Hebrews 11:17–22 “The Offering and the Rising”

Hebrews 11:17-22 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• How Deep the Fathers Love for Us – Stuart Townend
• Hillsong Worship – Cornerstone Lyrics
• Keith & Kristyn Getty – By Faith

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• The Faithful Hall of Fame (Hebrews 11) – Lesson for Kids
• I Have Decided | Cave Quest VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Pray About Everything (Philippians 4:6-7)| Kingdom Rock VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• You Gave (John 14:19) | Hometown Nazareth VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The author returns once again to the story of Abraham. The most significant event in Abraham’s life was offering his “only son” (v. 17), Isaac. That story appears in Genesis 22. The author refers to it as a “test.” God’s command shook the very foundation of Abraham’s faith. For Abraham, Isaac was the only way through which God’s “promise” could be fulfilled—that his descendants would become as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore (v. 18).

Nevertheless, he obeyed God’s command—because he believed that “God could even raise the dead” (v. 19). In fact, Isaac can be considered as one who was “received back from death,” since Abraham was truly prepared to carry out what God had asked of him.

Faith is also proven in actions that trust and seek God concerning “future things” (v. 20). If one believes that God plans and governs future events, it naturally leads to trusting and praying for what is to come. Isaac’s blessing of Jacob and Esau came from such faith (see Genesis 27). The author lists Jacob’s name before Esau’s to reflect the divine order of God’s choice. Jacob, before his death, also blessed Joseph’s sons, Manasseh and Ephraim (v. 21), referring to the story in Genesis 48. When Joseph asked that his bones be buried in the burial site of his ancestors (Genesis 50:25), he too was acting in faith (v. 22).

Meditation:

It is clear that the author of Hebrews, in recounting the story of Isaac’s sacrifice, had in mind the sacrifice of Jesus. Just as offering Isaac was a “test” (v. 17) for Abraham, Jesus’ death on the cross was also a great test for Him. Jesus overcame that test through prayer and fasting for forty days in the wilderness, and ultimately in the Garden of Gethsemane through fervent prayer.

Just as Abraham was “willing to offer” (v. 17) Isaac in obedience to God’s command, Jesus willingly offered His own body. The author of Hebrews frequently uses the verb “to offer” (prosphero) when describing Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross (see 5:1, 3; 8:3–4; 9:7, 14). In verse 17, that verb is used twice, emphasizing that Abraham’s and Jesus’ actions were the same.

The author explains the reason behind Abraham’s obedience by stating, “Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead” (v. 19). The author also uses the verb egeirō, which was commonly used in the early church to refer to resurrection. Although the concept of resurrection did not exist in Abraham’s time, he knew from experience that nothing was impossible for God (Genesis 18:14).

For human beings, the most impossible thing is for the dead to come back to life. Isaac was saved from a near-death situation, but Jesus actually died, was buried, and then came back to life. He was not merely revived in the same old body but raised in a glorified, spiritual body. Nothing is impossible for God who created the universe out of nothing.

In this light, the greatest event ever done “by faith” was when Jesus offered His body as a sacrifice on the cross. That event was foreshadowed in Abraham’s act of offering Isaac as a burnt offering. What Abraham did with Isaac on Mount Moriah was ultimately fulfilled by what Jesus did on Mount Calvary. His sacrificial death on the cross and resurrection from the dead are the most powerful testimony to God’s faithfulness.

Prayer:

Lord, help us also to live “by faith.” Through your sacrifice on the cross, let us come to know God’s unconditional love. Through your resurrection, let us believe in God’s faithfulness. May we live each day with faith in God’s love and faithfulness. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God’s love and power go beyond what we can imagine. Abraham trusted God even when it didn’t make sense, and Jesus showed us the greatest example of faith and love by giving His life and rising again. Faith means trusting God’s promises, even when we can’t see how everything will work out.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • Why do you think Abraham trusted God when God asked him to give up his only son?
  • How do you feel knowing that Jesus gave his life for you because he loves you?
  • What are some ways you can show faith in God, even when you’re scared or don’t understand?
• For Youth
  • Have you ever felt God asking you to trust Him with something difficult? How did you respond?
  • Abraham believed that God could bring Isaac back from the dead. What does that say about Abraham’s view of God?
  • Jesus offered himself willingly and trusted in God’s plan. How can we live out the same kind of faith today?
  • How can believing in the resurrection help you face doubts or struggles in your life?