November 16

From Reformata Daily Devotions

November 16

Prayer

Pray for humility and grace to restrain our curiosity into matters that are not ours to know.
The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
(Deuteronomy 29:29)

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 63

Question 63 - Which is the Fifth Commandment?
The Fifth Commandment is, "honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."

Reformational Reading

The Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 151

Question 151 - What are those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others?
Sins receive their aggravations, From the persons offending: if they be of riper age, greater experience or grace, eminent for profession, gifts, place, office, guides to others, and whose example is likely to be followed by others. From the parties offended: if immediately against God, his attributes, and worship; against Christ, and his grace; the Holy Spirit, his witness, and workings; against superiors, men of eminency, and such as we stand especially related and engaged unto; against any of the saints, particularly weak brethren, the souls of them, or any other, and the common good of all or many. From the nature and quality of the offense: if it be against the express letter of the law, break many commandments, contain in it many sins: if not only conceived in the heart, but breaks forth in words and actions, scandalize others, and admit of no reparation: if against means, mercies, judgments, light of nature, conviction of conscience, public or private admonition, censures of the church, civil punishments; and our prayers, purposes, promises, vows, covenants, and engagements to God or men: if done deliberately, wilfully, presumptuously, impudently, boastingly, maliciously, frequently, obstinately, with delight, continuance, or relapsing after repentance. From circumstances of time and place: if on the Lord's day, or other times of divine worship; or immediately before or after these, or other helps to prevent or remedy such miscarriages: if in public, or in the presence of others, who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled.

Private Reading

Amos 5

1.  Hear ye this word which I take up against you, even a lamentation, O house of Israel.
2.  The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her land; there is none to raise her up.
3.  For thus saith the Lord GOD; The city that went out by a thousand shall leave an hundred, and that which went forth by an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel.
4.  For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:
5.  But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought.
6.  Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.
7.  Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,
8.  Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name:
9.  That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress.
10.  They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.
11.  Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.
12.  For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.
13.  Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.
14.  Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.
15.  Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
16.  Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing shall be in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing.
17.  And in all vineyards shall be wailing: for I will pass through thee, saith the LORD.
18.  Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.
19.  As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.
20.  Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?
21.  I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.
22.  Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.
23.  Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.
24.  But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
25.  Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?
26.  But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.
27.  Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith the LORD, whose name is The God of hosts.

Commentary: Amos 5

Vs. 1-6
The convincing, awakening word must be heard and heeded, as well as words of comfort and peace; for whether we hear or forbear, the word of God shall take effect. The Lord still proclaims mercy to men, but they often expect deliverance from such self-invented forms as make their condemnation sure. While they refuse to come to Christ and to seek mercy in and by him, that they may live, the fire of Divine wrath breaks forth upon them. Men may make an idol of the world, but will find it cannot protect.
Vs. 7-17
The same almighty power can, for repenting sinners, easily turn affliction and sorrow into prosperity and joy, and as easily turn the prosperity of daring sinners into utter darkness. Evil times will not bear plain dealing; that is, evil men will not. And these men were evil men indeed, when wise and good men thought it in vain even to speak to them. Those who will seek and love that which is good, may help to save the land from ruin. It behooves us to plead God's spiritual promises, to beseech him to create in us a clean heart, and to renew a right spirit within us. The Lord is ever ready to be gracious to the souls that seek him; and then piety and every duty will be attended to. But as for sinful Israel, God's judgments had often passed by them, now they shall pass through them.
Vs. 18-27
Woe unto those that desire the day of the Lord's judgments, that wish for times of war and confusion; as some who long for changes, hoping to rise upon the ruins of their country! but this should be so great a desolation, that nobody could gain by it. The day of the Lord will be a dark, dismal, gloomy day to all impenitent sinners. When God makes a day dark, all the world cannot make it light. Those who are not reformed by the judgments of God, will be pursued by them; if they escape one, another stands ready to seize them. A pretense of piety is double iniquity, and so it will be found. The people of Israel copied the crimes of their forefathers. The law of worshipping the Lord our God, is, Him only we must serve. Professors thrive so little, because they have little or no communion with God in their duties. They were led captive by Satan into idolatry, therefore God caused them to go into captivity among idolaters.

Luke 1:1-38

1.  Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2.  Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3.  It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
4.  That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
5.  There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6.  And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7.  And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8.  And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
9.  According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10.  And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11.  And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12.  And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13.  But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14.  And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15.  For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
16.  And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17.  And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
18.  And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19.  And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20.  And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
21.  And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22.  And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
23.  And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24.  And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25.  Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
26.  And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27.  To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28.  And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29.  And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30.  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31.  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33.  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34.  Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35.  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36.  And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37.  For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38.  And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Commentary: Luke 1:1-38

Vs. 1-4
Luke will not write of things about which Christians may safely differ from one another, and hesitate within themselves; but the things which are, and ought to be surely believed. The doctrine of Christ is what the wisest and best of men have ventured their souls upon with confidence and satisfaction. And the great events whereon our hopes depend, have been recorded by those who were from the beginning eye-witnesses and ministers of the word, and who were perfected in their understanding of them through Divine inspiration.
Vs. 5-25
The father and mother of John the Baptist were sinners as all are, and were justified and saved in the same way as others; but they were eminent for piety and integrity. They had no children, and it could not be expected that Elisabeth should have any in her old age. While Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, the whole multitude of the people were praying without. All the prayers we offer up to God, are acceptable and successful only by Christ's intercession in the temple of God above. We cannot expect an interest therein if we do not pray, and pray with our spirits, and are not earnest in prayer. Nor can we expect that the best of our prayers should gain acceptance, and bring an answer of peace, but through the mediation of Christ, who ever lives, making intercession. The prayers Zacharias often made, received an answer of peace. Prayers of faith are filed in heaven, and are not forgotten. Prayers made when we were young and entering into the world, may be answered when we are old and going out of the world. Mercies are doubly sweet that are given in answer to prayer. Zacharias shall have a son in his old age, who shall be instrumental in the conversion of many souls to God, and preparing them to receive the gospel of Christ. He shall go before Him with courage, zeal, holiness, and a mind dead to earthly interests and pleasures. The disobedient and rebellious would be brought back to the wisdom of their righteous forefathers, or rather, brought to attend to the wisdom of that Just One who was coming among them. Zacharias heard all that the angel said; but his unbelief spake. In striking him dumb, God dealt justly with him, because he had objected against God's word. We may admire the patience of God towards us. God dealt kindly with him, for thus he prevented his speaking any more distrustful, unbelieving words. Thus also God confirmed his faith. If by the rebukes we are under for our sin, we are brought to give the more credit to the word of God, we have no reason to complain. Even real believers are apt to dishonor God by unbelief; and their mouths are stopped in silence and confusion, when otherwise they would have been praising God with joy and gratitude. In God's gracious dealings with us we ought to observe his gracious regards to us. He has looked on us with compassion and favor, and therefore has thus dealt with us.
Vs. 26-38
We have here an account of the mother of our Lord; though we are not to pray to her, yet we ought to praise God for her. Christ must be born miraculously. The angel's address means only, Hail, thou that art the especially chosen and favored of the Most High, to attain the honor Jewish mothers have so long desired. This wondrous salutation and appearance troubled Mary. The angel then assured her that she had found favor with God, and would become the mother of a son whose name she should call Jesus, the Son of the Highest, one in a nature and perfection with the Lord God. Jesus! the name that refreshes the fainting spirits of humbled sinners; sweet to speak and sweet to hear, Jesus, a Savior! We know not his riches and our own poverty, therefore we run not to him; we perceive not that we are lost and perishing, therefore a Savior is a word of little relish. Were we convinced of the huge mass of guilt that lies upon us, and the wrath that hangs over us for it, ready to fall upon us, it would be our continual thought, Is the Savior mine? And that we might find him so, we should trample on all that hinders our way to him. Mary's reply to the angel was the language of faith and humble admiration, and she asked no sign for the confirming her faith. Without controversy, great was the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh, 1 Timothy 3:16. Christ's human nature must be produced so, as it was fit that should be which was to be taken into union with the Divine nature. And we must, as Mary here, guide our desires by the word of God. In all conflicts, let us remember that with God nothing is impossible; and as we read and hear his promises, let us turn them into prayers, Behold the willing servant of the Lord; let it be unto me according to thy word.

Family Reading

1 Chronicles 7-8

1.  Now the sons of Issachar were, Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four.
2.  And the sons of Tola; Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father's house, to wit, of Tola: they were valiant men of might in their generations; whose number was in the days of David two and twenty thousand and six hundred.
3.  And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men.
4.  And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, were bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand men: for they had many wives and sons.
5.  And their brethren among all the families of Issachar were valiant men of might, reckoned in all by their genealogies fourscore and seven thousand.
6.  The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.
7.  And the sons of Bela; Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour; and were reckoned by their genealogies twenty and two thousand and thirty and four.
8.  And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these are the sons of Becher.
9.  And the number of them, after their genealogy by their generations, heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour, was twenty thousand and two hundred.
10.  The sons also of Jediael; Bilhan: and the sons of Bilhan; Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tharshish, and Ahishahar.
11.  All these the sons of Jediael, by the heads of their fathers, mighty men of valour, were seventeen thousand and two hundred soldiers, fit to go out for war and battle.
12.  Shuppim also, and Huppim, the children of Ir, and Hushim, the sons of Aher.
13.  The sons of Naphtali; Jahziel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.
14.  The sons of Manasseh; Ashriel, whom she bare: (but his concubine the Aramitess bare Machir the father of Gilead:
15.  And Machir took to wife the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister's name was Maachah;) and the name of the second was Zelophehad: and Zelophehad had daughters.
16.  And Maachah the wife of Machir bare a son, and she called his name Peresh; and the name of his brother was Sheresh; and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.
17.  And the sons of Ulam; Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.
18.  And his sister Hammoleketh bare Ishod, and Abiezer, and Mahalah.
19.  And the sons of Shemida were, Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam.
20.  And the sons of Ephraim; Shuthelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eladah his son, and Tahath his son,
21.  And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.
22.  And Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him.
23.  And when he went in to his wife, she conceived, and bare a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house.
24.  (And his daughter was Sherah, who built Bethhoron the nether, and the upper, and Uzzensherah.)
25.  And Rephah was his son, also Resheph, and Telah his son, and Tahan his son,
26.  Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son,
27.  Non his son, Jehoshua his son.
28.  And their possessions and habitations were, Bethel and the towns thereof, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer, with the towns thereof; Shechem also and the towns thereof, unto Gaza and the towns thereof:
29.  And by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Bethshean and her towns, Taanach and her towns, Megiddo and her towns, Dor and her towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph the son of Israel.
30.  The sons of Asher; Imnah, and Isuah, and Ishuai, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.
31.  And the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel, who is the father of Birzavith.
32.  And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.
33.  And the sons of Japhlet; Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the children of Japhlet.
34.  And the sons of Shamer; Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
35.  And the sons of his brother Helem; Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal.
36.  The sons of Zophah; Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah,
37.  Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.
38.  And the sons of Jether; Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara.
39.  And the sons of Ulla; Arah, and Haniel, and Rezia.
40.  All these were the children of Asher, heads of their father's house, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were apt to the war and to battle was twenty and six thousand men.


1.  Now Benjamin begat Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third,
2.  Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.
3.  And the sons of Bela were, Addar, and Gera, and Abihud,
4.  And Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah,
5.  And Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram.
6.  And these are the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Geba, and they removed them to Manahath:
7.  And Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and begat Uzza, and Ahihud.
8.  And Shaharaim begat children in the country of Moab, after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara were his wives.
9.  And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham,
10.  And Jeuz, and Shachia, and Mirma. These were his sons, heads of the fathers.
11.  And of Hushim he begat Abitub, and Elpaal.
12.  The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof:
13.  Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath:
14.  And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth,
15.  And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader,
16.  And Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah;
17.  And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber,
18.  Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal;
19.  And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi,
20.  And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel,
21.  And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi;
22.  And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel,
23.  And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan,
24.  And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah,
25.  And Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak;
26.  And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah,
27.  And Jaresiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham.
28.  These were heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem.
29.  And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife's name was Maachah:
30.  And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,
31.  And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher.
32.  And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them.
33.  And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
34.  And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal; and Meribbaal begat Micah.
35.  And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz.
36.  And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza,
37.  And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son:
38.  And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
39.  And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40.  And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons, and sons' sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin.

Commentary: 1 Chronicles 7-8

Vs. 1-40
Here is no account either of Zebulun or Dan. We can assign no reason why they only should be omitted; but it is the disgrace of the tribe of Dan, that idolatry began in that colony which fixed in Laish, and called it Dan, Judges ch 18 and there one of the golden calves was set up by Jeroboam. Dan is omitted, Revelation ch 7. Men become abominable when they forsake the worship of the true God, for any creature object.


Vs. 1-40
Here is a larger list of Benjamin's tribe. We may suppose that many things in these genealogies, which to us seem difficult, abrupt, and perplexed, were plain and easy at that time, and fully answered the intention for which they were published. Many great and mighty nations then were in being upon earth, and many illustrious men, whose names are now wholly forgotten; while the names of multitudes of the Israel of God are here kept in everlasting remembrance. The memory of the just is blessed.

Hebrews 11

1.  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2.  For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3.  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4.  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5.  By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6.  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7.  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8.  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.
9.  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:
10.  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11.  Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12.  Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13.  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14.  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15.  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16.  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17.  By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18.  Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19.  Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20.  By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21.  By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22.  By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23.  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
24.  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25.  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26.  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27.  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28.  Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29.  By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30.  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31.  By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32.  And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33.  Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34.  Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35.  Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36.  And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37.  They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38.  (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39.  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40.  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Commentary: Hebrews 11

Vs. 1-3
Faith always has been the mark of God's servants, from the beginning of the world. Where the principle is planted by the regenerating Spirit of God, it will cause the truth to be received, concerning justification by the sufferings and merits of Christ. And the same things that are the object of our hope, are the object of our faith. It is a firm persuasion and expectation, that God will perform all he has promised to us in Christ. This persuasion gives the soul to enjoy those things now; it gives them a subsistence or reality in the soul, by the first-fruits and foretastes of them. Faith proves to the mind, the reality of things that cannot be seen by the bodily eye. It is a full approval of all God has revealed, as holy, just, and good. This view of faith is explained by many examples of persons in former times, who obtained a good report, or an honorable character in the word of God. Faith was the principle of their holy obedience, remarkable services, and patient sufferings. The Bible gives the most true and exact account of the origin of all things, and we are to believe it, and not to wrest the Scripture account of the creation, because it does not suit with the differing fancies of men. All that we see of the works of creation, were brought into being by the command of God.
Vs. 4-7
Here follow some illustrious examples of faith from the Old Testament. Abel brought a sacrifice of atonement from the firstlings of the flock, acknowledging himself a sinner who deserved to die, and only hoping for mercy through the great Sacrifice. Cain's proud rage and enmity against the accepted worshipper of God, led to the awful effects the same principles have produced in every age; the cruel persecution, and even murder of believers. By faith Abel, being dead, yet speaketh; he left an instructive and speaking example. Enoch was translated, or removed, that he should not see death; God took him into heaven, as Christ will do the saints who shall be alive at his second coming. We cannot come to God, unless we believe that he is what he has revealed himself to be in the Scripture. Those who would find God, must seek him with all their heart. Noah's faith influenced his practice; it moved him to prepare an ark. His faith condemned the unbelief of others; and his obedience condemned their contempt and rebellion. Good examples either convert sinners or condemn them. This shows how believers, being warned of God to flee from the wrath to come, are moved with fear, take refuge in Christ, and become heirs of the righteousness of faith.
Vs. 8-19
We are often called to leave worldly connections, interests, and comforts. If heirs of Abraham's faith, we shall obey and go forth, though not knowing what may befall us; and we shall be found in the way of duty, looking for the performance of God's promises. The trial of Abraham's faith was, that he simply and fully obeyed the call of God. Sarah received the promise as the promise of God; being convinced of that, she truly judged that he both could and would perform it. Many, who have a part in the promises, do not soon receive the things promised. Faith can lay hold of blessings at a great distance; can make them present; can love them and rejoice in them, though strangers; as saints, whose home is heaven; as pilgrims, traveling toward their home. By faith, they overcome the terrors of death, and bid a cheerful farewell to this world, and to all the comforts and crosses of it. And those once truly and savingly called out of a sinful state, have no mind to return into it. All true believers desire the heavenly inheritance; and the stronger faith is, the more fervent those desires will be. Notwithstanding their meanness by nature, their vileness by sin, and the poverty of their outward condition, God is not ashamed to be called the God of all true believers; such is his mercy, such is his love to them. Let them never be ashamed of being called his people, nor of any of those who are truly so, how much soever despised in the world. Above all, let them take care that they are not a shame and reproach to their God. The greatest trial and act of faith upon record is, Abraham's offering up Isaac, Genesis 22:2. There, every word shows a trial. It is our duty to reason down our doubts and fears, by looking, as Abraham did, to the Almighty power of God. The best way to enjoy our comforts is, to give them up to God; he will then again give them as shall be the best for us. Let us look how far our faith has caused the like obedience, when we have been called to lesser acts of self-denial, or to make smaller sacrifices to our duty. Have we given up what was called for, fully believing that the Lord would make up all our losses, and even bless us by the most afflicting dispensations?
Vs. 20-31
Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, concerning things to come. Things present are not the best things; no man knoweth love or hatred by having them or wanting them. Jacob lived by faith, and he died by faith, and in faith. Though the grace of faith is of use always through our whole lives, it is especially so when we come to die. Faith has a great work to do at last, to help the believer to die to the Lord, so as to honor him, by patience, hope, and joy. Joseph was tried by temptations to sin, by persecution for keeping his integrity; and he was tried by honors and power in the court of Pharaoh, yet his faith carried him through. It is a great mercy to be free from wicked laws and edicts; but when we are not so, we must use all lawful means for our security. In this faith of Moses' parents there was a mixture of unbelief, but God was pleased to overlook it. Faith gives strength against the sinful, slavish fear of men; it sets God before the soul, shows the vanity of the creature, and that all must give way to the will and power of God. The pleasures of sin are, and will be, but short; they must end either in speedy repentance or in speedy ruin. The pleasures of this world are for the most part the pleasures of sin; they are always so when we cannot enjoy them without deserting God and his people. Suffering is to be chosen rather than sin; there being more evil in the least sin, than there can be in the greatest suffering. God's people are, and always have been, a reproached people. Christ accounts himself reproached in their reproaches; and thus they become greater riches than the treasures of the richest empire in the world. Moses made his choice when ripe for judgment and enjoyment, able to know what he did, and why he did it. It is needful for persons to be seriously religious; to despise the world, when most capable of relishing and enjoying it. Believers may and ought to have respect to the recompense of reward. By faith we may be fully sure of God's providence, and of his gracious and powerful presence with us. Such a sight of God will enable believers to keep on to the end, whatever they may meet in the way. It is not owing to our own righteousness, or best performances, that we are saved from the wrath of God; but to the blood of Christ, and his imputed righteousness. True faith makes sin bitter to the soul, even while it receives the pardon and atonement. All our spiritual privileges on earth, should quicken us in our way to heaven. The Lord will make even Babylon fall before the faith of his people, and when he has some great thing to do for them, he raises up great and strong faith in them. A true believer is desirous, not only to be in covenant with God, but in communion with the people of God; and is willing to fare as they fare. By her works Rahab declared herself to be just. That she was not justified by her works appears plainly; because the work she did was faulty in the manner, and not perfectly good, therefore it could not be answerable to the perfect justice or righteousness of God.
Vs. 32-38
After all our searches into the Scriptures, there is more to be learned from them. We should be pleased to think, how great the number of believers was under the Old Testament, and how strong their faith, though the objects of it were not then so fully made known as now. And we should lament that now, in gospel times, when the rule of faith is more clear and perfect, the number of believers should be so small, and their faith so weak. It is the excellence of the grace of faith, that, while it helps men to do great things, like Gideon, it keeps from high and great thoughts of themselves. Faith, like Barak's, has recourse unto God in all dangers and difficulties, and then makes grateful returns to God for all mercies and deliverances. By faith, the servants of God shall overcome even the roaring lion that goeth about seeking whom he may devour. The believer's faith endures to the end, and, in dying, gives him victory over death and all his deadly enemies, like Samson. The grace of God often fixes upon very undeserving and ill-deserving persons, to do great things for them and by them. But the grace of faith, wherever it is, will put men upon acknowledging God in all their ways, as Jephthah. It will make men bold and courageous in a good cause. Few ever met with greater trials, few ever showed more lively faith, than David, and he has left a testimony as to the trials and acts of faith, in the book of Psalm, which has been, and ever will be, of great value to the people of God. Those are likely to grow up to be distinguished for faith, who begin betimes, like Samuel, to exercise it. And faith will enable a man to serve God and his generation, in whatever way he may be employed. The interests and powers of kings and kingdoms, are often opposed to God and his people; but God can easily subdue all that set themselves against him. It is a greater honor and happiness to work righteousness than to work miracles. By faith we have comfort of the promises; and by faith we are prepared to wait for the promises, and in due time to receive them. And though we do not hope to have our dead relatives or friends restored to life in this world, yet faith will support under the loss of them, and direct to the hope of a better resurrection. Shall we be most amazed at the wickedness of human nature, that it is capable of such awful cruelties to fellow-creatures, or at the excellence of Divine grace, that is able to bear up the faithful under such cruelties, and to carry them safely through all? What a difference between God's judgment of a saint, and man's judgment! The world is not worthy of those scorned, persecuted saints, whom their persecutors reckon unworthy to live. They are not worthy of their company, example, counsel, or other benefits. For they know not what a saint is, nor the worth of a saint, nor how to use him; they hate, and drive such away, as they do the offer of Christ and his grace.
Vs. 39, 40
The world considers that the righteous are not worthy to live in the world, and God declares the world is not worthy of them. Though the righteous and the worldlings widely differ in their judgment, they agree in this, it is not fit that good men should have their rest in this world. Therefore God receives them out of it. The apostle tells the Hebrews, that God had provided some better things for them, therefore they might be sure that he expected as good things from them. As our advantages, with the better things God has provided for us, are so much beyond theirs, so should our obedience of faith, patience of hope, and labor of love, be greater. And unless we get true faith as these believers had, they will rise up to condemn us at the last day. Let us then pray continually for the increase of our faith, that we may follow these bright examples, and be, with them, at length made perfect in holiness and happiness, and shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father for evermore.

Prayer

Lord's Prayer

Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Apostle's Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

Amen.

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