Martin Luther: ‘Whosoever professes he has a Father in heaven, confesses himself a stranger on earth; hence there is in the heart an ardent longing, like that of a child among strangers, in want and grief, far from his fatherland.’
- The believer looks to God’s new heaven and new earth.
- 11:13, 16. This is illustrated in Isaac, Jacob and Joseph – 11:20-22. For all the references, see Genesis 27:27-29, 39-40; 47:31; 48:15-16; 50:24-25.
- the Old Testament saints looked ahead to the glory – 1 Peter 1:10-12; John 8:56. In C.S. Lewis’ terms, this world is the Shadowlands. Look to the greater kingdom – Phil.3:20.
- The believer looks on this life as a pilgrimage.
- 11:13. The Old Testament saints spoke this language – Gen.23:4 (Abraham); 1 Chronicles 29:15 (David); Ps.119:19 (the Psalmist). Fanny Crosby: Tell me, pilgrims, what you hope for/ In that far-off, better land./ We shall dwell with God forever..
- The believer does not look back to the world.
- 11:13-15; Gen.24:6; Luke 19:32; 2 Tim.4:10.
- The believer looks to God’s condescending and personal grace.
- 11:16b. If we identify with someone or with a family, or even with a football team, we can be ashamed. But God who is eternal and holy and righteous is not ashamed of believers – Ex.3:6. More than that, He is delighted – Luke 15:10.