The Approval of God: A Life of Faith in God’s Word
God has spoken (Heb 1:1–2). He did so at the beginning, when by His Word, He made the made the world (Heb 1:2; 11:3). Christians believe that Jesus Christ our Lord, the eternal Word of God (Jn 1:1), created everything that is seen and unseen (Col 1:16; Heb 3:4; 11:10).
Adam and Eve did not believe the Word of God spoken to them in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3). In their unbelief, under the temptation of the serpent, they disobeyed God (Gen 3:6). They fell out of approval. Having been warned of the judgment for sin (Gen 2:17), they succumbed to the allure that they, too, would become gods (Gen 3:5). They did not fair well in that quest.
Adam and Eve’s sons, conceived in sin, born in sin, also practiced sin (Ps 51:5; Rom 3:23; 5:12). Both Cain and Abel brought sacrifices to God (Gen 4). Hebrews 11:4 informs us that Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than his brother Cain. Cain brought a sacrifice of the fruit of the earth (Gen 4:3). Abel brought the firstlings of his flock of sheep (Gen 4:4). God regarded the blood sacrifice of Abel; and He encouraged Cain to do right, so to receive approval, too. Cain then spilt the blood of his brother Abel, instead (Gen 4:8). His curse was further worsened by continuing unbelief, which is sin (Rom 14:23; Heb 10:26).
The writer of Hebrews has penned chapter 11 to enhance the endurance of his audience of Jewish Christians, who had already experienced persecution for their Christian faith. By recounting the history of faithful ones before them, the writer exhorts the congregation to press on by keeping their focus on the author and perfecter of their faith, Jesus Christ (Heb 12:2). Our Lord, via the indwelling Spirit of Christ (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11), produces in each believer, the fruit of faithfulness (Gal 5:22).
Enoch was one who pleased God by his faith in God’s Word (Heb 11:5). This episode introduces the reader of Hebrews to the principle that God rewards those who seek Him by faith (Heb 11:6b). The antithesis is true, too. God does not reward those who operate without trust in Him (Heb 11:6a). Enoch pleased God with his faith in God; and Enoch’s reward was to be translated to heaven without dying (Gen 5:24).
Faith functions from a position of assurance, not blindness (Heb 11:1). When the believer in Jesus hears the Word of truth preached, he or she trusts in doctrines that seem foolish to unbelievers. Christians believe in hell, judgment, resurrection from the dead, the forgiveness of sins by the blood/substitution death of the perfect God-man. We believe in a man not dying but being translated (taken up) directly to God in heaven.
Faith, not works, secures righteousness (right standing) with God (Rom 4:5). A man is justified by faith in the blood shed by another (Rom 3:24, 28; 5:9). He believes in the precious blood of Jesus (1 Pet 1:19) — faith not as a self-generated activity, but faith granted to him by the grace of God (God working for that man’s benefit, leading to his salvation). Faith is a gift of God (Eph 2:8–9), so no one may boast in himself about something he did to realize salvation (Jn 1:12–13; Gal 6:14). Faith does lead to obedience, regarding works prepared beforehand for the faithful to walk in (Eph 2:10); for faith without works is dead (Jas 2:17, 26).
Noah is a prime example of faith leading to good works. Noah found favor with God (Gen 6:8). He walked with God in the righteousness that is by faith…faith in God’s Word. God spoke to Noah. First, God warned Noah of the judgment coming to the whole earth (Gen 6:13). Second, God instructed Noah to build the ark for God’s chosen people to be saved from the flood of God’s wrath upon the entire rest of sinful humanity (Gen 6:14–17). The reader notes just enough room in that vessel of salvation for precisely those whom God intended to save.
As the president of the Inland Ship Building Company, Noah and his three sons built the ark. It took them one hundred years (Gen 5:32; 6:11). Every day was a testimony of Noah’s faith in God’s Word of warning and the promise of His salvation. In word and deed, Noah preached righteousness to the wicked people around him (Gen 6:5). Noah’s reward was realized on the day “the fountains of the great deep burst open and the floodgates of the sky were opened” (Gen 7:11).
Noah, Enoch, and Abel all served as types of Christ. Noah, as a type of Christ, saved his family from the judgment of an angry (righteous) God; so, did the antitype, Jesus (Rom 3:25; 1 Thess 1:10; Heb 2:17; 1 Jn 2:2; 4:10). Enoch was taken up to God, who was pleased with him; so also, was God pleased with Jesus who ascended into heaven (Mt 3:17; 17:5; Jn 3:13; 6:62; 20:17; Eph 4:8–10). Abel was persecuted unto death by his own brother; and in like manner, Jesus was persecuted unto death by His Jewish brothers (Acts 7:52). Both Abel and Jesus bled and died by the hands of wicked men (Acts 2:23).
The writer of Hebrews has a substantial list of other men and women who served God in many ways and at different times (Hebrews 11). These first three examples are coupled with multitudes more throughout history who have heard the Word of Christ and who believed in Him by hearing it (Rom 10:17). God is still speaking through His written Word, in the power of the Holy Spirit, who both authored the Bible (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20–21) and who illumines it for those He has enlightened with it (Eph 1:18; Heb 10:32).
May the God of all grace increase the measure of faith He has granted to you, my dear reader (Lk 17:10; Rom 12:3); and may His Word received by you have its powerful effect of performing many good works (Is 26:12; Phil 2:12–13). His righteousness has been imputed to you (2 Cor 5:21); and this is His reward for you who have sought Him by faith, under the direction and power of His irresistible grace.
Enoch, Abel, and Noah all made it to heaven by the blood and the water; and by the Spirit, these remain the testimony and witness of those who were chosen for salvation (Col 3:12; 2 Thess 2:13; 1 Jn 5:6, 8), called to enter it (2 Pet 1:10), and who do so through various trials (Mt 11:12). Therefore, be encouraged as you continue to endure until He comes to take you, too.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
April 2, 2024
Hebrews 11:1–7
