"Of whom the world was not worthy..."
Text: Hebrews 11:38
DIFFERENT WAYS OF LOOKING AT FAITH
Two different ways of looking at faith were presented by the author of Hebrews.
1. The First Way
Faith enables a person to attempt and accomplish great feats (Cf. Hebrews 11:7-35a). Each feat may be described as “positive”.
2. The Second Way
Faith enables a person to endure great trials of life. In this perspective faith enables a person to endure great hardship. The end result may sometimes be termed “negative” because there is the possibility of the loss of life!
A PROFOUND INSIGHT
The author of Hebrews offers a third way of looking at faith.
“Of whom the world was not worthy.
They wandered in deserts and mountains,
in dens and caves of the earth.”
Hebrews 11:38
1. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
a) This description continues with the listing of the sufferings the faithful are called to endure (Cf. Hebrews 11:35b-37).
b) Great was the hardship of some of the faithful:-
i) They were forced out of their homes.
ii) They had to learn how to survive (in deserts, mountains, dens and caves).
2. Of whom the world was not worthy
a) This was a profound way of giving honour to the faithful.
b) “The world” stood in stark contrast to these faithful ones.
c) The world should have recognized the worth of these noble people with heroic faith.
d) Instead the world hated and persecuted those who had found faith in God.
e) The world had proven itself unworthy to receive the faithful ones of God.
f) The death of the faithful was not their loss; it is the world that has suffered the loss.