October 8, 2006
THE FAITH THAT INHERITS
Hebrews 11:7-8

   "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. By faith Abraham, when...called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and...went out, not knowing where he went" (Hebrews 11:7-8).
   The link joining Noah and Abraham is their faith focused on things they would inherit. The fact that Noah is mentioned before Abraham in the matter of "righteousness which is by faith" is remarkable! It shows that this great principle was always true, that God imputed righteousness where He found faith in His word! By no means did it begin with Abraham nor could it be limited to Abraham and David to whom Paul called our attention in Romans 4. This was always God's great transdispensational truth!
   For the saint, that there is also a "righteous of faith" expressed in deeds is also blessedly true. On this issue both Paul and James agree perfectly, for James wrote that by such works of faith Abraham's faith was "perfected" and as a believer he was declared righteous or justified (James 2:22). Since our subject in Hebrews is the believer's "going on to perfection," the many examples apply down through the ages.
   We must not miss the moving causes that prompted Noah's faith to prepare, against all reason, an ark on dry land! Noah's wisdom of 600 years, his fellowship with God, his purity of life might all help him foresee the goal to which the ungodliness of his day was fast heading. But all this would never have hinted a flood nor suggested an ark. His faith was a result of divine warning and pious fear. What he could not see God gave him by direct warning. He did know the faithfulness of Him Who spoke.
   Noah "moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house..." The Hebrews could not miss the parallel with Moses, who was a servant in God's house, yet Christ was "a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope steadfast unto the end" (3:5-6). Paul was saying to Israel, "Will you not prepare to leave the work of Moses the servant, who can do nothing more that condemn you, and enter into the provisions made by Christ the Son and the New Covenant sealed by His own blood?"

Ivan L. Burgener