Read Hebrews 11
Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead.… By faith
Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau.… By faith Jacob, when he was
dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons.… By faith Joseph, when his
end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.
Hebrews 11:19–22
In Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, we have four generations of
faith. These men sometimes failed, but they were devoted to God and
trusted His word.
The faith of Joseph was especially remarkable. After the way his
family treated him, we would think he would have abandoned his
faith; but instead, it grew stronger. Even the ungodly influence of
Egypt did not weaken his trust in God. Joseph did not use his family,
his job, or his circumstances as an excuse for unbelief.
We have to admire the faith of the patriarchs. They did not have
a complete Bible, and yet their faith was strong. They handed God’s
promises down from one generation to another. In spite of their failures and tests, these men and women believed God, and He bore
witness to their faith. How much more faith you and I should have!
Something to Ponder
Think of one person who is a model of faith for you. What is it about
that person that is evidence of faith?