Hebrews 11:8
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going.
By faith
The phrase "By faith" sets the tone for the entire chapter of Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Hall of Fame." The Greek word for faith, "pistis," implies a deep trust and confidence in God. This faith is not merely intellectual assent but involves a commitment and reliance on God's promises. In the context of Hebrews, faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is the foundation upon which the patriarchs acted, demonstrating that faith is active and dynamic, not passive.

Abraham
Abraham, originally named Abram, is a central figure in the Bible, often called the "father of faith." His account begins in Genesis 12, where God calls him to leave his homeland. Abraham's life is a testament to obedience and trust in God, despite not having the full picture. Historically, Abraham lived around the early second millennium BC, and his journey from Ur to Canaan is significant in the biblical narrative, marking the beginning of God's covenant relationship with His chosen people.

when called
The phrase "when called" indicates immediacy and readiness to respond to God's voice. The Greek word "kaleo" means to call or summon. Abraham's response to God's call was prompt and without hesitation, illustrating his willingness to obey. This call was not just a physical journey but a spiritual one, requiring Abraham to leave behind his past and step into the unknown, trusting in God's guidance.

to go to a place
This phrase highlights the journey aspect of Abraham's faith. The "place" refers to the land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants. The journey to this place was not just geographical but also spiritual, symbolizing the journey of faith that all believers are called to undertake. It represents stepping out of comfort zones and trusting in God's promises, even when the destination is not fully known.

he would later receive as his inheritance
The concept of inheritance is significant in the biblical context. It refers to the land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants. This promise is foundational to the Abrahamic Covenant, which is central to the narrative of the Old Testament. The inheritance is not just physical land but also spiritual blessings, foreshadowing the eternal inheritance believers receive through faith in Christ.

obeyed and went
Abraham's obedience is a key theme in this verse. The Greek word "hupakouo" means to listen attentively and to conform to a command or authority. Abraham's obedience was immediate and complete, demonstrating his trust in God's promises. This obedience is a model for believers, showing that true faith results in action. Abraham's journey was not without challenges, but his obedience was unwavering.

even though he did not know where he was going
This phrase underscores the essence of faith—trusting in God without knowing all the details. Abraham's journey was marked by uncertainty, yet he trusted in God's promise. This aspect of faith is challenging but essential, as it requires believers to rely on God's wisdom and guidance rather than their understanding. It highlights the nature of faith as a journey into the unknown, with confidence in God's faithfulness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Abraham
Known as the father of faith, Abraham is a central figure in the Bible. His journey of faith began when God called him to leave his homeland and go to an unknown land that God promised to give him as an inheritance.

2. Ur of the Chaldeans
This is the place where Abraham originally lived before God called him. It was a prosperous city in ancient Mesopotamia.

3. Canaan
The land that God promised to Abraham and his descendants. It represents the fulfillment of God's promise and is a significant location in biblical history.

4. God's Call
The divine instruction given to Abraham to leave his country and go to a land that God would show him. This call required Abraham to trust in God's promise without knowing the details.

5. Faith
The central theme of this passage, highlighting Abraham's trust and obedience to God's call despite the uncertainty of the journey.
Teaching Points
Obedience in Uncertainty
Abraham's journey teaches us the importance of obeying God's call even when the path is unclear. Trusting in God's plan requires faith beyond our understanding.

Faith as Action
True faith is demonstrated through action. Abraham's willingness to leave his home is a powerful example of faith in motion.

God's Promises Require Patience
Abraham's account reminds us that God's promises may not be fulfilled immediately. Patience and perseverance are essential components of faith.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Abraham's journey underscores the need to trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to guide us to our promised inheritance.

Legacy of Faith
Abraham's faith set a precedent for future generations. Our faith can also impact those around us and leave a lasting legacy.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Abraham's response to God's call challenge your own willingness to step out in faith?

2. In what ways can you demonstrate faith through action in your current circumstances?

3. How does the concept of faith as described in Hebrews 11:8 relate to the idea of faith being credited as righteousness in Romans 4?

4. What are some promises from God that you are waiting to see fulfilled, and how can Abraham's example encourage you during this time?

5. How can you cultivate a legacy of faith in your family or community, similar to Abraham's impact on future generations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 12:1-4
This passage details God's initial call to Abraham, emphasizing his obedience and faith as he left his homeland.

Romans 4:1-3
Paul discusses Abraham's faith, illustrating that it was credited to him as righteousness, reinforcing the theme of faith in action.

James 2:21-23
James highlights Abraham's faith as being made complete by his actions, showing the harmony between faith and works.
Illusiveness of LifeFrederick W. RobertsonHebrews 11:8
The Call of AbrahamCharles Haddon Spurgeon Hebrews 11:8
The Faith of Abraham Going Forth into the UnknownD. Young Hebrews 11:8
A Hold Upon EternityA. Maclaren, D. D.Hebrews 11:8-10
Abraham Forsaking the WorldE. Monro.Hebrews 11:8-10
Abraham's FaithC. Kingsley, M. A.Hebrews 11:8-10
Abraham's FaithJohn Owen, D. D.Hebrews 11:8-10
Abraham's Faith and PilgrimageR. Watson.Hebrews 11:8-10
Abraham's Prompt Obedience to the Call of GodC. H. Spurgeon.Hebrews 11:8-10
Adventuring for GodBp. F. D. Huntington.Hebrews 11:8-10
Faith Making Light of Present PrivationsC. New.Hebrews 11:8-10
Faith Stimulating EndeavourHebrews 11:8-10
Faith the Power for Severing Old TiesC. New.Hebrews 11:8-10
Mysteriousness of LifeE. P. Hood.Hebrews 11:8-10
On TravellingW. Jones, D. D.Hebrews 11:8-10
Reason May Hinder FaithWilliam Bridge.Hebrews 11:8-10
Self-Renunciation At the Call of GodJohn Owen, D. D.Hebrews 11:8-10
The Believer's Earnest Desire for HeavenJames Clason.Hebrews 11:8-10
The City Abraham Looked ForW. Jones, . D. D.Hebrews 11:8-10
The Expected CityG. Lawson.Hebrews 11:8-10
The Faith of AbrahamE. W. Shalders, . B. A.Hebrews 11:8-10
The Faith of AbrahamW. Jones Hebrews 11:8-10
The Heavenly CityJohn Owen, D. D.Hebrews 11:8-10
The Hope of AbrahamW. D. Heywood.Hebrews 11:8-10
The Hope of AbrahamJ. A. Alexander, D. D.Hebrews 11:8-10
The Illusiveness of LifeF. W. Robertson, M. A.Hebrews 11:8-10
The Obedience of FaithC. H. Spurgeon.Hebrews 11:8-10
The Spiritual Production and Practical Development of True ReligionHomilistHebrews 11:8-10
The Tent LifeA. Maclaren, D. D.Hebrews 11:8-10
The Way to the CityA. . Raleigh, D. D.Hebrews 11:8-10
People
Abel, Barak, Cain, David, Egyptians, Enoch, Esau, Gedeon, Gideon, Hebrews, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, Jephthae, Jephthah, Joseph, Noah, Pharaoh, Rahab, Samson, Samuel, Sara, Sarah
Places
Egypt, Jericho, Jerusalem, Red Sea
Topics
Afterwards, Faith, Forth, Heritage, Home, Inheritance, Later, Leave, Obey, Obeyed, Ordered, Receive, Remove, Though, Whither
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Hebrews 11:8

     4945   history
     6620   calling
     8208   commitment, to God
     8454   obedience, to God

Hebrews 11:1-39

     5763   attitudes, positive to God
     8412   decisions

Hebrews 11:1-40

     8020   faith

Hebrews 11:4-28

     5714   men

Hebrews 11:4-38

     8428   example

Hebrews 11:6-8

     9130   future, the

Hebrews 11:6-10

     8021   faith, nature of

Hebrews 11:7-8

     8221   courage, strength from God

Hebrews 11:7-9

     5701   heir

Hebrews 11:7-10

     5705   inheritance, spiritual

Hebrews 11:7-12

     8253   faithfulness, examples

Hebrews 11:8-9

     5076   Abraham, life of
     5427   nomads
     5467   promises, divine
     5704   inheritance, material
     7212   exile

Hebrews 11:8-10

     4020   life, of faith
     5078   Abraham, significance
     5339   home
     5477   property, land
     7259   promised land, later history

Hebrews 11:8-12

     1348   covenant, with Abraham
     5077   Abraham, character

Library
October 15. "Faith is the Evidence of Things not Seen" (Heb. xi. 1).
"Faith is the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. xi. 1). True faith drops its letter in the post-office box, and lets it go. Distrust holds on to a corner of it, and wonders that the answer never comes. I have some letters in my desk that have been written for weeks, but there was some slight uncertainty about the address or the contents, so they are yet unmailed. They have not done either me or anybody else any good yet. They will never accomplish anything until I let them go out of my hands and
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

April 26. "Strangers and Pilgrims" (Heb. xi. 13).
"Strangers and pilgrims" (Heb. xi. 13). If you have ever tried to plough a straight furrow in the country--we are sorry for the man that does not know how to plough and more sorry for the man that is too proud to want to know--you have found it necessary to have two stakes in a line and to drive your horses by these stakes. If you have only one stake before you, you will have no steadying point for your vision, but you can wiggle about without knowing it and make your furrows as crooked as a serpent's
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

February 3. "He Went Out, not Knowing Whither He Went" (Heb. xi. 8).
"He went out, not knowing whither He went" (Heb. xi. 8). It is faith without sight. When we can see, it is not faith but reasoning. In crossing the Atlantic we observed this very principle of faith. We saw no path upon the sea nor sign of the shore. And yet day by day we were marking our path upon the chart as exactly as if there had followed us a great chalk line upon the sea; and when we came within twenty miles of land we knew where we were as exactly as if we had seen it all three thousand miles
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

January the First the Unknown Journey
"He went out not knowing whither he went." --HEBREWS xi. 6-10. Abram began his journey without any knowledge of his ultimate destination. He obeyed a noble impulse without any discernment of its consequences. He took "one step," and he did not "ask to see the distant scene." And that is faith, to do God's will here and now, quietly leaving the results to Him. Faith is not concerned with the entire chain; its devoted attention is fixed upon the immediate link. Faith is not knowledge of a moral
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

The Illusiveness of Life.
Preached June 9, 1850. THE ILLUSIVENESS OF LIFE. "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."--Hebrews xi. 8-10. Last Sunday we touched upon
Frederick W. Robertson—Sermons Preached at Brighton

The Pilgrim's Longings
Now, our position is very similar to theirs. As many of us as have believed in Christ have been called out. The very meaning of a church is, "called out by Christ." We have been separated. I trust we know what it is to have gone without the camp, bearing Christ's reproach. Henceforth, in this world we have no home, no true home for our spirits; our home is beyond the flood; we are looking for it amongst the unseen things; we are strangers and sojourners as all our fathers were, dwellers in this wilderness,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 18: 1872

Rahab's Faith
I do think this triumph of faith over sin is not the least here recorded, but that if there be any superiority ascribable to any one of faith's exploits, this is, in some sense, the greatest of all. What! faith, didst thou fight with hideous lust? What! wouldst thou struggle with the fiery passion which sendeth forth flame from human breasts? What! wouldst thou touch with thy hallowed fingers foul and bestial debauchery? "Yea," says faith, "I did encounter this abomination of iniquity; I delivered
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

Faith
This is an old law; it is as old as the first man. No sooner were Cain and Abel born into this world, and no sooner had they attained to manhood, than God gave a practical proclamation of this law, that "without faith it is impossible to please him." Cain and Abel, one bright day, erected an altar side by side with each other. Cain fetched of the fruits of the trees and of the abundance of the soil, and placed them upon his altar; Abel brought of the firstlings of the flock, and laid it upon his
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

Noah's Faith, Fear, Obedience, and Salvation
We may take pleasure in thinking of Noah as a kind of contrast to Enoch. Enoch was taken away from the evil to come: he saw not the flood, nor heard the wailing of those who were swept away by the waterfloods. His was a delightful deliverance from the harvest of wrath which followed the universal godlessness of the race. It was not his to fight the battle of righteousness to the bitter end; but by a secret rapture he avoided death, and escaped those evil days in which his grandson's lot was cast.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 36: 1890

The Best Strengthening Medicine
THOSE WHO OUT OF WEAKNESS were made strong are written among the heroes of faith, and are by no means the least of them. Believers "quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong." Who shall tell which of the three grand deeds of faith is the greatest? Many of us may never have to brave the fiery stake, nor to bow our necks upon the block, to die as Paul did; but if we have grace enough to be out of weakness made strong, we shall not be left out of
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Obedience of Faith
"Is there a heart that will not bend To thy divine control? Descend, O sovereign love, descend, And melt that stubborn soul! " Surely, though we have had to mourn our disobedience with many tears and sighs, we now find joy in yielding ourselves as servants of the Lord: our deepest desire is to do the Lord's will in all things. Oh, for obedience! It has been supposed by many ill-instructed people that the doctrine of justification by faith is opposed to the teaching of good works, or obedience. There
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Call of Abraham
I. First, let us LOOK AT ABRAHAM. Abraham's family was originally an idolatrous one; afterwards some beams of light shone in upon the household, and they became worshippers of the true God; but there was much ignorance mingled with their worship, and at least occasionally their old idolatrous habits returned. The Lord who had always fixed on Abraham to be his chosen servant and the father of his chosen people upon earth, made Abraham leave the society of his friends and relatives, and go out of Ur
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Go Back? Never!
"And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is an heavenly...city."--Hebrews 11:15, 16. ABRAHAM left his country at God's command, and he never went back again. The proof of faith lies in perseverance. There is a sort of faith which doth run well for a while, but it is soon ended, and it doth not obey the truth. The Apostle tells us, however, that the people of God were
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915

The Gaze of the Soul
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.--Heb. 12:2 Let us think of our intelligent plain man mentioned in chapter six coming for the first time to the reading of the Scriptures. He approaches the Bible without any previous knowledge of what it contains. He is wholly without prejudice; he has nothing to prove and nothing to defend. Such a man will not have read long until his mind begins to observe certain truths standing out from the page. They are the spiritual principles behind
A. W. Tozer—The Pursuit of God

The Christian Faith
Scripture references: Hebrews 11; Matthew 9:29; 17:20; Mark 10:52; 11:22; Acts 2:38; 3:16; 10:43; 16:30,31; Romans 1:17; 5:1; 10:17; Galatians 2:20. FAITH AND PRACTICE Belief Controls Action.--"As the man is, so is his strength" (Judges 8:21), "For as he thinketh in his heart so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). "According to your faith be it unto you" (Matthew 9:28,29). "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). The Scriptures place stress upon the fact that
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

The Voices of the Dead
"And by it he being dead yet speaketh." Hebrews xi. 4. Much of the communion of this earth is not by speech or actual contact, and the holiest influences fall upon us in silence. A monument or symbol shall convey a meaning which cannot be expressed; and a token of some departed one is more eloquent than words. The mere presence of a good and holy personage will move us to reverence and admiration, though he may say and do but little. So is there an impersonal presence of such an one; and, though
E. H. Chapin—The Crown of Thorns

The Practice of Piety; Directing a Christian How to Walk that He May Please God.
Whoever thou art that lookest into this book, never undertake to read it, unless thou first resolvest to become from thine heart an unfeigned Practitioner of Piety. Yet read it, and that speedily, lest, before thou hast read it over, God, by some unexpected death, cut thee off for thine inveterate impiety. The Practice of Piety consists-- First, In knowing the essence of God, and that in respect of, (I.) The diverse manner of being therein, which are three persons--Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (II.)
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Testimonies.
"Without faith it is impossible to please God."--Heb. xi. 6. In order to prevent the possibility of being led into paths of error, faith is directed, not to a Christ of the imagination, but to "the Christ in the garments of the Sacred Scripture," as Calvin expresses it. And therefore we must discriminate between (1) faith as a faculty implanted in the soul without our knowledge; (2) faith as a power whereby this implanted faculty begins to act; and (3) faith as a result,--since with this faith (1)
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Being of God
Q-III: WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES PRINCIPALLY TEACH? A: The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. Q-IV: WHAT IS GOD? A: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Here is, 1: Something implied. That there is a God. 2: Expressed. That he is a Spirit. 3: What kind of Spirit? I. Implied. That there is a God. The question, What is God? takes for granted that there
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Abraham and Isaac. Genesis xxii.
1.--"After these things." What things? See verse 33 in preceding chapter. After Abraham had given himself to prayer. It often happens that grace is given for grace. God prepares his own for trial and suffering by revealing Himself. "GOD DID TEMPT."--Like a workman who is conscious the work is well done, fears not the scrutiny which waits his labour. When the smith has put good work into the iron cable, he does not then fear the strain of the test put upon it, and God knew what He had done to
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

Enoch, the Deathless
BY REV. W. J. TOWNSEND, D.D. Enoch was the bright particular star of the patriarchal epoch. His record is short, but eloquent. It is crowded into a few words, but every word, when placed under examination, expands indefinitely. Every virtue may be read into them; every eulogium possible to a human character shines from them. He was a devout man, a fearless preacher of righteousness, an intimate friend of God, and the only man of his dispensation who did not see death. He sheds a lustre on the
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Faith an Assurance and a Proof.
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the proving of things not seen. For therein the elders had witness borne to them. By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which do appear."--HEB. xi. 1-3 (R.V.). It is often said that one of the greatest difficulties in the Epistle to the Hebrews is to discover any real connection of ideas between the author's general purpose in the previous discussion and the
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient,
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Faith of Moses.
"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to be evil entreated with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward. By faith he forsook
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

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