Hebrews 11:8-16

"By faith, Abraham answered God's call and set out for the land he was to inherit. And he set out without knowing where he was going."

This letter was traditionally attributed to Paul, but it is unlike his other letters and does not name Paul as the author. The letter does emphasize "faith" in a way that reminds the reader of Paul, so it may have been written by a church leader familiar with Paul's writings. As is true in Paul's letters, Abraham is presented as the great man of faith, because he obeyed God. Hebrews also tells us that Sarah "by faith" was able to conceive a child in her old age. Thus, the old patriarch and his wife were to found a line through Isaac and then their grandson Jacob that became the people of Israel in covenant with God.

Paul argues that the descendants of Abraham, by faith, are now all those who are faithful to Christ, because Christ is the fulfillment of the law of the covenant. Hebrews takes up that argument with Jews, who might be tempted to think that the new covenant in Christ has not replaced the old covenant received by Moses on behalf of the people of Israel.

Grace and peace...Bob