Seeing Beyond by Faith
Photo by Ian Stauffer on Unsplash
Faith Is More than Belief
When faith is reduced to an abstract concept, a spiritual dynamic, or positive thinking, it becomes blind. Approaching faith in these ways strips faith down to an impersonal and human-based belief-ism.
Genuine faith in God must be personal. It is based on a relationship with God, not beliefs about Him. Are theological beliefs important? Of course! But they are what we believe about God.
Faith is a personal trust in God Himself. Who He is and what He's promised in response to our trust in Him (see Hebrews 11:6).
This is the faith Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph had that enabled them to see beyond their own lives. It was a faith focused on God, whom they trusted with confidence. Their trust in God opened their eyes to see what others did not see.
Scripture Text
When God tested Abraham, faith led him to offer his son Isaac. Abraham, the one who received the promises from God, was willing to offer his only son as a sacrifice. God had said to him, “Through Isaac your descendants will carry on your name.”
Abraham believed that God could bring Isaac back from the dead. Abraham did receive Isaac back from the dead in a figurative sense. [vss 17-19]
Faith led Isaac to bless Jacob and Esau. While Jacob was dying, faith led him to bless each of Joseph’s sons. He leaned on the top of his staff and worshiped God.
While Joseph was dying, faith led him to speak about the Israelites leaving Egypt and give them instructions about burying his bones. [vss 20-22] (Hebrews 11:17-23 GW)
[Context– Hebrews 11]
Key Phrase
While Joseph was dying, faith led him to speak about the Israelites leaving Egypt.
Dig Deeper Into the Text
What were we told faith led Abraham to do? How could faith lead him to do this?
Why was Abraham willing to sacrifice his son after waiting 25 years for Isaac to be born?
What do the blessings given by Isaac and Jacob have in common?
What did Joseph tell the Israelites to do and why?
Why do you think this was important to Joseph?
Things to Consider
Many people can’t get beyond wondering why God would ask Abraham to sacrifice his son. They imagine God to be barbaric. Why? They can’t think beyond their own feelings and reasoning.
In Abraham’s time, animal sacrifices were the norm, not an exception. Even human sacrifices took place to appease what they perceived as angry gods who would punish them for not sacrificing. Was it barbaric? Yes!
What was different about Abraham was his belief in a living God, rather than idolatrous worship like the prevailing culture of his time. Faith is not blind but sees God and trusts in Him. So, is it risky to trust in God? It depends on how you view God and His nature.
Abraham believed in the goodness and promises of God. “Abraham believed that God could bring Isaac back from the dead. Abraham did receive Isaac back from the dead in a figurative sense.” He trusted in God, and God honored Abraham’s faith.
Faith is a matter of trust, not reason. When we can't see beyond our own feelings and logic, we can't trust. This makes us spiritually blind. The nature of faith enables us to see beyond what is obvious and observable by others.
When we look at one aspect of a story in the Bible without seeing it within its whole context—its beginning, middle, and end—we are short-sighted. If you struggle with the idea of Abraham’s obedience and willingness to sacrifice Isaac, you need to look at the outcome. It’s a picture of what would come when God gave His only Son for the redemption of the world (see John 3:16).
God's legacy is seen in those who trust in Him with their lives. Those who trust in Him without reserve, like Abraham, are the true offspring of God. Each person has a legacy not of themselves but of those who are their offspring—both natural born and spiritually born.
Will your legacy outlive this world? The legacies of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph not only existed in this world but also beyond it. When we live by genuine faith, the legacy of our lives will live beyond this world, too.
Answer These Questions to Apply God’s Word in Your Life
How is the testing of Abraham's faith relatable to the original hearers (readers) of the book of Hebrews and us now?
How are the blessings Isaac and Jacob spoke of related to the promise of God to Abraham?
What is your legacy of faith? How has and does your faith influence and impact others?
In what ways do you trust God beyond your fears, doubts, and human reasoning?
Here’s a link to a free study guide for the book of Hebrews— Study Guide and Study Questions for Hebrews
