Bright and shining lights

Scripture: “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 11:9-10.

Stream or download Bright and shining lights in the Bible #16

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We continue our study of the life of Abraham as it is recorded for us in Hebrews 11. Last time we we noted: ‘1. He obeyed God not knowing where he was going’ and ‘2. He believed that he would receive as an inheritance the place he was going to.’
That was wonderful faith on the part of Abraham YET it is exactly the same faith as that exercised by every Christian!
1. We too dwell in the land of promise! Abraham was a stranger in the ‘promised land’ as far as the people in the land were concerned BUT it was HIS land! So it is with us on this earth. We are strangers here YET, let us read these verses:
“What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth,” Psalm 25:12-13.
“For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace . . . . For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off,”  Psalm 37:9-11, 22.
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth,” Matt 5:5.
Just who are the ‘meek’? Hear what the Saviour says!
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light,”  Matt 11:28-30.
Those who come to Christ, take up His yoke and learn of Him, they it is who will inherit the earth, even as God has promised.

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

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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!

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

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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!