ABRAHAM – THE GREAT GRANDFATHER OF JOSEPH

Heb.11:8-10 – By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

This passage describes the conflict that the people of God have always faced. Abraham was able to survive all of his adversity because he had his eyes on the heavenly city. This faith is also seen in Isaac, Jacob, and Abraham’s great grandson, Joseph. Just as Abraham was our deliverer providing the example of inheriting the promises of God by faith, Joseph also is an amazing picture of the deliverance we find in Christ. Even though Joseph was persecuted by his brothers he was God’s tool of salvation for all of his family. We also walk in the steps of Abraham as we set our eyes on the city of God, even when we are attacked and face resistance the Lord keeps us and uses us to advance His kingdom. Here is Chrysostom on this passage.

“The metaphor is of persons on shipboard, seeing from afar the longed-for cities. Before they enter, they by their words of greeting already are beginning to occupy.… Do you see that they received the promises in this sense, in their already accepting them and being confident respecting them? If then to be confident is to receive the promise, it is in your power also to receive. These faithful did not yet fully enjoy the future blessing but yet by their longing still saw it. Why now do these things happen? That we might be put to shame, in that they indeed, when things on earth were promised them, regarded them not, but sought the future “city.” God again and again speaks to us of the city that is above, and yet we seek that which is here.”

So maybe you feel like an alien sometimes, you don’t fit in and are even subjected to rejection and ridicule. You are in great company, all of God’s people have experienced this throughout history. Don’t be surprised if the Lord uses you to bring blessing even to those who have attacked you. Like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph you carry the blessing of God on your life, especially when you are resisted.