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Bright and shining lights in the Bible #17

Scripture: Hebrews 11:9-10 “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.”

Stream or download Bright and shining lights in the Bible #17


1. Like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we are presently pilgrims. To ‘sojourn’ means ‘to live as a stranger.’ He lived in a tent, not a permanent house! He didn’t even have a grave, “And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying, I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight,” Gen 23:4.
“And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child,” Acts 7:5.
2. However, Abraham was looking for a city. The word ‘looked’, V10, means ‘waiting in expectation’.
Note its permanence – ‘foundations’! Note its architect and builder – ‘God’! A great city built by God.
“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come,” Hebs 13:14 (‘continuing’ = that which lasts);
See Revelation 21:2-8 – Eternal state.
3. We must never set our eyes on the things of this earth. But like Abraham, look for that which God has promised to us. Col 3:1-2; Rom 8:6; 1 John 2:15-17; Psalm 49:11-17.
4. When we consider the beauties and splendours of this earth, how glorious will be this city, our future eternal home! Nothing in time truly compares to it!

Bright and shining lights in the Bible #15

Scripture: “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,” Hebrews 11:8.

Stream or download Bright and shining lights in the Bible #15


We return to our study of this verse. We noted last time that it was God’s call that started Abraham in his journey to heaven. He became a friend of God. I read of this yesterday, 2 Chron 20:7. So it is with all who would go to heaven. We must obey God’s call and walk obediently with Him as our Friend.

1. He obeyed God not knowing where he was going. “He went out, not knowing whither he went.” That is faith at work! How little we know of where we are going. 1 Cor 13:12. The Lord reveals His will and purpose to us progressively, Genesis 12:5-7.

2. He believed that he would receive as an inheritance the place he was going to. That is a reference to the land of Israel. “And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him,” Gen 12:7. It has been given to Abraham and to his children FOREVER! Jer 7:6.

A. We can see in the present conflict between Israel and her Arab enemies just how much God’s will and purpose amongst men is hated and rejected.

B. Sadly, there are many Christians who would say that God has no purpose for the people of Israel since they rejected Christ.

C. That is wrong. The events of AD 70 and the judgment of God upon Israel may be seen in Luke 21:24.
Note the word ‘until’! There is an end to the rejection presently experienced by Israel. “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: for this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins,” Romans 11:25-27. Here is Israel’s hope and heritage!

Bright and shining lights in the Bible #14

Scripture: “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,” Hebrews 11:8.

Stream or download Bright and shining lights in the Bible #14

Here again, we see that faith played a central role in the life of a great man of God. Abraham was a truly great man. He was called the ‘Friend of God’, James 2:3. He was called the ‘father of us all’, Romans 4:16. If we believe the truth that was revealed to Abraham we are born again of that truth as he was.
The story of Abraham fills Genesis chapters 11 to 25. That is an indication of the importance of the man.

1. Abraham’s spiritual journey began with a call. 

  • It was a call from God, Gen 12:1.
  • It was a call to leave his old home, Gen 12:1.
  • He was called out of idolatry, Josh 24:2 – “They served other gods.”