FAITH
Text: Hebrews 11
Lesson Seven – V.12, 17-19
Examples of the ancients who were commended for their faith: (Cont’d.)
ABRAHAM [Part 2]: V.12, 17-19 – 12And so from this 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.
17By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 19Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
(V.12) … from this 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. This is the fulfillment of the promise contained in Genesis 15:4-5 – 4Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.” 5He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars–if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Let us thank the Lord that His promises are sure. Numbers 23:19 – God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
Note Romans 4:18-22 – 18Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead–since he was about a hundred years old–and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Let us thank the Lord for the blessing of Romans 4:23-25 – 23The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness–for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
(V.17-18) – 17By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” See Genesis 22:1-19.
Genesis 22:1 – Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.
God tested Abraham – Let us thank the Lord for the following passages which will help us to be victorious when tested.
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 – 12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
James 1:2-3, 12 – 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
1 Peter 1:7 (Amplified Bible) – So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed.
Genesis 22:5 – He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”
We will worship and then we will come back to you. Note Hebrews 11:19 – Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
Genesis 22:8 – Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.
Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” This is an example of Abraham’s prophetic utterances. Note Genesis 20:7 – Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all yours will die.”
Note also James 2:21-23 – 21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
Let us ask the Lord to help us to be His friends by believing Him.