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Presented, September 18, 2005

FAITH – THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR (5)

Faith of the Patriarchs (11-12, 20-22)

                Today, we continue our study of faith in the above text.  Thus far we have noted the faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah and Abraham.  Today, those closest to Abraham – his wife, son, grandson and Joseph.

I.                     Sarah – Faith’s Conclusion (11-12)

a.        The life of Sarah – Sarah was Abraham’s wife.  She was with him when he was called out of Mesopotamia.  (Gen. 29:29-30).  Sarah was barren.  So when the promise was made to Abraham concerning his seed, they looked for other alternatives to help God fulfill His plan.  (Genesis 16)  But He had a different plan in mind (Gen. 17:15-16).  At the age 99 the Lord tells Abraham that he is about to have a son with Sarah, who was 89.  Abraham laughs and is willing to let God’s promise be fulfilled through Ishmael (17:17-18).   A short time later the Lord speaks to Abraham again and says it is time for Sarah to conceive.  Sarah laughs (18:10-12) at the thought of becoming a mother.  It is a mocking, doubtful laugh.  For the Lord rebukes her (18:13-15).  About a year later, Isaac is born to Sarah. (21:1-7) Note vs. 6 where Sarah now laughs again, this time glorifying God.   It says, “And Sarah said,"God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me." 7 She also said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age." (6-7)
Isaac is named which means, “laughter.”  He becomes the promised son.

b.       The faith of Sarah.  While it seems that hers was a weak faith, perhaps it is better to say that it wavered.  Yet when it was needed, she had the faith.  Enough faith to believe God AND enough to be commended for it.  Notice our verses  (11:11-12)

c.        Sarah influenced by Abraham – One lesson I see in her faith is the impact of Abraham’s faith in her life.  His godliness helped her godliness.  Never underestimate the power of influence. 
1 Peter 3:1-2 – Wives are told that with such godliness they may be able to win their husbands.

d.       After being rebuked by the Lord, she does believe Him.  Sometimes, what it takes to produce the faith we need is a little “shaking up” or rebuke.
In the next chapter of Hebrews, the writer will speak of the chastening of the Lord.  Note vs. 5-6, & vs. 11.

e.        God’s Promise fulfilled – Another lesson to glean from the faith of Sarah is an example of God keeping His promises.  Ultimately, we find faith’s conclusion.

IF God can keep that promise, we can have confidence that He will do ALL that He says. 

II.                   Isaac – Faith Overcoming the Will of the Flesh (20)

a.        Not much is recorded about Isaac.  And what is said about him is usually associated with his involvement with others.  Genesis 22 – Abraham offers him as a sacrifice; Genesis 24 – a wife is found for him – Rebekah – as Abraham sends his servant to Haran to find one of his kin.  Next we read of Jacob and Esau being born and from there the story turns to their disputes. (Genesis 25:19-28).   When Isaac  pleads with the Lord and Rebekah conceives she is told, “two nations are in your womb … the older shall serve the younger.”
Note, Genesis 25:28, “And Isaac loved Esau because he ate his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.”   Genesis 25 records how Jacob has taken Esau’s birthright. 
Chapter 27 tells us how through deceit he steals Esau’s blessing from him as well.  Jacob is ready to bless his oldest son and sends him out to hunt wild game.  In the meantime, Rebekah helps Jacob receive the blessing before Esau returns from hunting.  It works.  When Esau returns, vs. 33 tells us that Isaac trembled (anger, fear, ?) but he stands by his blessing.  In fact as Esau begs for a blessing as well, he is promised prosperity in the land but that is it.  He would serve his brother.  Note also 28:1-2 shows that Isaac accepted what he had done AS THE WILL OF GOD and proceeded to protect Jacob and the Promise.

b.       This is the verse we have recorded in our text concerning him (20).  Jacob intended to bless Easu, but when he finds out he has been deceived, he accepts the outcome, having blessed Jacob.  Understand that this was the outcome GOD intended.  While it was against what Isaac wanted to do, he accepted God’s will as it happened.

c.        True faith in our lives will move us to overcome the will of the flesh.  It will move us to ACCEPT God’s will, even if it is not what we want or think is right. 
Far too many today want to serve God on their terms.  They cater to their fleshly desires and only follow the Lord’s will as long as they agree or it is what they want to do.  We cannot do that and please God
Romans 13:14 - Put on the Lord and make no provisions for the flesh…
Romans 8:8 – those who are of the flesh cannot please God
Galatians 5:16-17 – we are to “walk in the Spirit…”
Note also, 1 John 5:4 – “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.”

d.       Do we have the faith of Jacob to accept His will for us in all things?
 

Thus we can see more examples of faith and hopefully, a clearer picture of the impact true faith ought to have in our lives.  Is our faith as it ought to be?  Does it help us accept the truths of God’s word, even when it is against the will of the flesh or the will of men?  Will we remain faithful unto death?  If we cannot answer these questions in the affirmative with assurance we need to work on our faith.  Think about it.