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Q. In the book of Hebrews, 11th chapter, it lists faithful men and women who " . . . all died in faith, not having received the promises." What were the promises they did not receive?
A. Hebrews 11 is indeed an education into God's plan of salvation. Although this subject is vastly dealt with in many Scriptures, this chapter alone explains a lot. It is worth studying from verses 1 to 40.
In chapter 11 many ancient servants of God are being cited, and are called elders (verse 2). Beginning with Abel and ending with Samuel and adding God's prophets (verse 32) the Scripture lumps them all together, as far as the reward is concerned. A little clue comes from verses 8-9:
"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would afterwards receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise." (Hebrews 11:8-9)
So there is a specific promise of a land for the patriarchs to receive. They died without receiving it in their lifetime. That promise has been made more specific in previous Old Testament Scriptures. Beginning in Genesis 17, in addressing Abraham, God makes a covenant of promises. The essence can be grasped by reducing our reading to verses 1-2 and 8:
"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, 'I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.' "
"Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and will be their God." (Genesis 17:1-2, 8)
| We find the promise repeated in Gensis 26:3-5 and Genesis 28:13-15. These promises regarded Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who died without receiving the possession of the land of Canaan in their lifetime. Yet Hebrews 11 lumps them together with all the remaining patriarchs, Abel, Enoch, etc., so that all of them were looking for a promise (reward) not obtained in their lifetime. They were not expecting it in their lifetime. Obviously they all knew of a common reward, but not the land of Canaan. A clue to this reward comes from the chapter of Hebrews you cited. Moses was not specifically mentioned in the covenant with Abraham, yet he was expecting a reward:
Apostle Paul was an exceptional servant of God. He endured hardship possibly more than all the other apostles. As the Scripture that follows indicate, he had faith and confidence that ultimately it was more than worthwhile:
The following Scripture compliments the one above and is very encouraging and exhorting for all true believers.
The glorious salvation that Paul was referring to is the promise that Hebrews 11:13 was referring to. Jesus made a broad statement about this salvation, which is synonymous of entering into the kingdom of God: "
Salvation, entering into the kingdom of God will be the promise or reward. That is what all the saints will have in common. All those mentioned in Hebrews 11 as well as all the saints will receive that reward. Not all will receive the same reward, as some have produced more fruits in their lives than others. Their reward will be commensurate to their works (Matthew 25:27-29). As the kingdom of God will be on this earth (Revelation 5:10) Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, besides obtaining salvation will be given the land of Canaan to rule and govern. When the many Scriptures on this subject are examined it does all come together. Other Recommended Bible Study Materials:
Answer Given By: Adriano Borean |
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