God would deliver. They lived close to God by faith in Him.

and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

They were persuaded and convinced of God’s integrity. They embraced the promises of God’s good will toward men. They confessed they were strangers and pilgrims on this shadowy earth because they looked forward to living in the Heavenly City built by God.

Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary: This promise of eternal redemption is the inner essence of the promises made to Abraham

Eternal redemption is what all of them had before their eyes. The Hebrew people looked to the promises that Abraham had been given, but Abel and Enoch and Noah had always had their eyes on God and eternity. Eternity is what we have received in Jesus Christ:

Joh_17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Heb 11:14  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

What are strangers and pilgrims seeking? A country.

To “seek a country” is to seek a home. They seek refuge from the storms. They seek that safe haven which is the home port of peace and love. To seek a country is to seek sanctuary. They confess that this earth is not their home. Earth is not the final destination.

Heb 11:15  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.


Define: Mindful – watchful, aware, wary, heedful, alert, careful, attentive (Antonym: forgetful)

They were not pining for the past. If they had desired that country from which they had come out, they would likely have had an opportunity to return. Abraham never once said he wanted to go back to Ur of the Chaldees which is where he was born. He did not drive his life by his rear view mirror. He did not make his past the directive for his future. He lived his life by faith in God today and the promises of good hope for the future. If you examine a man’s or a woman’s faith, you will see what they are mindful of. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah all had their minds full of God and eternity.

Heb 11:16  But now they desire a better country,

What did they desire? A better country.

that is, an heavenly:


What kind of country did they desire? They desired an heavenly country. They swore their allegiance to heaven!!

Allegiance – loyalty, commitment, adherence, faithfulness, duty (Antonym: disloyalty)

wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God:

What an amazing statement. “God is not ashamed to be called their God.” They lived in such a way, trusting in God, that made God happy to be their God. What a desire for us to have also: to live in such a way that God is not ashamed that we are Christians.

Ashamed – embarrassed, humiliated, mortified, horrified, offended, affronted, insulted, upset, slighted, reluctant, unwilling,

What would make God ashamed to be known as our God? If we claim to be Christians, but live like the devil.

What would make God glad to be known as our God? Claiming him and being faithful to him. Walking in his way of love, with kindness and patience towards all.

When we actually live by faith, and walk in obedience, trusting in His promises to us in Jesus Christ, as the ancestors did, we honor God. He is strong in the midst of us. He is a mighty God and He dwells with us and rejoices over us.

Zep 3:17  The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

for he hath prepared for them a city.

Isa 54:12-14  And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.

Rev_21:2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Joh_14:2-3  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.


Heb 11:17  By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac:

Define: Tried – proved to be good, proved through experience or testing to be good, effective, and reliable, tested, “tried and true”

What did Abraham offer up when he was tested? Isaac, his son.

By what did Abraham pass his test? Faith.

Faith in what? God.

Gen 22:2  And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

Gen_22:7-8 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

Gen 22:11-13  And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.


Consider that Abraham feared God, and loved Him, so much that he had truly been willing to sacrifice his only son for Him. When we are willing to give our most precious possession unto God, God understands and blesses that willingness. Notice that in the end, God did not actually require Abraham to sacrifice his son. God could clearly see that Abraham fully intended to be obedient to God and do whatever He requested of him.

and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

Who had received the promises? Abraham.

Offered up his what? His only begotten son.

Heb 11:18  Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:


“Of whom it was said…” means a prophecy was spoken about Isaac and all his children:

Gen_17:19  And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

Abraham knew the promise of a multitude of children that were meant to come out of Isaac but did not assume that God would do that in “the usual way.” We cannot out guess or out predict what God has in store for us.

Heb 11:19  Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead;

Define: Accounting – considering, regarding, viewing, deeming, holding

By faith Abraham considered that God was able.

Able – capable, clever, competent, talented, proficient, intelligent, adept, bright, gifted, skilled (Antonym: incompetent)

What was God able to do to Isaac? Raise him from the dead.

Abraham did not assume that God had to do things the way Abraham, or you, or I, thought they should be done. He had waited many years for his son to be born of his wife… he also trusted that God knew what He was doing when He instructed him to sacrifice his son. The logical assumption, to Abraham, was that God had something better in mind. Abraham counted that God was able to raise up Isaac from any circumstance, up to, and including, death.

What a tremendous amount of faith Abraham had in God’s good character, and in His absolute power to perform any miracle that He wanted to!! To Abraham, nothing was too big, or too impossible for God.

That is the kind of faith we admire and desire. The only way to have that kind of faith is through knowing God, Himself. We get to know Him, when we seek Him.

Luk_12:29-31  And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Joh_17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.


Seeking to know and to serve God is what we’ve been both commanded and entreated to do:

Isa 45:22-25  Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

Amo_5:4  For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:


from whence also he received him in a figure.

Figure – G3850, παραβολή, parabole, par-ab-ol-ay', From G3846; a similitude (“parable”), that is, (symbolically) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), or adage: - comparison, figure, parable, proverb. --- form, outline, symbol

BBC: In a figurative sense, he did receive Isaac back from the dead. He had committed himself to the fact that Isaac must be slain. God credited him with the act. But, as Grant put it so poignantly, the Lord “spared Abraham's heart a pang He would not spare His own.” He provided a ram to take Isaac's place, and the only begotten son was returned to his father's heart and home.

Heb 11:20  By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

Jacob and Esau were the sons of Isaac.

What did Isaac bless his sons concerning? Things to come (the future).

How did Isaac know to bless his sons this way? The Holy Spirit of God.

Isaac blessed Jacob (his second son) as the first born, and Esau he blessed with what he had left over. They knew in the blessing of Jacob that he was the one who would receive the inheritance which was due to the first born. Once Isaac had blessed Jacob and then Esau discovered that his inheritance had been given to Jacob he entreated Isaac to bless him, too. Isaac, knowing all the words, all the power, all the riches, and all the authority had already been given to Jacob, could only bless him with the fatness of the earth and the dew from heaven.

Gen 27:37  And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?

Gen 27:39-40  And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.


Heb 11:21  By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

What  two things did Jacob do by faith? Blessed Joseph's sons and worshiped.

When did Jacob do this? When he was dying.

How did he worship? Leaning on the top of his staff.

In whom did Jacob put his faith? God.

Heb 11:22  By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

What did Joseph, by faith, make mention of? The departing of the children of Israel.

Concerning what did he command them? His bones.

Gen_50:25  And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.

Exo_13:19  And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.

Jos_24:32  And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.


Joseph prophesied that the children of Israel would one day be leaving Egypt and he told them to take his bones with them back to the promised land for burial when they went. Four hundred and thirty years later Moses took the bones of Joseph out of Egypt with them, and they buried them in Shechem.

Who did Joseph have faith in? God.

How did Joseph know to say the things he said? The Holy Spirit of God.

Heb 11:23  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

Whose faith is being mentioned here? Moses' parents.

How long did Moses parents hide him? Three months.

What kind of child did they see he was? Proper.

Of what were they not afraid? The king's commandment.

In whom did Moses parents have faith? God.

Heb 11:24  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

What did Moses refuse to be called? The son of Pharaoh's daughter.

In whom did Moses have faith? God.

Believer’s Bible Commentary: By faith Moses himself was able to make several noble renunciations. Though reared in the luxury of Egypt's palace and assured of all the things that men strive for, he learned that “it is not the possession of things but the forsaking of them that brings rest” (J. Gregory Mantle).

First of all, he refused Egypt's fame. He was the adopted son of Pharaoh's daughter and therefore assured of a place in the social elite, perhaps even as Pharaoh's successor. But he had been born of better blood—a member of God's chosen earthly people. From this nobility he could not step down to Egypt's royalty. In his adult years he made his choice; he would not hide his true nationality to win a few short years of earthly fame. The result? Instead of occupying a line or two of hieroglyphics on some obscure tomb, he is memorialized in God's eternal Book. Instead of being found in a museum as an Egyptian mummy, he is famous as a man of God.


Heb 11:25  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

What did Moses choose to do? Suffer affliction with the people of God.

What did he choose not to do? Enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

BBC: Second, he repudiated the pleasures of Egypt. Humble association with the suffering people of God meant more to him than the transient gratification of his appetites. The privileges of sharing ill-treatment with his own people was greater pleasure to him than dissipation in Pharaoh's court.

Heb 11:26  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Define: Esteem – regard, respect, admire, prize, cherish, hold dear,

What did he regard the reproach of Christ to be? Greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.

The reproach of Christ speaks of all the false judgment and cruelty that Christ suffered on the cross for us. Is it reasonable to think that Moses knew the name of Jesus Christ? No, that is not what is meant here. What Moses suffered at the hands of Pharaoh was a reproach similar to the reproach that Christ suffered. Both of them suffered for the sake of God and his people. Moses was a “deliverer” for the Israelites who were in bondage. As a deliverer, Moses was a type of Christ figure, who also suffered to deliver his people.

What did Moses have “respect unto”? The recompence of the reward.

Moses valued (respected) the heavenly treasure (recompence of the reward) more than the earthly one.

Mar_10:21  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Heb 11:27  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king:

BBC: Emboldened by faith, he made his exit from the land of bondage, careless of the wrath of the king. It was a clear break from the politics of this world. He feared Pharaoh so little because he feared God so much. He kept his eyes on “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen”

for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Define: Endured – bear, tolerate, suffer, undergo, continue, go on, carry on, keep on, persist

What did Moses see that gave him courage to endure? Him who is invisible!! The invisible God:

Rom_1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Col_1:15-16  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

1Ti_1:17  Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Act_2:25  For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:


Moses was able to endure the hardships of Egypt and Pharaoh’s whims because he kept his mind and his eyes on God. By doing the same thing, we, too, will be able to inherit the promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus!! Amen!!


Read our verses again:

Heb 11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Heb 11:17  By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Heb 11:18  Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Heb 11:19  Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Heb 11:20  By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Heb 11:21  By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
Heb 11:22  By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Heb 11:23  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
Heb 11:24  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Heb 11:25  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Heb 11:26  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Heb 11:27  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.