1
Faith is the confidence (conviction, sureness, belief) that what we hope for
(expectation, optimism) will actually happen; it gives us assurance (guarantee)
about things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in
days of old earned a good reputation (testimony). 3 By faith we
understand that the entire universe (worlds) was formed at God’s command (Word),
that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen…. 6
And it is impossible to please (and be satisfactory to) God without faith.
Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He
rewards those who sincerely seek Him. Hebrews 11:1-3,
6, New Living Translation 2nd Edition
In
the great chapter of Hebrews 11, the unknown author of Hebrews gives an Old
Testament history lesson on faith in the living LORD God and His Son, Jesus the
Messiah (Christ) (see Hebrews 11:1-40). Then in chapter 12, the author of Hebrews
encourages all believers to keep their hearts and minds on Lord Jesus Christ,
who is the Author and Perfecter of our faith (see
Hebrews 12:2). By faith, the writer of Hebrews declares that the universe, worlds,
the ages, the stars, and all living things were made by the invisible yet
eternal LORD God Almighty’s Word (Hebrews 1:2; Hebrews 11:3; see also Genesis
1:1; Psalm 33:6, 9; John 1:3; Romans 4:17; 2 Peter 3:5).
No
one can please and become satisfactory to the living LORD God Almighty, who is the
Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, without our wholehearted and open faith
in Him (Hebrews 11:6; see also 1 Kings 8:61; 1
Chronicles 28:9; 2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith in the living LORD God of glory also
means faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus of glory (e.g., see John 12:44; John
14:1). The living LORD God and His Son Jesus are ONE (e.g., see John
10:30, 38; John 12:45; John 14:9-11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Philippians 2:6;
Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3). The Lord Jesus Christ came from His Father, the true
and living God of heaven and earth (e.g. see, John 1:1, 14, 18; John 17:3). Our
faith must ONLY be in the living LORD God Almighty and His Son, who created the
heavens and earth (e.g., see Acts 17:24-28; Colossians 1:15-20). Anyone who
wants to come to the only true and living God must wholeheartedly believe that
there is ONE God and believe He generously rewards those who love
and seek Him, obey His commands, and do what is right, fair, and good (Hebrews
11:6; see also Deuteronomy 6:4-6; 1 Chronicles 28:7-9; 2 Chronicles 15:2; Micah
6:6-8; Zephaniah 2:3; 1 John 3:5-6; 3 John 1:11). The LORD God is pleased
with our goodness, honesty, and blamelessness lives (e.g. see Genesis 17:1;
1 Chronicles 29:17-19).
What
is faith? According to Hebrews 11, faith is the confident assurance and
expectation that something we want is going to happen (see
Hebrews 11:1). Even more, faith is the certainty that what we hope for is
waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead (Hebrews 11:1; see also
Romans 8:24). Essentially, faith combines both assurance and anticipation. Nevertheless,
faith is NOT selfish ambition, “me first,” nor self-serving, but God-centered
and others-centered (e.g. see Romans 10:10; 1 Corinthians 13:2).
Hebrews
11 summarizes the lives and labors of those great men and women of faith found
in the Old Testament. By faith, the author of Hebrews notes these great heroes
of the Old Testament gained approval from the living LORD God (see Hebrews
11:2). Their faith in the LORD God
Almighty distinguished these Old Testament heroes above the crowd (see Hebrews
11:2). Amazingly, all these men and women of God shared these common characteristics:
courage, obedience, goodness, allegiance, faithfulness,
and dependence only on the LORD God and His mighty power (Hebrews 11:2,
4, 39; see also e.g., Genesis 6:9, 22; Genesis 17:1; Exodus 40:16; Deuteronomy
18:13)!
First
of all, by faith and trust, Abel obeyed the living LORD God of glory and
brought an offering that pleased God more than Cain’s offering (Hebrews 11:4;
see also Genesis 4:4-8; Proverbs
15:8). Cain and Abel were brothers born of Adam and Eve (see Genesis 4:1-2). The
Holy Scriptures teaches that Abel lived righteously and good before the living
God and shun evil while his brother Cain lived unrighteous and followed the
evil one (Hebrews 11:4; see also Genesis 4:7; Matthew 23:35; 1 John 3:12).
Because of Cain’s evil ways, Cain murdered his brother Abel (see Genesis 4:8).
Also,
Enoch trusted and lived in ways that pleased the living LORD God Almighty (see Hebrews
11:5). The Holy Scriptures teaches that Enoch walked faithfully with the living
LORD God of heaven and earth and lived a life of goodness and righteousness,
which pleased God (see Genesis 5:21-24). Because of Enoch’s goodness and
righteousness, the LORD God took Enoch away to heaven without dying (Hebrews
11:5; see also Genesis 5:24). Similarly, the living LORD took his faithful prophet
Elijah to heaven without seeing death (see 2 Kings 2:11). Amazingly, the Lord
Jesus Christ promised that His faithful servants who obeyed His commands would also
not see eternal death (e.g., see John 5:24; John 8:51; John 11:26; Hebrews 2:9).
Noah
was another person who lived by faith and obedience in the living LORD God (Hebrews
11:7; see also Genesis 6:13-22). The Holy Scriptures teaches that Noah was a
righteous man and the only blameless person living on earth at that time (e.g.,
see Genesis 6:9; 2 Peter 2:5). Noah walked in close fellowship with the
living LORD God, despite all the corruption, injustice, and
violence rampant in his world (e.g., see Genesis 6:9, 11-13; Genesis
7:1; 1 Peter 3:20). Because of the world’s corruption and violence, the LORD
God decided to destroy the world with devastating floods (e.g., see Genesis 6:17;
Genesis 7:4; 2 Peter 2:5). When Noah heard God’s warning about the future, Noah
believed the LORD God Almighty and did all that God commanded him even though
there was no evidence nor sign of a coming flood (Hebrews 11:7; see also Genesis
6:13, 17, 22; Genesis 7:5, 9, 16). Wasting no time, Noah built the ark and
saved his family from death and destruction (Hebrews
11:7; see also Genesis 6:14-16).
Noah’s
faith in God was in direct contrast to the sin, corruption and disbelief of the
rest of the world (Hebrews 11:7; see also Genesis 6:11-13). The rest of the
world refused to obey the living LORD God Almighty and was destroyed by the disastrous
floods (Hebrews 11:7; see also 2 Peter 3:5-6). Because of Noah’s faith and
obedience to the living LORD God Almighty, Noah became one of those whom God
accepted (Hebrews 11:7; see also Genesis 6:17). Even more, the LORD God entered
into a lasting covenant with Noah – the Noahic covenant – to never again
destroy the world by flooding (see Genesis 6:18; Genesis 9:9-16). Truly, the
living LORD God protects His honest, blameless, and righteous people from
eternal destruction (e.g., see Psalm 15:1-5; Psalm 37:37-40).
Interestingly,
the Lord Jesus used Noah’s story to warn people to be ready for His return at
the coming end of the age – the Eschaton (see Matthew 24:36-42). The Lord Jesus
taught that His return will be like Noah’s day (see Matthew 24:37). In Noah’s
days before the great flood, the people were enjoying banquets, parties, and
weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat with his family and the
animals (see Matthew 24:38; Luke 17:26). Jesus declared that the people did not
realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away (see Genesis 7:7-23; Matthew 24:39; Luke 17:27). Similarly,
Jesus declared His return would also occur while the people are enjoying
banquets, parties, and weddings (see Matthew 24:39). Jesus warned EVERYONE
to live good, righteous, and blameless lives because His return would come
without warning and when least expected (see Matthew 24:40-48).
Abraham
also lived by faith in the living God (see Hebrews 11:8-12). The LORD God
Almighty appeared to Abraham when he was seventy-five years old and instructed
Abraham to leave his homeland of Ur of the Chaldeans, which was beyond the Euphrates
River or the Mesopotamian region, to go to Canaan, a land that He promised
to give Abraham as an inheritance (Hebrews 11:8; see also Genesis 11:31; Genesis
12:1-4, 7; Genesis 15:7; Joshua 24:2; Acts 7:2-4). Abraham obeyed God’s
voice, and he went to the distant land even though he did not know where he was
going (Hebrews 11:8; see also Joshua 24:3; Nehemiah 9:7).
When
Abraham reached God’s promised land, Abraham lived in tents like a mere alien
or foreigner as did his sons, Isaac and Jacob (Hebrews 11:9; see also Genesis
12:8; Genesis 13:3, 8; Genesis 18:1, 9; Acts 7:5-6). The living LORD God
Almighty also gave Abraham’s sons Isaac and Jacob the same promise He gave His
servant Abraham (Hebrews 11:9; see also Genesis 13:14-17; Genesis 17:19; Genesis
22:17; Genesis 26:24; Genesis 28:12-16). As a history lesson, Abraham became
the father of Isaac, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob (later
renamed Israel) became father of the twelve patriarchs (the twelve tribes of
Israel) (see Genesis 21:2-4; Genesis 25:26; Genesis 29:31-35; Genesis 30:5-24;
Genesis 35:18, 23-26; Acts 7:8).
While
living, Abraham nor his sons Isaac and Jacob receive their promised inheritance
of Canaan, the promised land (Hebrews 11:9; see also Acts 7:5). Yet, God
promised to give the promised land to Abraham’s descendant (see Genesis 12:7; Genesis
13:15; Genesis 17:8). Abraham obeyed God’s voice and accepted His promises, and
the living God declared Abraham righteous (see Genesis 15:1-6; Habakkuk 2:2-4; Romans
1:16-17). The Holy Scriptures teaches that Abraham was confidently waiting for the
heavenly city – Mount Zion or the heavenly Jerusalem – that real foundations
was planned and built by the LORD God Almighty (Hebrews 11:10; see also Galatians
4:26; Hebrews 12:22; Hebrews 13:14; Revelation 21:2, 10, 14). Even more, Abraham
with jubilant faith looked down the corridors of history and saw the coming Messiah
and cheered (see John 8:56).
Abraham’s
wife Sarah also had faith in the living LORD God Almighty (see Hebrews 11:11). By
faith in the living LORD God Almighty, Sarah received power to conceive a child,
despite her old age and her previous barrenness (Hebrews 11:11; see also Genesis
11:30; Genesis 18:11-14). Abraham was also old (Hebrews 11:12; see also Genesis
17:17; Romans 4:19). Against all hope, Abraham and Sarah by faith believed
in the LORD God Almighty (e.g., see Romans 4:13, 18, 21). Abraham and Sarah
never wavered in believing God’s promise, but their faith grew stronger, and in
this they brought glory to God (see Romans 4:20). Both Abraham and Sarah
realized that the LORD God Almighty, who gave them His promise, would certainly
do what He said (Hebrews 11:9, 12; see also Genesis 21:2; Romans 4:21). Nothing
is too hard for the LORD God Almighty, and He is faithful to keep all His
promises (e.g., see Genesis 18:14; Matthew 19:26; 1 Corinthians 1:9; Hebrews
10:23).
Because
of Abraham and Sarah’s faith and hope in the living LORD God Almighty, a whole
nation came from Abraham and Sarah (Hebrews 11:12; see also Genesis 17:4-6; Romans
4:18-19). This nation from Abraham and Sarah now has so many millions of people
that, like the stars of the sky and the sand on the ocean shores, there is no
way to count them (Hebrews 11:12; see also Genesis 15:5; Genesis 22:17). Through
faith in the living God’s Son Jesus Christ, all believers are grafted into the
family of God and become descendants of Abraham (e.g., see John 1:12-13; Romans
4:11, 16; Galatians 3:14, 28-29).
Moreover,
the author of Hebrews teaches that Abraham and Sarah trusted in the LORD God
Almighty and His promises even during times of persecution and testing (Hebrews 11:17; see also Genesis 22:1-10). While God
was testing him, Abraham was willing to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice (Hebrews
11:17; see also James 2:21). Through Isaac, the living God had promised to give
Abraham a whole nation of descendants (Hebrews 11:18; see also Romans 9:7). Abraham
believed that if Isaac died the LORD God Almighty God would resurrect Isaac back
to life (Hebrews 11:19; see also Romans 4:16-21). Because Abraham’s obedience
to God’s voice and righteous commands, the living LORD God declared Abraham
righteous and promised to bless Abraham and his descendants (see Genesis 22:9-10,
12, 15-18; Genesis 26:5). Yet, the living God also chose our father Abraham so
that Abraham will direct his descendants to obey Him and to keep His righteous ways
by doing what is right and just (see Genesis 18:18-19; Luke 3:8; John 8:39). Truly,
faith in the living God requires a continual obedience to the LORD God Almighty,
which ultimately leads to God’s blessings and favor (e.g., see Psalm 119:1-3; Proverbs
11:20)!
By
faith, Abraham’s son Isaac believed that the living God would give future
blessings to his two sons, Jacob and Esau (Hebrews 11:20; see also Genesis 27:26-40).
When Jacob was old and dying, Jacob blessed each of Joseph’s two sons Manasseh
and Ephraim as he stood and prayed, leaning on the top of his cane (Hebrews 11:21; see also Genesis 48:1, 5, 16, 20). Amazingly
by faith, Jacob’s son Joseph, as he neared the end of his life, looked ahead
and confidently spoke of the LORD God Almighty bringing the people of Israel
out of Egypt (Hebrews 11:22; see also Genesis 50:24-25; Exodus 13:19). Joseph
was so sure that the LORD God Almighty would redeem and save God’s people in
the future that he made God’s people promise to carry his bones with them when
they entered God’s promised land (Hebrews 11:22; see also Joshua 24:32).
Next,
the author of Hebrews teaches the great story of Moses and the Exodus. As the
LORD God Almighty previously promised Abraham, Abraham’s descendant grew and
multiplied. While living in Egypt, the people of Israel were fruitful and
increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong and mighty, so
that the land of Egypt was filled with Abraham’s descendants (Exodus 1:7, 9, 20;
see also Genesis 12:2; Deuteronomy 26:5; Acts 7:17). Then, the evil Egyptians
gave an order to kill the Israelites baby boys at birth to stop God’s multiplication
of the Israelite people (Exodus 1:15-16, 22; see also Acts 7:18-19).
However,
Moses and his family had faith in the LORD God Almighty of heaven and earth (see
Hebrews 11:23). Moses’ parents disobeyed the evil
Egyptian’s order to kill Jewish baby boys and remained faithful to the
living LORD God and His people (Hebrews 11:23; see also Exodus 1:15-16, 22;
Acts 7:19). The Holy Scriptures teaches that Moses’ parents knew their son was
no ordinary child, and they protected their beautiful son Moses for three
months from the evil Egyptians (Hebrews 11:23; see also Exodus 2:2-3; Acts 7:20).
By God’s grace and sovereignty, Moses’ sister Miriam delivered Moses to
Pharaoh’s daughter who adopted Moses, yet Moses’ mother cared for Moses while
Moses lived in Pharaoh’s household (Exodus 2:3-10; see also Acts 7:21-22). Moses
was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in both his
words and deeds (see Acts 7:22). By faith, Moses grew older, and he refused to
be treated as the grandson of the Egyptian king (Hebrews 11:24; see also Exodus
2:10-12). Instead, Moses remained faithful to the living LORD God Almighty and
God’s people (see Hebrews 11:25).
For
Moses faithfulness to the living LORD God, Moses was appointed by the LORD God Almighty
ruler and savior of His people Israel (see Acts 7:35). The LORD God performed many
wonders and miraculous signs through Moses and Moses led Israel out of Egypt,
through the Red Sea, and through the wilderness for forty years (e.g. see,
Exodus 11:10; Exodus 12:41; Exodus 14:21, 27-31; Exodus 33:1; Acts 7:36). Importantly,
Moses received from the LORD God of Hosts at Mount Sinai the life-giving words
(oracles) to give Israel and the world (see Exodus 19:3-6, 17-18; Deuteronomy
32:47; John 1:17; Romans 3:2; Acts 7:38, 53; Hebrews 4:12).
Amazingly,
the writer of Hebrews noted that Moses saw the LORD God’s coming Messiah
(Christ) (see Hebrews 11:26). Moses prophesied the coming Jesus as the Great
Prophet and Savior whom the LORD God would speak through (see Deuteronomy
18:15, 18-19; Matthew 17:5; Acts 3:22-23, 26; Acts 7:37). Because Moses foresaw
the coming Christ, Moses believed it was far better to suffer for the promised Messiah
(Christ) than to own all the treasures of Egypt (Hebrews 11:26; see also Luke
14:33; Philippians 3:7-8). As with other faithful servants of the living God, Moses
was looking forward to the LORD God’s great rewards in His Son Jesus the
Messiah (Hebrews 11:6, 26; see also Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 10:35).
Because
Moses trusted in the LORD God Almighty, Moses left Egypt and sought the living
LORD God Almighty (Hebrews 11:27; see also Amos 5:4-6). The writer of Hebrews
notes that Moses sought the LORD God Almighty, though invisible, as if God was
right in front of him (Hebrews 11:13, 27; see also 1 Timothy 1:17). Because Moses
believed God would save His people, Moses instructed Israel to kill a lamb and
sprinkle the blood on the doorposts of their homes so that God’s terrible Angel
of Death could not touch but Passover the oldest child in those homes (Hebrews
11:28; see also Exodus 12:21-30). Even more, Moses instructed God’s people
Israel to trust in the LORD God Almighty, and the living God protected His
people from the dangerous Red Sea as though they were on the dry ground (Hebrews
11:29; see also Exodus 14:21-30).
Moreover,
the writer of Hebrews notes that by faith in the LORD God Almighty the
Israelites destroyed the walls of Jericho after they walked around the Jericho
walls seven days as God had commanded (Hebrews 11:30; see also Joshua 6:15-16,
20). By faith, Rahab believed and obeyed the LORD God Almighty, and the LORD
God protected her and her family from destruction (Hebrews
11:31 see also Joshua 6:23-25; James 2:25). However, the writer of Hebrews
noted that the disobedient and unbelieving were destroyed (see Hebrews 11:31). Rahab
kindly welcomed God’s people into her home and gave God’s people the Israelites
shelter (see Joshua 2:1, 8-13).
In
summary, the author of Hebrews noted there were many other faithful servants of
God, such as Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and all the other great
prophets such as Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, and Daniel (Hebrews 11:32; e.g., see
Judges 4:6; Judges 6:11; Judges 13:24; Judges 11:1; 1 Samuel 1:20; 1 Samuel
16:1, 13). These faithful servants obeyed and trusted in the living LORD God Almighty
and His power and as a result they won battles, conquered kingdoms, ruled their
people well, escaped death by the sword, shut the mouths of lions, overcame
sickness, defeated their enemies, and raised the dead to life (Hebrews 11:33-35
see also e.g., see Judges 14:5-6; 1 Samuel 17:34-37, 45-47, 50-51; 2 Samuel
5:17-20; 2 Samuel 8:1-6; 2 Samuel 12:29; 1 Kings 17:22; 2 Kings 4:35; Daniel 3:23-25;
Daniel 6:22).
Yet,
the author of Hebrews also noted that some of God’s faithful servants were
tortured, beaten to death, and unjustly imprisoned, not accepting release, so
that they might gain a better resurrection and life with the God of glory (see Hebrews
11:35). Even more, the author of Hebrews stated
that some of God’s faithful servants were laughed at, their backs cut open with
whips, chained in dungeons, stoned to death, wandered over deserts and
mountains, lived in caves, went hungry, suffered mistreatment, and sawed in two
(Hebrews 11:36-38 see also Genesis 39:20; 1 Samuel 22:1; 1 Kings 18:4, 13; 1
Kings 19:4, 9-10; 1 Kings 21:13; 1 Kings 22:27; 2 Kings 1:8; 2 Chronicles 24:20-21;
Jeremiah 20:2; Jeremiah 26:23; Jeremiah 37:15).
The
author of Hebrews proclaims that the world was not worthy of these faithful and
obedient servants of God (see Hebrews 11:38). These faithful servants of God
sought justice and performed acts of righteousness in the world (Hebrews 11:33;
e.g., see 1 Samuel 12:3-4; 2 Samuel 8:15). Even more, these faithful servants
of God endured mistreatment rather than give into sin, evil, and wickedness (see
Hebrews 11:25, 37). Most important, these faithful servants of God continually
trusted and obeyed the living LORD God of glory and His righteous commands (see
Hebrews 11:37). Even in their weaknesses, these servants of God were made
strong by their faith in the LORD God Almighty (see Hebrews 11:34). Because of
their continual faith in God, these faithful servants gained God’s approval (see
Hebrews 11:2, 39).
Nevertheless,
none of these faithful men and women received all that God had promised them
for they all knew even better rewards were prepared for them in God’s Kingdom (see
Hebrews 11:16, 39-40). These great men and women of faith listed in Hebrews 11 died
without ever receiving all in hand that God had promised them, but they
continued to believe in the LORD God Almighty (Hebrews 11:2, 13, 39; see also
Acts 7:4-5). These faithful men and women of God saw God’s promises
including Jesus Christ awaiting them in the distance and were glad (Hebrews
11:13; see also Acts 7:52). The Holy Scriptures teaches that our father
Abraham, the prophet Moses, and many other great prophets and righteous
servants of the Old Testament saw in a distance the coming Messiah (e.g., see
Matthew 13:17; Luke 10:24; John 8:56; Hebrews 11:26; 1 Peter 1:10-12). These
great Old Testament heroes persevered, endured, and continually looked by faith
and trust to the eternal yet invisible LORD God Almighty and their heavenly
home (Hebrews 11:10, 27; see also Acts 7:55-56; Romans 1:20; 1 Timothy 1:17).
Even
more, these faithful men and women of God all knew that this earth was not
their real home, but that they were only aliens, exiles, and foreigners here on
earth (Hebrews 11:13; see also 1 Peter 2:11). These
faithful men and women of God were looking forward to their real home in
heaven – the Kingdom of God (Hebrews 11:14; see also Matthew 6:33; Ephesians
2:19). Thus, these faithful men and women of God did not focus on the temporary
pleasures of this world, but they placed their whole hearts, desires, and
minds towards the heavenly Kingdom, where the living LORD God had made a
heavenly home and serving others (Hebrews 11:10, 15-16; see also Ecclesiastes
5:10-11; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 13:4-7, 18-22; Matthew 25:34; John 14:1-3;
Romans 12:1-2; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 18; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17). Similarly, the
Apostle Paul also instructed believers of Jesus to stay focus continually on
heaven while doing everything on earth for God’s glory and honor (e.g., see 1
Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:1-2, 17).
Therefore,
the author of Hebrews reminds believers of Jesus we are never alone, but we are
surrounded by a huge crowd of faithful servants of God (Hebrews
12:1 see also Hebrews 11:1-40). Consequently, the writer of Hebrews
encourages all God’s people to continually live by faith in the LORD God and
His power and continually turn away from sinfulness, evil, and selfishness (Hebrews
12:1 see also Romans 13:12; Ephesians 4:22). Even more, the writer of Hebrews
encourages God’s people to endure any hardships and trials and run with
endurance and perseverance the race God has set before us (Hebrews 12:1 see
also John 16:31-33; 1 Corinthians 9:24; Hebrews 10:36).
Most
importantly, the author of Hebrews encourages all believers of Jesus to stay
faithful and keep our eyes and hearts on the LORD God and His Son, the Lord
Jesus of glory (Hebrews 12:2 see also Psalm 25:15). When we take our hearts and
eyes off the Lord Jesus of glory and focus on our surrounding problems, we will
sink and fell (e.g., see Matthew
14:28-31). The Lord Jesus Christ is the Source, Completer, and Perfecter of our
great faith (Hebrews 12:2 see also Hebrews 2:10). Therefore, we must ALWAYS
live by trusting and looking upon the Lord Jesus and not by the stressful
circumstances surrounding us here on earth (e.g. see, 2 Corinthians 4:18; 2
Corinthians 5:7).
Even
more, the Lord Jesus is our example in suffering. Because of the heavenly joy
awaiting Him in His Father’s Kingdom, the Lord Jesus courageously endured hatred,
persecutions, and misfortunes and continually trusted in His Father and His
Father’s power (Hebrews 12:2-3 see also Isaiah 53:3, 11; Luke 24:26;
Philippians 2:8-9; Hebrews 2:9). Most important, Jesus kept His eyes and heart
on His Father’s Kingdom (see Hebrews 12:2). Now, the Lord Jesus is living in
His Father’s glorious heavenly Kingdom at His Father’s right hand (Hebrews 12:3;
see also Mark 16:19; Acts 7:55-56; Hebrews 1:3).
Therefore,
the author of Hebrews encourages all believers of Jesus not to become weary but
continually do what is right and good in the world for God’s glory and honor (Hebrews
12:3 see also Matthew 10:22; 1 Corinthians 10:30; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians
6:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:13)! IF WE LOOK TO JESUS, YOU WILL
WIN (see Hebrews 13:5)!
