Hebrews 11:30-40

Hebrews 11:30

We may make use of extraordinary examples to encourage our ordinary faith at ordinary times. These models are on a very grand and large scale, and so we can plainly see them.

I. Faith works and suffers; faith is busy and energetic. It is our only strength and victory. In suffering we glorify God as well as in action; and in suffering it is only faith which grasps the promises, and rests on the bosom of God in quiet and loving humility. Suffering is an honour God puts on His saints. To them it is givento suffer for Christ's sake. A life without affliction and self-denial, a life without the cross, is not likely to precede the life with the crown. Let tried believers not doubt that they are precious in God's sight.

II. The first and most obvious difference between the old saints of the Church is, that the promised salvation was to them entirelyin the future; while we have lived to see the first advent, we also are looking forward to the fulfilment of God's promises at the second coming. But to Israel the Messianic advent, with its salvation and glory, was altogether in the future. The reasons why the gift of the Spirit is now bestowed are manifold and obvious. (1) The Spirit's advent is connected with the finished work of redemption. Because the blood has been shed, the Spirit descends. (2) The Spirit comes through the preaching of faith, and not by the law. It is when the forgiveness of sin is declared that God puts His Spirit within our hearts. (3) The Spirit, as an indwelling Spirit, descends from the incarnate, crucified, and glorified Son of God, the Christ or anointed Head of the Church. At the coming of the Lord the union of all believers will be manifested. This union will be to the glory of God, a part of the blessedness of His people.

A. Saphir, Lectures on Hebrews,vol. ii., p. 337.

References: Hebrews 11:31. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. iii., No. 119; vol. xviii., No. 1061.Hebrews 11:32. W. Stevenson, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xiii., p. 292; Homiletic Magazine,vol. vii., p. 278. Hebrews 11:33. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. viii., No. 435.Hebrews 11:34. Ibid.,vol. xii., No. 697; A. P. Stanley, Church of England Pulpit,vol. xiv., p. 301; Preacher's Monthly,vol. v., p. 9; Archbishop Benson, Boy Life,p. 46.